Christy Russo and Westcliffe Score Tricolor in Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show
Equestrian News Release
Lexington, KY – May 20, 2006 – It was a beautiful day for hunter competition, and things culminated in another tricolor for the striking bay gelding Westcliffe and Christy Russo in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division.
After a reserve championship in the division last week, Coral Gables, FL resident Russo stepped it up this week. Westcliffe jumped to two firsts and a second place over fences and had the win under saddle as well. Russo trains with Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL.
After her two blues on Friday, Russo was determined to do well on Saturday. “I was a little bit nervous. After I do well on the first day, I feel like I have to do as well the second day. Otherwise I’m disappointing somebody. But today, I didn’t really worry about it,” she explained. “I waited around until I had to show, went in the ring, and hoped for the best, and that was what happened. My nerves were a lot better today!”
Russo added, “Westcliffe was awesome this week. The weather was so much nicer this week that I figured it could only get better!” After a successful winter, Russo and Westcliffe will continue on to the Devon Horse Show next week in Pennsylvania. The prestigious horse show only takes a small number of entries from horses across the country. This will be their second time together at the competitive show. “I’m very excited for Devon this year,” Russo stated.
The reserve champion was Castleton, ridden by Katherine Newman of Wellington, FL, for Pamela Dudley of Upperville, VA. Newman added two thirds over fences to her first and sixth places from Friday. “He was very consistent today,” Newman remarked.
In the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, a familiar face picked up the tricolor ribbon, but it was on a completely new horse. Thirteen year old Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, OH, piloted Vanity for Becky Gochman of Houston, TX.
Vanity won an over fences class and the under saddle on Friday, and they were third over fences today for the championship. Reserve champions in the division were Gold Krone and Rachel Udelson of Kansas City, MO.
Peter Pletcher is the trainer of Vanity, and he explained why the fancy bay mare showed in the junior hunters this week, “Becky rides in the older Amateur-Owner Hunters, and she has four horses. Four became a little bit much. We’re selling Vanity, so it was a good place for her to do the junior hunters.”
Pletcher knew right away who would be a fitting partner for Vanity. “I’m really good friends with Ken and Emily Smith, and I’ve watched Jennifer ride forever. She’s a fantastic rider. I thought it would be a great match for the horse because she’s so soft and she gets along with different types of horses so well,” he explained. “Jennifer did a great job.”
“Vanity is a beautiful jumper. She leaves a lot of space between herself and the jump. She’s a fantastic mover, and she has a wonderful way of going around the ring,” Pletcher said.
Tomorrow’s competition will bring the 2006 Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show to a close, with championship ribbons in the Amateur-Owner Hunters and the Pony Hunters.
For full horse show results, please visit http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
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