Red Coat Farm Riders Arrived at HITS Ocala Ready to Compete

Updated: Oct 17, 2021

Lisa Goldman-Smolen is in the winner's circle with student Maddi Cardelli and her Baal Berith along with Red Coat crew Isabella Kalvenes (left) and Stefanie Shaw for the victory in $7500 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic 1.45m at HITS Ocala.

Ocala, Florida - February 18, 2021- Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Mary Goldman of Red Coat Farm made their winter circuit a little shorter this year since Goldman-Smolen and her husband, Darren, are expecting their first child in April. The group spent three weeks at HITS Ocala, where they usually spend the entire circuit, so Goldman-Smolen could be close to home as her due date of early April nears. There hasn’t been much slowing down for her, which is no surprise as she is a tough competitor and dedicated to her horses and her riders. Goldman-Smolen could be spotted on the show grounds occasionally hacking her long time grand prix partner, Centurion B, but it was her well-educated students who successfully tackled the grand prix ring.

Maddi Cardelli came to Florida ready for action and landed the championship in the 1.40m on Baal Berith. Cardelli also rode her Chasinta to the championship in the Low Junior Jumpers. She finished second in the Low Junior Jumper Classic week I and geared up to win the classic week II.

Maddi Cardelli and Chasinta won the $2,500 Pyranha/NAL Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic 1.25m during HITS Ocala Premiere III.

Cardelli, 16, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, 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 her second mount, Baal Berith, in the $7500 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic 1.45m.

Maddi Cardelli and Baal Berith clinched the 1.40m Jumper Championship during week I of HITS Ocala.

“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!” said Cardelli. “The Goldman’s 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.”

Kate Cornell and Rossi Bianci rode to the championship in the High Children's Jumpers their first week showing at HITS.

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

Kate Cornell and Dolltaire achieved their goal and moved up into the Low Junior Jumper division.

"I just turned 13 years old in January and have been working towards 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,” explained Cornell. "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 and her new mount, Oaks Blue Magic hit it off perfectly in the High Children's Jumpers.

A big congratulations goes to Hilary Dossett of Arlington Heights, IL, on the purchase of Oaks Blue Magic from Aaron Vale. The pair successfully competed together for the first time in the 1.10m jumpers and the High Children’s Classic during week III. Dossett, 14, won a .90m class and placed 4th 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 racked up a second place in her first ever High Children’s Classic along with a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the 1.10m jumpers on Goldman-Smolen’s veteran jumper, Centurion B.

A fan favorite, the veteran grand prix horse, Centurion B, collected a second place finish in the High Children's Classic with Hilary Dossett aboard.

“HITS Ocala is by far one of my favorite shows to go to. Training with Lisa [Goldman-Smolen] makes me confident that I can compete and win against anyone,” added Dossett.

Stefanie Shaw and Gudiris sped to a third place finish in the Low Amateur Jumper Classic.

Stefanie Shaw and Gudiris earned great ribbons in the Low Amateur Jumper Classics including a 3rd place finish in the speed class. Shaw also successfully competed in 1.30m jumpers with the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.

Shaw, 19, of Chicago, 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,” shared Shaw. “Mary [Goldman] 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 and Berlin in the Low Children's Jumpers.

Isabella Kalvenes, 16, of Glencoe, IL, got to come for one weekend and catch rode Berlin, owned by Emil Spadone, to good ribbons in the Low Children’s Jumper division. A special thank you goes out to Spadone for his generosity and the opportunity to ride such a lovely horse.

"I owe my parents a big thank you for a great birthday present allowing me to horse show in Ocala for a weekend and thanks to Mary and Lisa for finding me a great horse to show," said a grateful Kalvenes. "I love riding at Red Coat and am fortunate to have the opportunity to ride extra horses, which gave me the confidence to compete on a horse I’d never ridden before. The whole Red Coat team cheered me on which also made it a great experience."

At home in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, team members Kim Woodsum, Sari Reid and Mariia Kurkina make sure the barn runs smoothly 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 hands on deck to lighten her load a bit while waiting for her baby to arrive.

Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Nike jumped to the Showplus Protection Performance of the week in 2020. Photo Andrew Ryback Photography

In 2020, Goldman-Smolen earned the title Showplus Protection Performance of the week on Nike at the Silver Oak Jumping Tournament in Traverse City. Goldman-Smolen also won a HITS $25,000 Grand Prix in Chicago aboard Nike and won the Welcome Stake on Barbara Disko’s Sovereign at the Kentucky National. Goldman-Smolen’s newer mount, Ivaro N, owned by Barbara Disko, won the 7-year-old Cassic Champions Award of Distinction at the young jumper championships in Kentucky.

The group wished they didn’t have to return to Chicago’s coldest week of the season but packing up all the great ribbons made it a little easier. The team looks forward to busy summer show schedule with Goldman-Smolen back in the tack.

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