Hunters Stay Beautiful Despite Ugly Weather at Kentucky Spring Horse Show
Equestrian News Release
Lexington, KY – May 11, 2006 – The weather refused to let up today at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, where there was a constant blanket of rain. The unforgiving elements of dark gray cloud cover, cold wind, and showers challenged hunter athletes to perform in difficult conditions and puddles. Despite the aggressive weather, the footing remained impressively good in the Stonelea Arena, where the First Year Green, Green Conformation, Second Year Green, Regular Conformation, and Regular Working hunter divisions took place.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show is a selected member of the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, and ribbons won at this show count for both Regional and National awards. Scores recorded for the second round over fences of each rated division go towards the overall point standings for the Monarch/Show Circuit World Hunter Rider of the Year Award.
The First Year Green Working Hunter division began the day with a total of 33 entries. After winning both over fences classes yesterday, Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, Texas, returned to the arena with his mount Castle, a seven year old owned by Mary J. Stone of Austin, Texas. Castle’s wins from yesterday carried over into today’s point tally, rewarding the duo with the high score division championship.
“Both days were about as gross of weather as you could possibly want to ride in,” said Pletcher. “But, the horse went great. He’s a trooper; he does the amateurs too. He just went right around, nice as he could be. Today he was a little less impressive because it was muddy and gross, but he still went around nicely. I was happy with him.”
The reserve championship in the First Year Green Hunters was awarded to Cosmo and Ken Smith of Ashland Farm. Smith resides in Wellington, Florida, and piloted Cosmo for Susan Stanley of Delray Beach, FL. The horse and rider combination won a first and second today over fences.
In the Green Conformation Hunter division, Louise Serio, the 2005 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine World Championship Professional Hunter Rider, rode for top honors on Bridget Hallman’s stallion Theory. Serio of Kennett Square, PA, earned a first and second over fences yesterday and captured first and second over fences today, as well as a third place under saddle. The pair’s excellent performance sealed the Green Conformation Hunter division championship.
“Theory was fantastic,” exclaimed Serio. “He’s a young horse; he just turned five years old, and he’s a stallion. We got him in Florida, and he’s been a little bit green. Here he just rose to the occasion and was fantastic both days. I thought the footing held up great, and I was really happy with all of my rounds.”
Wellington, Florida resident Tim Goguen was awarded the reserve championship aboard Janet Read’s Boulveard Deir. Goguen won the under saddle and an over fences today and picked up fourth and fifth placings in yesterday’s classes.
For the Second Year Green Working Hunters, Peter Pletcher took home another division tricolor aboard Mac Arthur Park, owned by Lynn Walsh. Improving upon yesterday’s second and third ribbons, they jumped their way up the rankings to second and first today. The reserve champion went to Chris Payne of Cincinnati, OH, aboard Call It Art. Call It Art is owned by Taylor Baird.
In the Regular Conformation Hunters, Tommy Serio had a clean sweep, winning every class with Popeye K. Popeye K, owned by Elizabeth Spencer, had an unbeatable performance and took home the overall championship.
“The first trip, I think he was a little concerned with the splashing up underneath him,” commented Serio about Popeye K. “He’s a stallion, and I think it made him uncomfortable the first time because he was a little tentative. But the second time, he was great. He motored around and jumped high; he rose to the occasion, for sure.”
Reserve Champion of the Regular Conformation Hunters went to Corvet Z, a horse owned by Kathy and Gerry Newman of Allwyn Court Farm. Corvet Z, who normally shows in the Junior Hunters with their fifteen year old daughter Katherine, was piloted by Todd Minikus to gain experience for the horse over larger jumps.
Todd Minikus remarked about the horse, “He’s a very, very good jumper, and a fantastic horse in the making. I’ve been working with Katherine since Palm Beach, and I’ve watched him have a lot of success in the Junior Hunters. To my surprise, Gerry and Kathy [Newman] asked me if I would show him here in the Regular Working Conformation, and I thought it was a great idea. I think he has the ability and the scope of being more than a Junior Hunter, and we were very pleased with how he went this week.”
In the Regular Working Hunters, another five for five victory occurred with Terry Brown on the unbeatable horse Sequel. Sequel, owned by Showcase Ltd., hails from Canton, GA. Brown triumphed in all five classes, securing her win of the championship award. The reserve championship went to Tommy Serio and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Game On.
Hunter competition continues on tomorrow, with Small and Large Junior Hunters, the Adult Amateur Hunters, and the Children’s Hunters.
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