Michael Tokaruk and Steel The Love took the top prize in the $30,000 Grand Prix at Brownland Farm for the second week in a row. Photo Lili Weik Photography
Michael Tokaruk Takes Over the Grand Prix Ring for Second Week in a Row at Brownland Farm
Tokaruk Gives a One-Two Punch Winning Welcome and Prix
Franklin, TN – September 14, 2020 – Michael Tokaruk took over the grand prix ring at Brownland Farm for the second week in a row with Steel The Love, earning back to back wins in the $30,000 Grand Prix at Brownland Farm. Tokaruk not only celebrated the win, but also marked his 20th grand prix victory, coincidentally occurring in 2020.
"At least that's one good thing that came out of 2020!" laughed Tokaruk about his 20th victory. "Steel is just a brave and reliable horse. We've been coming to the show and doing the grand prix, which obviously is working great for him. We went early in the jump off with eight clear so I knew I had to be fast. I took a few calculated risks that paid off, making the rest of the class chase the time. Lauren Hester had four in the jump off and I also had My Lord Castanoo, but the rest weren't fast enough to catch Steel this time."
Michael Tokaruk and Steel the Love in the winner's circle for the $30,000 Grand Prix at Brownland Farm Fall II. PC Lili Weik
Steel The Love, owned by Shelby Beard,of Austin, TX, is an 11-year-old, Dutch Warmblood gelding that Tokaruk spent quality training time on during the pandemic break, which catapulted them to the top of the rankings upon their return to the show ring in July, placing second in the $30,000 Brownland Grand Prix and fourth in the prix in August. The pair is obviously on a roll with two wins under their belt and the horse is certainly ready for the next challenge.
Tokaruk's My Lord Castanoo finished in seventh place in the grand prix and tenth in the Welcome Stake earlier in the week. Tokaruk purchased the green, eight-year-old in a partnership with the Kime family and the horse has been consistently in the top 10 with Tokaruk aboard. Tokaruk used his time wisely during the pandemic shutdown to work on rideability of his horses with plenty of flatwork and caveletti exercises, which was just what Castanoo needed to keep moving up the ranks.
Michael Tokaruk and Celine Burme jumped to the top spot in the $7,500 Welcome Stake at Brownland Farm. PC Lili Weik
In addition to the grand prix, Tokaruk won the $7,500 Welcome StakeonTrefoil Farm's Celine Burme. The pair also took home the1.35m Modified Jumper Championship. The grey Hanovarian mare won a $5,000 1.30m Stake class in July and was double clear last week in the Welcome Stake at Brownland.
"She's a pretty awesome mare," commented Tokaruk. "Celine has lots of experience from 1.10m to FEI Grand Prix, and has been winning plenty of national classes this summer."
Celine Burme is available for sale or lease to the next lucky rider with plenty of mileage to take riders to the next level.
Michael Tokaruk and Cristiano in the $5,000 1.30m Stake Class at Brownland Farm. PC Lili Weik
Tokaruk was close to landing himself the jumper triple crown for the week but finished in second in the $5,000 1.30m Stake class with Cristiano, owned by Katherine Pugliese. Cristiano's show record includes two grand prix wins with a junior rider, a gold medal in a CSIOJ* Junior Nations Cup, numerous junior jumper championships and 1.25m Championship at the Winter Equestrian Festival with Tokaruk. The 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood is at Tokaruk Show Stables to take its next rider to the winner's circle.
"Thank you to my great staff and amazing owners for a fantastic two weeks. Thank you to my owners for believing in me and allowing me to ride these incredible animals," said Tokaruk.
More Tokaruk Show Stable Wins
Unfortunately for the junior and amateur riders, Sunday's classes at Brownland were cancelled due to unrelenting rains. Getting a little ring time in, Jami Miller and Darco 22 earned ribbons in the Training Jumpers, Julia Petree and Smooth Criminal took on the schooling jumpers with success, and Anna Marie Mayes with Balou Bailando earned a fourth in the Medium Junior/AO Jumpers. The big winner was Brittany Kasprack and Leonardo Van De Neerheide, who jumped to second place in the High Adult Jumpers.
"Although we were disappointed in Sunday's torrential rains all day, causing the show to cancel, my hat is off to the fantastic staff and management at Brownland Farm for always doing the right thing for the horses," added Tokaruk. "We love coming to Brownland, my customers love coming, and it is close to home for us so showing here can't be any easier. Thank you Brownland Farm for putting on these great horse shows. Especially with COVID protocols making life a little more challenging, you always know how to make it fun for everyone with great courses, great jumps, nice prizes and good competition."
As always, Tokaruk Show Stables has a quality selection of horses for sale for all levels and all rings. Contact Michael Tokaruk at 202-413-2303 or email: mtokaruk@hotmail.com or message him on Instagram or Facebook.
About Tokaruk Show Stables
Tokaruk Show Stables trains and sells hunters, equitation horses, and jumpers.They focus on
teaching horses andriders to be their best — at some of the biggest horse shows across North America. Michael Tokaruk and the team at Tokaruk Show Stables work with quality horses and ponies and cater to serious riders in the Memphis and Mid-South region.
The facility is located in Collierville, Tennessee with 24 large stalls with plenty of lush grass paddocks for turnout. They have a large all weather sand ring and several large grass fields for riding. Horses receive the finest training, care, feed, and daily attention as they are valuable athletes and are treated as such. Michael and the TSS staff customize a training and care program for every horse to suit its individual needs.
Michael's ability to ride earns him quality horses for sale that he successfully campaigns and promotes until sold. Contact him to sell or buy your next quality show horse.
Michael Tokaruk 9580 E Shelby Dr Collierville, TN 38017 202-413-2303 Tokaruk.com Follow Tokaruk Show Stables on Facebook and Instagram.
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