Tampa, FL - April 19, 2008 - The Suncoast Internationale, which is week one of the Tampa Equestrian Festival, got underway this morning under bright sunshine and cool breezes at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, with the first of three weeks of Olympic caliber equestrian competition. Competition for the Suncoast Internationale continues through Sunday, March 23. The Tampa Equestrian Festival runs from March 19-April 6, 2008.
Kelley Farmer spent the day at the Hunter Ring doing quick changes as she moved from horse to horse, but it was worth the hassle when she walked away with top honors in six of the hotly contested classes.
Farmer and Clarity, a five-year-old bay, owned by Larry Glefke, had a banner day. Not only was this pair triumphant in the two Green Conformation classes, they also came out on top in both Regular Conformation Hunter classes that were contested today.
"Clarity is wonderful!" said Farmer. "He was brought over from Europe as a jumper prospect by McLain Ward, but being so young we put him in the hunter ring. He showed four times and was champion three times and reserve champion once. He never did any of the little stuff; he just went right into the bigger classes. He is just so talented."
Farmer continued her domination of the Hunter Ring with Guess Again in the Regular Working Hunters. Guess Again marched handily around the four-foot high courses to claim victory in both classes.
"It's great to come here to Tampa," Farmer said. "After all that time in Wellington, this is a nice change."
The professional hunter divisions will finish tomorrow and award championships in six divisions. The highlight class for hunters at the Tampa Equestrian Festival is the $20,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby. The class will host a "Tradition, Tailgate, Top Hot, and Tails" party and will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at Wrenwood Farm in Naples, FL.
For more information on the Tampa Equestrian Festival, please visit
http://www.stadiumjumping.com.
Photo Credit: Kelley Farmer and Clarity won four hunter classes on opening day of the Tampa Equestrian Festival. Photo (C) 2008 Jennifer Wood/PMG.
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<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/tampa-equestrian-festival-kelley-farmer-3-08.html">It Was All Farmer On Opening Day of Tampa Equestrian Festival</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com
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