Upper Marlboro, MD – October 9, 2012 – The 2012 Capital Challenge Horse Show has concluded, with this year’s show honoring the best horses and riders in the country. Show managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass were proud to host one of the best competitions in the nation and thank their sponsors, exhibitors, and staff. In its 19th year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show sets itself apart with a distinct and unique focus on preeminent hunter competition.
WCHR Professional Challenge
In the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, it was Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, who came away with the win. It was a great win for Pletcher, who won this class with the famous January’s Best in 2000. Pletcher was happy to have his mother here to see him win, and it was a triumphant return to the winner’s circle for Pletcher, who experienced a life-changing injury little more than a year ago.
Pletcher and Sambalino, a 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, scored an 89.66 in the first round and sat in second place just behind Scott Stewart on Alexandra Crown’s Garfield. They returned for the second round and scored an 85.91 for a total of 175.57, which would hold onto the win when Stewart scored an 84 in the second round for a total of 173.91 and fourth place.
Elizabeth Boyd and Quatrain, owned by Finally Farm and Janet Peterson, finished second with a total of 174.24. Kelley Farmer and Jessica Stitt’s Taken scored a total of 174.08 for third place. Fifth place went to Akinda, owned by Victoria Press and ridden by Patricia Griffith, who had a score of 173.16.
“When we got to the first round, I thought, ‘It’s always nice to have a little bit of a lead in case you have a little rub or something,’ and when I had a little rub, I thought, ‘Wow, sometimes you think that will open a door,’ but as it went, Scott had one little thing and I did too.”
He said of Sambalino, “It’s so nice to be able to have a horse like that to ride in any competition, but at this level when it’s all of the great horses put together, it’s amazing. He’s an amazing horse, I love him. He always looked like the kind of horse that everybody wants to ride. He just has that look about him. He’s beautiful, and when you walk by, you see people turn and stare at him. He has that ambiance about him and it goes right through to his workmanship as a horse.”
Pletcher and Sambalino were presented with the “Little Brook” Perpetual Trophy donated by Gary Duffy.
To watch an interview with Peter Pletcher about his win, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsqYfutrHyQ.
WCHR Professional Finals
The best six hunter riders in the country this year – Peter Pletcher, Scott Stewart, Elizabeth Boyd, Kelley Farmer, Hunt Tosh, and John French – competed in the WCHR Professional Finals sponsored by the John R. Ingram Fund. The head-to-head unique competition saw Scott Stewart ride four different horses for his fifth win, the most of any rider in the 19 year history of the class.
To watch an interview with Scott Stewart about his fifth WCHR Professional Finals win, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNGWwzXER8E.
It was a great night for Stewart, who led the class from the very start when he rode his horse VIP Z to a score of 91.33. In the second round, he and Winnetou had another fantastic round and the judges rewarded them with a score of 90. The third round had Stewart up on Capilan 2, and he received his highest score of the night, a 91.66. The final round was a handy hunter class, and Stewart rode Savvy to another high score of 90. Stewart finished with a total of 362.99, almost eight more points that the second-placed rider, Peter Pletcher.
Pletcher brought his new junior hunter horse Savvy to the competition, and they scored an 81.33 after an unfortunate rail. His second ride on CR Carolato II scored an 88.66, and his third ride was on Sander, who helped him score a 90.5. Pletcher excelled in the handy hunter class, scoring a 94.33 on equitation horse VIP Z.
John French brought Sander who was named the Best Horse. They scored an 89.66 to start out French’s night, and French went on to have a 90.66 on VIP Z, an 89.16 on Winnetou, and an 84.33 on Capilan 2 for a total of 353.81 and third place. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC, finished in fourth place with a total of 346.33. She received scores of 84 (Winnetou), 86 (Capilan 2), 86 (Savvy), and 90.33 (CR Carolato II). Fifth place went to Hunt Tosh, who received scores of 87.33 (CR Carolato II), 90.66 (Sander), 83 (VIP Z), and 82 (Winnetou) for a total of 346.33.
Kelley Farmer finished up in sixth place after her horse Red Sky was replaced after her round. She scored a 35 in the first round after Red Sky had a refusal and looked uncomfortable in the ring. The WCHR Appeal Committee for the show decided that Farmer would have to keep her score since it was her horse that she brought for the class, but replaced Red Sky with the alternate horse, Capilan 2. Farmer rebounded for her final three rounds, scoring 83.33 (Savvy), 90 (CR Carolato II), and 90.66 (Sander) for a total of 298.99.
Stewart won his first WCHR Professional Finals in 1998, and then again in 1999, 2003, and 2010. He expressed, “It’s always an honor to be in the group of top riders. This was probably the most relaxed I’ve been. I had a really good week here, so it was really just a nice, fun class to do.”
For his win tonight in the WCHR Professional Finals, Stewart was presented with the “All the Way” trophy. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by the Karazissis Family was given to Sander as the Best Horse.
Professional Hunters – Monday to Wednesday
The Second Year Green Hunter championship went to Trendy, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd for Caroline Kellogg. The pair won an over fences class and added two more seconds and a third over fences, plus a fourth place in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to Balou, ridden by Amanda Steege for Lisa Arena. They placed first, second, and fourth over fences and won the under saddle. Trendy, an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cassini I, also shows with his owner, Caroline Kellogg, in the junior hunters, and only started in the Second Year division this summer.
It was a close race in the High Performance Hunters this year between eventual champion Garfield and reserve champion Quatrain. Garfield and Scott Stewart, who rode for Alexandra Crown, won three over fences and picked up another two second places. Quatrain and Elizabeth Boyd, riding for Finally Farm and Janet Peterson, had a win and three second places over fences and were sixth under saddle.
Garfield, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Coriano, is a regular in the winner’s circle, but Stewart has shown him sparingly this year since he has been in the show ring with owner Alexandra Crown in the junior hunters. Stewart noted that Garfield hadn’t jumped since the Hampton Classic Horse Show, but he felt completely on this week.
The Performance Hunter 3’6″ championship sponsored by Nicole Kane & South Shore Farm went to Sambalino, ridden by Peter Pletcher for Becky Gochman. They placed first and second over fences. The reserve championship went to Way Cool and Victoria Colvin, who rode for Dr. Betsee Parker and won the handy hunter stake class.
The Future Hunter 6 & Over division championship sponsored by New Hope LLC/David Belford and Christopher Payne, went to By The Way, ridden by Jeff Gogul for Ruth Kanner. The eight-year-old Warmblood gelding finished first in two over fences classes. The reserve champion was Paramour, ridden by Scott Stewart for Rose Hill Farm. They placed first over fences and in the under saddle.
Scott Stewart picked up the first championship of the show in the Future Hunter Colts & Geldings division sponsored by Boggs Hill on Quest, a five-year-old Warmblood gelding by Verdi that he owns. They were first, first, and fourth over fences. The reserve champion, Mariano, was ridden by Sandy Ferrell for owner Stephanie Riggio. They placed first, fourth, and fourth over fences and won the under saddle.
Stewart took another championship in the Future Hunter 5 & Under sponsored by Greener Pastures Equine with Concept, a five-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contendro. He won two over fences classes and was third in the other class. He added a sixth place in the under saddle to take the top tricolor. The reserve champion was First Dance, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd for Sarah Orberson. The pair were first, third, and fourth over fences.
In the Future Hunter Mares sponsored by Ravenswood Farm/Penelope Ayers, Sons Souci took the championship ribbon with rider Havens Schatt for owner CH Farm LLC. They won two over fences classes as well as the under saddle class, plus added another sixth place ribbon. Stewart and Joyful, owned by Rose Hill Farm, finished second in all four classes. Although Sons Souci is 10 years old, Schatt said, “She doesn’t have a lot of experience. This might be her sixth show.”
Schatt also took home the Grand Future Hunter Championship with Snos Souci, owned by CH Farm, LLC. The championship was sponsored by David Belford and Christopher Payne/New Hope LLC. They were presented with “A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey.”
Schatt also took home the championship in the Future Hunter 3’3″ division sponsored by Pegasus Show Stables/Christa and Michael Endicott and Hunt Tosh Inc. This time it was with Bacardi, a six-year-old KWPN gelding by Casco owned by Caroline Moran. They were first, second, and second over fences and finished fourth in the under saddle. The reserve champion ribbon went to Exclusive, ridden by Nick Haness for Tracy Sully, who won two over fences classes.
Twenty-eight-year-old Melissa Feller of Lincoln Park, NJ, rode Serafino for owner Elisabeth McFadden to the win in the $5,000 WCHR Emerging Pro Challenge. Feller rides for trainer Robert Beck and has been training with him since she was 10 years old. This is her second year as a professional and she stated that Capital Challenge is her favorite horse show. Feller won the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals in 2010.
Feller and Serafino, a six-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Sir Donnerhall, showed in the Future Hunter 6 & Over division this week, and a high score there qualified Feller for tonight’s Challenge class. Feller was unsure if she would ride Serafino in the Challenge, but after a solid showing in the North American Future Hunter Championship earlier in the day, she felt confident that she could do well in the Challenge.
She recalled, “We got into the Future Hunter Championship, and he was really good. He wasn’t spooky, wasn’t green. I figured he would be good at this, it was a little bit bigger, and he was really great. I think he really loves his job. He’s quick to learn, and he’s totally game. When I knew he was good in that class and not green at all, I was super psyched to do this (Challenge) class. I was very excited. He’s been showing all day and he just gave it his all today, right now.”
Feller and Serafino made a big jump up the leaderboard when they sat in fifth place after a first round score of 84.5. A fantastic second round score of 90 gave them a 174.5 total for the win.
Tom Brennan and Purple Heart, owned by Lynn Ellen Rice, finished second with a total score of 172.24. Caroline Willard and Emma Gerber’s Stay-Tuned were third with a 171.16 score. Fourth place went to Arly Golombek on Kindle, owned by Caroline Donnally, with a 170.5, while Hayley Barnhill and Reid Patton’s Lennon were fifth with a total of 169.33.
Bacardi and Havens Schatt, who rode for Caroline Moran, led through both rounds of the $20,000 Added North American Future Hunter Championship sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, Makoto Farms, Inc., and Kocher Tack. In the first round, they scored an average of 88.7 and increased their second round score to 90.5 for a victorious total of 179.2. Second place went to Scott Stewart and Concept, who scored a total of 177.10. Jennifer Bauersachs and Avignion, owned by Francesca Migliore, were third with a total of 175. Havens Schatt rode Ainsley Sadlo’s Balin to fourth place with a score of 171. Elizabeth Boyd and Sarah Orberson’s First Dance were fifth with 170.35.
For their win, Schatt and Bacardi were presented with the Beverly Brooks Solter Memorial Trophy donated by Hilary Scheer Gerhardt and Zan Martin Dillon.
Scott Stewart started out his day by winning in his first division with Enjoy, owned by Rose Hill Farm. Enjoy, a six-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cassiano, won three classes and was second in the under saddle to win the championship in the First Year Green Working Hunter Section A, sponsored by PJP Farm. The reserve champion was Lapis, ridden by Holly Orlando for Missy Luczak Smith. They placed first, second, and third over fences and third in the under saddle.
Stewart bought Enjoy as a three-year-old, and he was purchased by Rose Hill Farm for junior rider Chloe Hymowitz. Stewart described, “He’s like a big pony, and he’s really good for Chloe in the juniors. He’s a little horse, but he has a great jump and a big stride.”
Enjoy was presented with the Grand First Year Green Hunter Championship and the Magda and George Z. Lefton Memorial Trophy donated by Stacey Lefton Glick. The grey gelding also won the Grand Green Hunter Championship sponsored by Balmoral Farm Inc./Uphill Farm, Inc. and won a cooler sponsored by Carleton Brooks.
Beholden, a six-year-old Westphalian stallion by Continus Grannus, was a shoo-in to win the model class. He added two firsts, a fourth, and a fifth over fences. He capped off the top tricolor with a win under saddle for the Green Conformation Hunter, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy championship. The reserve championship went to Lugano, ridden by Chris Payne and owned by Susan Moriconi, was first and fourth over fences, second in the model, and second in the under saddle.
The Regular Conformation Hunters, sponsored by Hidden Hollow and Ginny Edwards, awarded the championship ribbon to Showman. Showman, a 10-year-old Westphalian gelding by Showstar, won the Regular Conformation model class. He went on to place first, first, second, and sixth over fences and was first in the under saddle. Peter Pletcher rode Becky Gochman’s Touchdown to the reserve champion ribbon after they placed first, second, and fifth in the division and second in the model.
Showman won the Grand Conformation Hunter Championship and was presented with the Kenneth M. Wheeler Perpetual Trophy donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez.
Alexandra Crown’s Garfield won the Tribute Perpetual Trophy donated by Scott Stewart as the horse who earned the highest cumulative numerical point total in a single professional division. He was also named the Grand Hunter Champion, an award sponsored by RSB Farms, Inc. and Rob Bielefeld, and presented with the Janet Polk Read and Margaret Hough Sabbatini Memorial Trophy, donated by the Goguen Family. Stewart was named Leading Hunter Rider, sponsored by the Gibson Family and Shadyside Farm and Hobby Family Foundation. He was presented with the BJ’s Hunt Room Trophy, donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez.
The EMO Professional Trip of the Show was a tie between Garfield and Balou, ridden by Amanda Steege for Lisa Arena. They both received scores of 90 in their respective divisions.
Patricia Griffith piloted Victoria Press’s Akinda to the championship in the First Year Green Working Hunter Section B sponsored the Sadrian and Kellogg Family. Akinda, seven-year-old Warmblood mare, won three over fences classes and was fifth in the under saddle. Reserve champion Winfield, ridden by Katie Taylor for Hannah Stabler, was second, third, fourth, and sixth in the division.
Hunter Results – Thursday through Sunday
In the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter 18-35 division, sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South, Tracy Scheriff-Muser of Wellington, FL, swept the tricolor presentations. She and Absolut were named champions, while Macallan took the reserve champion ribbon. Absolut finished first and second over fences, second in the stake, and third in the under saddle. Macallan placed first and third over fences and was fifth in the under saddle.
For their top finish, Scheriff-Muser and Absolut won the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Will Roberts. They were presented with the Dr. Harold M.C. Smith Trophy, donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith and Dr. Peter Craig. Scheriff-Muser was named the Best Amateur-Owner Rider, which was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. She was presented with The So Many Ways Challenge Trophy, donated by Karen Kramer.
To cap off their amazing day, Absolut and Scheriff-Muser won the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Challenge, sponsored by John Turner and ThumbsUp Farm.
The Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Champion, sponsored by Augusta Pines, was Castlewalk, ridden by Nancy Hooker of Wellington, FL, and owned by Richard Prant. They were tops in the 36 & Over division, sponsored by Wood Run Farm/The Tredennick Family and Woodland Way, Inc. after they won two classes. Hooker also won the Best Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Rider Award, sponsored by Team Rakowski, and she and Castlewalk won the EMO Trip of the Show for the 3’3″ division with a score of 87.5. The reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters was Winner, ridden by Daryl Portela. They were first, second, and fourth over fences and placed sixth in the under saddle.
Showman kept his winning streak going with his owner Alexa Weisman of Sherborn, MA, in the saddle after his successful outing earlier in the week with Scott Stewart in the Regular Conformation Hunters. They were division champions in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters, sponsored by Lainie Wimberly and Brigadoon Show Stables, Inc. Weisman also picked up the reserve championship on Content, owned by Scott Stewart. They placed second in both over fences classes and were fourth in the under saddle.
Showman and Weisman’s top finishes of first and third over fences plus a second under saddle gave them the Grand Adult Hunter Championship, which is sponsored by Steve Martines. They were presented with the Equus Entries Challenge Trophy, donated by Equus Entries and Sue and Ralph Caggiano. Weisman won the Best Adult Amateur Rider Award, sponsored by Phoebe Weseley and River Run Farm, LLC. Weisman’s trainer, Scott Stewart, was presented with the Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy, donated by Lynley Reilly and Randy Johnson.
The Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter champion, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare, was Rock Steady, ridden by Katie Robinson of Bronxville, NY, for KJ Robinson LLC. They placed first and second over fences and were first in the under saddle. The reserve champion was Sambalino, ridden by Becky Gochman. There were second and third over fences and second in the under saddle.
The Amateur-Owner 3’6″ EMO High Point Trip of the Show was an 88.5 from Lisa Williams and San Morino.
In the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ 18-35 Hunters, sponsored by Doug and Missy Smith, Castleton and Marianna Wade of Charlottesville, VA, won the handy hunter class and placed second in another class to capture the championship. The pair also won the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Challenge sponsored by Milestone, LLC and Havens Schatt. The reserve champion in the division was One Shot, ridden by Sarah Sturges. They were first, fourth, and fifth over fences and fourth in the under saddle.
The Adult Amateur 36-50 Hunter championship went to Surf’s Up, ridden and owned by Missy Luczak Smith of Charlotte, NC. The pair were second over fences and won the under saddle. The reserve champion was Smith’s best friend, Lindsey Evans Thomas, who rode Fitzwilliam, owned by Shane Mackey. They won an over fences class and clinched the reserve tricolor by winning a hack-off over Lynn Ellen Rice and Purple Heart. Lynn Ellen Rice and Purple Heart won the EMO Adult Hunter Trip of the Show after they scored a 90 in their division.
The Adult Hunter 51 & Over division championship went to Laura Lee Montross of Bedford, NY, on Wind Dancer. They won an over fences class and were fourth in the under saddle. The reserve champion was Say What, ridden by Debbie Kelly for Rodney Bross. They won an over fences class.
Earlier in the afternoon on Friday, Debbie Kelly and Say What, owned by Rodney Bross, were victorious in the WCHR Adult Amateur Finals.
The Grand Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, went to Hillcrest Blue Halo, owned by Bill Schaub and ridden by 11-year-old Daisy Farish of Versailles, KY. They won three out of four classes in the small pony hunter division and placed second in the remaining class.
They were awarded with the VanderMoore Designs Trophy, donated by VanderMoore Designs. Farish was named the Best Pony Rider, an award sponsored by Archibald Cox and Brookway Stables. They were presented with the Kitty Borisoff Memorial Trophy donated by her many friends. They also won the EMO Trip of the Show with a score of 88. The reserve championship went to Rico Suave and Isabella Russekoff, who rode for Suave Pony, LLC. They placed first, third, and fourth.
The Harper Taskier Wright Memorial Trophy, given in memory of Harper by her loving parents Michael and Alexandra Borissoff Wright, friends, and family whose lives she touched was given to Farish for winning the Small Pony Hunter championship.
Schaub bought Hillcrest Blue Halo, a nine-year-old Welsh mare by Vida Blue, as a five-year-old, and his student Parker Wright started the pony in competition. Farish started riding her this year at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Farish also won the Children’s Pony Hunter championship on Northwind Marin, a six-year-old Crossbred gelding by Small-Land Martello and owned by Prue Richardson. They won an over fences class and the under saddle. The reserve champion was Woodlands Not Quite White, ridden and owned by Chloe White. They were first and third in the division.
In the Medium Pony Hunters, sponsored by Jeff and Keeley Gogul/Flagship Ltd, Topeka King and 13-year-old Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA, won the championship. The pair won two classes in the division. St. Jacques rode for her trainer, Kim Stewart, who she thanked for the opportunity to ride Topeka King. The reserve champion was Trillville, ridden by Lili Hymowitz and owned by Rose Hill Farm. They placed first, third, and fourth in the division. The pair won the handy hunter class, and St. Jacques said it is one of her favorite classes.
The Large Pony Hunter championship went to Aladdin, ridden by Emma Kurtz for Spencer Chapin. Kurtz, a 12-year-old rider from Hudson, OH, rode Aladdin to first, second, and third place ribbons. The reserve champion was Reservations Required, ridden by Meredith Darst and owned by Alicia Moellering. They received three second place ribbons.
The Small Junior 16-17 Hunter championship was awarded to Peakewood Pharm Inc.’s Photo Shoot, ridden by Shawn Casady of Harriman, TN. They placed first, second, third and fifth in the division. The reserve champion was Parkland, ridden by Shawn Casady for Jennifer Gates. They placed first, second, and fourth.
Mahala Rummel’s Charade and rider Ashley Foster of Brookeville, MD, took the championship in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, sponsored by Beacon Hill Stables and RC Stables. They finished first, second, and fifth in the division. Savant, ridden by Shawn Casady and owned by First Partners LP, was the reserve champion after placing first, fifth, and sixth.
The winner of the $5,000 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation Inc., was Nick Haness on Gelato.
Victoria Colvin rode two horses owned by Dr. Betsee Parker – Way Cool and Ovation – to the Grand Junior Hunter Championship sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, while the Grand Children’s Hunter Championship was also a tie between Lily Blavin on Pringle and Daisy Farish with Northwind Marin.
Colvin and Ovation, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, won through their championship performance in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, sponsored by Cynthia Williams/New England Farm. They also tied with Way Cool for the High Point Junior Hunter 15 & Under, sponsored by Geddaway Farm. Ovation and Colvin won two classes and picked up a third place.
With the same ribbons, Colvin and Way Cool, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Embassy, took the Large Junior 15 & Under championship.
For her Grand Junior Hunter win, Colvin was presented with The Spontaneous Perpetual Trophy donated by the Listrani Family. Colvin was named the Best Junior Rider, an award sponsored by Karen Healey and Karen Healey Stables. The EMO Junior Trip of the show went to Colvin and Way Cool, who had a 91. Colvin ended her day by winning the $2,500 WCHR Junior Challenge, sponsored by The Caldwell and Graves Families, on Inclusive owned by Dr. Betsee Parker.
The reserve champion in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters was Whatever, ridden by Vivian Yowan and owned by Saddle Ridge LLC. They placed first, second, second, and fifth in the division. Lightning Z, ridden by Meredith Darst and owned by Lochmoor Stables, was reserve champion in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters after they placed first and third.
The Grand Children’s Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mary Jane King, was another tie between the Children’s Hunter Pony winners, Northwind Marin and Daisy Farish, and the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under Section B champions, Pringle and Lily Blavin. They were presented with the Laura Pickett Memorial Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan. Farish and Blavin also tied for the Best Children’s Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Wild Sky Farm and The Nelson Family.
Lily Blavin, who is 14 years old and from Scottsdale, AZ, and Pringle finished first in the under saddle and won an over fences class in their division. The reserve champion was Color Up, ridden by Jacqueline Watts, who won an over fences class. Blavin and Pringle, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Radiator, have been paired for sixth months.
Saturday’s champions, Daisy Farish and Northwind Marin, were able to also win an over fences class and under saddle. Farish rode for owner Prue Richardson and trainer Bill Schaub. Schaub has been working with the talented green pony for a year and a half. This was the pony’s fifth horse show. Schaub said that Northwind Marin is a homebred for Prue Richardson.
Farish and Northwind Marin won the EMO Trip of the Show in the Children’s divisions when they scored an 89.62. Victoria Colvin won the Overall EMO Performance of the Show when she scored a 92.5 with Way Cool in the Performance Hunter 3’6″ division.
The Children’s Hunter 14 & Under Section A championship went to Statement, ridden by 13-year-old Lili Hymowitz of New York, NY, for owners Rose Hill Farm and Carolyn Dishuck. They placed second, second, and fifth. The reserve champion was Sirius Black, ridden by Madison Goetzmann for Christina Gellos. They received second, third, and fourth place ribbons.
The Children’s Hunter 15-17 championship went to Golden Opportunity, a seven-year-old Mecklenburg gelding ridden by Julian Curry for Taylor Curry. They placed first and second in the division. With the same ribbons, Ashley Cross and Arabella tied with Curry, and there was a hack-off to determine the champion. Arabella was named reserve champion in the division.
The freshman at Georgetown University plans to move up to the 3’6″ Amateur-Owner Hunters next year or may take a venture into the jumper ring. At this year’s Capital Challenge, he was named the recipient of the Stewart-Warner Cup for Children’s Riders. Lili Hymowitz won the award for pony riders, while Vivian Yowan won the award for junior riders.
Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley were presented with the Leading Hunter Trainer Award.
The High Point Owner/Rider Awards, sponsored by ESP Farm, were given to:
Small Junior Hunter: Whatever and Vivian Yowan
Large Junior Hunter: Lightning Z and Meredith Darst
Children’s Pony: Woodlands Not Quite White and Chloe White
Pony Hunter: Beau Rivage and Daisy Farish
Children’s Hunter: Pringle and Lily Blavin
Jumper Results – Thursday through Saturday
There were 55 entries in the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge, and Kaley Pratt of Gainesville, FL, was able to win her second Challenge in a row. Last year, Pratt was the fastest to win with her horse Shane. The pair went on to win the Adult Jumper Championship at the Washington International Horse Show as well. After that, Shane was sold, and Pratt didn’t find a new horse until February of this year.
She and Tjardin, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Mahala Rummel, were able to beat out 22 other entries in the jump-off with a clear round in 30.532 seconds. Second place went to Alex Volta on Lover Boy, who finished in 31.971 seconds. Lili Hymowitz and Barbara were third with a time of 32.146. Hymowitz won the Best Children’s Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters. Pratt won the Best Adult Amateur Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Meadow Grove Farm and was presented with The Belfield Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan.
Round 1 of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Challenge Cup sponsored by Kate Considine/Willow Brook Stables kicked off with a speed class. Victoria Colvin and Monsieur du Reverdy were the fastest to win in 65.682 seconds. Second place went to Alexandra Crown and Starnato in 70.200 seconds, while Vivian Yowan and Coral Z were third in 73.509 seconds.
The $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Final Round highlighted the evening session on Saturday at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Fourteen-year-old Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, sped to the win in the jump-off on Monsieur du Reverdy and captured first place, despite finishing the course with no stirrups. That also gave her the overall win for the North American Junior/Amateur Challenge Cup, sponsored by Ariat, for which she was awarded the Ariat Congressional Cup.
There were 30 entries in tonight’s final round, which was held in jump-off format. There were four clear rounds, and they went for speed over the shortened course, designed by Steve Stephens. First to go was Nathaniel Britell on Kimberlite. They had one rail in 41.064 seconds and finished in third place. Haley Schaufeld and Ana Sia also had four faults, but with a slower time of 43.165 seconds, they placed fourth. Barbara Ruziska and Victoire van het Dingeshof were faster in 42.343 seconds and a clear round, but they would have to wait and see what Colvin could do.
It turns out, Colvin could do quite a lot. She and Monsieur du Reverdy, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Quidam de Revel, started out with speed, but had a hiccup after landing from the liverpool oxer into the corner. The horse tripped and caught his shoe, pulling it off, and Colvin lost a stirrup. She continued through the double combination, but after that finished the rest of the course with no stirrups and crossed the timers in 40.832 seconds for the win.
For their win in the final round, Colvin was presented with the Remy Martin Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rolling Acres and Melanie Wright. The Best Junior Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Back Country Farm, was given to Victoria Colvin, while Darby Toben won the Best Amateur Jumper Rider Award sponsored by Lyman T. Whitehead and Eight Fences, LLC.
Capital Challenge Equitation Weekend Results, presented by Bigeq.com – Saturday and Sunday and ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals Results
Annie Finch of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and W.C. Swing, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Guidam, led the victory gallop for the second time this week in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. Just five days ago, Finch won the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals. Finch beat 28 other riders in the competitive class by scoring 87.45 in the first round and an 85.4 in the second round for a total of 172.85. Elysse Ruschmeyer and Metro finished second with a total of 168.05, while while Quinn Traendly and Parcheesi were third with 165.8.
The North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship is a fun and competitive class only found at Capital Challenge. Megan MacPherson of Boulder, CO, was able to outlast the field to return into the lineup in first place on her horse, Great Expectations. The reserve champion ribbon went to 14-year-old Hannah von Heidegger.
The 17 Year Old Equitation championship, sponsored by Old Salem Farm and Frank Madden Show Stables, went to Kilian McGrath of Thousand Oaks, CA, on Clarequest Chippy Cruise, a horse she rode for the first time this weekend. McGrath and Chippy won the over fences class in the indoor arena and were third under saddle. The 17 Year Old Equitation reserve champion was Savannah Jenkins on Capilan 2, who finished with two third places over fences and was second on the flat.
Local Brookeville, MD, rider Ashley Foster took the 16 Year Old Equitation championship, sponsored by Old Salem Farm and Frank Madden Show Stables, riding Raindance, owned by Megan McPherson. Michael Janson and Fortune Cookie finished as the 16 Year Old Equitation reserve champions following a win in an over fences class.
The 15 Year Old Equitation championship was awarded to Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, on Clearway. The pair finished second and fourth over fences and won the flat class. The 15 Year Old Equitation reserve champion was Sydney Callaway on Van Radjah. They were first and second over fences and finished sixth on the flat.
Hannah von Heidegger of Chatsworth, CA, captured the 13/14 Year Old championship sponsored by Citrus Hill Farms. She rode Beckham, a mount she has had for two years. Although she has shown at Capital Challenge twice before, this was her first time in the equitation. The reserve championship in the 13/14 Year Old Equitation was Victoria Colvin on VIP Z, who was first and second over fences (scoring a 92 along the way) and fourth on the flat.
Emma Wujak of Grosse Point Farms, MI, took the 12 Year Old Equitation championship on Sim Sala Bim. Although they are a new combination, they were able to win an over fences class and the flat class. They also placed tenth in the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship. Alexandra Worthington and Romina 58 were reserve champions in the 12 Year Old Equitation division. They were first and fifth over fences and third in the flat class.
April Wehle of Wellington, FL, won the Adult Amateur Equitation championship on Icarus. Wehle explained how she got the ride, “I actually just rode him for the first time yesterday. I didn’t have a horse for the weekend and luckily my trainer Tiffany Cornacchio-Morrissey searched everywhere and Ken and Emily Smith were nice enough to let me use their son’s horse. They were really, really good to me and let me show him.”
The pair won an over fences class and the flat class. The reserve champion in the Adult Amateur Equitation was Annie Finch, who rode W.C. Swing to two second places over fences and another second place on the flat.
The THIS National Children’s Medal division championship went to Melanie Selleck, while the reserve champion was Sydney Hutchins.
There were 75 entries in the North American Junior Equitation Championship, and the top 20 from the first round returned for the second round. Lillie Keenan, of New York, NY, sat in second place going into the second round with a total average of 92, and she executed a beautiful trip with a score of 93.40 and a total of 184.40 to move into the lead. Victoria Colvin on VIP Z was close behind with a total score of 183.60 after receiving an identical score to Keenan in the second round.
With just .80 of a point separating the two, Keenan and Colvin had to return for a work-off. The judges – Jeff Ayers, Rob Bielefield, Cynthia Hankins, Bobbie Reber, and Jim Toon – set a challenging test that included a counter canter, hand gallop, trot jump, and halt, all without stirrups. The two riders had to face outside the ring and could not watch the other rider’s test.
Colvin went first and had a fantastic trip, and Keenan followed with another smooth ride. It was incredibly close as their test scores were less than a half point apart. Keenan received a 90.6, while Colvin was scored at 90.2. Keenan won with a slight edge in a total of 275, while Colvin was second with a 273.8. Third place went to Megan MacPherson on Great Expectations, who finished with a two-round total of 178.41. Alison Cooney was fourth (175.8) on Wittewa, while Ashley Foster placed fifth with a score of 175.26 riding Raindance.
For her big win, Keenan was awarded the George H. Morris Equitation Championship Trophy donated by Frank and Stacia Madden and Beacon Hill Show Stables. Clearway’s groom, Raoul Gomez, won the North American Equitation Champion Groom’s Award sponsored by Holly Hill Farm. Keenan won the Best Equitation Rider Award sponsored by Karen Healey and Karen Healey Stables. Keenan’s trainers, Andre Dignelli, Patricia Griffith, Laena Romond, and Brady Mitchell, won the Leading Equitation Trainer Award. The EMO Equitation Trip of the Show sponsored by EMO Insurance Services went to Victoria Colvin, who scored a 92.
Forty-one qualifiers contested this year’s THIS National Children’s Medal Finals. After the initial round, the top 10 returned for a second round. Thirteen-year-old Sydney Hutchins of Westlake Village, CA, led from start to finish on Gaudi, owned by Taylor Harris (who, coincidentally, is not related to the sponsor). She scored a 90.5 in the first round and an 86.7 in the second round for a winning total of 177.2. Second place went to fellow West Coaster Savannah Dukes on Alicante. They had an overall score of 172.85. Alexandra Worthington and Romina 58 were third in 169.3, while Madison Goetzmann rode Sirius Black to a total of 168.5 for fourth place. Morgan Ward and Broadway were fifth with a total score of 166.65.
The North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals saw 37 entries, and the top 10 from the first round were back for a second round to find the winner. Annie Finch came back on top of the class and kept her lead for the perfect birthday present, a win in the finals.
Finch, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, rode W.C. Swing to a final score of 176.75. Nicole Lyvere and Drumline were second with 170.2 points. Raven Weinlein and La Vita finished third with 169.5 points, while fourth place went to Quinn Traendly on Parcheesi (167.85). Kristen Russomanno and Starbuck were fifth with 166.6 points.
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