Lexington, KY -September 12, 2018-Haley Gassel of Lenoir City, Tennessee has been selected as the Hollow Brook
Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for August.
Gassel competes in the East Conference, Amateur-Owner Division of the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. She earned the award by riding QUITE DARK 2 to first place at the Kentucky Summer Classic and to second place at the Blue Grass Festival Horse Show, both of which were held in Lexington, Kentucky.
“I would like to give hearty congratulations to Haley Gassel on being named our August Rider of the Month. Her hard work has shown, and she is, without a doubt, a deserving winner,” commented George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
When Haley received the certificate, she was at a loss for words. She wrote, “I was on the verge of tears this morning. I had no idea this was coming!”
Quite Dark 2 is a very dark bay (almost black - thus the name), 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding who stands a very tall 17 hands 3 inches. Haley got him in February 2013, mainly to ride him in the NAJYR Championships in 2014. “He’s such a talented, all around, amazing trier! He does so well that I decided to keep him,” Gassel said, and continue to compete him at Grand Prix level.
Since this is her last year to show in the U25 division (under 25, open to amateurs and professionals showing at 1.45m+), she chose to do the High Amateur Owner division (no professionals) in Kentucky to try to qualify last minute for the National Horse Show.The 135th National Horse Show runs from October 27 to November 4, 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
Haley has two other horses she’s riding. One is a six-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood named Hambesi. “He’s incredibly talented,” she said. “I’m hoping he’ll make it to the big level. Now, he’s doing the young jumper classes and will be going to the Young Jumper Championship in Kentucky.” Her other is a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood named Werner 61.
Haley keeps her horses on her farm in Friendsville, Tennessee, Westwind Equine Training Center, where there are “36 acres, rolling hills and pastures, and a barn with 26 stalls,” she described. It is a full boarding and training barn with A-show riders and an IEA team. Her barn trainer is Amanda Melton-Finger, but she does not travel to shows with Haley. She stays and teaches clients at their farm.
In addition to riding, Haley is a health and fitness coach (Jumping Into Fitness With Haley) and an equine insurance agent at Taylor Harris Insurance.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The Series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two Conferences and follows Grand Prix rules and specifications. Each month the Series honors the rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month. The Series provides an opportunity for amateur-owner and junior riders to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many who aspire to represent the United States in international competition.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park's Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport's history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.
For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net.
Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for August.
Gassel competes in the East Conference, Amateur-Owner Division of the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. She earned the award by riding QUITE DARK 2 to first place at the Kentucky Summer Classic and to second place at the Blue Grass Festival Horse Show, both of which were held in Lexington, Kentucky.
“I would like to give hearty congratulations to Haley Gassel on being named our August Rider of the Month. Her hard work has shown, and she is, without a doubt, a deserving winner,” commented George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
When Haley received the certificate, she was at a loss for words. She wrote, “I was on the verge of tears this morning. I had no idea this was coming!”
Quite Dark 2 is a very dark bay (almost black - thus the name), 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding who stands a very tall 17 hands 3 inches. Haley got him in February 2013, mainly to ride him in the NAJYR Championships in 2014. “He’s such a talented, all around, amazing trier! He does so well that I decided to keep him,” Gassel said, and continue to compete him at Grand Prix level.
Since this is her last year to show in the U25 division (under 25, open to amateurs and professionals showing at 1.45m+), she chose to do the High Amateur Owner division (no professionals) in Kentucky to try to qualify last minute for the National Horse Show.The 135th National Horse Show runs from October 27 to November 4, 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
Haley has two other horses she’s riding. One is a six-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood named Hambesi. “He’s incredibly talented,” she said. “I’m hoping he’ll make it to the big level. Now, he’s doing the young jumper classes and will be going to the Young Jumper Championship in Kentucky.” Her other is a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood named Werner 61.
Haley keeps her horses on her farm in Friendsville, Tennessee, Westwind Equine Training Center, where there are “36 acres, rolling hills and pastures, and a barn with 26 stalls,” she described. It is a full boarding and training barn with A-show riders and an IEA team. Her barn trainer is Amanda Melton-Finger, but she does not travel to shows with Haley. She stays and teaches clients at their farm.
In addition to riding, Haley is a health and fitness coach (Jumping Into Fitness With Haley) and an equine insurance agent at Taylor Harris Insurance.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The Series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two Conferences and follows Grand Prix rules and specifications. Each month the Series honors the rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month. The Series provides an opportunity for amateur-owner and junior riders to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many who aspire to represent the United States in international competition.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park's Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport's history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.
For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net.
