Class Highlight: Performance Hunters 3'6"

Djuna Lauder Aboard Cervino Soars to Victory in $350 Performance Hunters 3'6, Kicking Off Day One at the Menlo Charity Horse Show

Celebrations have officially begun, as the inaugural day of the 50th Menlo Charity Horse

Show kicked off this morning in Atherton, California. The Menlo Circus Club has been abuzz for

weeks, ensuring that no detail was spared from preparations. Competitors, judges, vendors, and

more have traveled across the world to join us for one of the country’s best and most prestigious

horse shows. It’s time to enjoy the Menlo we all know and love; from reunions with old friends,

to classes on the Grass Field, to celebrating the show’s history of philanthropy.

Day one had no shortage of excitement as classes kicked off bright and early at 7:45 this

morning. Aside from the near-tangible excitement in the air, the grounds themselves are alive. Vendor row is set up with incredible shopping opportunities, competitor tack rooms are some of the most beautiful across the country, and the star of the show is the pristine green rings.

Day 1 Class Highlight: Performance Hunters 3'6"

Junior rider Djuna Lauder and Cervino win with a score of 84 in the $350 Performance Hunters 3'6" at the Menlo Charity Horse Show. The pair put in an effortless round, floating around the iconic Grass Hunter Field. Cervino showcased exceptional scope and rhythm over the classic Hunter course designed by Eric Mayberry. Cervino is owned by Roaring Forks Farm, LLC in Los Angeles, California. Djuna is trained by Traci and Carleton Brooks of Balmoral Farm in Southern California, where she has been riding since a very young age. The pair competed against 12 riders in the second Performance Hunters 3'6".

Djuna Lauder and Cervino. Photo courtesy of © GrandPix

“Djuna has worked hard all summer. She walks in the ring with a positive attitude, and believes she can do it… every time” said trainer Carleton Brooks when asked what makes Djuna the exceptional rider she is today. Djuna, who rides as 14, was not only the youngest but one of two non-professionals in this class.

The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a 501 (c) (3) organization, was honored with the designation as a USEF Heritage Competition in 2012. Recognized as one of the finest equestrian events in the United States, Menlo is unique in that its origin and legacy is one of philanthropy. Menlo has a tradition of providing outstanding equine competition while raising much needed funds for numerous charities. Our current charitable partner, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Vista), was founded in 1936 and is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Vista Center helps clients reach their highest potential through programs that promote independence and improve quality of life. During our partnership, Menlo has raised over six million dollars for Vista Center.

For those that can't make it to the show grounds, live streaming is available at https://menlo.showgroundslive.com/live-channels/. For more information on the Menlo Charity Horse Show, please visit https://www.menlocharityhorseshow.com/.

Published August 9th, 2022, written by Alli Lambert for the Menlo Charity Horse Show

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