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History and general information on the final is available on the Hummingbird Nest Ranch website. (hummingbirdnestranch.com) The Federation Equestrian International (FEI), sponsors of the World Cup Grand Prix and other events, sponsors a competition to encourage children ages 12 to 14, worldwide, to participate in high caliber show jumping. Annual finals are then held in different places all over the world.
Each country holds qualifying events during the year, then sends its top riders to the finals. Last year and this year, the finals are being held in Simi Valley, California. Each qualifying event consists of 4 different rounds, ridden over two days. At the end of the weekend, the rider with the fewest faults (rails down) and fastest times wins, and is awarded points.
At the end of the qualifying period, the top four point-getters are invited to the finals. Allison rode both of her jumper horses in all the rounds, with only the top scoring horse earning points.
At the close of the qualifying period, Allison had earned the most points by winning two of the three weekend events, and placing 4th in the other. Qualifiers from all over the world spend Thanksgiving week at the final site (Hummingbird Nest Ranch) training, eating, and living together, then vie for the World Championship in a series of jumping rounds over the six-day show.
In addition to her two jumpers (Amazing Grace and Blue Bayou), which compete for speed and accuracy over a course of fences set at four feet, Allison also trains and shows two equitation horses, (Dutch Star and Valiant). Equitation horses are judged along with their rider for their combined form and skill. In equitation in 2005, Allison qualified for two national finals, one in Syracuse, New York, and one in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and for another eight local finals. In both 2003 and 2004, Allison was the Los Angeles Horse Show Association and San Fernando Valley Horse Show Association year-end champion in her age bracket. In 2004 she was the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association High Point Children's Jumper Rider.
Allison trains 5 to 6 hours each day with her trainer, Jeni Brown, of Shadowbrook Stables in Moorpark. She spends 20 to 30 weekends each season at horse show venues all over California.
Allison is in 8th Grade at Laurel Springs, a distance learning school which allows her to take her school work with her and do it "on the road".
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