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Monday, May 12, 2025
HomeHorse ShowsTitle: "Spitfire Farm Camp in Coconut Creek: A Summer Adventure for Young...

Title: "Spitfire Farm Camp in Coconut Creek: A Summer Adventure for Young Equestrians"

Local horse lovers, get ready to ride. Spitfire Farm, the popular equestrian facility and horse-riding school at 4201 Vinkemulder Rd., is accepting participants for its summer camp, which runs weekly from June 9 through Aug. 8, 2025. Weekly camps during the summer period are also available.

The farm, which also offers riding lessons Monday through Saturday, has doubled the size of its air-conditioned space to create a more comfortable environment for campers, said Ejola Cook, the farm’s owner. Cook is also a mother of four and knows the needs of parents looking for a fun summer camp environment.

The renovated camp area now features three distinct rooms: an arts and crafts area, a kitchen space for food storage, and a hangout area. This expansion allows campers to enjoy indoor activities during the hottest parts of the day while still maintaining an outdoor focus, Cook said.

Two new horses have joined the farm’s programs, much to the delight of returning campers: Oreo, a small black and white horse, and Teddy, a large pony, are already camp favorites.

With a total of 20 horses in their program, the camp ensures that every child gets a chance to ride daily. “I think that especially in this age of technology, where our kids are so often inside and in front of screens, anything that gets them out on the dirt and in the sun, doing things physically, is important,” Ejola Cook said. “I know a lot of parents are really looking for opportunities for their kids to go out and get hands-on activities and experiences.”

The camp continues to offer popular features such as an inflatable water slide and “Fun Fridays” with surprises like pizza day. To accommodate working parents, aftercare is available until 5 p.m.

The farm is home to horses of various levels and experiences, from rescues to advanced competitors. Children are placed into groups based on their age and skill level.

The facility is one of the few farms in Coconut Creek where horses can be ridden into Tradewinds Park. With the expanded facilities, the camp has increased its capacity to 25 campers per week, though spots are expected to fill up quickly. Applying campers who don’t get an initial spot will be wait-listed.

Interested families can find dates, pricing, and registration details on the farm’s website. Families can call or text 954-903-1772 or email [email protected] to sign up for camp.

Spitfire Farm Camp in Coconut Creek, Florida, is gearing up for its summer camp, running weekly from June 9 to August 8, 2025. The equestrian facility has expanded its air-conditioned space to enhance camper comfort, featuring three distinct areas for arts and crafts, food storage, and relaxation. This renovation allows campers to engage in indoor activities during the hottest parts of the day while still focusing on outdoor experiences.

The camp has welcomed two new horses, Oreo and Teddy, to its roster, which now includes 20 horses, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to ride daily. Owner Ejola Cook emphasizes the importance of outdoor activities in a technology-driven age, catering to parents seeking hands-on experiences for their children. The camp also offers popular features like an inflatable water slide and “Fun Fridays,” along with aftercare services for working parents.

With a capacity of 25 campers per week, spots are expected to fill quickly, and interested families are encouraged to register via the farm’s website or by contacting them directly. The facility is unique in its ability to allow horses to be ridden into Tradewinds Park, making it a standout option for local horse enthusiasts.

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Title: McLain Ward Triumphs at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows with High Star Hero


Edited press release from Old Salem Farms

Six-time U.S. Olympian and World #8 McLain Ward added another victory from the annual Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to his record on Saturday, this time claiming top honors in Evergate Stables’ CSI3* $65,000 New York Welcome Stake with High Star Hero. Ward and Hero blazed faultlessly through the timers in 31.62 seconds.

Course designer Alan Wade challenged 40 entries representing nine nations to a technical, 16-effort track set at 1.50m for Evergate Stables’ $65,000 New York Welcome Stake. Of the 15 horse-and-rider combinations who made it to the jump-off, Jordan Coyle (IRL) and King Kannan GP (Kannan x Warrant) took an early lead, tripping the timers in a blistering 32.93 seconds. Only two other pairs caught that time: first Daniel Bluman (ISR) aboard Hummer Z (Harley x Hemmingway) (0/0/32.33), then Ward aboard High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco) as the penultimate entry (0/0/31.62).

“Having experienced horses like Daniel’s and mine helped a lot [when catching Jordan’s time], especially in that turn from Fence #1 to #2,” Ward said. “These classes are very competitive, and the levels are very high. With a great surface [like the Old Salem Farm International Arena], even after the many inches of rain that we’ve had, we were able to compete at 100 percent."

“He’s a wonderfully talented horse,” he added of Michael and Wendy Smith’s 12-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding. “We’ve had some great moments, and we’ve had some down moments. But we’ve really hit our stride from the second half of the season in Florida, performing there very consistently and continuing that here today. We’re looking forward to a great summer in Europe with him. I’m going to be using my tried-and-true partner First Lady in the Grand Prix tomorrow, and then both of these horses go to Europe next week to compete in [the Nations Cup of] Rome the following week.”

Bluman earned second place for his blistering 32.33-second time with Abigail Wexner’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Coyle ultimately landed in third with his time of 32.93 seconds aboard Elan Farm’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

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Title: Luis Larrazabal Claims Victory in $125,000 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show


Edited press release from Kentucky Horse Shows

It was all about speed and accuracy on Saturday night during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show’s main event, the $125,000 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3*. A field of international athletes was narrowed down to five combinations for the jump-off, where only the fastest had shot at the podium. As the final pair on course, Venezuela’s Luis Larrazabal galloped home with the winning prize aboard Quick Chick 3 (Quo Vados x Capitol I). They narrowly edged out Germany’s Rene Dittmer and Cody 139 (Casall x Quidam de Revel), beating them by just one second. Savannah Jenkins and Sanella 6 (Solid Gold Z x All Pleasur) took home third place as one of the first to turn in a second clear effort.

“Every time you win a class, it’s an amazing feeling,” expressed Larrazabal after leading the lap of honor. “I’m so grateful for my horses, my team. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. Quick Chick 3 is very clever and smart and she just wants to win!”

The Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course tested riders from start to finish with a long bending line to start, a vertical-vertical double combination as the fifth obstacle, and a tight rollback before turning home and finishing over an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination going towards the gate. Five athletes were able to complete the first round without error, and the tiebreaker asked new questions, beginning with a new vertical and new oxer. It also featured the second half of the triple combination and a long gallop away from the gate over a final delicate vertical.

Four horses turned in a second clear round, with Joao Eduardo Ferreira De Carvalho and Saido (Skill Z x Gottwald) setting the early time to beat with a fault-free effort in 41.83 seconds. He was soon bested by Jenkins and Sanella 6 as they left a stride out to the final vertical and stopped the clock in 41.08 seconds, which would hold up for third. Dittmer and Cody 139 were even faster across the track, edging up the challenge as they cleared the course in 39.55 seconds. Larrazabal was the last to return with Quick Chick 3, and with a quick gallop to the third oxer and an even faster turn to the combination he was able to shave a second off the time while also leaving the fences intact, dashing across the finish line in 38.62 to claim the top prize.

“I was lucky to go at the end, the jump off – that gives you a little bit of advantage,” noted Larrazabal. “I didn’t watch much because I normally try to go too fast, but I know this mare is fast. I took the first distance to the double and I was very fast, so I thought that is where I got the time.”

Quick Chick 3 is a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare who was purchased by owner Victoria Heurtematte last summer. “It’s kind of new for us, but it’s an incredible mare,” he said. “She wants you to just let her do the job. The less you get in the middle the better she jumps, and she knows her job.”

Larrazabal has been showing at the Kentucky Horse Shows for over 15 years and was thrilled to be back at the venue this spring. “I love Kentucky,” he concluded. “When the horses get here they are so peaceful. This place is amazing, and having a chance to win a Grand Prix here on Saturday is just a little extra!”

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