Van Aken Stables

Oooh, I look so good 🤩🤩

Don’t let the sweet face and Disney name fool you! Mrs Potts brought the bucks and the blues to week 3 of the HITS Spring Spectacular series at Lamplight. Congratulations to Ella Bradley for living up to her nickname, STICKY. Never underestimate Ella and her little gray lightning bolt!

Caravaggio Optimus Z and Audrey stepped into the show ring for the first time together this week and they really stepped up to the plate. Audrey successfully piloted her 4 year old gelding at his first rated show all the way to reserve champion in the USHJA 2’! We could not be more proud of this duo!

We are so proud of Kara Silverman and Smooth Sailing! They placed 6th in their first National Derby in a deep class of 21!

Don’t ask 🫣

I’m so proud of our show team. This is our second week where one of them is the assigned “course designer”. Both times they have shown up with notepads and a plan. They all pitched in to set the course and then they got to work. Off to Lamplight we go tomorrow for another great week at Hits Chicago!

What a fantastic end to the week! Kara and Smooth Sailing scored an 83 in THIS National Children’s Medal which secured their blue ribbon finish to their weekend. Cate and Canterella van de Hogeborg Z had multiple top placings in the Open 0.65 jumpers as well as in the Junior/Amateur 0.65 Jumpers and they ended their weekend as Champion on the open card and Reserve Champion on the Junior/Amateur card. We are extremely proud of all our riders and their partners! Can’t wait to be back for Spring Spectacular 3!

One of our youngest riders celebrated some important firsts this week at HITS Chicago’s Spring Spectacular, her first show with us…..first rated show… first show with her pony… first show for her pony. AND they earned some first place ribbons! It doesn’t get much better than that! Great job Clare and Midnight Perfect Ten on earning Reserve Champion in the Ground Pole division at your first show together!

Spring Spectacular week 1 is off to a great start! Congratulations to Kara and ‘Smooth Sailing’ on securing the blue in the IHJA Child Medal and being Reserve Champion in the Limit Equitation yesterday! Can’t wait for the rest of the weekend with the best team!!

Does it get any cuter than this duo?💕💕