Windy Hill's Dakota Mower & Michelle Louie Bring Home the Blue in the $2,000 Windy Hill Equestrian in Memory of Larry Mayfield Class

Day two of the Menlo Charity Horse Show was pure fun, thanks in part to one special class that Menlo enthusiasts look forward to all year long - the $2,000 Windy Hill Equestrian in Memory of Larry Mayfield class. In this horse and hound style event, everyone has a role in the ring - riders, horses, grooms… even the family pooch. The class is open to anyone who decides to join in on the fun, Amateurs through Professionals, who team up with their partner dog and handler. The first half of the course consists of 1.20m jumps for horse and rider which are jumped as quickly and accurately as possible, and the second phase of the competition involves miniature dog-sized jumps that are tackled on foot by dog and handler. The pinnacle of the fun occurs when riders launch themselves from their horses to the ground, and run to tap the hound handler, who then speeds off to complete their portion of the relay. Whichever team completes the course fastest and with the fewest fences knocked down, wins. Tonight's "hound" leg of the race had no shortage of entertainment, from one not-so-willing pup that slipped out of his collar and had to be carried through the remainder of the course, to a wipeout or two from a few of our two-legged contestants. 

Windy Hill's Own Dakota Mower & Michelle Louie Bring Home the Win 

Winners of the $2,000 Windy Hill Equestrian in Memory of Larry Mayfield class are Windy Hill's own head trainer Dakota Mower riding Charmeur Des Terdrix Z, accompanied by Michelle Louie and Bilbo Baggins. Dakota and Charmeur Des Terdrix Z put on an impressive performance, carefully racing through the 1.20 course designed by Alan Wade. After their course, Dakota flew off of the horse's back and onto the ground to tap in Michelle and Billy. The pair sprinted through the final leg of the race, with the Kerry Blue Terrier's ears perked towards each jump. The team finished in first place with a speedy time of 65.789. "This was a really special class to be a part of. It’s not only a lot of fun, but the class is in honor of Laura’s dad, Larry Mayfield, so to bring home a win is special to me. Charmeur Des Terdrix Z is a 9-year-old gelding that we just bought for one of my students, and he’s a total winner - the more you challenge him, the faster you go, the better and happier he is. It was also Billy (the dog’s) second year in a row winning, so he’s a bit of a superstar now" said Dakota Mower. 

Dakota Mower and Charmeur Des Terdrix Z. Photo courtesy of © GrandPix

Class sponsor Laura Gerst said, “Windy Hill Equestrian is proud to sponsor this class in honor of my father, Larry Mayfield. He was a great horseman, friend, and supporter of the Menlo Charity Horse Show. Each year horses, dogs, handlers, and riders compete for the purse as well as the beautiful prizes that Menlo offers to its winners. We feel that this class is special because it allows so many to participate. Each team consists of a rider, dog, runner, and a groom. The grooms play a large role, as they have to calm the horse after a speed round so the rider can leap from the horse to run to a designated area to tag the runner who is holding the dog. The runner then jumps a dog course with their dog as fast as they can. It is a special class because of the team aspect, and anyone can participate. It gives family and friends a way to get involved in the sport at a top level and have fun at the same time.” 

Dakota Mower's teammates Michelle Louie and Bilbo Baggins. Photo courtesy of © GrandPix

Grass Jumper $2,000 Windy Hill Equestrian in Memory of Larry Mayfield Winners. Photo courtesy of © GrandPix

Published August 10th, 2022, written by Alli Lambert for the Menlo Charity Horse Show