Red Coat Farm riders earn awards in Florida competition

Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Mary Goldman of Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods spent three weeks in February competing at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit with their students and brought home top awards.

Goldman-Smolen is an accomplished grand prix rider, but it was her well-educated students who successfully tackled the grand prix ring this time while she waits for the arrival of her first child, due in April, with husband Darren.

Rider Maddi Cardelli, 16, of Hawthorn Woods came to Florida ready for action and landed the championship in the 1.40m jumpers on her horse Baal Berith. Cardelli also rode her horse Chasinta to the championship in the Low Junior Jumper division.

Cardelli finished up her three-week stay by taking the top spot on the leaderboard in the $2,500 Pyranha/NAL Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic 1.25m on Chasinta and went on to match that win with Baal Berith in the $7,500 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic 1.45m.

"It's always a great learning experience being able to head down to Florida for a few weeks. It's a bonus being able to get away from the freezing cold Chicago weather," Cardelli said.

"The Goldmans keep us show ready by providing us not only with great training, but they also give us the opportunity to ride different horses year-round. I feel like those opportunities help me to become a better rider and keep me tuned up for showing.

"Mary (Goldman) and Lisa (Goldman-Smolen) also encourage all-around horsemanship. It may be icing, wrapping, medicating, turnouts, grazing at the end of the day, grooming or helping others when it's their turn to show. Our barn family is incredible, and always super supportive of each other and their goals. I'm so grateful to have such amazing trainers and parents, which makes competing down in Florida possible as well as fun," Cardelli said.

Kate Cornell, 13, of Long Grove also came to the show ring with her game face on to grab the championship in the High Children's Jumpers with Rossi Bianci during the first week of the competition. Cornell also moved up to the Low Junior Jumpers and piloted Dolltaire to a clear round in their first 1.25m jumper class.

"I just turned 13 years old in January and have been working toward my goal of moving up to the Low Junior Jumper division. Thanks to the training from Mary and Lisa, I was excited to realize that goal while in Florida," Cornell said.

"Mary and Lisa have a proven track record of success, from Lisa's grand prix wins to the other Red Coat junior and amateur riders who have been successful in the higher jumper divisions. It's great to be part of this show team, where we all learn from each other and cheer for each other. It really makes it a rewarding and fun experience."

Hilary Dossett of Arlington Heights successfully competed for the first time in the 1.10m jumpers and the High Children's Classic on her new horse, Oaks Blue Magic, during week three of the competition.

Dossett, 14, won a .90m class and placed fourth in the Low Children's Jumper Classics on her horse Rochidee, and moved up to the 1.10m jumpers for a second-place finish.

Dossett also racked up a second place in her first High Children's Classic, along with a second- and third-place finish in the 1.10m jumpers on Goldman-Smolen's veteran jumper Centurion B.

"HITS Ocala is by far one of my favorite shows to go to. Training with Lisa makes me confident that I can compete and win against anyone," Dossett said.

Stefanie Shaw, 19, of Chicago and Gudiris earned great ribbons in the Low Amateur Jumper Classics, including a third-place finish in the speed class. Shaw also successfully competed in 1.30m jumpers with the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.

Shaw has been riding with Red Coat for about five years. She is currently attending the University of Illinois with online classes in advertising, which made traveling to Florida easy.

"Going to Ocala and showing with Red Coat is by far a great environment to get the best experiences and show miles needed for success later on in the season," Shaw said. "Mary and Lisa's training since day one has been to push and challenge me to be the rider they know I am.

"I also really appreciate Lisa's technical view of everything she teaches me. Not only does she give me guidance on what to do, but she tells me why a certain technique will work in a certain situation, and it has led me to success countless times."

Isabella Kalvenes, 16, of Glencoe got to compete for one weekend and borrowed a horse from Florida trainer Emil Spadone to compete for good ribbons in the Low Children's Jumper division.

Red Coat Farm team members Kim Woodsum, Sari Reid and Mariia Kurkina make sure the barn runs smoothly while the Goldmans are away, along with the crew of junior riders who are always willing to help out, especially since many of them have online classes due to COVID-19.

Red Coat Farm's program is hands-on learning for all riders, which means Goldman-Smolen has extra helpers on deck to lighten her load while waiting for her baby to arrive. The local business gives riding lessons to all levels of riders and competes at local and national level horse shows year- round.

For more information, visit RedCoatFarm.com.

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