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Media Contact: Brenda Mueller
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Article by: Brenda Mueller for ChicagoEquestrian.com

Canterbury Farm Aims for Pre-Green Incentive Championship with Two Young Hunters

Caitlin Shiels and co-owners Greg Franklin and Margo Lyons share tin accepting Kadence Darco’s award for the Pre-Green Incentive Stake at the Showplace Productions’ Spring Warm-up.

Hampshire, IL – May 26, 2015 – Canterbury Farm, Hampshire, IL, is aiming for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championships in August with two young hunters they are currently bringing along.  The Championships are held at the Kentucky Horse Park as part of a program to encourage the development of pre-green horses with bonus awards and incentives.

One of the young horses is a five-year-old Belgian warmblood mare named Kadence Darco. The mare is co-owned by Canterbury Farm and barn manager Margo Lyons. The farm has had the mare since she was two and she is currently tenth in the Pre-Green Incentive five-year-old standings. The mare showed in Ocala with rider Caitlyn Shiels and recently earned the 3’ Pre-Green Championship two weeks in a row at the Showplace Productions’ Spring Warm Up at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Elgin, IL. The pair won both the Pre-Green Hunter Challenge and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake Class week one and was second in the Pre-Green Stake week two. (Kadence Darco with Caitlyn Shiels pictured right and below left)

“Her lead changes are automatic, and have been since the very first time she walked in the ring in the baby green hunters,” said Shiels. “She is intelligent and really figures things out on her own very quickly. We’re really looking forward to watching this mare meet the challenge of the pre-green incentive. She has met every challenge that has come her way with grace and athleticism.”

Similar to all of the horses at Canterbury, her program includes daily structured flatwork and weekly schooling including gymnastic exercises and cavaletti work.

“I’m a firm believer in developing a solid foundation with every horse and that comes from a well-rounded education on the flat,” said Canterbury trainer, Greg Franklin. “To really develop that it takes patience and consistency and for Caitlyn and I, it takes teamwork.”

“I have truly loved seeing her mature over the past three years and am thrilled to see her continue to excel with the Canterbury program,” said co-owner Lyons.

King of Hearts is the second pre-green horse Canterbury has in the incentive program. New to the farm, the six-year old Hanoverian gelding came home from Ocala with Franklin for owner Natalie Alden.

King of Hearts with Caitlyn Shiels and Greg Franklin.

“We bought the horse from Michael Kirby after seeing him in the 3’3” Performance Hunters and knew immediately that he was special,” said Franklin.

“When we saw him show in Ocala, it was only his first time in the hunters and we were impressed. He has continued to progress and we are delighted to have him as part of the team,” said Shiels.

In addition to the pre-green division with Shiels, King of Hearts will compete in the junior hunters with his young owner, Alden.

The horse is currently third in Zone Five in the Pre-Greens and was Reserve Champion both weeks at the Showplace Spring Warm-up. He took home the red ribbon in both the Pre-Green Incentive Stake class and the Pre-Green Hunter Challenge the second week.

“It was exciting to have such success with both of the young ones in May,” said Franklin. “We are really excited for what the summer will hold.”

The rest of the Canterbury team also had great success at the Spring Warm-up show. Marcia Franklin’s Cydelle was champion both weeks in the non-thoroughbred hunters. Timeless, owned by Leslie Quillen, was champion in the 3’3” Performance Hunters week one with Shiels and reserve in the 3’3” Amateur Owners Hunters with Quillen. Amateur rider Michelle Durpetti and her Moody Blues clinched the win in the IHJA Adult Medal during week one competition. All the Canterbury riders had a great home-opener show and are ready for three weeks of Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular June 2-21st.

Canterbury Farm is a proud sponsor and supporter of the Spring Spectacular series. Follow them on Facebook for Spectacular events!

Canterbury Farm has several nice horses for sale including Kadence Darco, and offers lessons, training and showing.

Canterbury Farm has been a family owned business for over 30 years and is a full service facility offering lessons, training, boarding, sales and showing located at 14N200 Thurnau Rd, Hampshire, IL 60140.

Franklin has qualified horses and riders for the Pennsylvania National, Washington International and the National Horse Shows including the Medal and Maclay Finals. He has also shown internationally at Spruce Meadows in the 1.40 and 1.45 divisions and is a certified trainer with USHJA. Additionally, Franklin has his ‘R’ in Hunters, Hunter Seat Equitation, and Jumpers and judges throughout the country.

Caitlyn Shiels was born and raised in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and rode with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm as a junior and finished in the top ten in all the major equitation finals. In 2004, Shiels was a double gold medalist in both the team and individual events at the North American Young Riders Championships. Shiels has ridden to many championships for Canterbury Farm since joining the team.