CC09 PUBLISHED PRO FINALS CLIPS

2009 WCHR PRO FINALS

PUBLISHED CLIPSCLIPS REPORT REPORT 2009 PUBLISHED

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE

WCHR PRO FINALS

HUNT TOSH

WCHR AWARDS

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WCHR AWARDS

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WCHR AWARDS

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WCHR CANDIDS

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WCHR CANDIDS

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WCHR CANDIDS

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WCHR CARRIAGE

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WCHR CARRIAGE

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WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS

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WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS

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WCHR WINNER - HUNT TOSH

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WCHR WINNER - HUNT TOSH

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WCHR WINNER - HUNT TOSH

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WCHR SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

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WCHR SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

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WCHR SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

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WCHR AWARDS PRESENTATION

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WCHR AWARDS PRESENTATION

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WCHR SETUP

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WCHR JUNIOR CHALLENGE

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

WELCOME TO THE 2009 WCHR PRO FINALS Dear Member of the Media: On behalf of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF), we would like to welcome you to the annual AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS. These Finals have become the premier professional show hunter rider competition of the year. It is the event in which professional hunter riders most seek to compete. And, it is one example of what the AHJF, Inc. was created for; to breathe new life into the sport and to give professional hunter riders a chance to be showcased.

The AHJF is a member supported, non-profit amateur athletic corporation formed with the mission to “promote the equestrian sport of hunter-jumper competition and address the needs of industry participants. The organization emphasizes integrity, compassion and sportsmanship through its business programs, human services, ethics leadership and education.”

Over the past few years the AHJF has made great strides, which you will see by the enclosed press kit.

Contained in the pages that follow is information about the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals as well as about the other AHJF programs. This organization started at a time when the hunter sport was in trouble. Since its inception in 1997 the sport of hunters has seen significant growth. Huge thanks goes to the AHJF for the time and effort they have put into achieving this goal.

We at Press Link PR have been working with the AHJF since 2000 to spread the word. We invite you to join us in this effort. If there is information we can provide, someone to interview for a story, photos or footage that you need, please let us know. We are here to help you in any way we can to spread the word that the sport of hunters is alive and well and continues to grow and prosper throughout the United States.

Diana De Rosa (dderosa1@optonline.net) President, Press Link PR - Cell: 516-848-4867 Note to Photographers: This is an indoor arena setting and the lighting is very low. You will need a camera that can work in this low light situation as flash is not allowed.

PRESS LINK PR, 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735, Cell: 516-848-4867, email: dderosa1@optonline.net

AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS FAST FACTS WHEN: Friday, October 2, 2009, 7:45 PM as part of the Capital Challenge Horse Show 7:15: Exhibitor Party on Concourse with Open Buffet presented by The Gochman Family 7:30: Various AHJF Awards Presentations in Arena (AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Regional winners, Lifetime Achievement, Sportsmanship Award, etc.)

Post Event Reception: Press Conference and Dessert Buffet in Paddock Lounge WHAT: $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title.

Sponsored by Stillwell Hansen, Inc. and the John R. Ingram Fund (The winner of the Championship will be presented with a media sponsorship package.)

WHERE: Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD WHY: This is the only hunter competition for professional hunter riders where riders compete head to head after accumulating points throughout the year-long competition season. The top six ranked riders compete Friday night for one of the most sought after hunter rider titles.

CLASS SPECS: NO ENTRY FEE - Open to the top six professional riders in the National WCHR Final Standings, including points earned from the divisions at Capital Challenge and the WCHR Professional Challenge Class. All riders must provide a horse for the class and ride that horse in the first round. With the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class will be judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider. The Class is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges. Each team will present one score and the scores averaged for a single round total. Each rider will compete in three rounds on three different horses (assigned by a draw for the horses) over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6" and receive a score for each round. After three rounds the three best riders with the highest cumulative scores will advance to a fourth round on a horse they have not ridden. The fourth round will be a handy course where brilliance will be rewarded. The rider with the highest cumulative four round total will be the winner. In case of a tie for first place there will be a ride off to determine the winner.

COST: Spectators can come watch the event for FREE! WHAT THE JUDGE IS LOOKING FOR: Show hunters are judged on the style of the horse. The horse should look as if it could carry a rider smoothly, comfortably and safely over a course of natural style jumps. The horses should be both elegant and agile as they negotiate obstacles similar to those encountered on a foxhunt.

SPONSORS: Sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., Presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family, Produced by The American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc., Hosted by the Capital Challenge Horse Show, Winner is the Recipient of the AHJF Professional Title MEDIA CONTACT: Press Link, Cell: 516-848-4867; email: dderosa1@optonline.net AHJF CONTACT: AHJF, PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, Phone: 508-835-8813, www.ahjf.org, email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

CAPITAL CHALLENGE: www.capitalchallenge.org

PRESS LINK PR, 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735, Cell: 516-848-4867, email: dderosa1@optonline.net

AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (19998, 1999, 2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a professional hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its fourteenth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explained Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

For information about the AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

THE AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS HELD ANNUALLY AT THE CAPITAL CHALLENGE HORSE SHOW IN LANDOVER, MD

PAST WINNERS 2008 – Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA 2007 – Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (also 2002, 2004) 2006 – John French, Redwood City, CA (also 2000) 2005 – Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (also 2001) 2004 – Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX 2003 – Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL (also 1998, 1999) 2002 – Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX 2001– Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA 2000 – John French, Redwood City, CA 1999 – Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL 1998 – Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL 1997 – Jennifer Alfano, Buffalo, NY (also 1996) 1996 – Jennifer Alfano, Buffalo, NY 1995 – Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS RESULTS 1995-2008 2008: Sandy Ferrell, John French, Erin Duffy, Scott Stewart, Patricia Griffith, Jennifer Alfano RIDER Sandy Ferrell

RND 1 86.33/Wilson

RND 2 82/Type Cast 1+2 = 168.33

RND 3 89/Notoriety 1+2+3= 257.33

SCORE RND 4 88.33/Maddox

FINAL TOTAL 345.66

John French Erin Duffy

70.33/Type Cast

90/Notoriety 1+2 = 160.33 85.66/Magnolia 1+2 = 171.32 87/Class Action 1+2 = 161.33 84.66/Maddox 1+2 = 153.99 84.33/Wilson 1+2 = 168.16

92/Maddox 1+2+3= 252.33 91.66/Wilson 1+2+3=262.98 86/Magnolia 1+2+3= 247.33 85.66/Class Action 1+2+3 = 239.65 70.66/Cunningham 1+2+3 = 238.82

92/Class Action

344.33

66.66/Type Cast

329.64

Scott Stewart Patricia Griffith Jennifer Alfano

85.66/Class Action 74.33/Maddox 69.33/Notoriety 83.33/Magnolia

247.33 239.65 238.82

2007: Peter Pletcher, John French, Scott Stewart, Liza Boyd, John Bragg, Kirsten Coe RIDER Peter Pletcher

RND 1 90/Surella

John French Scott Stewart

89.66/Raise Roof 89.66/True

Liza Boyd

92.66/Sienna

John Bragg Kirsten Coe

89/Cunningham 87.5/Aston

RND 2 89.33/True 1+2 = 179.33 the

89.66/Aston 1+2 = 179.32 91/Raise the Roof 1+2 = 180.66 93/Cunningham 1+2 = 185.66 85.66/Surella 1+2 = 174.66 88.33/Sienna 1+2 = 175.83

RND 3 91.66/Raise the Roof 1+2+3= 270.99 90/Sienna 1+2+3= 269.32 88/Aston 1+2+3= 268.66

SCORE RND 4 90/Aston

FINAL TOTAL 360.99

90/Cunningham

359.32

90.66/Sienna

359.32

80.66/Surella 1+2+3=266.32 89.33/True 1+2 = 263.99 85.66/Cunningham 1+2+3 = 261.49

266.32 263.99 261.49

2006: John French, Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher, Louise Serio RIDER Louise Serio Peter Pletcher John French Scott Stewart

RND 1 80.66/Locatelli 84.66/Larona 87/Locatelli 87.33/Intuition

RND 2 84.66/Intuition 1+2 = 165.32 87.33/Locatelli 1+2 = 171.99 85.16/Larona 1+2 = 172.16 83.66/Fortunate 1+2 = 170.99

RND 3 84.33/Fortunate 1+2+3= 249.65 90/Intuition 1+2+3= 261.99 85.33/Locatelli 1+2+3= 257.49 79/Larona 1+2+3=249.99

SCORE RND 4 74.33/Larona

FINAL TOTAL 323.98

84.66/Fortunate

346.65

89.33/Intuition

346.82

88/Locatelli

337.99

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

2005: Louise Serio, Peter Pletcher, Scott Stewart, Holly Orlando RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

Louise Serio

88.33/Perfect

90.66/Nantucket

90.66/La Caretta

94/Ramsey

363.65

1+2 = 178.99

1+2+3=269.65

Peter Pletcher

88/Nantucket

88.66/La Caretta

91.50/Ramsey

90.33/Perfect

358.49

1+2 = 176.66

1+2+3=268.16

Scott Stewart

87.66/Ramsey

92/Perfect

91.66/Nantucket

86/La Caretta

357.32

1+2 = 179.66

1+2+3=271.32

Holly Orlando

88.33/La Caretta

91.33/Ramsey

90/Perfect

78.33/Nantucket

347.99

1+2 = 179.66

1+2+3=269.66

347.99

2004: Peter Pletcher, Sandy Ferrell, Jenny Karazissis, Heidi Fish RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

Peter Pletcher

86.6

88.4

88.4

90.6

354/$2,750

Sandy Ferrell

87.6

85.4

89

91

353/$1,000

Jenny Karazissis

85.2

88.4

86.2

88.4

348.2/$750

Heidi Fish

83.2

85.4

87.9

86.8

343.3/$500

2003: Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt, Samantha Darling, Peter Pletcher RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

Scott Stewart

98.4

89.3

94

89.4

371.1

Haven Schatt

95.2

89

93.4

90.8

368.4

Samantha Darling

92.3

92.8

93.7

84

362.8

Peter Pletcher

92.8

88

90.6

81.8

353.2

2002: Peter Pletcher, Scott Stewart, Emily Williams, Sandy Ferrell RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

Peter Pletcher

88.7

88.2

89.2

92.6

358.7

Scott Stewart

86

84.60

88.60

91.80

351

Emily Williams

87.60

73.80

86.40

89.60

337.40

Sandy Ferrell

89.20

78.40

73.80

75.60

317

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

2008

2001

SANDY FERRELL JOHN FRENCH ERIN DUFFY SCOTT STEWART PATRICIA GRIFFITH JENNIFER ALFANO

LOUISE W. SERIO HAVENS SCHATT TIM GOGUEN KELLEY FARMER

2007

2000

PETER PLETCHER (3X) JOHN FRENCH SCOTT STEWART ELIZABETH BOYD JOHN BRAGG KIRSTEN COE

JOHN FRENCH SCOTT STEWART HOLLY ORLANDO KELLEY FARMER

2006

1999

JOHN R. FRENCH (2X) SCOTT STEWART PETER PLETCHER LOUISE W. SERIO

SCOTT STEWART (2X) HAVENS SCHATT PETER PLETCHER HOLLY ORLANDO

2005

1998

LOUISE W. SERIO (2X) PETER PLETCHER SCOTT STEWART HOLLY H. ORLANDO

SCOTT STEWART HOLLY ORLANDO PETER PLETCHER NANCY GREEN

2004

1997

PETER PLETCHER (2X) SANDY FERRELL JENNY KARAZISSIS HEIDI FISH

JENNIFER ALFANO (2X) BILL ELLIS RICK FANCHER CARLETON BROOKS

2003

1996

SCOTT STEWART (3X) HAVENS SCHATT PETER PLETCHER SAMANTHA DARLING

JENNIFER ALFANO CHARLIE WEAVER RUSSELL FREY JOHN FRENCH

2002

1995

PETER PLETCHER SCOTT STEWART EMILY WILLIAMS SANDY FERRELL

HAVENS SCHATT LESLIE STEELE ELIZABETH SOLTER MARTHA JACKSON

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AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

2009 WINNER PRIZES

$7,500 for the Class 1-$3,000, 2-$2,000, 3-$1,000, 4-$500, 5-$500, 6-$500

“All the Way” Perpetual Trophy To the winning rider: This trophy was donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan.

The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy Donated by The Karazissis Family to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score.

$3,000 Pletcher Professional Incentive Award Sponsored Mr. & Mrs. George Pletcher.

Goshen Hill Grooms Award $500 Presented to each of the Grooms of the WCHR National Champions A THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS SPONSORS Carlene Blunt Claudine & George Pletcher Derbydown, Inc./Louise Serio Ecogold Essex Classics EquiFit Finally Farm, Inc. & The Towell Goshen Hill Foundation HND Stables, Inc/R. Bruce Duchossois Karen Long Dwight

Meridian Farm & Meridian Riding Pinnell Quail Hollow Tack/Ken & Didi MacKenzie Springtown Farm & Sissy Wickes The Danhakl Family The EMO Insurance Agency, Inc. The Steinhaus Family Whipstick Farm Ltd.

The 7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., Presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family Produced by American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hosted by Capital Challenge Horse Show THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE FOR THIS CLASS – RIDERS MUST QUALIFY TO COMPETE .

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A TRIUMPH AFTER TRAGEDY HELPS SANDY FERRELL SPARKLE IN AHJF PRO FINALS AHJF’s WCHR Annual Winners Named in Pro, Amateur, Adult Amateur and Junior Divisions October 7, 2008 ‐‐ Upper Marlboro, MD – “It’s the camaraderie that means so much,” commented a cheerful Sandy Ferrell after winning the 15th annual $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2008 AHJF Professional WCHR title, which took place on October 3rd during the eight‐day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2008 WCHR Professional Finals is sponsored by Stillwell‐Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter‐Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

“It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” continued Ferrell, who was sparkling with energy and enthusiasm after her victory. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions. It is competitive but we are not out to prove anything. At a normal horse show it’s everyone out for him/herself.”

Sandy knows about rooting because not too long ago she was diagnosed and survived breast cancer and it was then that she learned that there was a huge cheering squad behind her. “It was the horses that helped get me through that,” admits Ferrell.

Ferrell, Bernville, PA, claimed the victory with a score of 345.66 just slightly over a fraction ahead of two‐time winner John French, Redwood City, CA (344.33) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Erin Duffy, Pacific Palisades, CA (329.64). Finishing 4th was Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (247.33), 5th was Patricia Griffith, Katonah, NY (239.65) and 6th was Jennifer Alfano, Buffalo, NY (238.82).

THE COMPETITION Riders had to qualify to compete in this class by earning points in WCHR recognized shows (of which there were 42 to choose from but only the top four count) throughout the U.S. in eight regions: Southeast, South Central, Central Mountain, Mid‐Atlantic, Southwest, Northeast and Midwest). The points from their best ride in WCHR recognized divisions earned at the Capital Challenge Horse Show is added to that total. Then, the top six riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standings are invited to compete in the WCHR Challenge Class at the Capital Challenge. Those points are then combined with the overall points to determine the final six riders.

And things can change dramatically during the 10‐day Capital Challenge Horse Show. In fact, Griffith was able to move up from 23rd to 6th. Since this was her first time qualifying that achievement showed why you should never give up.

“I’m excited that we’ve got new people and for Patricia, the moon and the stars had to align exactly in order for her to get in this class and it did! I feel like it was really meant to be for her,” commented AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The riders then alternate on the other horses.

Some top hunters were shown in this class including: Magnolia, a 7‐year‐old, 16.1H, Warmblood, mare, owned by Bright Star 158 LLC (supplied by Jennifer Alfano); Class Action, a 9‐year‐old, 16.3H, gray, Warmblood, gelding, owned by Bar X Ranch (supplied by Erin Duffy); Maddox, a 9‐year‐old, 16.1H, bay, Oldenburg, gelding, owned by Lissa Bachner( supplied by Scott Stewart); Notoriety, a 12‐year‐old, 16.3H, bay, Warmblood, mare, owned by Lexi Maounis (supplied by Patricia Griffin); Type Cast, a 6‐year‐old, 16.1H, bay, Warmblood, gelding, owned by Patricia Rose (supplied by John French), and Wilson, a 7‐year‐ old, 16.3H, brown, Warmblood, gelding, owned by Debbie Malony (supplied by Sandy Ferrell).

The riders were allowed to briefly warm‐up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Ferrell took the early lead (86.33) followed by Duffy (85.66). In 3rd was Alfano (83.33), then Stewart (74.33), French (70.33) and Griffith (69.33). In the second round Duffy dominated the class after her first and second round scores were combined (171.32). Ferrell was 2nd (168.33), 3rd Alfano (168.16), 4th Stewart (161.33), 5th French (160.33), and 6th Griffith (153.99).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Duffy maintained her lead (262.98) followed by Ferrell (257.33) for 2nd, French in 3rd (252.33).

French as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping to the first fence out of the gate, slicing corners with elegance and charging down to the last fence with boldness and accuracy. They finished duplicating their third round score (92) which when combined with his other scores gave him his 344.33 total.

Ferrell went next and impressed with the smooth tight turns but she also recognized that her horse was not quite as agile as French’s horse. “I thought rather than be too greedy I would play it smart.” Since she had a lead of five points over French, her final score of 88.33 was just enough to squeak by him (345.66). Up to that point Duffy had good fortune but in that final round a cross canter cost her valuable points, giving the victory to Ferrell (66.66/329.64).

Although Ferrell had competed in the class twice before this was her first time to win and victory sure brought a sparkle to her eyes. “I wouldn’t believe I’d won until they made the announcement and put the ribbon on my horse,” she admitted.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS Four of the riders who qualified this year have competed in this class multiple times while the other two were competing for the first time. Even after all these years and multiple victories the veterans were still as determined to both qualify and win this very prestigious competition, which is the only one geared specifically for professional hunter riders.

“The fact that professionals still want to show in this class is a positive thing,” commented Perla. “It is still an important goal for them, and that is good for the sport...”

“It was really special this year how hotly contested it was until the last minute,” added AHJF president Geoff Teall. “This is the one class that gives the pro riders a chance to be noticed and show off and for it to be about them as riders.”

“It’s very exciting and I look forward to this every year. It’s also nice having some new riders in it,” explained Stewart, who was competing for the ninth time, with three victories.

Ferrell (third time) agreed, “I’m excited. My goal was to go in and do my best, keep my cool and most importantly have fun.”

Alfano (third time) commented, “When I did this class in 1996 and 1997 it was in a different format. They provided all of the horses. Now we provide the horses. I am excited to do it again. I had a blast. For the hunters it is a one of a kind class for us to do. To be able to switch horses is fun.”

Duffy was in her first Pro Finals. “I’m excited to do it. I like that it is similar to a USET or World Equestrian format in that you change horses and it’s a special class so it is fun to do. I didn’t think I would qualify since I only have one hunter but he (Rumba) is really good.”

It’s the title that matters most but along with that title come a lot of perks. Louise Serio, founder of the AHJF, was the inspiration behind this class. “As a hunter rider back then there were no goals and no pomp and ceremony like the jumper riders had. So we decided to initiate special events for the hunter riders and horses.”

“It is as much about the presentation of the class as it is about the class. It is the feature event of the night,” added Perla.

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including a light show, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE Incorporated into the evening is another program sponsored by the AHJF called the Junior Hunter Challenge. It’s based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. The West Region winner was Lauren Wood from Rochester, MN and the East Region winner was Tiffany Pelton from Galesburg, MI. Their wins earned them a complimentary trip to the Capital Challenge Horse Show and a

chance to spend the weekend meeting the top professionals in the nation. They also had the opportunity to be photographed with the top six riders and to interact with their idols. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During their weekend they met with Linda Andrisani for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Louise Serio and Havens Schatt for the Pro Finals, got a look behind the scenes at the barn with AHJF Board Member Amanda Steege, got a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met with course designer Michael Rheinheimer for a session in hunter course design and learned to walk the high junior/amateur jumper course with grand prix rider Danielle Torano.

Fifteen‐year‐old Lauren Wood, Rochester, MN, achieved her victory by riding South Bound Train, a 10‐year‐old, 15.3H, Appaloosa gelding who she’s owned for two years. Lauren’s parents, Kristin and Cameron, and trainer Vicki Holst took the journey with her to Maryland.

They all agreed that the Junior Hunter Challenge is a good learning experience “because the judge tells you what you need to work on,” commented Lauren. “We do our first round and then we go and talk to the judge and she would tell us what to do for the second phase and why we were placed the way we were. “ “They learn to think. The class is unbelievable. It makes them accountable for what they do because they know they are going to have to answer to a judge,” added Holst.

“It has helped Lauren grow up. She is more responsible, more focused. It makes her better at school. She is accountable to do well at school in order to do the horse thing,” added Kristin.

“Watching her ride and not getting any feedback and why you are placing or not in other classes is frustrating. This is a class that actually gives them feedback so they can improve on their riding. So, it’s been very helpful,” noted Cameron.

Pelton, 14, Galesburg, MI, rode No Doubt About Adam (nickname Adam), a 6‐year‐old, 16.3H, Appendix QH, bay, gelding she has had for 2 years.

“It seemed like an interesting class so I decided to try,” explained Pelton. “It was a new class on the circuit. It tested your riding skills. We had one round where there was a course that the show had made and then we had a test given by the judge. The test I liked the best was when the judge allowed us to make up our own course of fences. “ Pelton boards Adam at her grandmother’s Lou‐Don Farm also in Galesburg, where he spends lots of time turned out.

“I think it was a really good experience for me,” continued Pelton. “The class and coming here is a big thing because this is one of my biggest achievements so far. That was my goal and I am pretty happy I achieved it.

Who knows maybe this class will pave the way for Wood or Pelton to one day walk in Ferrell’s boots and all the other winners before to claim the title of World Championship Hunter Rider.

AMERICAN HUNTER‐JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member‐supported non‐profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 14, 2009) and the Legacy Cup. At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur‐ owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

A number of special awards were given out as well. Kenny Wheeler, Keswick, VA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to West Point, ridden by Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman, Sherborn, MA, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Beyond, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart. Mindy Darst, Lebanon, OH, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Wilson. In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co‐managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since. “The AHJF can only be as successful as the horse shows it partners with. Billy and Oliver do everything in their power, to support the AHJF activity at the Capital Challenge. Their support is key to our success here,” commented Perla.

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://www.presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=117434. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583‐0369, 508‐835‐8813, fax: 508‐835‐6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER Sandy Ferrell John French Erin Duffy Scott Stewart Patricia Griffith Jennifer Alfano

RND 1 86.33/Wilson 70.33/Type Cast 85.66/Class Action 74.33/Maddox 69.33/Notoriety 83.33/Magnolia

RND 2 82/Type Cast 1+2 = 168.33 90/Notoriety 1+2 = 160.33 85.66/Magnolia 1+2 = 171.32 87/Class Action 1+2 = 161.33 84.66/Maddox 1+2 = 153.99 84.33/Wilson 1+2 = 168.16

RND 3 89/Notoriety 1+2+3= 257.33 92/Maddox 1+2+3= 252.33 91.66/Wilson 1+2+3=262.98 86/Magnolia 1+2+3= 247.33 85.66/Class Action 1+2+3 = 239.65 70.66/Cunningham 1+2+3 = 238.82

SCORE RND 4 88.33/Maddox

FINAL TOTAL 345.66

92/Class Action

344.33

66.66/Type Cast

329.64 247.33 239.65 238.82

SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Kenny Wheeler, Keswick, VA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: West Point, ridden by Scott Stewart (owned by Krisa and Alexa Weisman) Total Points: 2023 (Jeffery Katz was a 38‐year‐old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Beyond, (rider/owner/Scott Stewart). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1543 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Lauren Wood, Rochester, MN; East Region: Tiffany Pelton, Galesburg, MI This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non‐recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Mindy Darst, Lebanon, OH (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: West Point (ridden by Scott Stewart) owned by Krista Weisman/Alexa Weisman), 2023 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Krista and Alexa Weisman (owner of West Point who was ridden by Scott Stewart to 2023 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Osczar (19, Oldenberg, by Alla Czar, 17, gelding, bred by Maureen Martin, Louisville, KY, owned

by Dawn Fogel, trainer Rick Fancher. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2008 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Sandy Ferrell (86.33, 82, 89, 88.33 = 345.66), 2. John French (70.33, 90, 92, 92=344.33), 3. Erin Duffy (85.66, 85.66, 91.66, 66.66 = 329.64. 4. Scott Stewart (74.33, 87, 86 = 247.33); 5. Patricia Griffith (69.33, 84.66, 85.66 = 239.65); 6. Jennifer Alfano (83.33, 84.33, 70.66 = 238.82).

JUNIOR: 1. Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1868 pts.; 2. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1791 pts.; 3. Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1699 pts.; 4. Alise V. Oken, Charlotte, NC, 1584 pts.

PONY: 1. Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, 2272 pts.; 2. Shawn Casady, Harriman, TN, 1933 pts.; 3. Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1783 pts.; 4. Ashley LeCroy, Asheville, NC, 1743.

AMATEUR‐OWNER: 1. Tammy Chipko, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1860 pts.; 2. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1680 pts.; 3. Bridget Hallman, Oyster Bay, NY, 1495 pts.; 4. Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 1445 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Wendy Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 1676 pts; 2. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1666 pts; 3.

Marianne Cochran, Eagle, CO, 1594 pts; 4. Emily Woodall, New Caney, TX, 1554 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, Redwood City, CA, 1590 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Tammy Chipko, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1418 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1483 pts.; Pony: Hannah Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1417 pts.; Children’s: Whitney Downs, Coto De Caza, CA, 1694 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1393 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1121 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Ramsey, NJ, 749 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Vijan, Westerville, OH , 1077 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1055 pts.; Children’s: Audrey Layman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 546 pts.; Adult Amateur: Bradley Wolkoff, Carmel, IN, 907 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, 1400 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Lindsey Fishell, Kingwood, TX, 1186 pts.; Junior: Stacey Weems, The Woodlands, TX, 1143 pts.; Pony: Lucas Porter, Bartonville, TX, 1015 pts.; Children’s: Maret Delf, Plano, TX, 780 pts.; Adult Amateur: Emily Woodall, New Caney, TX, 1370 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, 1279 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 990 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1198 pts.; Pony: Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, 1323 pts.; Children’s: Nina Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 744 pts.; Adult Amateur: Kimberly Maloomian, Needham, MA, 1042 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Hunt Tosh, Cumming, GA, 1085 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 780 pts.; Junior: Sarah Ward, Atlanta, GA, 774 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 857 pts.; Children’s: Maddie Gardner, Charlotte, NC, 886 pts.; Adult Amateur: Bruce Duchossois, Aiken, SC, 340 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Keiri Kaneps, Elizabeth, CO, 1155 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Liza Dennehy, Denver, CO, 1079 pts.; Junior: Brooke Kennedy, Greenwood Village, CO, 1177 pts.; Children’s: Leighona Bernstein, Golden, CO, 1089 pts.; Pony: Megan MacPherson, Niwot, CO, 1300 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susanne R. Stroh, Elizabeth, CO, 1069 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1395 pts.; Amateur Owner: Angelique Wells, Olalla, WA, 1042 pts.; Pony: Caitlin Mahan, Kent, WA, 1164 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Harding, Tualatin, OR, 1025 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1262 pts.; Adult Amateur: Shawna Dash, Yarrow Point, WA, 1304 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, 1542 pts.; Amateur‐Owner: Zachary Parks, Charlottesville, VA, 1062 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1232 pts.; Pony: Chloe Reid, Washington, DC, 1142 pts.; Children’s: Haley Funger, Potomac, MD, 611 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lysa Burke Horkan, Upperville, VA, 1004 pts.

PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735 Cell: 516‐848‐4867 E‐mail: dderosa1@optonline.net

CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS #1 – The 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals took place October 3rd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #2 – Sandy Ferrell aboard Maddox after winning the 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 3rd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #2 – Sandy Ferrell takes his victory gallop aboard Maddox after competing in the 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 3rd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #3 – Sandy Ferrell was named 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider after winning the WCHR Pro Finals, which took place October 3rd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l‐r) GeoffTeall, LouiseSerio, AmandaSteege, TiffanyPelton, LaurenWood. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #4 – Patricia Griffith, Jennifer Alfano, John French, Sandy Ferrell, Scott Stewart and Erin Duffy were the final six riders in the 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which took place October 3rd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#5 ‐ AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Sandy Ferrell with the AHJF Junior Challenge winners (l‐r) Tiffany Pelton and Lauren Wood. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #5 – Amanda Steege in the gold blouse. #6– AHJF President Geoff Teall at the 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which took place October 3rd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS MIX AND MINGLE WITH HUNTER ELITE Lauren Wood & Tiffany Pelton Enjoy a Weekend to Learn and Shine

November 17, 2008 ‐‐ Upper Marlboro, MD – Lauren Wood and Tiffany Pelton had lots of reasons to smile as the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge. Their victory weekend included a chance to mix and mingle with some of the hunter world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 3‐5, 2008) of the eight‐ day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non‐recognized level.

Wood, Rochester, MN was the West Region winner and Pelton, Galesburg, MI, dominated the East Region. Their wins earned them a complimentary trip to the Capital Challenge Horse Show and a chance to spend the weekend meeting the top professionals in the nation and to interact with their idols. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Linda Andrisani for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Louise Serio and Havens Schatt for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF Board Member Amanda Steege. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met with course designer Michael Rheinheimer for a session in hunter course design; learned to walk the high junior/amateur jumper course with grand prix rider Danielle Torano; were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Steward Karen Golding and attended the Exhibitor Party.

The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Sandy Ferrell won the 15th annual $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2008 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Ferrell and the five other finalists.

LAUREN WOOD’S SOUTH BOUND TRAIN TO VICTORY Fifteen‐year‐old Lauren Wood, Rochester, MN, achieved her victory by riding South Bound Train, a 10‐year‐old, 15.3H, Appaloosa gelding who she’s owned for two years. Lauren’s parents, Kristin and Cameron, and trainer Vicki Holst took the journey with her to Maryland.

They all agreed that the Junior Hunter Challenge class is a good learning experience “because the judge tells you what you need to work on,” commented Lauren. “We do our first round and then we go and talk to the judge and she would tell us what to do for the second phase and why we were placed the way we were. “ “They learn to think. The class is unbelievable. It makes them accountable for what they do because they know they are going to have to answer to a judge,” added Holst.

“Competitive riding has helped Lauren grow up. She is more responsible, more focused. It makes her better at school. She is accountable to do well at school in order to do the horse thing,” added Kristin.

“Watching her ride and not getting any feedback and why you are placing or not in other classes is frustrating. This is a class that actually gives them feedback so they can improve on their riding. So, it’s been very helpful,” noted Cameron.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT ABOUT TIFFANY PELTON’S WIN Pelton, 14, Galesburg, MI, rode No Doubt About Adam (nickname Adam), a 6‐year‐old, 16.3H, Appendix QH, bay, gelding she has had for 2 years.

“It seemed like an interesting class so I decided to try,” explained Pelton. “It was a new class on the circuit. It tested your riding skills. We had one round where there was a course that the show had made and then we had a test given by the judge. The test I liked the best was when the judge allowed us to make up our own course of fences. “ Pelton boards Adam at her grandmother’s Lou‐Don Farm also in Galesburg, where he spends lots of time turned out.

“I think it was a really good experience for me,” continued Pelton. “The class and coming here is a big thing because this is one of my biggest achievements so far. That was my goal and I am pretty happy I achieved it. Who knows maybe this class will pave the way for Wood or Pelton to one day walk in Ferrell’s boots and all the other winners before to claim the title of World Championship Hunter Rider.

AMERICAN HUNTER‐JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member‐supported non‐profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 14, 2009) and the Legacy Cup. At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur‐owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583‐ 0369, 508‐835‐8813, fax: 508‐835‐6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

For those interested in seeing photos of winners Lauren Wood and Tiffany Pelton go to: http://www.presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_i temId=117434 where you can find their photos on page 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

PETER PLETCHER AMAZES AGAIN IN WCHR PRO FINALS FOR THE MONARCH INTERNATIONAL TITLE AHJF’s WCHR Annual Winners Named in Pro, Amateur and Children’s Divisions October 7, 2007 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – “It’s amazing every time,” commented an exuberant Peter Pletcher after winning his third Monarch International Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title, which took place on October 5TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2007 WCHR Professional Finals is sponsored by StillwellHansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American HunterJumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

“The first time you are freaked out. The second time it’s still unbelievable. The third time I can’t believe how exciting it still is to win this class. It never gets dull. You are just as nervous every time,” concluded Pletcher.

Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, claimed the victory ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and defending champion and two-time winner John French, Redwood City, CA after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. The scores of the final three was the closest margin in the history of this class. Pletcher’s score of 360.99 was mere fractions ahead of 2nd place finishers John French and Scott Stewart who tied for second with a score of 359.32, but the way the class is structured the score of the tiebreaker judges broke the tie (88 for Stewart to 89 for French) to give French the 2nd place finish, just one spot lower than the previous year when he won it all. Finishing 4th was Liza Boyd (266.32), 5th was John Bragg (263.99) and 6th was Kirsten Coe (261.49).

THE COMPETITION Riders had to qualify to compete in this class by earning points in WCHR recognized shows (of which there were 50 throughout the U.S. in eight regions: Southeast, South Central, Central Mountain, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Midwest). AHJF tallies the points based on each rider’s top four WCHR shows. The top six riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standings are then invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the WCHR Challenge Class. Their top score in WCHR recognized divisions earned at the Capital Challenge is added to that total. Those points are then combined with the overall points to determine the final six.

The rounds were scored by three teams of two judges using the open numerical system. The judges were: Mark Jungherr, Amesburg, TX and Kip Rosenthal, Brewster, NY; Bobbie Reber, Wellington, FL and Shane George, Magnolia, TX; Brian Lenehan, Southern Pines, NC and Penny Waller, Santa Cruz, CA.

The riders alternated on riding six different horses which they each provided for the class. These included Peter’s mount Surella, owned by Mary Jane Stone, a 15.3h, bay, Warmblood mare. Cunningham, owned by Mary Slouka, is a 17.1h, Holsteiner stallion by Cassini 1 out of a Contender mare. Liza’s choice was Sienna, owned by Annie Gardner, a 15.3h, 9-year-old, bay, Dutch Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker. Kirsten’s addition was Aston, owned by Heritage Farm, a 10year-old, 16.2h, Dutch Warmblood, bay gelding. Raise the Roof, a 15.3h, 9-year-old, grey, Warmblood gelding

by Mr. Blue owned by Cloe Baumrim was French’s choice. Scott chose True, owned by Glen Senk, a 10year-old, 16.3h, Belgium Warmblood gelding. The alternate was Tripple Lutz, owned by Samantha Harrison, a 16.1h, 6-year-old, bay, Warmblood gelding.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three competed.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Boyd took the early lead (92.66) followed

by Pletcher (90). In 3rd was defending champion French and Scott Stewart (both with a score of 89.66). Bragg was in 5th (89) and Coe in 6th (87.50). In the second round Boyd again dominated the class after her first and second round scores were combined (185.66). In 2nd was Stewart (180.66), 3rd Pletcher (179.33), 4th French (179.32), 5th Coe (175.83), and 6th Bragg (174.66).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. While it appeared that Boyd had a very strong possibility of continuing her lead a mistake in a broken line was her demise. She got too close to the oxer and received a score of 80.66 for a three round total of 266.32. Ultimately that score would put her just outside the top three in the 4th spot. That “chip” gave the other riders the break they needed. After the third round it was Pletcher who went into the final round on the leading score of 270.99, followed by French (269.32) for 2nd, Stewart was 3rd (268.66).

Afterwards Boyd jokingly commented “the six strides (which was the right distance to that fence she chipped) looked very far away so I did seven.”

The final results were an interesting twist because despite the fact that the class was changed to allow an additional two riders to qualify, in the end it was the three past winners who made it into the final three. They entered in reverse order and Stewart put in a strong performance which gave him a score of 90.66 for the round and with his previous scores he finished on 359.32. It was French who went next and another strong round with a slightly lower score of 90 tied his score with Stewart’s but the tie-breaker put him 2nd.

Now it was up to Pletcher whose final score of 90 was just enough to give him his third WCHR Professional Finals win.

AHJF President Geoff Teall later commented, “This class for me was almost the nicest so far. I like the fact that it included more people and new people and yet in the end it was the veterans and past winners who won again.”

CAPITAL CHALLENGE IS THE HORSE SHOW FOR HUNTERS Three of the riders who qualified this year have competed in this class multiple times while the other three were competing for the first time. Even after all these years and multiple victories the veterans were still as determined to both qualify and win this very prestigious competition, which is the only one geared specifically for professional hunter riders.

“We are trying our best to stay at the top of the sport and maintain that for as long as we can. You always want to be the best and be the most competitive,” explained Stewart.

Pletcher agreed. “You want to stay at the top of the game and so you strive for it all year. You check those points over and over again and you email to see where you are in the standings. It’s a great goal. It’s just a rush and an added bonus to the sport.”

Thinking of all that it took to qualify against the best of the best Kirsten softly added, “The thought of trying to qualify for next year is daunting.”

While Boyd interjected, “You try to act as if it doesn’t matter, but it does!”

It’s the title that matters most but along with that title come a lot of perks. “There is no other show like this.

There’s so much publicity that surrounds it. Just from winning it last year I got a book of all the articles throughout the year that have talked about the program and the win,” explained French.

The riders have the AHJF and Monarch International to thank for some of those benefits. As one sponsor of this class they in unison with the AHJF want to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE Another secondary bonus was presented to the winner of another program the AHJF sponsors with Dover Saddlery. It’s based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. The East Region winner was Kathryn Miller, Gainesville, FL and the West Region winner was Ursula Wise, Polson, MT. Their wins earned them a complimentary trip to the Capital Challenge Horse Show and a chance to spend the weekend meeting the top professionals in the nation. They also had the opportunity to be photographed with the top six riders and to interact with their idols.

It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

Ursula, 11, has only been riding for 18 months and takes lessons at Full Sale Farm with trainer Wanda Rosatti. She won on Sprite, a friend’s pony mare who Ursula says “likes red twizzlers. Kathryn, 12, has been riding for six years and now trains with Denna Johnson. She has four ponies that she regularly rides but it was on Pony Source (a pony who Kathryn says “licks you all the time, loves hot dogs and blows bubbles in the water trough”) owned by Full Partners Farm in Newberry, FL, that she earned the honor of traveling to the Capital Challenge.

While Ursula and Kathryn were thrilled with their victory it was their parents and trainers that really understood the depth of what they had won. “This is the most amazing opportunity for local kids,” commented Denna.

“The kids have something to shoot for. This gives them a chance, especially those on a limited budget, to have the opportunity to see the best riders, trainers, course designers, judges, and so many more top people in the nation. There isn’t anything for the local kids to shoot for. This is the only opportunity they have to strive for something unique and special.”

Their glee was what those who qualified to compete in the pro finals also went through before they set out on their present path. It was a seed that was planted along the way that helped all the qualified six riders to get into a field that gives them the job they enjoy going to every day.

For Kathryn that seed was planted when her mom came to school to pick her up. “I figured it out right away and rolled down the window and screamed that I had won the Dover class.”

Who knows maybe one day it will be Ursula or Kathryn who will change places with Pletcher and all the other winners before them to claim the title of Monarch International Professional World Championship Hunter Rider.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE

A number of special awards were given out as well.

Pam Baker, Bealeton, VA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and owned by Molly Ohrstrom, Middleburg, VA, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Truly, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart. Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 14th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter ider Professional finals.

The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Raise The Roof. In addition the winner received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Pletcher as its winner.

Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

RESULTS RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

Peter Pletcher John French Scott Stewart Liza Boyd John Bragg Kirsten Coe

90/Surella

89.33/True 1+2 = 179.33 89.66/Aston 1+2 = 179.32 91/Raise the Roof 1+2 = 180.66 93/Cunningham 1+2 = 185.66 85.66/Surella 1+2 = 174.66 88.33/Sienna 1+2 = 175.83

91.66/Raise the Roof 1+2+3= 270.99 90/Sienna 1+2+3= 269.32 88/Aston 1+2+3= 268.66 80.66/Surella 1+2+3=266.32 89.33/True 1+2 = 263.99 85.66/Cunningham 1+2+3 = 261.49

90/Aston

FINAL TOTAL 360.99

90/Cunningham

359.32

90.66/Sienna

359.32

89.66/Raise the Roof 89.66/True 92.66/Sienna 89/Cunningha m 87.5/Aston

266.32 263.99 261.49

SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Pam Baker, Bealeton, VA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart (owned by Molly Ohrstrom) Total Points: 1727 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Truly, (rider/owner/Scott Stewart). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1299 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: Ursula Wise, Polson, MT and Kathryn Miller, Gainesville, FL This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: West Point (ridden by Scott Stewart) owned by Krista Weisman/Alexa Weisman), 1689 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Molly Ohrstrom (owner of Ovation who was ridden by Scott Stewart to 1727 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Onyx (18 Year Old Holsteiner bred in California and now owned by Lilly Marshall, former owner/rider Robin Swindermann, former trainers Schristina Schlusemeyer, Bob Braswell and Jim Toon. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

DAVID PETERSON AWARD: Frank “Brownie” Dickerson David took great pride in the thorough preparation and beautiful turnout of the innumerable show horses he groomed at many top farms. This award, established by Kavar Kerr and Jim Anderson, is presented to a person in the industry who best exemplifies the qualities of hard work, devotion, and commitment to the care and well-being of horses in their charge.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2007 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Peter Pletcher (90, 89.33, 91.66, 90 = 360.99), 2. John French (89.66, 89.66, 90, 90 = 359.32), 3. Scott Stewart (89.66, 91, 88, 90 = 359.32); 4. Liza Boyd (92.66, 93, 80.66 = 266.32); 5. John Bragg (89, 85.66, 89.33 = 263.99); 6. Kirsten Coe (87.50, 88.33, 85.66 = 261.49)..

JUNIOR: 1. Lucy Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1938 pts.; 2. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1783 pts.; 3.

Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1724 pts.; 4. Stephanie Vijan, Westerville, OH, 1466 pts.

PONY: 1. Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1655 pts.; 2. Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1389 pts.; 3.

Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1379 pts.; 4. Shawn Casady, Harriman, TN, 1352 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Krista Weisman, Sherborne, MA, 1485 pts.; 2. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1380 pts.; 3. Stephanie Barnes, Seattle, WA, 1325 pts.; 4. Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 1309 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 1538 pts.; 2. Heidi Kim, Newport Beach, CA, 1299; 3.

Abigail (Abby) Converse, Austin, TX, 1219 pts.; 4. Glen T. Senk, Philadelphia, PA, 1208 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, Redwood City, CA, 1439 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, 1261 pts.; Junior: Lucy Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1451 pts.; Pony: Hannah Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1264 pts.; Children’s: Halston Schrage, Los Angeles , CA, 1105 pts.; Adult Amateur: Heidi Kim, Newport Beach, CA, 1054 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Abigail Blankenship, Carmel, IN, 808 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Beth Bidgood, Westfield, IN, 481 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Vijan, Westerville, OH , 1257 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1266 pts.; Children’s: Kalvin Dobbs, Carmel, IN, 748 pts.; Adult Amateur: Wendy Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 726 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, 1238 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Becky Gochman, Houston, TX, 1148 pts.; Junior: Bailey Anderson, Dallas, TX, 930 pts.; Pony: Emma Roberts, Houston, TX, 516 pts.; Children’s: Maret Delf, Plano, TX, 529 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 798 pts..

NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1289 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1057 pts.; Junior: Alexandra Thornton, Bedminster, NJ, 981 pts.; Pony: Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1287 pts.; Children’s: Madelyn Keck, Allamuchy, NJ, 820 pts.; Adult Amateur: Visse Wedell, North Salem, NY, 780 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Eliza Towell, Camden, SC, 1182 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 603 pts.; Junior: Alise V. Oken, Charlotte, NC, 866 pts.; Pony: Shawn Casady, Harriman, TN, 1096 pts.; Children’s: Sophie Read, Lake Mary, FL, 1054 pts.; Adult Amateur: Neill Sites, Atlanta, GA, 219 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Laurie Jueneman, Vail, CO, 1119 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Amelia Hershey, Boulder, CO, 1061 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 869 pts.; Children’s: Elizabeth Savoy, Parker, CO, 1429 pts.; Pony: Megan MacPherson, Niwot, CO, 1095 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Denver , CO, 990 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Jill Pierce, Kirkland, WA, 973 pts.; Amateur Owner: Stephanie Barnes, Seattle, WA, 1152 pts.; Pony: Hayley Mesojednik, Kirkland, WA, 993 pts.; Children’s: Hannah Thornton, Bellevue, WA, 1192 pts.; Junior: Kendall Bourgeois, Sherwood, OR, 1155 pts.; Adult Amateur: Sarah Rice, Eugene, OR, 1075 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Tommy Serio, Keswick, VA, 1189 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sheila Motley, Keswick, VA, 1153 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1289 pts.; Pony: Chloe Reid, Washington, DC,1222 pts.; Children’s: Meredith Harris, Middleburg, VA, 1143 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lysa Burke Horkan, Upperville, VA, 757 pts.

CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS

(Credit all Photos to ©Diana De Rosa Photo)

#1 The 2007 WCHR Pro Finals for the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title took place October 5th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#2←The arena with the first course where the Finals for the 2007 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title took place on October 5th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #3→Peter Pletcher aboard Aston after winning the 2007 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 5th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l-r Ringmaster with Geoff Teall, Amanda Steege and Hannah Von Heidegger). ©Diana De Rosa Photo #4 ← Peter Pletcher takes his victory gallop aboard Aston after competing in the 2007 WCHR Pro Finals for the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 5th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #5→Peter Pletcher was named 2007 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider after winning the WCHR Pro Finals, which took place October 5th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #6↓(l-r) Kirsten Coe, Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher, John French, Liza Boyd, and John Bragg were the final six riders who were competing for the 2007 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 5th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (2nd Photo: Scott Stewart, Liza Boyd, John French, Kirsten Coe, Peter Pletcher, John Bragg) ©Diana De Rosa Photos (3rd Photo: John Bragg, Kirsten Coe, Peter Pletcher, John French, Scott Stewart, Liza Boyd)

#7 ←The final six riders with the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge winners at the 2007 WCHR Pro Finals for the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title, which took place October 5th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l-r) Kirsten Coe, Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher, Kathryn Miller, Ursula Wise, John French, Liza Boyd, and John Bragg.

#8→Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Peter Pletcher with the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge winners (l-r) Kathryn Miller and Ursula Wise.

JOHN FRENCH WINS HIS SECOND MONARCH PRO WCHR RIDER FINALS October 6, 2006 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – The generally quiet and reserved John French was all smiles when he won the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals. During the presentation he was almost giddy with laughter. He hadn’t expected to make it to the final four never mind win this prestigious class, which took place on October 6TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. French, Redwood City, CA claimed his second victory against three-time winners Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX and defending champion and two-time winner Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA. French’s score of 346.82 was less than a fraction ahead of second place finisher Pletcher (346.65). Third went to Stewart (337.99) with Serio placing fourth (323.98).

Before the class Capital Challenge show manager Billy Glass commented, “Tonight you guys are in the spotlight.

You are under a lot of pressure but it is a fun competition. I applaud you for your professionalism. We are all doing the best we can to make a good fair competition to pick out this year’s top World Hunter Rider.”

Co-manager Oliver Kennedy added, “This is the true test of a hunter rider’s ability to showcase their riding skills on a variety of different horses.”

After the class Pletcher commented, “It takes a lot of hard work to pull this all together. I love riding in this class. It is really fun to work all year long to get to this point. When it gets to the final four it’s great to know you are competing against the top riders in this sport. It just gets better every year.”

THE COMPETITION Riders had to qualify to compete in this class by earning points in WCHR recognized shows (of which there were 50 throughout the U.S. in eight regions: Southeast, South Central, Central Mountain, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Midwest). AHJF tallies the points based on each rider’s top four WCHR shows.

The top six riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standings are then invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the WCHR Challenge Class. Their top score in WCHR recognized divisions earned at the Capital Challenge is added to that total. Those points are then combined with the overall points to determine the final four.

Glass and Kennedy put a lot of time and effort into making this class as special as possible. “It’s pretty exciting,” commented Glass. “The best riders from all over the country come to compete at this horse show. There are more professional riders under one roof than you will ever see. It’s the best hunters and hunter riders in the world.”

This year the final National Point Standings which qualified the riders for the Finals were Scott Stewart, 2163 pts, who led the National Rider Award Standings, Louise Serio, 1868, Peter Pletcher, 1778, and John French, 1743.

The riders alternated on riding four different horses. These included Intuition, a 15.3H, 8-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Madaline and Rosemary Toulas. Locatelli is a 15.3 7/8H, 10-year-old, brown, German Warmblood, owned by Morgan Hill Partners. Larona is a 16.1H, 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood bay mare, owned by Jimmy and Danielle Torano. Fortunate is a 16.2H, 9-year-old, bay, Hanoverian gelding, owned by Crystal Row and Rolling Oaks Equestrian Center. The alternate was Guns and Roses, a 16.2H, 9-yearold, chestnut, Warmblood gelding, owned by Veronica Tracy.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter course.

After the first round Stewart took the early lead (87.33) followed by French (87), Pletcher (84.66) and Serio (80.66).

After the second round while the high score of 87.33 went to Pletcher, the combined score total put French in the lead (172.16) followed by Pletcher (171.99), Stewart (170.99) and Serio (165.32). After round three Pletcher’s high score of 90 when combined with his earlier rounds turned the lead over to him (261.99), followed by French (257.49), Stewart (249.99) and Serio (249.65). A score of 89.33 to Pletcher’s 84.66 in the final round was what gave French just the slightest of an edge to win the 2006 title.

CAPITAL CHALLENGE IS THE HORSE SHOW FOR HUNTERS All of the riders who qualified this year have competed in the past in this class multiple times and yet their enthusiasm is still evident.

“It still holds the same appeal for me as it did when it was started 13 years ago,” noted Serio. “I am honored to be in this competition with these riders.

To get and compete here and hold your standings through the show is stressful and then to get in the class means a lot. Competing in the finals stretches your abilities a little bit. We show horses we don’t know and it’s a real challenge. To me it is a really big deal. There is nothing else like it.”

French was glad to be back in the game. He’d only qualified once before when he had the honor of winning the class. “I am glad I made it. I came here thinking I wouldn’t be doing this class. It’s important because you are riding in a special class against the top hunter riders. It’s good to do something where you are not just on a horse of your own that you show all the time. It’s modeled after the World Championship for the jumpers.”

Stewart admitted that despite the fact that he has competed before, “It’s not easy to make it. To stay in this group is difficult. It is a great accomplishment to stay with this level of riders. This is a yearlong competition for which you have to work your way up.”

Pletcher agreed with the prestige of this class. “Ultimately, it is the best riders we have in our country and I think that is proven over the year at the horse shows we all attend.”

AHJF President Geoff Teall noted, “What’s so great about this class is that we’ve done it enough to know and understand it and in this particular case even the riders are familiar with the format. We’ve had more time to concentrate on the quality of the class. It’s also really great that it’s the same team that represented us at Las

Vegas for the World Cup Hunter Challenge. It’s a great way for them to have that team spirit again. Even though they are competing for themselves they are also showing us how great they.”

Representing Show Circuit magazine, Joe Thorpe, trainer of Nicoletta Heidegger, remarked, “We are happy to sponsor something like this for the professionals. They are the hard working guys around here all times of the day and night and they deserve this chance to be showcased and honored for their talents.”

The rounds were scored by three teams of two judges using the open numerical system. The judges were: Mindy Minetto, Susan Ashe and Jim Clapperton, all three from Wellington, FL; Hap Hansen, Encinitas, CA; Randy Mullins, Germantown, TN; and John Roper, Franklin, TN. MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. A number of special awards were given out as well. Olin Armstrong was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Boulevard Deir, ridden by Tim Goguen, Newtown, CT and owned by Janet Read, Wellington, FL who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Hunter Challenge went to Grey Slipper, ridden by Louise Serio and owned

by Bridgett Hallman, Oyster Bay, NY. Jenny Karazissis, Calabasas, CA, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award. New this year was the AHJF Hunter Course Designer Award which was presented to Richard Jeffrey, Dorset, England.

This was the 13th year that the AHJF had hosted the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which was sponsored by Stillwell Hansen, Inc./Carol and Gordon Stillwell Vornehm II and Joy Johnson. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award as well as a $1000 Cash Prize from Personalized Products and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. New this year was an award for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy was won by Intuition. In addition the winner received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of French as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Kennedy, Brookville, MD and Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

RESULTS RIDER Louise Serio Peter Pletcher John French Scott Stewart

RND 1 80.66/Locatelli 84.66/Larona 87/Locatelli 87.33/Intuition

RND 2 84.66/Intuition 1+2 = 165.32 87.33/Locatelli 1+2 = 171.99 85.16/Larona 1+2 = 172.16 83.66/Fortunate 1+2 = 170.99

RND 3 84.33/Fortunate 1+2+3= 249.65 90/Intuition 1+2+3= 261.99 85.33/Locatelli 1+2+3= 257.49 79/Larona 1+2+3=249.99

SCORE RND 4 74.33/Larona

FINAL TOTAL 323.98

84.66/Fortunate

346.65

89.33/Intuition

346.82

88/Locatelli

337.99

SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Olin Armstrong, Staunton, VA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Boulevard Deir, ridden by Tim Goguen (owned by Janet Read) Total Points: 1611 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999.

The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Grey Slipper, (rider/Louise Serio, owner/Bridgett Hallman). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1498 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: Erin Larson, Oronaco, Minnesota and Caitlin Miller, Haslett, Michigan.

This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Jenny Karazissis, Calabasas, CA (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Boulevard Deir (ridden by Tim Goguen) owned by Janet Read, 1611 pts.

(Presented for the first time in 2004 by the Weisman Family. To be awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Janet Read (owner of Boulevard Deir who was ridden by Tim Goguen to 1611 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Lucky (16 Year Old Danish Warmblood bred by Peter Masden in Denmark), owner Samantha Hallman, Wellington, FL. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Richard Jeffrey, Dorset, England This was new for 2006 and was established by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, to honors a critical but sometimes overlooked person in the horse show sport, that of course designer.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2006 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. John French (87, 85.16, 85.33, 89.33 = 346.82), 2. Peter Pletcher (84.66, 87.33, 90, 84.66 = 346.65), 3. Stewart (87.33, 83.66, 79, 88 = 337.99); 4. Louise Serio (80.66, 84.66, 84.33, 74.33 = 323.98).

JUNIOR: 1. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 2032 pts.; 2. Nick Haness, Coto de Caza, CA, 1775 pts.; 3.

Lucy Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1587 pts.; 4. Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1534 pts.

PONY: 1. Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1851 pts.; 2. Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, 1846 pts; 3. Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1683 pts; 4. Megan Davis, Lutherville, MD, 1624 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Rachel Geiger, Malvern, PA, 1896 pts.; 2. Bridget Hallman, Oyster Bay, NY, 1691 pts.; 3.

Lesley Bulechek, Los Altos Hills, CA, 1548 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1506 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Carol Cone, Weston, MA, 1604 pts.; 2. Holly Caristo, Hauppauge, NY, 1546 pts.; 3.

Victoria Watters-LeBlond, 1468 pts. 4. Bruce Duchossois, Aiken, SC, 1351 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: Jenny Karazissis, Calabasas, CA, 1270 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Katie Polk, Malibu, CA, 1186 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1404 pts.; Pony: Corinne Miller, Los Angeles, CA, 1239 pts.; Children’s: Melissa Doddridge, Tustin, CA, 1399 pts.; Adult Amateur: Tonia Cook Looker, San Dimas, CA, 828 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Tim Goguen, Newtown, CT, 980 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Leah Schwendeman, Belleville, IL, 892 pts.; Junior: Amelia McArdle, Barrington, IL, 1123 pts.; Pony: Megan Davis, Lutherville, MD, 1082 pts.; Children’s: Colleen Holton, Hilliard, OH, 1143 pts.; Adult Amateur: Carol Cone, Weston, MA, 1380 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Tracy Fenney, Flower Mound, TX, 1102 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Laurie Lewis, Oklahoma City, OK, 688 pts.; Junior: Erin Nelson, Flower Mound, TX, 1090 pts.; Pony: Emma Roberts, Houston, TX, 960 pts.; Children’s: Carson Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 752 pts.; Adult Amateur: DiDi Mackenzie, Flower Mound, TX, 1133 pts..

NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1359 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1233 pts.; Junior: Alexandra Stathis, Short Hills, NJ, 1080 pts.; Pony: Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1300 pts.; Children’s: Alexandra Thornton, Bedminster, NJ, 1003 pts.; Adult Amateur: Holly Caristo, Hauppauge, NY, 1050 pts..

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Hunt Tosh, Cumming, GA, 1171 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Lee Cesery, Jacksonville, FL, 667 pts.; Junior: Jack Hardin Towell, Camden, SC, 820 pts.; Pony: Alise Oken, Charlotte, NC, 1064 pts.; Children’s: Courtney Rodrigue, Longwood, FL, 621 pts.; Adult Amateur: Bruce Duchossois, Aiken, SC, 1131 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Keiri Kaneps, Elizabeth, CO, 839 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ashley Dennehy, Greenwood Village, CO, 1115 pts.; Junior: Lindsay Sceats, Colorado Springs, CO, 883 pts.; Children’s: Paige Perla, Lone Tree, CO, 501 pts.; Pony: Megan MacPherson, Niwot, CO, 894 pts.; Adult Amateur: Nancy James Shaw, Fredericksburg, TX, 1138 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA, 1116 pts.; Amateur Owner: Caroline Schultz, Sommamish, WA, 881 pts.; Pony: Ashley Pryde, Medina, WA, 1183 pts.; Children’s: Kelsey King, Monroe, WA, 842 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Barnes, Seattle, WA, 954 pts.; Adult Amateur: Sarah Olmsted, Federal Way, WA, 1159 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, 1165 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Alexa Weisman, Sherborn, MA, 1205 pts.; Junior: Kacy Jenkins, Potomac Falls, VA, 1154 pts.; Pony: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD,1360 pts.; Children’s: Jordan Pischke, Middleburg, VA, 979 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lara McPherson, McLean, VA, 726 pts.

CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS #1 – The 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals took place October 6th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #2 – Scott Stewart, John French, Louise Serio and Peter Pletcher were the final four riders in the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which took place October 6th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (2nd Photo: Scott Stewart, Louise Serio, Peter Pletcher, John French) (3rd Photo: Louise Serio, Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher, John French ©Diana De Rosa Photo #3 – John French aboard Locatelli competing in the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #4 – John French aboard Intuition after winning the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Intuition won the new Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy as the horse who garnered the highest cumulative total. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #5 & #6 - John French aboard Intuition after winning the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l-r Ringmasters with Geoff Teall, Nicoletta Heidegger and Joe Thorpe) ©Diana De Rosa Photo #7-(l-r) American Hunter-Jumper Foundation President Geoff Teall, Executive Director Michele Perla and Vice President Louise Serio. The AHJF is the creator and host of the annual Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo #8 - Annual AHJF hosted events.

©Diana De Rosa Photo

#1 - The 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

Stewart-French-Serio-Pletcher

Stewart-Serio-Pletcher-French

Serio-Stewart-Pletcher-French

#3 - John French aboard Locatelli competing in the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#2 - Scott Stewart, John French, Louise Serio and Peter Pletcher were the final four riders who qualified to compete in the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#4 - John French aboard Intuition after winning the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Intuition won the new Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy as the horse who garnered the highest cumulative total. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#5 & 6 - John French aboard Intuition after winning the 2006 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l-r Ringmasters with Geoff Teall, Nicoletta Heidegger and Joe Thorpe). ©Diana De Rosa Photo

#7-(l-r) American Hunter-Jumper Foundation President Geoff Teall, Executive Director Michele Perla and Vice President Louise Serio. The AHJF is the creator and host of the annual #8-Annual AHJF hostMonarch International Show Circuit ed events.

Magazine Professional World ©Diana De Rosa Championship Hunter Rider Finals which Photo took place October 6th at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

SERIO IS “CHARMED” IN MONARCH PRO WCHR RIDER FINALS The Victory Comes Down to the Very Last Ride!

October 7, 2005 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – “I was hoping the fourth time would be the charm for me,” said Holly Orlando. But that was not to be the case; in fact it was Louise Serio who was “charmed” and the ultimate winner in the 2005 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals. The event took place on October 7TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Orlando, Wellington, FL and Serio, Kennett Square, PA, were joined by defending champion Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (who had won the event twice) and Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (who is a three-time winner).

Orlando was second, third and with this ribbon was fourth twice, but that coveted first place ribbon continues to elude her.

This was Serio’s second time qualifying for the competition and her second victory. Serio’s smile said it all and her words reinforced her exhilaration.

“I was really excited. I think it was unexpected. Sometimes I have an idea I’m going to do alright but this time I didn’t have any expectations.

But as the class progressed I was very happy with my rounds. I was really proud of them.

“Going into the last round I knew it was close. I tried not to listen to the scores and stayed focused on what I was going to do. When I went into the ring I said I have to take my best shot. I didn’t circle. I went right to the first jump and that horse was just outstanding. I loved riding him.”

For Serio winning this class was the culmination of all the time and effort she puts into the sport.

“You work all year and it is acknowledgement of all the hard work you’ve done and the success that you’ve had and then you get to come and compete in a class like this with such great riders. It feels to me like a real accomplishment.”

JUST HAPPY TO BE ONE OF THE FINAL FOUR While winning is always the goal, all the riders were pleased to have qualified for the final four. Afterwards Pletcher said to fourth placed Orlando, “Pretty much for the winner it’s a great high. But even though you were fourth we are still the best in our sport. And that is a great thing.”

Serio was feeling the same way. “I feel honored to ride with those three other people. They are fantastic competitors. It was my night but it could have been anybody’s night. There’s an understanding between all of us that we all know we could win or not. We are very secure in what we do and plan on continuing it. They are happy for what I do and I am happy for them.”

That good sportsmen’s attitude was very evident in the press conference where the riders continued to laugh and joke with each other in between responding to the questions from the media.

CAPITAL CHALLENGE IS THE HORSE SHOW FOR HUNTERS Stewart chimed in with the rest of the riders adding, “You work all year long to do this class.”

Yet for Stewart and the other riders, it isn’t just about the Pro Title. It’s also the fact that the Capital Challenge has become the place to showcase the hunters.

“This is the most important horse show and the conditions are as perfect as they could be.

All the best hunter riders and hunter horses are here,” continued Stewart.

Pletcher agreed commenting, “I think this hunter horse show is the best one we have. When I was making our plans I said to everyone in my barn, let’s support this horse show and not do Harrisburg and Washington. This is to me the epitome of the hunters and I thank the AHJF for that. It’s special. It’s all about the hunters. Everyone is here.”

Echoed Orlando, “It’s been amazing for hunters and this horse show is more important to me to come here and win than at Harrisburg and Washington. I like that the hunters are spotlighted here. At most shows the jumpers are the biggest thing – the grand prix – but not really here; it’s kind of secondary here. I think we have Michele, Geoff and Louise to thank for having a horse show like this in the first place.”

Representing Show Circuit magazine, Joe Thorpe, trainer of Nicoletta Heidegger, remarked, “The Prince George’s Equestrian Center is an ideal location to showcase the hunters and it is one reason why we come all the way from California to compete at this event. Show managers Billy Glass and Oliver Kennedy know how to ‘put on a show.’ Coming from both sides of the fence as both an exhibitor and a sponsor we are able to view this show from more than one perspective and appreciate the attention given to even the smallest details. We thank both the AHJF and the management for making this a special show for the hunters.”

Added President Geoff Teall, “We also need to thank the Capital Challenge Horse Show Managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass for running such a nice show.”

THE COMPETITION Riders had to qualify to compete in this class by earning points in WCHR recognized shows (of which there are 46 throughout the U.S.). AHJF tallies the points based on each rider’s top four WCHR shows. The top six riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standing are then invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the WCHR Challenge Class. Their top score in WCHR recognized divisions earned at the Capital Challenge is added to that total. Those points are then added to the overall points to determine the final four.

This year the final National Point Standings which qualified the riders to be in this class were Pletcher (2131 pts), who led the National Rider Award Standings; Orlando (2089 pts); Serio (1986 pts.) and Stewart (1863 pts.).

The riders alternated on riding four different horses which they had not ridden before. These included La Caretta, a 17.1 hand, gray Warmblood gelding, owned by Whitney Roper; Nantucket, a 16.2 hand, bay Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Kiera Piscia; Perfect, an 8-year-old, 15.3 hand, brown, Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Debbie Connors-Lopez; and Ramsey, an 8-year-old, 17.1 hand, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by April Wehle.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for all four courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time.

The rounds were scored by three teams of two judges using the open numerical system. The judges were Shane George, Magnolia, TX and Brian Lenehan, Southern Pines, NC; Mark Jungherr, Amesbury, MA and Phillip DeVita, Apopka, FL; and Tammy Provost, Westfield, IN and Kim Dorfman, Aiken, SC. The Challenge was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc., The Levick Family and Jaguar Equestrian, presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and included a media sponsorship by Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine.

IT CAME DOWN TO THE LAST ROUND The class began with Orlando whose first horse was a bit spooky. She finished on a score of 74.33, but later was given a reride on the alternate horse and ended up tied with Serio with the top score in the first round (88.33).

Pletcher followed with 88 and Stewart was trailing just slightly (87.66). After round two Stewart and Orlando were leading (179.66), while Serio was third (178.99) and Pletcher fourth (176.66).

After the third round, Serio was standing third (269.65) but in that final round when Orlando (who came in on a score of 269.66) had a chip at one fence and Stewart (who was leading at the time with 271.32) had a very long distance to one fence, that opened the door just slightly for Pletcher who came in with a 268.16. When Serio entered as the last rider to go, she was facing scores of 347.9 from Orlando, 357.32 for Stewart and 358.49 for Pletcher. Serio knew she had to put in one of the best rounds of the night on her final horse. And when the scores of 92, 95 and 95 went up on the scoreboard after a brilliant round on Ramsey, she clinched the title. Serio won with a total of 363.65.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION It was the AHJF that started the trend towards innovation in hunters beginning back when it was founded in 1992. It is a member-supported non-profit organization. The AHJF was formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition by providing a national office to organize, coordinate and support hunter rider and show jumping equestrian competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF 401k and Profit Sharing Plan, and the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other feature events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 18, 2006), which is done as an AddBack competition with $12,000 going to the winner and the Legacy Cup in at the Kentucky Springs Horse Show, May 10-21, 2006.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. A number of special awards were given out as well. Joe Darby was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Rio Renoir, ridden by Holly Orlando and owned by Thomas/Cynthia Deibert/Why Wait Farm, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Hunter Challenge went to Ocean Park, ridden

by Peter Pletcher and owned by Lynn Walsh. Rachel Geiger, Malvern, PA, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the eleventh year that the AHJF had hosted the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also a Jaguar XJS customized saddle. John Moncada, President of Jaguar Equestrian USA, was there to present the saddle to the winner.

Serio also received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Serio as its winner.

Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge comanagers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and Billy Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

Louise Serio

88.33/Perfect

90.66/Nantucket

90.66/La Caretta

94/Ramsey

363.65

1+2 = 178.99

1+2+3=269.65

Peter Pletcher

88/Nantucket

88.66/La Caretta

91.50/Ramsey

90.33/Perfect

358.49

1+2 = 176.66

1+2+3=268.16

Scott Stewart

87.66/Ramsey

92/Perfect

91.66/Nantucket

86/La Caretta

357.32

1+2 = 179.66

1+2+3=271.32

Holly Orlando

88.33/La Caretta

91.33/Ramsey

90/Perfect

78.33/Nantucket

347.99

1+2 = 179.66

1+2+3=269.66

347.99

RESULTS SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Joe Darby, Southern Pines, NC (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Rio Renoir, ridden by Holly Orlando (owned by Thomas/Cynthia Deibert/Why Wait Farm) Total Points: 1969 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Ocean Park (rider/Peter Pletcher, owner/Lynn Walsh). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500.

(1574 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: Jacquine Meyers, Lansing, Michigan and Laura Behrenbeck, Rochester, Minnesota.

This annual competition was specifically designed to provide a goal for junior riders currently competing at the nonrecognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their rolls at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Rachel Geiger, Malvern, PA (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Truly (ridden by Scott Stewart), owned by Molly Ohrstrom, The Plains, VA (Presented for the first time in 2004 by the Weisman Family. To be awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Thomas/Cynthia Deibert/Why Wait Farm(owner of Rio Renoir who was ridden by Holly Orlando to 1969 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2005 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Louise Serio (88.33, 90.66, 90.66, 94 = 363.65, $2,750), 2. Peter (87.6, 85.4, 89, 91 = 353, $1,000), 3. Jenny Karazissis (85.2, 88.4, 86.2, 88.4 = 348.2, $750), 4. Heidi Fish (83.2, 85.4, 87.9, 86.8 = 343.3, $500) JUNIOR: 1. Jack Hardin Towell, Jr., Camden, SC, 1789 pts.; 2. Nicoletta Von Heidegger, pts.; 3. Kacy Jenkins, Potomac Falls, VA, 1527 pts.; 4. Lexy Reed, Ocala, FL, 1522 pts.

PONY: 1. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 2018 pts.; 2. Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1944 pts; 3. Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1855 pts.; 4. Alexandra Arute, Avon, CT, 1594 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Caroline Moran, Wellington, FL, 1862 pts.; 2. Avery Dimmig, Rougemont, NC, 1766 pts.; 3. Mary Ann Weisberg-Perry, Burbank, CA, 1519 pts.; 4. Lee Kellogg, Andover, NJ, 1506 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Cathy Hayes, Los Angeles, CA, 1781 pts.; 2. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.; 3. Nancy James Shaw, Englewood, CO, 1375 pts.; 4. Holly Caristo, Hauppauge, NY, 1372 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John Bragg, Redwood City, CA, 1425 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Mary Ann WeisbergPerry, Burbank, CA, 1519 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Danhakl, Pacific Palisades, CA, 1369 pts.; Pony: Olivia Esse, Los Angeles, CA, 1330 pts.; Children: Hannah Goodson Cutt, Beverly Hills, CA, 1553. pts.; Adult Amateur: Cathy Hayes, Los Angeles, CA, 1395 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Ken Smith, Wellington, FL, 887 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Jamie Planck Martin, Jackson, MS, 747 pts.; Junior: Jennifer Hauser, Carmel, IN, 726 pts.; Pony: Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1366 pts.; Children’s: Madison Miller, Franklin, TN, 537 pts.; Adult Amateur: Wendy H. Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 875 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Russell Frey, Argyle, TX, 959 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Therese Peck, Flower Mound, TX, 886 pts.; Junior: Erin Nelson, Flower Mound, TX, 941 pts.; Pony: Emma Roberts, Houston, TX, 1034 pts.; Children: Jewel Croswell, Houston, TX, 279 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 1053 pts..

NORTH EAST: Professional: Holly Orlando, Wellington, FL, 1377 pts.; AmateurOwner: Lee Kellogg, Andover, NJ, 1189 pts.; Junior: Carolyn Kelly, New York, NY, 1013 pts.; Pony: Reed Kessler, Bedford Corners, NY, 1332 pts.; Children: Paige Allardice, Sagaponack, NY, 746 pts.; Adult Amateur: Visse Widell, New York, NY, 830 pts..

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Hunt Tosh, Cumming, GA, 1263 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Lee Cesery, Jacksonville, FL, 1075 pts.; Junior: Jack Hardin Towell, Camden, SC, 1029 pts.; Pony: Alise Oken, Charlotte, NC, 732 pts.; Children: Maggie Schottenfeld, Alpharetta, GA, 856 pts.; Adult Amateur: Roberta Previ, Orlando, FL, 432 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Keiri Kaneps, Elizabeth, CO, 944 pts.; AmateurOwner: Ashley Dennehy, Greenwood Village, CO, 1071 pts.; Junior: Sarah Tredennick, Littleton, CO, 927 pts.; Children’s: Kelley Buringa, Golden, CO, 1018 pts.; Pony: Sara Ketcham, Vail, CO, 1059 pts.; Adult Amateur: Nancy James Shaw, Englewood, CO, 1144 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: :Nancy Free, Buckley, WA, 1021 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, Canada, 1023 pts.; Junior: Nicole Bourgeois, Sherwood, OR, 1163 pts.; Pony: Amanda Moore, Bothell, WA, 1080 pts.; Children: Kendall Bourgeois, Sherwood, OR, 1167 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jeni Ellison, Kirkland, WA, 1055 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, 1300 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Parris Cozart Collins, Charlottesville, Va, 749 pts.; Junior: Kacy Jenkins, Potomac Falls, VA, 1173 pts.; Pony: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD,1404 pts.; Children: Haley Schaufeld, Lovettsville, VA, 607 pts.; Adult Amateur: Polly Cooley, Upperville, VA, 1038 pts.

CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS 01 – The 2005 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider took place October 7th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 02 – Louise Serio won the 2005 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which took place October 7th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 03 – (l-r for photos taken in lounge) Scott Stewart, Louise Serio, Peter Pletcher and Holly Orlando were the final four riders in the 2005 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals, which took place October 7th at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 04 – Holly Orlando. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 05 – Peter Pletcher. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 06 – Scott Stewart. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 07 – Louise Serio. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 08 – Geoff Teall, President of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 09 - Michele Perla, Executive Director of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 10 – Joe Darby was the winner of the AHJf Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 11 – Rachel Geiger was the winner of the AHJF Sportsmanship Award which was presented to her by Michael Bosley. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 12 – Jennifer Waxman was the 2005 WCHR National Pony Champion. ©Diana De Rosa Photo 13 - Jack Hardin Towell, Jr. was the 2005 WCHR National Junior Champion. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

PLETCHER WINS SECOND PRO WCHR RIDER TITLE AHJF Continues to Change the Face of the Hunters with Innovative Challenge Showcasing Professional Hunter Riders October 8, 2004 -- Upper Marlboro, MD -- Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, was bubbling with enthusiasm after he won the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 8TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. This was his fifth time competing in the class and his second victory.

Pletcher as the last rider to go needed close to a 90 point score to secure the win. Figuring he had nothing to lose, Pletcher decided to go for broke. His final score of 90.6 put him one point ahead of second place finisher Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA to clinch the victory in this coveted class. And that victory was sure sweet for Pletcher. “It’s such a great feeling. It was so close and I respect all three of the other riders and to win…It felt great.”

This year the final four in the National Point Standings were Ferrell (1890 pts); Pletcher (1748 pts); Heidi Fish (1807 pts.), Hebron, IL (who won the WCHR Professional Challenge Class) and Jenny Karazissis, Calabassas, CA (who led the National Professional Standings with 1914 points).

Karazissis, who finished third, was surprised that “I wasn’t nervous. It was my first time and it was really fun and the horses were great.”

Fourth place finisher, Fish, thought “It’s a blast,” despite the fact that after her horse refused a jump in the first round the judges opted to take advantage of the option to use an alternate horse, since riders were competing on donated horses they had never ridden before. This meant that Fish was given time to school before again making her first complete round. But she took it in stride.

Before the class took place Pletcher used his experience to offer advice to the other riders but added that it didn’t matter if you came in fourth. “We are all winners whether you are first or fourth. We worked hard to get here and it’s fine wherever we place. The fact that we made it in this class is the greatest achievement.”

The Challenge was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc., The Levick Family and Jaguar Equestrian, presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and included a media sponsorship by Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine.

THE COMPETITION In order to be named to one of the four spots for the Professional Rider Finals, riders had to qualify during the year by competing in WCHR recognized shows (of which there are 40 throughout the U.S.).

AHJF keeps point totals based on each rider’s top four WCHR shows. Added to that is their top score (in WCHR recognized divisions) earned at the Capital Challenge.

The top six riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standing are then invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the WCHR Challenge Class (the one Fish won). Those points are then added to the overall points to determine the final four.

The riders alternated on riding four different horses which they had not ridden before.

These included Cento, a 16.1 hand grey gelding (by Double Cento) owned by Bliss Heers; Matrix, a 5-year-old bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Montoga, Inc.; Foyle Primetime, an 8-year-old brown Dutch/Irish Warmblood gelding, owned by Chetana Daniels; and Maverick, a 17.1 hand bay gelding owned by Don Stewart Stables).

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for all four courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time.

Pletcher warned the riders beforehand to pay attention to the course they were on knowing how easy it was to confuse the courses and go off course.

The rounds were scored by five judges using the open numerical system. The four riders who qualified were being judged by Jeff Ayers, Sellersville, PA; Russell Frey, Argyle, TX; Hap Hansen, Encinitas, CA; Mike Rosser, Southern Pines, NC; and Steve Wall, Waukesha, WI. The judges were really impressed with the riders and with Pletcher’s final round.

“Where else could you go and have four of your best professionals school your horses,” explained Frey, adding that the horses got better after each round. “Everyone rode great. They are all winners and that’s why they got here.”

Ayers agreed noting that here you had the top hunter riders competing on horses they’d never ridden before and you could see the horses improve as a result of this.

Rosser noted, “I thought the class and the riders were exceptional. Where else can you have four of the best professional riders all in one spot?”

Wall supported everyone else adding, “They all rode really well. Each time they went the horses went better. It was a lot of fun to judge.”

Hansen agreed, “They rode beautifully.”

IT CAME DOWN TO THE LAST ROUND While Pletcher was leading going into the last round, Ferrell looked like she may have taken that victory away from him when she had the highest score of the day (91) on her final horse. But Pletcher knew he had nothing to lose, so he went for broke on his final horse and the judges noticed. That courage earned him the next to highest score of the night (90.6).

The class began with Ferrell taking the early lead with a score of 87.6 (Pletcher86.6, Karazissis-85.2, Fish- 83.2). In the second round Karazissis and Pletcher tied with a score of 88.4 but when the scores of all the rounds were combined it was Pletcher leading with 175 with Karazissis not far behind (173.6), then Ferrell (173) and Fish (168.6). In round three the high score went to Ferrell (89), but overall Pletcher maintained the lead with 263.4 (Ferrell-262, Karazissis-259.8, Fish-256.5).

With only one round to go it was a fight to the finish. Fish went first and scored 86.87 for a final tally of 343.3. Then Ferrell put in a brilliant round (91) and her tally went to 353, putting a lot of pressure on the final two riders. Karazissis then scored 88.4 and totaled 348.20. Now it was Pletcher’s turn and he met the challenge. His total of 90.6 gave him a final total of 354, the closest margin in the history of this class. Pletcher’s bold performance was met by a loud applause from the audience and all five judges later agreed that his final round had impressed them, especially his bold gallop to the last stand alone jump.

THE PLAN AND PREPARATION Once the riders had qualified and before competing in the class the riders met with AHJF Vice President Louise Serio, Executive Director Michele Perla, Announcer Kenny Kraus and Show Manager Billy Glass to discuss strategy, the plan for the event and to express their thoughts about this annual event.

Pletcher, who won the class in 2002, was bubbling with enthusiasm as he encouraged Fish and Karazissis, who were competing in this competition for the first time, to have fun. “Everybody works together,” he commented. “It is not cut throat like the way it is in the other classes throughout the year.” Pletcher explained that the first year you compete in this class “it’s nerve wracking,” as it was his first time. Afterwards he realized that had he just relaxed he would have had a lot more fun. “It’s important not to worry and just to have fun doing it. It’s about not letting the nerves get to you.”

Fish, who had lived in Texas for 21 years but now lives in Illinois, was going to do her best to take Pletcher’s advice, adding, “I am really honored to be a part of this especially with the people I am riding with.” Fish secured her spot by winning the WCHR Professional Rider Challenge just two days earlier. She took the win in that class with only 1/10 of a point lead.

Karazissis felt very much like Fish. “I feel honored to be riding against some of the people I admire and respect.

This class has been a goal of mine. It’s a great thing for the hunters.” Karazissis added (after taking in all the information provided at the meeting), “I’m grateful for all the information. I’m going to be really careful. I’m hoping I don’t go off course and I’m going to try to have fun just like Peter said.”

Ferrell agreed with Pletcher recalling how nervous she was in 2003 when she competed for the first time. She planned to not get nervous this time around. Ferrell applauds the AHJF for having a class like this, the only one of its kind throughout the year. “It is a great opportunity for us to be recognized.”

Pletcher echoed Ferrell. “It’s a great class. It’s special and I really like it. It’s just a great class.”

Teall recalls the very first class ten years ago and how different it was back then. Then they had to encourage people to enter the class. Now, “they know about it, plan for it and try to qualify. It’s a BIG deal!”

Teall went on to explain that over the years they’ve tweaked the class after figuring out what would make it better.

He recalls in the beginning thinking, “I hope this works.” He added, “We had to really sell it and now it sells itself.

People really work to get in it. They really want to get there and they start the next day trying to qualify for the next year.”

Serio agrees, “The fight to get in is amazing. It is the end goal. It is really important. Here they are highlighted and made to feel really important. No one else does this.”

Teall went on to say that “it’s a great test for them and their skills and their experience. It’s a great learning tool.

They can really show themselves off and they do. They show off and try and win based on their skills and not their horses.”

Serio supported that theme noting, “For one time as professionals we make the choice that is best for us as riders.

You can go and do what you want.”

Perla added, “this is the only thing the professional riders have to put their own name on. Their names are usually hidden behind the horses but in this class it’s all about them. And they really have a great time.”

RISING TO THE TOP At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. A number of special awards were given out as well. Linda Hough was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Ocean Park, ridden by Peter Pletcher and owned by Lynn Walsh, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Hunter Challenge went to Gray Slipper, ridden by Louise Serio and owned by Bridgett Hallman. Archie Cox won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the tenth year that the AHJF had hosted the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also a Jaguar XJS customized saddle. John Moncada, President of Jaguar Equestrian USA, commented, “We are very strong in dressage and show jumpers worldwide and now are making our move into the U.S. hunter market. We feel that there can be no better place to showcase our saddle to today’s hunter rider’s then by presenting the World Champion Professional Rider with one of our saddles, which we will tailor to their needs.”

Pletcher also received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Pletcher as its winner. Press Link of America, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and Billy Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

RESULTS 2004 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Peter Pletcher (86.6, 88.4, 88.4, 90.6 = 354, $2,750), 2. Sandy Ferrell (87.6, 85.4, 89, 91 = 353, $1,000), 3. Jenny Karazissis (85.2, 88.4, 86.2, 88.4 = 348.2, $750), 4. Heidi Fish (83.2, 85.4, 87.9, 86.8 = 343.3, $500) SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Linda Hough, Wellington, FL (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Ocean Park, r/Peter Pletcher, o/Lynn Walsh Total Points: 1626 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Gray Slipper (rider/Louise Serio, owner/Bridget Hallman). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1402 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: Shana O’Connor, Terryville, CT and Felicia Davis, Rivertown, Utah.

This annual competition was specifically designed to provide a goal for junior riders currently competing at the nonrecognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their rolls at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Archie Cox, Los Angeles, CA (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base.

The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Popeye K, owned by Elizabeth Spencer & Spencer Ranch, Keswick, VA (Presented for the first time in 2004 by the Weisman Family. To be awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Lynn Walsh (owner of Ocean Park who was ridden by Peter Pletcher to 1626 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 1. Jenny Karazissis, Calabasas, CA, 1695 pts.; 2. Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, 1519 pts., Heidi Fish, Hebron, IL, 1489 pts; 4. Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1452 pts.

JUNIOR: 1. Stephanie Danhakl, Pacific Palisades, CA, 1793 pts.; 2. Jack Hardin Towell, Jr., Camden, SC, 1725 pts.; 3. Addison Phillips, New York, NY, 1570 pts.; 4. Sloane Coles, The Plains, VA, 1464 pts.

PONY: 1. Alexandra Arute, Avon, CT, 1571 pts.; 2. Sofie Applegate, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 1563 pts.; 3.

Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1553 pts.; 4. Jessica Springsteen, Colts Neck, NJ, 1501 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Leah Schwendeman, Belleville, IL, 1793 pts.; 2. Caroline Moran, Bedford, NY, 1778 pts.; 3. Ellen Toon, South Salme, NY, 1740 pts.; 4. Francesca Caroli, St. Placide Quebec, Canada, 1720 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Becky Gochman, Houston, TX, 1820; 2. Carolyn Becker, Woodland Hills, CA, 1562 pts.; 3.

Carol Cone, Weston, MA, 1508 pts.; 4. Lauren Agni, Buckley, WA, 1469 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: Jenny Karazissis, Calabasas, CA, 1695 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Mary Ann Weisberg-Perry, Los Angeles, CA, 1314 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Danhakl, Pacific Palisades, CA, 1378 pts.; Pony: Olivia Esse, Los Angeles, CA, 1250 pts.; Children: Katrina Gargiulo, Aptos, CA, 1210 pts.; Adult Amateur: Carolyn Becker, Woodland Hills, CA, 1389 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Heidi Fish, Hebron, IL, 1018 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Leah Schwendeman, Belleville, IL, 1285 pts.; Junior: Rachel Tulipan, Nashville, TN, 978 pts.; Pony: Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1315 pts.; Children: Elizabeth Votruba, Gates Mills, OH, 777 pts.; Adult Amateur: Wendy H. Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 924 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Russell Frey, Argyle, TX, 1360 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Didi Mackenzie, Flower Mound, TX, 1062 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gilley, Dallas, TX, 672 pts.; Pony: Emma Roberts, Houston, TX, 1150 pts.; Children: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 970 pts.; Adult Amateur: Johnnie Martin-Carey, Argyle, TX, 1257 pts..

NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1426 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1196 pts.; Junior: Addison Phillips, New York, NY, 1370 pts.; Pony: Alexandra Arute, Farmington, CT, 1228 pts.; Children: Paige Allardice, Sagaponack, NY, 739 pts.; Adult Amateur: Pamela Vance, Amenia, NY, 1149 pts..

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Hunt Tosh, Cumming, GA, 841 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Kimberley A. Quinn, Charlotte, NC, 637 pts.; Junior: Jack Hardin Towell, Camden, SC, 1181 pts.; Pony: Lauren Hogan, Tampa, FL, 1002 pts.; Children: Maggie Schottenfeld, Alpharetta, GA, 975 pts.; Adult Amateur: Bruce Duchossois, Aiken, SC, 1082 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Paul Rohrbach, Elizabeth, CA, 1056 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Karen Tanner-Smith, Littleton, CA, 620 pts.; Junior: Katie Rosenzweig, Phoenix, AZ, 1033 pts.; Pony: Sara Ketcham, Vail, CO, 182 pts.; Adult Amateur: Page Tredennick, Littleton, CO, 1230 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Jill Pierce, Kirkland, WA, 1129 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, Canada, 1069 pts.; Junior: Jill Folkestad, Wilsonville, OR, 1030 pts.; Pony: Amanda Moore, Bothell, WA, 1238 pts.; Children: Kendall Bourgeois, Sherwood, OR, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lauren Agni, Buckley, WA, 1185 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Tommy Serio, Keswick, VA, 1111 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Francesca Caroli, St. Placide, Quebec, Canada, 1285 pts.; Junior: Erin N. Hastings, Silver Spring, MD, 1167 pts.; Pony: Nellie Ann Foosaner, Middleburg, VA, 1258 pts.; Children: Marisa Messina, McLean, VA, 895 pts.; Adult Amateur: Alex Johnson, Portsmouth, VA, 1130 pts.

CAPTIONS 1-Peter Pletcher won the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 8TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Here he is being presented with the All The Way Trophy by Show Manager Oliver Kennedy, Kitty Barker and AHJF Vice President Louise Serio. Pletcher also a Jaguar XJS customized saddle (right rear). Diana De Rosa Photo

2-Peter Pletcher won the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 8TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Here he is being presented with the Media Sponsorship by (l-r) AHJF President Geoff Teall, Vice President Louise Serio and Show Circuit Magazine publisher Joe Thorpe. Diana De Rosa Photo

3-Peter Pletcher won the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 8TH during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Diana De Rosa Photo

4-The top four riders who qualified to compete in the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider (l-r) Sandy Ferrell, Heidi Fish, Peter Pletcher, Jenny Karazissis. Diana De Rosa Photo

5-The top four riders who qualified to compete in the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider (l-r) Peter Pletcher, Jenny Karazissis, Heidi Fish, and Sandy Ferrell. Diana De Rosa Photo

6-The top four riders and the judges for the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class (l-r) Peter Pletcher, Russell Frey, Sandy Ferrell, Jeff Ayers, Heidi Fish, Mike Rosser, Steve Wall, Jenny Karazissis, Hap Hansen. Diana De Rosa Photo

7-The 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class was judged by the open numerical judging system. The five judges who judged the class were (l-r) Russell Frey, Jeff Ayers, Mike Rosser, Steve Wall, and Hap Hansen. Diana De Rosa Photo

8- AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge winners (l-r) Felicia Davis, Rivertown, Utah and Shana O’Connor, Terryville, CT. Diana De Rosa Photo 9-Jenny Karazissis was one of the final four riders to compete in the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class. Jenny finished third overall. Diana De Rosa Photo 10-Sandy Ferrell was one of the final four riders to compete in the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class. Sandy finished 2nd overall. Diana De Rosa Photo 11-Geoff Teall is the President of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, the organization that created the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class. Diana De Rosa Photo 12&13-Michele Perla is the Executive Director of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, the organization that created the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class. Diana De Rosa Photo

14-Co-Show Managers of the Capital Challenge Horse Show Billy Glass and Oliver Kennedy. Diana De Rosa Photo

15-The winner of 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class received a Jaguar XJS customized saddle. Diana De Rosa Photo

16-The American Hunter Jumper Foundation hosted the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class.

Diana De Rosa Photo

17&19-The winner of the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class received the All The WayTrophy. Diana De Rosa Photo

18-The two silver horses pictured here is the Amateur Owner Challenge Perpetual Trophy.

One of the trophies given out by the AHJF as part of the WCHR Finals. Diana De Rosa Photo

20&22-The winner of the 2004 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Class received a cooler. Diana De Rosa Photo

21-The AHJF hosted the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Here are many of the trophies and ribbons given to the winners. Diana De Rosa Photo

23-The World Championship Hunter Rider award finals were presented at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Diana De Rosa Photo

SCOTT STEWART WINS 2003 MONARCH WCHR TITLE AT CAPITAL CHALLENGE October 4 -- Upper Marlboro, MD -- Scott Stewart’s wide grin and dancing eyes said it all after he won the 2003 Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title on October 3rd during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. With this win he had set a record by claiming his third Professional WCHR title.

“I’m very excited. This is a great and fun class. It highlights the hunter riders and the industry,” he commented, visibly showing how happy he was to have won it again.

In fact, Stewart won the class in 1998 and 1999 and in 2001 he placed second to Louise Serio and in 2002 second to Peter Pletcher.

The Challenge was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc. and Jack Schock and First Savings Mortgage Corporation, presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and included a media sponsorship by Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine.

“For my whole year I have this show as a goal,” added Stewart. The American Hunter Jumper Foundation’s support of the professionals has really helped give him and many of the hunter riders more recognition.

Stewart was one of four riders who had qualified for this final competition, including second place finisher Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL (who led the National Professional Standings with 1998 points); Stewart (1949 points), Flemington, NJ; defending champion Peter Pletcher (1811), Magnolia, TX and first time competitor Samantha Darling (1784), Ocala, FL. THE COMPETITION The riders alternated on riding four different horses which they had not ridden before. These included Straight Talk, a 16.3 hand bay gelding owned by Jennie Hobs; Mr. Darci, a 9-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Samantha Stimell; Antiqua, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Holland Coffee and Sandra Willekes; and Crescendo, a 9-year-old, 16.2 hand liver chestnut Warmblood gelding, owned by Pine Hollow Stables and on loan by The Wetherill Family.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for all four courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time.

The rounds were scored by five judges using the open numerical system. The four riders who qualified were being judged by Sue Ashe, Wellington, FL; Scott Hofstetter, Ocala, FL; Randy Mullins, Collierville, TN; Phillip Devita, Apopka, FL and Jeff Wirthman, Island Lake, IL. A FIGHT TO THE END Stewart earned his victory in one of the toughest classes ever. It wasn’t until the very last round that Stewart took over the lead. “I was pretty relaxed,” explained Stewart. “I had such a great week, that I would have been happy even if I came in fourth.”

The class began with Schatt taking the early lead with a score of 90.8 (Stewart – 89.4, Darling – 84, Pletcher – 81.8). In the second round Stewart claimed the high score of 94 but when the scores of all the riders were combined it was still Schatt leading with 184.20 with Stewart close on her heels totaling 183.40 (Darling – 177.7 and Pletcher 172.4). In round three Darling took her turn when she earned the highest score of 92.8, but it was still Schatt leading the way with her cumulative score of 273.2 (Stewart 272.7, Darling 270.5, Pletcher 260.4).

Then the war was on in the final round. Schatt went first and put in such a brilliant round with a score of 95.2 that it appeared her final tally of 368.4 was unbeatable. Darling had another good round but not quite good enough to take over the lead as she scored 92.3 with a final total of 362.8.

Even as Stewart entered the arena it seemed all but impossible that he could take over the lead. But in this class surprises never cease and when the scores went up on the screen the crowd gasped – 98 – 98 – 98 – 99 and 99 for a fourth round total of 98.4 and a cumulative total of 371.1.

Stewart had taken over the lead by less than three points. The crowd cheered knowing that even with one more rider to go, Stewart had claimed the title. In fact there was no way that Pletcher could have taken over the lead. He totaled 92.8 and earned the lowest overall score of 353.2. But even as the last rider he was smiling. It had been a fun class and Pletcher knew that Stewart had earned his victory.

BEFORE THE COMPETITION Once the riders had qualified and before competing in the class the riders met with AHJF President Geoff Teall, Vice President Louise Serio and Show Manager Billy Glass to discuss strategy, the plan for the event and to express their thoughts about this innovative class.

“The spirit of the class is good competition and good fun,” commented Billy Glass.

The riders look forward to this class. “I always want to get in,” commented Stewart who was not feeling his best and admitted that he was “going to go to sleep” before returning for the evening competition.

The fact that Pletcher was the 2002 winner made him even more determined. “It would be great to win it again and I’m going to have even more incentive going into tonight,” he commented. When asked why, Pletcher added, “because these are the top four riders of our business and we work hard to qualify for this class and it’s a hard class to win and I want to win it twice. I think showing in the hunters is hard but when everyone gets together you really want to get out there and try.” Even after the class Pletcher’s enthusiasm did not diminish. “It is a great class to ride in with a lot of enthusiasm. It’s the end all!”

Schatt is another staunch supporter. Schatt, who won the class in the 90s, commented, “I think it profiles the hunter riders and it’s nice for the owners of the horses to know that they have nice enough horses to qualify to be ridden in this class.” Schatt went on to talk about the media sponsorship by Show Circuit Magazine and the fact that horse shows should honor the winner of this class at other shows the way they recognize the jumper riders.

“This is the best hunter rider in the country and it would be a nice thing for the other horse shows to announce this throughout the year when the winner competes. If they do it for the grand prix riders, why not do it for the World Champion Hunter Rider.”

Commented Darling, “I’m just happy to be here and honored to be in it. In the beginning of the year I didn’t set my goals on this class but once I got closer to the top in the standings I started to work towards it.”

“The best thing about this class is it is totally different. There is nothing else like it in the hunters. People really love to watch it and the audience support is so great. We are asking the riders to do something they don’t normally do. It’s one of the few things in the sport of hunters that happens fast, is easy to follow, exciting to watch, and different from what the spectators normally see,” added Teall, Wellington, FL. “The riders are competing so hard to get into this class,” commented Serio, Kennett Square, PA. “It’s exciting to see them have such a great opportunity to go in a class like this. It is one of the few goals that you can have that shows off the riders and their skills. It’s less about the horses and more about the riders.”

RISING TO THE TOP A number of special awards were given out. Betty Oare was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Pavé, ridden by Schatt. Pavé’s owner, Caroline Moran, won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Hunter Challenge went to Chopard, ridden

by Stewart. Bob Crandell won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the ninth year that the AHJF had hosted the Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, a saddle that Olympic Gold Medalist Coffin researched and designed himself which is based around the comfort of the horse. “That was my favorite class so far,” commented Justin Kenney who presented the saddle. “I thought everyone rode great and it was fun to the very last jump.”

Stewart also received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Stewart as its winner. Press Link of America, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

RESULTS 2003 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Scott Stewart (98.4, 89.3, 94, 89.4 = 371.1), 2. Havens Schatt (95.2, 89, 93.4, 90.8 = 368.4), 3. Samantha Darling (92.3, 92.8, 93.7, 84 = 362.8), 4. Peter Pletcher (92.8, 88, 90.6, 81.8 = 353.2)

SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Betty Oare (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Pavé, Havens Schatt (owner/Caroline Moran) Total Points: 1998 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Chopard (rider/Scott Stewart, owner/Krista Weisman, trainer/Gary Duffy). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1595 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Bob Crandell (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Caroline Moran (owner of Pavé who was ridden by Havens Schatt to 1998 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 1. Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1998 pts.; 2. Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1949 pts.; 3. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, 1811 pts.; 4. Samantha Darling, Colts Neck, NJ, 1784 pts.

JUNIOR: 1. Elizabeth Coughlin, Lutherville, MD, 1482 pts.; 2. Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 1412 pts.; 3. Nancy S. Amling, Palm Beach, FL, 1370 pts.; 4. Paige Johnson, The Plains, VA, 1320 pts.

PONY: 1. Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1384 pts.; 2. Alexandra Arute, Avon, CT, 1374 pts.; 3. Sofie Applegate, Atherton, CA, 1363 pts.; 4. Katherine Newman, Upperville, VA, 1285 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Betty Oare, Warrenton, VA, 1645 pts.; 2. Caroline Moran, Bedford, NY, 1586 pts.; 3. Meghan Moran, Malvern, PA, 1423 pts.; 4. Barbara Swavely, Castle Rock, CO, 1373 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: Patrick Spanton, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, 1430 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Katie Polk, Malibu, CA, 1085 pts.; Junior: Karlyn Wilhelm, Moorpark, CA, 891 pts.; Pony: Sofie Applegate, Atherton, CA, 1363 pts.; Children: Kate Zucker, Pacific Palisades, CA, 1509 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1638 pts..

MIDWEST: Professional: Heidi Austin-Fish, Hebron, IL, 829 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Leah Schwendeman, Belleville, IL, 864 pts.; Junior: Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 1162 pts.; Pony: Stephanie Vijan, New Albany, OH, 822 pts.; Children: Christy Russo, Miami, FL, 675 pts.; Adult Amateur: Wendy H. Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 921 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Tracy Fenney, Flower Mound, TX, 1130 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Therese Peck, Flower Mound, TX, 1055 pts.; Junior: Bailey Anderson, Dallas, TX, 1026 pts.; Pony: Lindsey George, Magnolia, TX, 994 pts.; Children: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 469 pts.; Adult Amateur: Becky Gochman, Houston, TX, 750 pts..

NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1308 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Mimi Tashjian, Greenwich, CT, 1044 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Donovan, New York, NY, 1134 pts.; Pony: Alexandra Arute, Farmington, CT, 1233 pts.; Children: Molly Hay, Ridgefield, CT, 314 pts.; Adult Amateur: Pamela Vance, Amenia, NY, 1111 pts..

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Scott Hofstetter, Ocala, FL, 874 pts.; AmateurOwner: Lee Cesery, Jacksonville, FL, 639 pts.; Junior: Jack Harden Towell, Camden, SC, 1200 pts.; Pony: Julianna Fischer, Lake Worth, FL, 964 pts.; Children: Jason DiGioacchino, Wellington, FL, 329 pts.; Adult Amateur: Bruce Duchossois, Aiken, SC, 1259 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Paul Rohrbach, Elizabeth, CA, 1190 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Barbara Swavely, Castlerock, CO, 1195 pts.; Junior: Kate Hart, Englewood, CO, 898 pts.; Pony: Tommi Clark, Parker, CO, 723 pts.; Children: A. Grace Van Dyke, Edwards, CO, 67 pts.; Adult Amateur: Nancy James Shaw, Englewood, CO, 842 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Jack Hammond, Sammamish, WA, 1093 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, Canada, 1057 pts.; Junior: Betsy Christianson, Bothell, WA, 769 pts.; Pony: Amanda Moore, Bothell, WA, 1130 pts.; Children: Nicole Jones, Renton, WA, 1133 pts.; Adult Amateur: Tamara Judy, Normandy Park, WA, 1040 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Sandy Ferrell, Churchville, MD, 1149 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, Warrenton, VA, 1145 pts.; Junior: Elizabeth Coughlin, Lutherville, MD, 1279 pts.; Pony: Nellie Ann Foosaner, Middleburg, VA, 1097 pts.; Children: Taylor Brown, Palmyra, VA, 927 pts.; Adult Amateur: Marianna Bishop, Charlottesville, VA, 1167 pts.

PETER PLETCHER WINS CHRONICLE PROFESSIONAL WCHR TITLE Peter Pletcher took a moment to take it all in after he won the 2002 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title. The Challenge was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc. and Jack Schock and First Savings Mortgage Corporation, presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted on October 4, during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Four riders qualified for the final competition: Sandy Ferrell, Churchville, MD; Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ; Emily Williams, Wellington, FL and Pletcher, Magnolia, TX. He and the others had competed in this class before and felt that “doing it before helped. Emily was more nervous because this was her first time.” For Pletcher it was his third try and his first victory. “I’m really glad,” he admitted. “I’ve wanted to win this class ever since they started it.

It’s a very special class for me to win.”

The riders alternated on riding four different horses which they had not ridden before. These included Special Delivery, a 12-year-old grey Dutch gelding by Largos owned and trained by Geoff Teall; Notra Dame, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Megan McGuire, and trained by Amanda Steege-Herrara; Capito, a 10-year-old chestnut Warmblood gelding, owned by Karen Healey; and Gandolf, a 10-year-old bay, Hanoverian gelding, owned

by Sue Grange and trained by Don Stewart.

Pletcher had the high score (92.60) on Special Delivery, while Ferrell scored 89.20, Williams 86.40 and Stewart 84.60. Notra Dame, loved being ridden “soft,” explained Pletcher. “The softer you rode her the better.” Again Peter took the high mark of 89.20 (Stewart 86, Ferrell 75.60 and Williams 73.80).

It was Stewart who took the leading score of 91.80 on Capito (Pletcher 88.20, Williams 87.60, Ferrell 73.80).

Williams took the leading score of 89.60 on Gandolf (Pletcher 88.70, Stewart 88.60, Ferrell 78.40).

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the course in the ring. When the final scores were tallied Pletcher had the highest total of 358.70. Then it was Stewart (351), Williams (337.40) and Ferrell (317).

JUDGING THE RIDERS After a yearlong selection process based on points, the Professional Division riders were narrowed down to the top four who then rode off for the title. Similar to a World Championship, the riders competed over a 3’6” course on each of four horses provided by the show.

In hunters the horses are judged on form over fences and when they jump from a comfortable distance their form is shown off the best. So, as the riders go around the course their goal is to bring their horse to the optimal distance for each fence. However, unlike other hunter classes, the winner in this class was the rider and not the horse.

The five judges scored by the open numerical system. The rider with the highest cumulative total was the winner. The four riders who qualified were being judged by Ronnie Beard, Wellington, FL; Jim Clapperton, Columbia, MD; Brian Lenehan, Southern Pines, NC; Matt Collins, Culpeper, VA and Patrick Rodes, Argyle, TX. “The key to scoring this class is you don’t score each round, you score how each rider does on each horse,” commented Lenehan.

“Peter showed he could ride all four horses well and that was the clincher, whereas the others had trouble with at least one,” noted Clapperton.

“There was no on in that class that on any given day couldn’t win that class,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla.

THIS CLASS IS FOR THE RIDERS The riders look forward to this class. “It’s an excellent class, a great concept,” said Pletcher.

“It happens fast and it’s fun. It’s great for the audience. They can follow it and it’s something totally different. The riders really enjoy it and the crowds come,” added Teall, President of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF).

“There’s no other class like it and it gives the hunter visibility,” added Louise Serio, AHJF Vice President.

“It gives us a little something extra to work for because this is strictly for the riders,” said Ferrell.

“It is a great class because it highlights the hunter riders,” noted Stewart, who also added that the AHJF “is wonderful because it showcases the hunters and keeps people interested in doing hunters.”

“It was so much fun. I hope to get to do it many more times. It’s something different and they made it very special,” said Williams. “Plus it was fun seeing how every horse goes with the different riders…and the fact that you’ve never ridden them before is good. I had a blast!”

Williams had also won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award which is voted on by the other riders. She was especially pleased about this because her mom, Lynne (who recently lost her battle with cancer) was the first recipient of the award in 1997. “My mom was such a good sport and always gracious,” commented Williams.

“Winning that class made my whole year.”

AMERICAN HUNTER JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF was founded in 1992 by Louise Serio, Geoff Teall and Kavar Kerr. At that time it had 400 members and four designated member shows in each of five regions. Today the AHJF has 1,000 members and 48 designated shows in 8 regions.

The AHJF was created for the purpose of rewarding the hunter riders who are often overlooked when compared to the jumpers. Beyond the awards program, the AHJF also has an Emergency Relief Fund, the Retired Equine Placement Service, and a BSA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. It works towards educating spectators and encourages grass-roots organizations. The AHJF is a non-profit, member and sponsor-supported organization.

The AHJF also sponsors a few more featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 15, 2003), which is done as an Add-Back competition with $12,000 going to the winner.

The riders are very appreciative of how the AHJF has increased interest in hunters.

“Everything they do is so great,” commented Williams, “everything…from the scoring, to the perfectly manicured rings, to the smallest details.”

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Riders Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. A number of special awards were given out as well. The late Victor Hugo Vidal (August 2002) was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Heard A Rumor Award was presented to Prince Charming owned by Caroline Moran (Bedford, NY). The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Marvin, ridden by Ferrell. Marvin’s owner, Mrs. Gary B. Peterson, won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Hunter Challenge went to Strapless, ridden by Williams.

AWARDS AND MORE This was the eighth year that the AHJF had hosted the Chronicle of the Horse Professional Rider award. The winner not only received the trophy but also a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, a saddle that Olympic Gold Medalist Coffin researched and designed himself which is based around the comfort of the horse. “It’s great for us to be here.

The AHJF is a group of people who are trying to do the right thing for hunters and that is the key,” commented Justin Kenney who presented the saddle. “It’s a hard class. You take your saddle and your skill and go on to the next horse.”

Pletcher also received a sponsorship from the Chronicle of the Horse, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Pletcher as its winner. Press Link, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship. The Chronicle and the AHJF should be applauded for their foresight to ensure that someone who wins such an important award is not overlooked.

The AHJF was able to present trophies, money and prizes to the winners of the various awards thanks to the Chronicle and Tad Coffin as well as C.M. Hadfield’s Saddlery, Derbydown Inc., Equitex/Cynthia Krantz, Finish-Line Horse Products, Hodges Badges Co., Linda Robinson, Merrill Lynch, Quail Hollow Tack, Rein-Aid Productions, Sandra Brown and Hobby Horse/Marge Vance.

RESULTS 2002 CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Peter Pletcher (88.70, 88.20, 89.20, 92.60), 358.70; 2. Scott Stewart (86, 84.60, 88.60, 91.80), 351; 3. Emily Williams (87.60, 73.80, 86.40, 89.60), 337.40; 4.

Sandy Ferrell (89.20, 78.40, 73.80, 75.60) 317.

SPECIAL AWARDS OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: The late Victor Hugo Vidal (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Marvin, Sandy Ferrell (owner/Mrs. Gary Peterson) Total Points: 2120 (459 Capital Challenge, 465 Middleburg Classic, 399 Saratoga I, 393 Lexington Spring and 404 Upperville) (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

DERBYDOWN TROPHY FOR THE TRIP OF THE SHOW: Kelly Farmer, Without Risk (scored an average of 96 in the Future Hunter Class) (This award acknowledges the professional rider earning the highest numerical score.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Strapless (rider/Emily Williams, owner/Clara Lindner, groom/Emily Hamilton, trainer/Tom Wright). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom (Emily Hamilton) receives a check for $500.

(1582 points: 294 Capital Challenge, 405 Florida Classic, 265 Kentucky, 420 Hampton Classic, and 198 Turfway Classic) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

THE HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Prince Charming (16year-old Dutch Warmblood by Zion), owner/Caroline Moran (Bedford, NY) (Presented to a horse who has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the partnership of show hunter and hunter rider. Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Dean Edwards in memory of their talented show hunter.)

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Emily Williams (The award was especially momentous as Emily’s mother, Lynne recently lost her battle with cancer. Lynne was the first recipient of this award in 1997.)

(Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Mrs. Gary B. Peterson (owner of Marvin who was ridden by Sandy Ferrell to 2120 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 1. Sandy Ferrell, Churchville, MD, 2120; 2. Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1970; 3. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, 1907; 4. Emily Williams, Wellington, FL, 1789.

JUNIOR: 1. Charlie Jayne, Elgin, IL, 2030 pts.; 2. Cody Baird, Greenwich, CT, 1846 pts.; 3. Elizabeth Coughlin, Lutherville, MD, 1822 pts.

PONY: 1. Sofie Applegate, Atherton, CA, 1633 pts.; 2. Sarah Chovnick, Brookville, MD, 1604 pts.; 3. Alexandra Skiffington, Wellington, FL, 1603 pts.

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Kara Hofstetter, Ocala, FL, 1737 pts.; 2. Caroline Moran, Bedford, NY, 1586 pts.; 3. Robin Sinderman, South Salem, NY 1562 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John Bragg, Petaluma, CA, 1255; AmateurOwner: Alison Agley, Pasadena, CA 1143; Junior: Jamie Taylor, Tarzana, CA, 1319; Pony: Tess Albrecht, Hidden Hills, CA, 1469; Children: Gabby Applegate, Atherton, CA, 1128; Adult Amateur: Bridget Twomey, Petaluma, CA, 1325.

MIDWEST: Professional: Rick Fancher, Crestwood, KY, 840; Amateur-Owner: Dawn Fogel, Louisville, KY, 908; Junior: Clara Lindner, Cincinnati, OH, 888;

Pony: Alexander Skiffington, Wellington, FL, 1407; Children: Amateur: Leslie Fishback, Versailles, KY, 966.

Molly Schmiege, Wilmette, IL, 328;

Adult

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Tracy Fenney, Flower Mound, TX, 918; Amateur-Owner: Didi Mackenzie, Flower Mound, TX, 803; Junior: Alex Beckstett, Magnolia, TX, 827; Pony: Lindsey George, Magnolia, TX, 1100; Children: Julia Kahn, Houston, TX, 384; Adult Amateur: Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 470.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ, 1115; Amateur-Owner: Mimi Tashjian, Greenwich, CT, 1091; Junior: Whitney Roper, Rumson, NJ, 812; Pony: Alexandra Arute, Farmington, CT, 1129; Children: Carolyn Kelly, New York City, NY, 472; Adult Amateur: Pamela Vance, Amenia, NY, 804.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Scott Hofstetter, Ocala, FL, 1239; Amateur-Owner: Kara Hofstetter, Ocala, FL, 1237; Junior: Erin Stewart, Ocala, FL, 1214; Pony: Lauren Hogan, Tampa, FL, 891; Children: Maggie Schottenfeld, Alpharetta, GA, 485; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters-Round, Wellington, FL, 512.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Emily Hook, Phoenix, AZ, 466; Amateur-Owner: Cathy Morris-Schmitt, Englewood, CO, 550; Junior: Kate Hart, Englewood, CO, 1209; Pony: Grace Van Dyke, Edwards, CO, 776; Children: Jessica Lizarraga, Littleton, CO, 581; Adult Amateur: Karen Franklin Tanner, Littleton, CO, 939.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Jack Hammond, Sammamish, WA, 1293; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, Canada, 1069; Junior: Lauren Crooks, Sonohomish, WA, 983; Pony: Amanda Moore, Bothell, WA, 1120; Children: Catherine Kranda, Medina, WA, 877; Adult Amateur: Amy Levenson, Poulsbo, WA, 1179.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Sandy Ferrell, Churchville, MD, 1650; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, Warrenton, VA, 1253; Junior: Elizabeth Coughlin, Lutherville, MD, 1283; Pony: Sarah Chovnick, Brookville, MD, 1290; Children: Lauren Graves, Crozet, VA, 809; Adult Amateur: Jack D. Schock, Middleburg, VA, 967.

LOUISE SERIO ADDS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP TO HER TREASURE CHEST OF TROPHIES Serio Wins Chronicle Professional WCHR Hunter Rider Challenge “I’ve had a long career but this is one class I’d never won,” commented Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, after winning the 2001 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Challenge. She earned the combined highest record-setting score of 361.10 after the five judges scores were tallied. Serio finished less than a point ahead of Havens Schatt, Wellington, FL (360.70); Tim Goguen, Gurnee, IL (355.8) and Kelley Farmer, Lake Zurich, IL (340.50) on October 5th. The championship was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc., presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted during the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. WHAT IS THE CHRONICLE PROFESSIONAL RIDER CHALLENGE The Chronicle of the Horse Professional WCHR Challenge was created seven years ago, not too long after the AHJF was founded (1992). Since the AHJF (a non-profit, member and sponsor-supported organization) was created for the purpose of rewarding hunter riders with more money and acknowledgements for their efforts, this was a way to give the professionals (the trainers of many of the riders and the horses) a chance to goal for something special.

The professional riders accumulate points throughout the year at designated shows and then compete at the Capital Challenge. The four who accumulate the most points then compete using a format, which is similar to a World Championship. The competitors jump a 3’6” course on each of four horses provided by the AHJF. They either have never ridden these horses before or not in the past two years.

The five judges scored by the open numerical system. The rider with the highest cumulative total was the winner. The four riders who qualified were being judged by Liza Dennehy, Denver, CO; Jim Clapperton, Buckner, KY; Jeff Wirthman, Island Lake, IL; Russell Frey, Hume, VA; and Rob Bielefeld, Ithaca, NY.

“The rider ends up with the right score,” added Clapperton. “It leaves no room for controversy. The average makes it work.”

Dennehy noted, “as a professional the riders are hoping to make it to the final four as this is a very prestigious class to ride in.”

“This class is a big deal because you work all year to be in it. Then you get to ride four different horses without getting to know them.

It shows what we can do,” commented Farmer.

Unlike other hunter classes, where the horse is named the winner, in this case it was the rider who won. However, it is still the overall look that is being judged and very often it is how the rider rides the horse that determines how well the horse goes in the class. It is the rider who is communicating to the horse such things as pace and length of stride. The use of the riders hands and legs also come into play. For example, Bielefeld noted that one of the horses “would flip his head a bit but because she (Serio) was so soft he did not do that with her. She made him more relaxed.”

The judges are looking for the best rider, not the best horse and mistakes such as rails down are not as important in this class as they are in other hunter classes unless the judge feels it was the rider’s fault.

In general, hunter horses are judged on form over fences and when they jump from a comfortable distance their form is shown off the best. So, as the riders go around the course their goal is to bring their horse to the optimal distance for each fence.

Michele Perla, Executive Director of the AHJF, noted ”This is the only class of its kinds that puts professionals against professionals on horses they’ve never ridden judged in a format that is about seeking the best rider. Often hunter classes are about the horse but with this format the judges can compare rider against rider on each of four horses.”

Frey noted that Serio had won among a class, which had “an extremely strong group of riders.” The judges were in agreement that out of the four horses Serio rode three of them better than any of the other riders.

“She was flat out better,” concluded Dennehy.

Serio’s free style of riding hunters showed up from the beginning. In the first round she scored 92 (Schatt 88.8, Goguen 87.6, Farmer 84.6).

In the second round she almost broke last year’s winner’s (John French’s) record individual score when she totaled 95 (he earned 95.5) on a big grey (Farmer 87.3, Goguen 87.2, Schatt 87.1). The third round Goguen (93.6) earned the highest score with Serio (87.8) not far behind (Schatt 77.8, Farmer 75). Farmer had some tough luck in that class when her horse almost ran

out at one of the fences but she got him back on track just in time. It was only in the last round that a rail down placed Louise at the bottom of the pack on a round that would have scored much higher (Schatt 94.8, Farmer 90.8, Goguen 87.4, Serio 86.3). It made the class more exciting because the scores were so tight you weren’t sure if Serio was in the lead until the final scores were announced. While the spectators waited and wondered, for the judges it was a clear victory for Serio.

“She was the best!” commented Frey.

HER FIRST TIME ENTERING Serio has had a long and lucrative hunter career but for the seven years that the Capital Challenge has held the Chronicle Professional Challenge she never even kept tabs of her points. Serio, who is one of the founders of the AHJF, waited because of her association with the organization, but it was her fellow hunter riders that finally encouraged her to enter. “This was the first time I ever maintained my points,” explained Serio, who undoubtedly could have qualified for the past seven years if she had wanted to. “It was easier to distance myself and even now I was reluctant to do it because I didn’t want to jeopardize the program.”

Serio grew up loving horses as a child and began riding with her mother, Mary Warner Brown. In 1984 she began her own teaching and training business called Derbydown Inc. In 1992 Serio won Chronicle of the Horse’s Show Hunter Horseman of the Year because of “her creativity and dedication to promote the hunter industry.” Over the years Serio has ridden and trained top championship hunters, including Harbor Bay, Irresistible, Magic Word, French Quarter and Catch a Spark. In 1990 Serio won the Protocol Trophy on Harbor Bay, for accumulating the most points in the same year on a Working Hunter at Devon, Harrisburg and Washington. In 2001 she won the WEF Circuit Champion 1st Year Green award on Red Panda. These are only a few of many examples of her prominent career in the horse industry.

AMERICAN HUNTER JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF was founded in 1992 by Serio (now serving as its Vice President), Geoff Teall and Kavar Kerr.

At that time it had 400 members and four designated member shows in each of five regions. Today the AHJF has 1,000 members and 48 designated shows in 8 regions.

The AHJF also sponsors a few more featured events throughout the year, including the $50,000 AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 16, 2002). This was formerly a $100,000 event but the AHJF members voted to decrease the purse because they felt it was the right thing to do after the World Trade Center tragedy. “There is a sadness that I feel,” noted Serio. “I feel guilty. We live the most privileged life. What I get to do, whom I get to know and the animals I get to ride. We need to really appreciate that. That was a humbling experience. We don’t need to offer $100,000…$50,000 is plenty,” noted Serio. Additionally, the second annual Legacy Cup, a hunter show which features add-back

money, will take place May 1-5, 2002 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. Last year Serio earned top honors at the Legacy Cup after winning the leading trainer and leading rider awards.

At the Capital Challenge Serio’s Professional Championship honors were part of an overall awards program, which included junior, amateur and pony hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. The Junior Hunter Championship award went to Cody Baird. Julianna Befler won the Pony Hunter Championship. A number of special awards were given out as well. Howard Lewis (OH) was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Heard A Rumor award, which is presented by Mr. & Mrs. Dean Edwards to a horse that has shown lifetime achievement in both the professional and amateur hunter divisions, was presented to Clyde Barrow owned by Bridgette Hallman (LI, NY). The Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award went to Nora Fredrickson.

A DESERVING WINNER Serio went home with $2,750 as well as a media sponsorship from the Chronicle of the Horse, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Serio as its winner. Serio also won a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, a saddle that Olympic Gold Medalist Coffin researched and designed himself.

Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy and Billy Glass deserve praise for the way they showcased the event. Their goal is to make it more of a show and thus the event is preceded by a light show and followed by a friends and exhibitors party. “It is an important event because it is where we host all our finals. People compete all year to qualify through the WCHR program. The AHJF and Capital Challenge started as a team. We teamed up because we wanted to have better presentations. We wanted to make it a very special event. We wanted to bring numerical scoring to an indoor show. The Capital Challenge has gone above and beyond our expectations,” commented Serio.

“This class puts the show back into the horse show – the presentations, the prizes, the trumpeters – the light shows…it’s exciting,” added Bielefeld.

“For the AHJF this is the best way to showcase our professionals and their abilities in a different and fun way. It also gives a sense of the riders competing and not the horses. It is the same four riders, the same four horses – rider against rider, ” commented Teall.

“I think it gets more and more important each year. It’s really neat to see the people that try to achieve it. It has provided another goal. It is the year-end event. We work all year to get here. To win it was really special,” concluded Serio.

FRENCH APPEAL IN THE SUPERBOWL FOR HUNTER RIDERS John French Wins WCHR Professional Hunter Rider Award “Horses like John French,” remarked Jack Towell, Camden, SC, one of the five judges who scored French as the 2000 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Championship Hunter Rider. French finished with the highest total of 360.80 on October 6th. The championship was sponsored by Carol & Gordon Stillwell, Stillwell Hansen, Inc., presented by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation and hosted during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. French, who was born and raised in Maryland, now resides in Redwood City, CA. It had been two years since he had come East to compete at this show. His horse Keltic (who is owned by Kathy and Alex Mendez) was First Year Green Champion and was the recipient of the Rox Dene Award, presented to the Overall High Scoring WCHR Horse of the Year. However, it wasn’t Keltic he rode as the finals require the four riders to compete on four different horses they’ve never ridden before. Each rider takes a turn jumping each of the four horses over similar courses.

The four riders who had qualified after a year-long selection process included the 1998 and 1999 defending champion Scott Stewart (NJ), Holly Hays (CT), winner of the 1997 and 1999 National Horse Show WCHR Hunter Classic Challenge and Kelly Farmer (IL), while Stewart, Hays and French had competed in this championship before, this was Kelly’s first time.

When the riders were finished it was French who took it all. “Some riders had little things go wrong,” explained French. “I didn’t have any problems.”

“The horses went the smoothest for him,” added Philip DeVita, Apopka, FL, who was also judging the class. “He is a non-interfering rider. He doesn’t force anything on them.” Added Towell, “He’s invisible.”

The other three judges were Susan Ashe, Wellington, FL; Brian Lenehan, Southern Pines, NC and Randy Mullins, Collierville, TN.

The class started out with every rider putting in a fairly consistent round the first time out until Hays entered on her first mount. After an obviously difficult ride with her horse spooking around the course, the judges opted to use the replacement mount. Hays came back and put in a brilliant round scoring in the low 90s, which at the time French thought would surely put her in the lead.

However, Hays had problems with her second mount when she overrode a line and got too close to one of the jumps. The mistake earned her a score of 72, which lost her valuable points that were hard for her to make up despite three other good scores.

Both Stewart and Kelly were fairly consistent but lower scores than French on the same horses made the difference. French felt part of his victory was “just being relaxed, because the horses can sense it. The more relaxed you are the better they go.”

Before French entered the ring he gave himself four things to focus on, besides staying really relaxed.

To begin with he reminded himself that this was supposed to be fun. Second he told himself to breath around the entire course. His third objective was to look up over the jumps and to think about his position. Finally, his goal was “don’t doubt yourself. If you worry about the distance, you get too nervous. If you think about something else, the distance comes up.”

In hunters the horses are judged on form over the fences and when they jump from a comfortable distance their form is shown off the best. So, as the riders go around the course their goal is to bring their horse to the optimal distance for each fence. In fact, Hays’ one major distance mistake may have been what lost her the championship, while the fact that French had no major mistakes won it all for him.

French knows what it is like to make a mistake and lose it all. “Four years ago I was leading up until the fourth round,” he explained. Going into the final round, French’s horse “spooked at the first jump and I ended up last.” So, this victory was extra special. “This is an award that really goes to the rider,” explained French, who felt he was the inspiration behind the class. Ten years ago when a few riders were sitting around talking he suggested having a show where the riders switched horses.

Having the AHJF make his idea a reality “is great for the hunter industry,” he commented. “I am really grateful that they have done this for the riders.”

AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla agrees. “It’s put the professionals on a level playing field. It strips away the owners and the horses and asks for the riders to show what they can do. It separates the experienced hunter riders from the green ones and it is interesting to watch how the different horses reacted to the different riders.”

President of the AHJF, Kavar Kerr added, “I think it gives the public a chance to see how talented these riders are. It’s also exciting to see them perform under a different format because this is the only hunter class for the hunter rider.”

The AHJF was founded in 1992 by Louise Serio (now serving as its Vice President ), Geoff Teall and Kavar Kerr. At that time it had 400 members and four designated member shows in each of five regions.

Today the AHJF has 1,000 members, 40+ designated shows in 8 regions.

The AHJF was created for the purpose of rewarding the hunter riders who are often overlooked when compared to the highly paid and heavily sponsored show jumper riders. Beyond the awards program, the AHJF also has a retirement plan and scholarships. It works towards educating spectators and encourages grass-roots organizations. The AHJF is a non-profit, member and sponsor-supported organization.

The AHJF also sponsors a few more featured events, including the AHJF $100,000 Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach, which will take place on February 17, 2001. Additionally, the AHJF Legacy Cup, a new show for hunters, will debut May 1-6, 2001 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The 2001 Legacy Cup winner will earn $25,000 and the purse will be $100,000 plus 50% of all entry fees. Returning a high portion of the money to exhibitors is a key ingredient of the event.

French’s Professional championship honors were part of an overall awards program, which included junior, amateur and pony hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows count towards awards and then these riders compete directly against one another at the Capital Challenge. Daniel Torano (FL) won the Amateur Hunter Championship. Georgina Bloomberg (NY) was the winner of the Junior Hunter Championship and Addison Phillips (NY) won the Pony Hunter Championship.

Additionally L.P. Tate was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Heard A Rumor award, which is presented by Mr. & Mrs. Dean Edwards to a horse that has shown lifetime achievement in both the professional and amateur hunter divisions, was presented to Harbor Bay. The Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award went to Olin Armstrong.

In the Professional Division the riders are narrowed down to the top four who then ride off for the annual title. Similar to a World Championship, the riders compete over a 3’6” course on each of the four horses provided by the show. The five judges score by the open numerical system. The rider with the highest cumulative total is the winner.

This was the ninth year that the AHJF had hosted this award. French not only received the trophy but also a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle. French also received a sponsorship from the Chronicle of the Horse, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of French as its winner. Press Link, an equine focused PR firm, has been hired to handle that sponsorship and has a targeted plan to reach out to French’s local media as well as equine publications to help arrange interviews and provide photos. Press Link will also blanket the equine media by distributing articles and photos (upon request). Someone who wins such an important award should not be overlooked.

Kerr felt French was a very deserving winner. “He rode beautifully in what is truly the Superbowl for the hunter riders.”

AHJF WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS PRESS KIT–10/2/09–CAPITAL CHALLENGE, LANDOVER, MARYLAND

AHJF RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTACT: Diana De Rosa PHONE: (516) 848-4867

EMAIL: dderosa1@optonline.net FAX: (631) 773-6165

START: Immediately END: Oct. 2 at 10 PM

SUBJECT: 2009 AHJF HUNTER CLASSIC SPECTACULAR 15 SECOND

THE AMERICAL HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS HOSTING THE WORLD CHAMPION HUNTER RIDER PRO FINALS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND AT 7 PM, AT PRINCE GEORGE’S EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN UPPER MARLBORO, MD. FREE ADMISSION. VISIT THE WEB SITE WWW.AHJF.ORG. -END-

30 SECOND

THE AMERICAL HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT EQUESTRIAN ORGANIZATION, IS HOSTING THE WORLD CHAMPION HUNTER RIDER PRO FINALS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND AT 7 PM, AT PRINCE GEORGE’S EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN UPPER MARLBORO, MD. FREE ADMISSION. THIS EVENT FEATURES TOP NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SHOW HUNTER RIDERS AND OFFERS A PURSE OF $7,500. IT IS ONE OF THE NATION’S PREMIER HUNTER COMPETITIOINS. RIDERS MUST QUALIFY TO COMPETE IN THIS ANNUAL EVENT. ADMISSION IS FREE. VISIT THE WEB SITE WWW.AHJF.ORG. -END-

60 SECOND

THE AMERICAL HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT EQUESTRIAN ORGANIZATION, IS HOSTING THE WORLD CHAMPION HUNTER RIDER PRO FINALS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND AT 7 PM, AT PRINCE GEORGE’S EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN UPPER MARLBORO, MD. FREE ADMISSION. CALL ?????? FOR MORE DETAILS. THIS EVENT FEATURES TOP NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SHOW HUNTER RIDERS AND OFFERS A PURSE OF $7,500. IT IS ONE OF THE NATION’S PREMIER HUNTER COMPETITIOINS. RIDERS MUST QUALIFY TO COMPETE IN THIS ANNUAL EVENT. THIS NO ENTRY FEE QUALIFYING CLASS FOR PROFESSIONAL HUNTER RIDERS IS THE ONE EVENT PRO RIDERS ASPIRE TO COMPETE IN ANNUALLY. SANDY FERRELL, LAST YEAR’S WIN, WILL ATTEMPT TO RETAIN HER WCHR PRO TITLE. SHOW HUNTERS ARE JUDGED ON THE STYLE OF THE HORSE AS THEY JUMP FENCES IN THE INDOOR ARENA DURING THE CAPITAL CHALLENGE HORSE SHOW.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE THE NATION’S TOP PROFESSIONAL HUNTER RIDERS AND

HORSES COMPETE. DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS INCREDIBLE WORLD CHAMPION HUNTER RIDER PRO FINALS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND AT 7 PM, AT PRINCE GEORGE’S EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN UPPER MARLBORO, MD. ADMISSION IS FREE. VISIT THE WEB SITE WWW.AHJF.ORG. -ENDPRESS LINK PR, 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735, Cell: 516-848-4867, email: dderosa1@optonline.net

THE BOOK WAS PREPARED BY

PRESS LINK PR

45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-848-4867 dderosa1@optonline.net

2009 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS FAST FACTS Sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. Presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family Produced by The American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. Hosted by the Capital Challenge Horse Show Winner is the Recipient of the AHJF Professional Title

WHAT:

$7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. (The winner of the Championship will be presented with a media sponsorship package.)

COST:

Spectators can come watch the event for FREE!

WHY:

This is the only hunter competition for professional hunter riders where riders compete head to head after accumulating points throughout the year-long competition season. The top six ranked riders compete Friday night for one of the most sought after hunter rider titles.

WHEN:

October 2, 2009 – 7:45 PM - as part of the Capital Challenge Horse Show 7:15: Exhibitor Party on Concourse with Open Buffet presented by The Gochman Family 7:30: Various AHJF Awards Presentations in Arena (AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Regional winners, Lifetime Achievement, Sportsmanship Award, etc.)

Post Event Reception: Press Conference and Dessert Buffet in Paddock Lounge

WHERE:

Prince Georges Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD

CLASS SPECS: NO ENTRY FEE - All Six entries receive prize awards, ribbons, The “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan, and $3,000; $2,000; $1,000; $500; $500; $500. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated to the AHJF by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score in the WCHR Professional Finals class. (Cooler awarded to winner.)

Open to the top six professional riders in the National WCHR Final Standings, including points earned from the divisions at Capital Challenge and the WCHR Professional Challenge Class. All riders must provide a horse for the class and ride that horse in the first round.

With the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class will be judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider. The Class is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges. Each team will present one score and the scores averaged for a single round total. Each rider will compete in three rounds on three different horses (assigned by a draw for the horses) over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6" and receive a score for each round. After three rounds the three best riders with the highest cumulative scores will advance to a fourth round on a horse they have not ridden. The fourth round will be a handy course where brilliance will be rewarded. The rider with the highest cumulative four round total will be the winner. In case of a tie for first place there will be a ride off to determine the winner.

CONTACT: Press Link PR, 631-773-6155 – Diana De Rosa, cell: 516-848-4867 or the American HunterJumper Foundation, Michele Perla, 508-835-8813, day of event: 774-696-0170, email: ahjf@earthlink.net INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOST SHOW & AHJF: Website: www.capitalchallenge.org, www.ahjf.org

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen.

“It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by StillwellHansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost.

This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX.

LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), Peter (84.33). In the second round class after his second round score round score (183.16). Kelley was (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th

early lead (93) followed by Kelley then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Hunt maintained his domination of the of 90.16 was combined with his first 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it into the final round. After the third followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd,

would determine what three riders went round Hunt continued on top (272.49) Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy round, galloping a u-turn to the first with elegance, carefully and showing a change of pace for the and accuracy. They scored 89.66 round total.

Hunter set the pace with a brilliant fence out of the gate, turning corners precisely negotiating a trot fence and gallop between fences with boldness for the round and 354.64 for a four-

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them.

Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER‐JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE

A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals.

The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy

donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him.

“This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

Hunt Tosh Scott Stewart

93/Lone Star

90.16/As Always 1+2 = 183.16 85.66/Fine Kiss 1+2 = 173.32

89.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2+3= 272.49 91/Illusioin 1+2+3= 264.98

94.33/Fine Kiss

FINAL TOTAL 366.82

89.66/Rio Fino W

354.64

Kelley Farmer

88.33/Fine Kiss 88/Illusion 1+2 = 171.32

87.66/Rio Fino W 1+2+3=263.99

88/Lone Star

351.99

Peter Pletcher

84.33/As Always

91/Fine Kiss 1+2+3 = 262.66

262.66

89.66/Lone Star 1+2+3= 257.65

257.65

79/As Always 1+2+3 = 246.33

246.33

John French Ken Berkley

87.66/Lazy Sunday

87.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2 = 171.66 82.33/Illusion 85.66/Rio Fino W 1+2 = 167.99 85.33/Rio Fino 82/Lone Star W 1+2 = 167.33

SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999.

The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2.

Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN AND LEARN Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes

October 14, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Their victory weekend included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region.

This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an Arated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER – JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a coowner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.”

Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.”

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win.

I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

“They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued.

“It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.”

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23-year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.”

Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.”

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.”

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

“Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had.

Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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Heads Up

BY KIM ABLON WHITNEY

HUNTER/JUMPER NEWS

.... Amanda Steege was honored at the Capital Challenge Horse Show_ Her parents Mitch and Kathy were there for the presentation_

~

Everyone at the New England Equitation Championships was checking to see who was wearing a new Zone I Finals jacket...these jackets continue to be a hot commodity and every champion at this year's Zone I Finals, which were held in conjunction with the Eastern States Horse Show in Springfield, Mass., on September 30October 4, got one. Besides the jackets, the buzzword at this year's Zone Finals was money, money, money! Prize money! Trainers of all the classic winners took home checks for $100 and the top professional score in their classics earned an additional $300.

High Point Pro, Kristen Newton, of Rocking Horse Farm also took home the $300 check and a portable wooden mounting block. But the pros weren't the only ones taking home goodies. A grooming tote went to the adult high score and the high pOint children's pony. Bridles from SmartPak were awarded to all reserve champion pony hunters in large, medium and small divisions. Dover Saddlery gave coolers to the reserve champion in the greens, pregreens, amateur owners, and children's horses. Special thanks to the top level sponsors and also big kudos to the Zone I Committee, in particular Carla Sharp, jay Sargent, Pam Hunt, lilli Bieler, and lisa Foster.

college at St. Lawrence University.

Charlotte welcomes Maeve Foley and Elara to Woodbury Manorl ~

Meanwhile at Charlotte's other location, Apple Knoll Farm, congrats to Veronica Dabrowski on her lease of Auto, and to the Walsh girls on their purchase of Knight Hawk and Ashford's Lad. All _had a great time at the vermont Summer Festival, and Veronika's daughter julia rode Captain jack Sparrow in the lead line class held in thejumperstadium ring!

~

Amy Cooper was second in the older adults and Steve Violin was fourth in the middle adults! ~

1

Congratulations also to Amanda Steege, who was awarded the AHj F Winter's Run Sportsmanship award at the Capital Challenge l Amanda and her Ash Meadow Farm in Bedminster, N.j., will once again join forces with her father, Mitch Steege of Red Acre Farm in Stow, Mass., at HITS Ocala this winter in hopes of another successful show series.

~

Speaking of the New England Finals, Larissa Laffey recorded the highest score ever in the Horsemanship Class to win the class over two-time defending champ, Emmajohnson.

Larissa also won the junior sportsmanship award at both the New England Finals and the MHC Finals! Larissa is the daughter of trainer Olana Laffey. speaking of trainers' daughters... linda langmeier's nine-year-old daughter, Mckayla-still in jodsstole the show with a great trip scored in the high 70S! It won't be long till she's following in Mom's footsteps by bringing home the blue!

Farm also had a suc cessful outing at the Cap Challenge.

Phoebe Hersch and Monica Hunt's One Up was reserve in the Children's Hunter 15-17. At MHC Finals, lynne Berardini was third in the Open Equitation under 30; Ashley Morin won the Open Equitation 12-14, and Brittany Bouchard was third in the class. Cornerstone also congratulates Brittany Bouchard on the purchase of Alero with a special thanks to Dawn Dorrance. Finally, congrats to jess lusty on the lease of Sandy and Alexa Bayko for qualifying for the ASPCA Maclay Finals in Syracuse.

~ jimmy Toon's

~

~ And

.,

~ Cornerstone

horse I-Toon won the best horse award for the second straight year.

~ There

were a few big-time trainers missing from the NEEC this year and word is that most people didn't mind, saying that the NEEC should return to its roots of being a showcase for New England riders ...

from Tatra Farms and Captain jack Sparrow from Dana Hall. Katie had a successful season with both ponies, and competed with Captain jack Sparrow at the Pony Finals, where Katie had a top score in the practicum horsemanship test.

Kensington Equestrian Center (KEC) trainer Sheryl Macleod and owners jocelyn and Brian McQuillan would like to congratulate all of their riders on a successful finals season.

Devon Macleod on her pony Leap of Faith was the MHC Mini Medal Champion at the MHC Days of

continued on page 125 trip to Holland and Germany found a new horse for Marita Zuraitis ... look for Marita and her new mare, Better than Diamonds. Casey Zuraitis and Unforgettable Flight had a successful show season ending with great tri ps at the junior Hunter Fi nals before Casey headed off to

Devon Macleod was the MHC Mini Medal Champion at the MHC Days of Champions_

Charlotte McEnroe's daughter Willough welcomed baby girl, Honour Angelikah in july. Honour was a week early and Charlotte sends a special thanks to good friend Cookie DeSimone for taking over the training and coaching of her clients at a moment's notice during the Head of the Bay horse show!

~

~ Congrats

to Woodridge Farm, who had two riders place in the adults-

In other news from Charlotte, at Woodbury Manor in Sutton, Mass., Katie Eppinger has leased Pillsbury

124 HORSEMEN ' S YANKEE PEDLAR路 DECEMBER 2009

~

~A

The McEnroe Family and its newest member, Honour_

HUNTER/JUMPER

Capital Challenge HorseShow DRAWS TOP COMPETITORS TO SHOW PLACE ARENA

T

won a work-off for victory in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals. In second place were Sydney Callaway Equitation Weekend Highlights and Cassius.

Cayla Richards of Calabasas, Calif., Franklin's Tower and Taylor Ann Adams were Grand Pony In the North was a big winner on the first day of Hunter Champions.

American Adult Equitation Weekend after she took the score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49.

Amateur Equitation 15-Year-Old Equitation Championship reserve champiOns. Championships, Tosh qualified as one of the top and outlasted top riders to win the The final chamCharlene Graham three riders to return for the final Flat Championships.

Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty pionship went to of Rochester, N.Y., handy round on Fine Kiss to score Richards won the North American were tops in the Children's/Adult Premier and Ken the highest round of the night with a finished on top with Jumper Challenge .

Junior Flat Equitation Championships Berkley in the • her horse Only You. 94.33 to total 366.82 for the win. over 14 other riders from the five Future Hunter Colts &: Geldings division, winning other equitation divisions. Second Jessica Springsteen was honored in a presentation as the Best Equitation place went·to Amber Henter of St. three out of four classes in the diviHunter Highlights: Thursday Rider of the weekend.

Petersburg, Fla., and Diederique sion. Premier's bam-mate Crownpoint through Sunday and Scott Stewart came home.with the Vander Knapp was third.

The Amateur-Owner Hunters were The champion of the 17-Year-Old Professional Hunter Highlights: reserve championship. split by age into two divisions. In Scott Stewart and World Time Equitation was Morgan Hale of Monday through Friday the 18-35 Hunters, Erin Stewart Odes,sa, Fla. Hale rode Urco, a horse won the $15,000 WCHR ProfessThe first shampionship of the week swept the division with Quality she has shown for a year. Reserve was ional Challenge. went to Rumba andJohn French Time, impresSively winning all five Jacqueline Lubrano of Glenmoore, Pa., · Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the in .the Second Year Green Working classes for the Grand Amateur Hunter with Golou II. .

Hunters. Rumba and French won both Grand Hunter Championship with Championship. She was also named 37 points in the division, after their Jessica Springsteen continued her over fences on the first day of compethe Leading Amateur Hunter Rider, win as Green Conformation Hunter success at the Capital Challenge this tition and were third in the under and they also won the EMO Amateur year with the championship in the ChampiOns over Fashion Farm's saddle. They picked up second places Trip of the Show. In reserve was Dawn 16-Year-Old Equitation. She rode Declaration and Scott Stewart. Berkley in the handy and stake classes.

Fogel on Royal Oak. Hunt Tosh of Milton, Ga., rode was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Papillon over fences to a blue ribbon The championship in the AmateurThe evening session featured indoors and Class Action to second Lone Star to the championship in the Owner Hunter 36 &: Over division went the $5,000 Emerging Professional place on the flat and first place in the Regular Working Hunters, with Keri to Stacy Arani and Bolero. In reserve outdoor over fences class. Reserve was Rider Challenge. Eighteen-year-old Kampsen and On Top in reserve. Tosh were John Ingram and Hush with a first Amber Henter with Triumph.

Katherine Newman rode a precise, also rode Rosalynn to reserve in the over fences and a first under saddle.

Caroline Spogli made her debut smooth round on Daydream, owned Second Year Green Working Hunters.

The World Champion Hunter Riqer

by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 In the Future Hunters, the chamin the equitation weekend count (WCHR) Amateur-Owner Challenge when she won the 13/14-Year-Old from the judges for the win. pion of the 6 &: Over division was immediately followed the champiSandy Ferrell and Showman were Showman, ridden by Sandy Ferrell.

Equitation championship. Spogli, of onship pinnings. Tracy Scheriff of Rancho "Santa Fe, Calif., rode Superlly the Grand Future Hunter Champions Wellington, Fla., rode Absolut to Scott Stewart and Too Cool finished as and won the $25,300 Future Hunter to two first places, one over fences victory i~ a graceful and faultless reserve champiOns. World Championship with two scores and one under saddle. Hasbrouck Ferrell also finished as champion in round, scoring 85.66 in a one-round of 90.2. They also collected the EMO Donovan of Gainesville, Fla., was the class featuring the top amateur riders the Future Hunter Mares division with 13/14-Year-Old Equitation reserve Trip of the Show for the Futures, with and their horses from both divisions.

Torrey Pines Stables' Prudence, winning champion with Almost Famo\ls. a high score of 9l. three out of four classes. Reserve was In the outdoor arena, Annie Frazier Rosebud, ridden by Kelley Farmer.

The final equitation championship John Ingram of Nashvill~, Tenn., • and her horse Bijou took home the of the day was in the 12-Year-Old divirode his horse Hush to victory in Hunt Tosh and Good Humor were championship in Fhe Adult Amateur champions in the Future Hunter Nonthe World Champion Hunter Under sion. Sydney Callaway of San Diego, Hunter 18-35 division. Frazier's top Saddle Senior class.

Calif., captured the championship Thoroughbred division. They were ribbons gave her and Bijou the Grand In the WCHR Professional Finals, when she and her mount Cassius were • first, third, and fourth over fences and Adult Amateur Hunter title and first and second over fences. Callaway fourth under saddle. In reserve were Hunt Tosh led the class from the Leading Adult Hunter Rider. The EMO beginning to win in his debut in the trains with Erin Duffy at NeWmarket Summer Place and Scott Stewart.

Adult Trip of the Show award went Stables. Reserve was Hannah von Scott Stewart picked up a Future prestigious event. Tosh scored a 93 to Bliss and Laura Beckworth with an Heidegger on Ambassador. in the first round on the horse he Hunter championship with Nescio 88.5 in the Adult Amateur 51 &: Over in the ThoroughbredlThoroughbred Chase Boggio of Canton, Ga., rose brought to the competition, Lone Star.

Hunter division.

In the second round, he rode Camira, Cross division. Kelley Farmer and In the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 to the top of 87 competitors to win Listen were in reserve. the 2009 N9rth American Equitation who was brought to the competition division, Amy Brubaker and CR Franz

by Peter Pletcher, to score a 90.16, Tim Goguen and Tripoli, owned Marc took home the champion tricolor.

Championships with Graphiq, a Marilou Case and her horse, Unwritten, 12-year-old gelding. In second place

by Boggs Hill, won the championship raising his total to 183.16.

In the third round, Tosh and were Laura King and Uno. in the Future Hunter 5 &: Under diviwere the Adult Amateur Hunter 51 and Lindsay Wolfs Lazy Sunday had a Sylvia DeToledo of New York, N.Y., sion. Peter Pletcher and Vibe were Over division champions, with reserve he 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show was a great success this year with fantastic competition in hunters, jumpers, and equitation.

The event was held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.

136 HORSEMEN'S YANKH PEDLAR • DECEMBER 2009

HUNTER/JUMPER going to Motown ridden by Karen . Long Dwight.

Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year's World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals, winning aboard Caitlin Zeigler's Relentless. The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship.

The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka. The two achieved high score in both rounds for a final score of 173.80.

This year's Grand Pony Hunter Championship went to the winner in the Large Pony Hunter division, Franklin's Tower, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams. Adams was also named the Best Pony Rider and they won the EMO Pony Trip of the Show with a score of 90.

The Small Pony Hunter Championship went to Elation and rider Meredith Darst after they won the first over fences class and the handy hunter class.

In the Medium Pony division, Allison Toffolon aboard Hean's Desire, owned

by Stone Ridge, took home the championship. In reserve were Meredith Darst . and Champlain Treasure Me. The Large Junior Hunter 16-17 champion was Sarah Sturges and her horse Sweet Addiction. Reserve cham-

pions were Laura King and PharrelL In the $5,000 Handy Hunter Challenge, Lyle, ridden by 17-year-old Abby O'Mara, laid down a fabulous trip that no one could come near for a score of 88.66 ..

To finish Saturday in the outdoor ring, the Children's Hunter Pony division gave out their championship ribbons. Madelyn Keck rode Porter Allen's Tango to the champion tricolor, while Taylor Willever on Chase the Rain, owned by Kimber-View Stables, was the reserve champion.

The GrandJunior Hunter Champion was Laura King aboard Heartfelt, the champions of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Their top finishes also gave them the Grand Older Junior Hunter Championship. King was also presented with the best Junior Hunter Rider Award. The EMO Junior Trip of the Show was a tie with a score of 88.5 between Alex Arute with Red Rooster and Sarah Sturges with Sweet Addiction.

The Small Junior 15 &: Under Champion was Victoria Colvin and Ovation, with Casey Green and Savannah in reserve.

The LargeJunior 15 &: Under Champion was Sambalino, another mount for Victoria Colvin. Sambalinp was also the Grand Champion Junior

Hunter of the two younger divisions.

Kelly Cruciotti and Q were named Grand Children's Hunter Champions and collected the EMO Trip of the Show along with the Children's Hunter 14 &: Under Section tricolor. Q was first and second over fences and was first under saddle.

The champion of the B Section of the Children's 14 &: Under Hunters was Independence, ridden by Alyson Jacoff. Talie Lynch and Sunfest won the Children's 15-17 Hunter Championship with Phoebe Hersh and One Up in reserve.

The WCHR Children's Final victory went to Silas V and Brianne Link, while the WCHR Pony Challenge was won

by Madelyn Keck Tuscany. Red Rooster and Alexandra Arute won the WCHR Junior Challenge with a score of 88.66.

The award for Leading Trainer of Capital Challenge went to Ken Berkley of Flemington, N J. Hayley Barnhill was given the Stewan Warner Cup for junior riders. Parker Wright was the recipient of the Stewan Warner Cup, awarded to an up-and-COming pony rider who exhibits the best hunter style and show potentiaL

Jumper Highlights: Thursday through Saturday In the $10,000 Children'siAdult

Jumper Challenge, Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty were the fastest faultfree round, stopping the clock in 34.755 seconds. Second place went to Joann Williams on Weekend Warrior. Edgell was named Leading Adult Jumper Rider, while Colleen Lewis on Orlando was named Leading Children's Jumper Rider. .

The Nonh American Junior/ Amateur Challenge Cup, which awards $40,000 in total prize money, kicked off with a Time First Round class, the first round of three. Tim Hooker of Wellington, Fla., rode Sirius 127 to victory in a very quick round of 53.734 secbnds over Tracey Weinberg and Larone.

The pair also captUred the win in the $10,000 North American Junior/ Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Round Two, retaining the lead for the series win in the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup. Fifteen-year-old Hayley Barnhill and Toucan Tango won the $25,000 final class.

Hooker was also named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider. Barnhill was named Best Junior Jumper Rider.

For more information and complete results from the Capital Challenge Horse Show, please visit www.capitalchallenge.org. ~

NEWBURY Congratulations to The International Group, LLC on the purchase of Ami De Gemmes.

Special thanks to the Eugene and Chu families, Amanda Flint, Timmy Kees, and Leslie Howard

Congratulations to everyone at Newbury Farm on a successful 2009 show season! Best of luck to all in 201 O! Cory Hardy, Trainer • (978)337-0366 • www.newburyfarm.org DECEMBER

2009 •

HORSEMEN ' S Y A NKEE PEDLAR

137

by Debbie McDonald with Nancy Jaffer

phase competition that included flat, gymnastics and jumping. The top four riders-Mettel, Jessica Springsteen, Maggie McAlary of Amherst, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth Lubrano of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania- returned for Phase IV in which all rode their own horses over a shortened course and then each of the other riders' mounts over the same course. In addition, the judges presented Mettel's partner, Pioneer, owned

by Heritage Farm, with the Grappa Trophy for Best Horse.

Gold Cup Series: It's the Law Olympic eventer Leslie Law of Bluemont, Virginia, and F1eeceworks Mystere Du Val, owned by Beatrice and Guy Rey-Herme, rose to the top of the leader board after eight events to garner the huge trophy and $10,000 check presented to the winner of the 2009 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Jennie Brannigan and Cooper took the reserve championship.

Olympic medalist Debbie McDonald and her fabul ous partner, Brentina, have thrilled crowds the world over with their stunning performances. In her book, Riding Through, Debbie describes her system for success in dressage and relates her life story. Even if you don't want to compete in dressage at any level, the good basic riding skills involved in learning this discipline will help you in whatever you want to do with horses-whether it's improving adjustability for jumping or just having a more pleasurable trail ride. 176 pp., paperback,

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The Hunt Was On at WCHR Finals Hunt T ash emerged the winner after four rounds riding four different horses at the 2009 American Hunter-Jumper Foundation's Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals that took place at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Oct. 2. In his first time competing for the title, the Cumming, Georgia, resident edged out three-time winner Scott Stewart of Remington, New Jersey, by just 12. 18 points. Kelly Farmer of Keswick, Virginia, finished third. Riders compete on borrowed horses over three 3-foot-6 courses, with the three riders having the most cumulative points moving on to a handy hunter round. The rider with the most points wins. Z

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10 SIDELINES J ULY 2009

FOR HORSE PEOPLE 路 A BOUT HORSE PE OPLE

Amy Brubaker: Catch Riding Works for Her

by Erin Gilmore It was a blue-tinged spring for Amy Brubaker. On a leased horse, she swept her division in the AlA Hunters at the first Oaks Blenheim show series of the year, topping off a three-week streak that rarely saw her place below the top three . This amateur rider has made quite a "career" out of riding other people's horses, and credits the commitment of her trainers and lots of well-timed luck for propelling her to the blues and championships with impressive consistency.

Each and every consummate horse person can remember the moment they caught the horse bug. For Amy, it was while watching horses travel along the bridle path outside her childhood home in Northern California. Riding lessons for the little girl evolved quickly once Amy also caught the show bug . But while she was growing up in the late '70s, stepping up to a big trainer in Northern Ca. also meant a commute . Amy's hometown of Lucas Valley was a twohour drive away from trainer Larry Langer's Pacific Horse Center in Sacramento. Lessons with Larry became family road trips, and with her parents' support, Amy thrived under Larry's instruction and amassed stellar junior record . But after qualifying for a slew of junior medals, riding in the Maclay Finals back when it was held at Madison Square Garden, and anchoring the team that won the '78 Junior Nations Cup , Amy was ready for a break from riding .

She turned her focus to those more mainstream aspirations of college, marriage and career. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Amy went to work for

a

"big four" accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, married, and settled near Los Angeles .

However, horses always remained on the horizon . As an adult, she was realistic about reentering the scene . She knew she'd want to compete again , but harbored no delusions about the financial challenges of showing and horse ownership.

"When I was a junior it was straightforward . You had one horse and that horse did it all, " she says. "I showed a ton and loved it.

I spent all of my parents' money, which was not sUbstantial , and then I went to college to actually make a living for myself and learn how to do this on my own ."

Amy began lessons with trainer Stacy Lambakis in Los Angeles , and jumped back into showing in the AlA hunters and equitation with Mary Gatti's Rainbow Canyon Ranch . In 2002 she won the Los Angeles Horse Show Association's Senior Medal Finals and was year-end champion in the AlA Hunters.

But when she began setting her sights towards the Big Eq and national medals, Mary connected her with Archie Cox. "Everyone aspires to ride with Archie, " Amy explains. "He's just amazingly talented and always makes it fun . He is the master at getting yOI:J to the ring relaxed, even in high-pressure situations. It really is an art form, and he does it better than anybody. " Amy herself stands as proof of that statement: the majority of her wins were earned aboard leased horses or catch rides.

That's no small feat for an amateur rider competing in the spotlight. Amy's record under Archie's eye is extensive, and includes the 2006 USEF National Champion in Adult Equitation , and a Reserve in the '06 Ariat National Adult Medal Finals.

The most recent high-pressure situation presented itself in the form of the WCHR Adult Amateur Finals at the 2008 Capital Challenge. Amy worked all season to qualify for the finals , but the afternoon before the class , Archie called , saying that they had another horse for her. The horse she planned to ride had been chosen for the WCHR Professional Rider Challenge, leaving her without a mount.

Archie connected with East Coaster Havens Schatt, who offered "All the Answers", a gelding in her barn with a scopey jump. After a quick school in the morning , Amy laid down two great rounds to clinch the win .

The current economy has taken its toll on Amy's horse budget, but as always , she finds a way to make it work. After indoors last. year she began training with Tracy Baer full time. All parties recognized that the move was the best solution to fit Amy's amended budget, and Amy still receives valuable coaching from Archie at shows when Tracy is absent. She is quick to recognize Tracy for her efforts in collaborating with other trainers and staying flexible, all factors that are critical in getting Amy into the ring .

Capital Challenge, 2008. An exciting day . ..

Photo by Dennis O'Neill.

\

FOR HORSE PEOPLE 路 ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE Her newest partner in the winner's circle is another horse that came about by happenstance. While competing at HITS Scottsdale over the winter, Amy joked to owner Sandra Beirman that she was sick of getting beaten by her horse Likewise every week. Amy offered to lease and help sell Likewise if Sandra was ever interested. It just so happened that Sandra was ready to move on to a younger horse, and at the end of the week Likewise was on his way home with Amy. "I've been so lucky that I've had some great horses that I've been able to ride once or twice, or for a long time, " she acknowledges.

By not owning a horse (she has in the past) Amy keeps her costs .. down, and balances her wor.k schedule whenever possible to accommodate horse shows .

Winning the Ariat Medal Finals has been a goal for years, and Amy hopes to qualify for the Capital Challenge and find the horse that will get her in the ring this year. She's always happy to land a catch ride, even when it means covering her own entries.

"Success depends on a couple of things; one when anything works as well as it has worked it takes a little bit of luck, " she says. "And it really takes a trainer being totally committed to making it work. You've got to have people who are willing to take a chance on you , and both my trainers have gone above and

"

SIDELINES JULY 200911

beyond to support me. I can go from hero to zero in one round, but they are always there for me."

Amy's ready acknowledgement that riding is the ultimate humbling experience does nothing to dampen her enthusiasm for the sport she loves. It's that combination of realism and passion which make the best riders , to say nothing of a little luck, when it counts.

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The Roving Repot1er Asks Professionals. ...

"What is Your Most Memorable Indoor Moment?"

Scott Stewart

"MY

most exciting indoor moment was the first year I won the World Championship Hunter Rider title at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, in 1998, on Chopard. I had done that class a few times before, but winning it was a huge thrill."

Scott Stewart, the most accomplished hunter rider in the nation, is based at his River's Edge Farm in Flemington, New Jersey, as well as Wellington , Florida. Winning the WeHR class at the Capital Challenge in 1998 set a precedent for future victories as he won it again in 1999, 2001, and 2003.

His other accolades include being named Leading Hunter Rider at both the Pennsylvania National and the Washington International Horse Shows. He also holds the world record of being the only rider ever to take all five hunter championships in the professional divisions at the National Horse Show. Q

,

Joey Currais

"MY

most memorable indoor moment was at the Washington International a few years ago. My student Caitlin Donovan had ridden the small pony hunter, Helicon Take Notice, at only six local horse shows. She went into the ring at Washington, had a great trip, and received a score of of 92%! We were all so excited and it was truly a memorable show."

Joey Currais is known as the 'pony professional' at Hunters Landing Farm, located at the Riverdale Equestrian Center in The Bronx, NY. Q

Patricia Griffith "I'd have to say it was 2006 when Maggie McAlary won both the Medal and Maclay Finals. Maggie was one of my first students at Heritage Farm and she won each final on a different horse. It was a pleasure to teach her and it was so nice to see it all come together for her like that. Maggie was also one of the youngest riders to ever win the National Pony Medal when she was only ten years old, riding a small pony.

"Another memorable moment for me was when Adrienne Sternlicht won all four of her pony classes on the small pony Ingenue at Harrisburg in 2005.

"As for my own riding, it was last year when I won the WCHR Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge on Vida Blue and was champion in the Regular Working Hunters. He is one of my all-time favorite hunters and it was great to win on him."

Patricia Griffith trains at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York.

Q

Mark Jungherr

"ll Then Roscoe and I tied for the President's Cup with Swiss rider, Stefan VV Lauber, at the 1997 Washington International. FEI times only went to

'.

1I100th of a second, so they combined the first and second place purses and split it down the middle. It was the only time I ever tied." (Ed note: This was only the second first place tie in President's Cup history since Rodney Jenkins on Number One Spy and Terry Rudd on Mr. Demeanor deadlocked in 1976.)

Mark Jungherr is a World Cup veteran and the course designer for Northampton Hunter & Jumper Horse Show. Q

48

Today 's Equestrian October 2009

Sandy Ferrell " Iwould have to say winning the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Challenge last year at the Capital Challenge. It's a very special class and they do a great job. As a hunter rider, it's a great class because it's a special event just for the professionals. There are so many great riders, and it's one of the few times that the professionals have a chance to come together, cheer each other on and help each other out. It's rare to have such camaraderie and the riders, grooms, everyone is so supportive and they all come up to congratulate you."

Sandy Ferrell is from Bernville, Pennsylvan ia and trai ns out of her farm , Royal Show Hunters.

n

Gr.etchen Goodale

,

"MY

most memorable indoors was the fIrst time I rode at the Medal Finals when I was 12 years old. I was training with Susie Humes and rode a horse named Swiss Miss that had done the open jumpers with Jeffrey Welles. Previous to this, I had been doing the local circuit on a hunter, competing in 2'6" classes. Then I met Susie in April and she got me Swiss Miss and I went right into the big eq, qualifying for the Medal Finals in two months. Needless to say, I was very fortunate to have such an amazing horse!

"I had a rail down at the finals but otherwise I did fine. It was the most awesome experience of my life. I continued to qualify every year after that but there was noth~ ing as excIting as t hat first year, being so young, and actually being there, and doing a good job. It was a whi rlwind!"

Gretchen Goodale is a trainer at Hampshire Farms on Shelter Island, NY, where she teaches all levels of rid ing to children and adu lts. n

Mike Heneghan " I t was defInitely 1989 when my student, Ray Texel, won both the Medal and Maclay Finals at 15 years of age. The year before Cheryl Wilson won the Medal Finals. There is nothing more exciting than when one of your riders wins at the finals ."

Mike Heneghan recently returned to the Connecticut area and has teamed up with Peter Leone at Lionshare Farm in Greenwich. Q

Jennifer Bliss

"MY

most memorable moment is probably winning the Pony Hunter Winner's Stake at Harrisburg in 1998. I scored a 93 on my medium pony hunter, Peppermint Pizzazz. He was such a special pony, and it was the highest score I'd gotten. Earlier in the day I'd seen Eva Gonda score a 93 on her junior hunter Doubletake, and I thought, 'I'd love to get a 93,'and we did!"

.

...

Jennifer Bliss of North Salem, New York, works with juniors and amateurs in hunters, jumpers and equitation, as well as bringing along some hunters of her own, at her Harris Hill Farm. The photo is of of Jenn competing at the Fairfield County Horse Show this past June where she showed Don't Think TWICe in the pre-green hunters. n

Today 's Equestrian October 2009

49

Asshley Butler, 2 2009 Pro Fina als Winner Huunt Tosh, Kaittlyn Johnson

And Alumni Supplement

Lawrence Public Schools

November 2009

Meet The New Faces The Lawrence Board of Education has selected Jay Peterson as the district’s new principal at Lawrence Jr.- Sr. High School. Peterson graduated from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, with a Bachelor’s degree in social studies and a MasHigh School Principal ter’s degree in educational leadership. He was selected from a field of over 40 applicants.

Peterson taught 10 years in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and was principal at Mendon Middle-High School for the last four years.

Peterson, his wife, Maureen, and two daughters, Annika and Gabrielle, currently reside in Schoolcraft.

Lawrence High School Superintendent John Overley said Peterson is extremely excited about this new opportunity and is looking forward to the challenge.

Welcome Ms. Jessica Bierhalter to the Lawrence Jr./Sr. High School family.

One of the things Jay Peterson Ms. Bierbelieves in strongly, is that to halter best serve the needs of our stuwas dents and help them reach their hired fullest potential, we must all work over the together; parents, teachers, adsummer ministrators and community and in members. That is why he wants her short to invite all of you to our…... time Parent & Community Forum here has which will be held on the last already Monday of every month at 6:30 High School English Teacher demonpm in the Jr./Sr. High school strated auditorium. her commitment to the students of (No meeting in December.)

Lawrence taking on the senior literaHe would like for you to take this ture play and the role of sophomore opportunity to answer your ques- class advisor. Students comments are giving her a “two thumbs up!” tions, listen to suggestions and share with him what you feel is She will make a great addition to an necessary to provide the best already outstanding staff. educational experience possible Page 3 Grandparents Day for all the students of Lawrence.

From the Principal’s Desk:

his t e d Insi

e: issu

Alumni Supplement

Page 4

Accomplishments

Page 6

Homecoming

Page 9

Sport Schedule

Page 10

Donations

Page 13

School Calendar

Page 14

n , wo l l a r ove nge. y r t e coun er Chall e paid e h t s t st in ior Hun ll expen ington r i f a ing un ash ’s n c J a a l e W d h P e t n i r in rge eiv w t le c o o d u e e r h r a B S ley oint aw nge she Horse Prince G h s A igh p is challe hallenge y at the h y!” e e h l h th t C h p l s g nin pita r tro sA n o i Win the Ca ived he ul a t e o t t c a e r p r i tr ong And enter.

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D.C trian C es Equ

Ashley and “Jughead”

The Michigan Interscholastic horsemanship association holds district, regional and state meets each year. Retta Bileth and Lyn Ralicki represented the Lawrence Equestrian in team meets this past August and September, competing in sixteen events each day during the three day event. At each meet points are earned for the team. The Lawrence team placed second out of eight teams in their division. They are hoping to make it to the state competition next year. “Good Luck Girls!”

Retta

Lyn

7

Online content AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN AND LEARN Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes

a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL.

Diana DeRosa

The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Chalfor the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the lenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press the best. Their victory weekend included a chance conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and to wander the horse show the five other finalists. grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world’s ASHLEY BUTLER elite riders, horses, judges, – JUST 13 AND LIVING A course designers and DREAM more on the final weekend Thirteen-year-old Ashley (October 2-4, 2009) of the Butler (April 1, 1996), an eight-day Capital Chalonly child, came to the lenge Horse Show at the Capital Challenge Horse Prince George’s Equestrian Show with her mom, Sally Center in Upper Marlboro, Butler.

MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Ashley earned her win Cup Team Hunter Chalon Jughead, a Trakehner lenge and AHJF WCHR Pro over 2’3” and 2’6” fences.

Finals three-time winner Jughead is owned by CeAshleyButler, HuntTosh and KaitlynJohnston Peter Pletcher and Olympic dar Lodge Stables, which is and World Equestrian Games also home for the horse.

Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

The road to where she is today started when she was In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region.

This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received

just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.”

Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.”

Continued on next page

Online content riding skills.

Continued from previous page

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

“They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued.

“It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.”

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a sixyear-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23-year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals.

“They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.”

Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here.

I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone.

Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her

Diana DeRosa

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD

Kaitlyn Johnstone

To earn her stripes for the points Continued on next page

Online content Continued from previous page

needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.”

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.”

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

“Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition.

Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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TODAY'S Equestrian JanuarylFebruary 2010

FREE! With compliments of our advertisers!

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AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE:

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Juniors Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes

By Oiona DeRosa

unior riders Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston wel'e all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Huntel' Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Their victory weekend included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world's elite ridel'S, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Uppel' Mal'lboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld, Wol'ld Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic a nd Wo rld Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling orthe people who gave of their time and knowledge.

J

What it Is In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special ser ies of classes guided by a specific set of mles and l'6gulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recogni7:ed level.

KaiUyn Johnson of Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley Butler of Lawl'ence, MI won fOl' the Eastern Region. This event is s ponsored by the Amel'ican Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capita] ChalJenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awa rds in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level cou ld only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a

judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatl and Sandy Fenell fo r the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They n~ceivcd a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad Homfeld and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and l"Cgulations from Karen Golding.

The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation afte r Hunt 'lbsh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the ovening they attended the PI'O Finals press oonference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalist!!.

Ashley Butler: Just 13 and LIving a Dream Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butier, an only chi ld, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler. Ashley earned her win on JlIgheud, a 'I'I'akehner, over 2'3- and 2'6~ fences. Jugllead is owoed by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. "When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a coowner of a barn, is my trai ner and my cousins help me out I;l lot. My mom used to ride too."

Ashley doesn'tjusl ride. In fact she plays basketball, soft.ball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she el\ioys most. "I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them.

They SI'6 your best fri ends, it is my passion."

While horses take up a lot of her life, she's velY serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the an nual children's play at her school. "It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents al'C pl'ofessional musicians. My mom is

Above: Learning 10 walk a course with Conrad Hom/eld.

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32

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a pianist Ilnd my dad is a professional guitar player."

As flU" as hOI·ses, Ashley is hoping "to do it as a profession one day. ~ The young teenagel· devoted a lot of time to her victory explaini ng tha~ ~it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win.

I think it was because Jugliead and I had good courses at om· shows. Out of all the hard wOl·k I have put in I haven't. won anything and so I guess this year was our year.~ As hley also was app reciative to the AHJF for organi:ting the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, -, really like this pmgram. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could comc to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.That confidence was encouraged by a ll the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

"They let me know that it does take a lot ofwOl·k to get to whcl·e all the pl·ofessionals arc today. J learned how to judge and what the HEART am bul ance does a nd what one of these shows is all about," s he continued ..

"I t is a lot bigger than what [ am used to. For us there are just two r ings and the lirst ling goes from cross rails to 2'3" and the other 2'3 ~, 2'6" to 8'6" and a ll the shows are on the same ci rcuit.~ Before ending OUI· convel"8ation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who worka for the A.HJ F and was the one who guided her through the weekend.

"This is an Hmazing pl"Ob'l"am and 1 can't believe I am hel"e. I can't wait to tell all my rriends.~ At 15 Kaltlyn Johnston Has Horses in Her Blood I{aitlyn Johnston is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge Horse S how with her parents, Becky and Kevan Johnston. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own I·anging from just rour months to 23 years and it was that experience a round 80 many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her hOI"8es consist of Mcrlill, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family.

Skye's Alibi is a fom'-month old, Wsrmblood cross, Paint fi lly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-yes I·-old PaintlDraft cross gave birth to. The vetel"lln horse ill her family is Babe, a 28-ye8l'-

old, bay, Quarter HOI"8e m8l"e.

And if yo u think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is a round, you'd be wrong. ~ I also ride my trainer's horscs: she revealed .

Kaitlyn stalted collecting horses when she was just eight years old. -, jus t keep adding them. I tide hunters a nd jumpers and right now ' am competing up to 2'9" and school at 3'."

While Kaitlyn can't remember the fi rst time she was ever on a hOl"8e she sm·mises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories arc dim she recalls OllC early incident that should have discouraged her. -' rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I rell off."

No maUer, she just fell in love with these animals. "They are my passion. I a lways wanted to be around them. I can't explain why but maybe just their bcauty. I love being on them; when I am Oil their back in the show ring at first J get nelvous but once I've warmed up I am fine."

Al though mogL of I<a.itlyn's t ime is consumed with her h01"8c8, at one point she played SOCCCI· and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking al"O und the indoor aro na at the Capi tal Challenge, Kllitlyn I·cmarked, "I want to end up here. thought about the grand prix but I don't know yet. I want to train and ride. J would like to get where all these guys are as fal· as I·iding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of yo ur knowledge."

'1'0 earn her s tripes for the points needed to earn her the win, Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Thxas. "J didn't expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn't aiming to win but then I won both classes."

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn cxplained, M My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer'a jumper but it was the best mistake she evel· made, so I won on two difTel"ent hOl"8es. The horses look exactly the same except for the hcight. ~ For her winning ride s he was given a test by the judge and I·ecalls that in the first competition "they had us make up our own cOUl"Se and so I did the most difficult coune I could think of. ( was really surprised when ( found out I won because J didn't show in all of them like other people did .~ Like Ashley, Ka itlyn is thankrul to the AHJF for I·e cognizing the need fo r a program like this.

----...

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,

TodDy 'S Equestrian JOlluary/Fcbruary 20 10

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J3

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE "I really love the program . It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. II. is a lot bigger hel'C. I I'cally like seei ng all the big time ridel's," Looking back at the weekend, it was meeting fellow Texan

Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. "I was speechless when I met him,~ she admitted. al just found out he exis led and was getting to know about him a nd then t got to meet him here," KaiUy n continued talking about the weekend noting, "I learned so much. I think I am going to use evcl-ything I learned,"

w eHR Pro Finalists Give Some Direction At the press conference fonowing the We HR Pro Finals the six finali sts were asked to ofTer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on wha!. they can do to one day be one oCthe fin al six.

"No matter where you are Btarting out there are always people that will help you, so keep yo ur head up a nd go full fOl·ce and go for where you .want to be," offered Hunt Cummings, GA. "Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the indus try do,· suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, threetime WCHR Pro Final's win ner.

"Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you csn," added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. All it takes is hard work a nd we are all up here to pl"Ove that to you," remarked Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, 'IX. ~It is not just about watching the competition but also s pending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena," noted two-time WCHR Pro Final's winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA.

Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded , "put yourself in the best and most professional riding envil·onment that you can, regardless of your level."

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good s ugges tions all weekend.

"As k questions of everyone because at yo ur age you are like a sponge," said Kare n Golding.

Keeley Gogullen an open invitation fOl· the ride rs to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter Pletcher offered to meet up with Kaitlyn a t one of their local s hows and even school her. Conrad Homfeld took his time to make s ure the ridel"S undCl·stood how to stride out distances and what different fences required or the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above a nd beyond what either Ashley 0 1· ({ailly n could have imagined.

Ameri can Hunter-Jum per Foundation The AHJF is a member-suPPol'ted non -profit organi:l:ation fOl·med to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Prog'l·ams or the AHJ"F' include the Wol"ld Championship Hunter Rider Awa rds, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educationa l Pl"Ograms and theAHJF Inves tment Plan.

The AHJF also s ponsors other featured events throughout the yea r, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the Wol"id Champion Huntcr Rider Pro Finals (OctObel· 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included juniOI·, pl"Ofessional , amatcur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter ridel·s. The prog.·am was established by the AHJ F to recogniow and reward excellence Ilmong hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJ F can be contacted at 50s..

835-8813, fax: 508-835·6125, 01· email: ahj ~arthlink.ne t . Q

Ashley and KaiUyn getting tips from the legendary Conrad Homleld (above) and top hunter rider Peter Pletcher (right).

All photos by Dialla DeRosa Toduy's Equescri un lanmuylFcbruar), 20 10

•

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

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Hunt Tosh & Lazy Sunday Photo by ŠDiana DeRosa October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD - Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back.

Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round.

By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round.

"That was special," Billy later commented. "Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors."

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

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"Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in," commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he's been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. "My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps," he continued.

Hunt & Mandy Tosh with their daughter After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, Photo by ŠDiana DeRosa GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99).

Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. "This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes," commented Billy. "Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation's finest pro hunter riders."

"This is not an easy class to qualify for," added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. "These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm."

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year.

For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

The Riders from L to R: Kelley Farmer, Hunt Tosh, Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, John French and Peter Pletcher Photo by ŠDiana DeRosa

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm

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Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. "I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time," commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3'6" course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt's lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt's lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. "It is a sad day for me because I don't want to give it up. It's been an honor, a great feeling," she commented.

The Awards Photo by ŠDiana DeRosa Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made.

"It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me," she admitted. "It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me."

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After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, "I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people's year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it's an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running."

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

"I haven't done this before but it's going to be a fun class and another credit to my career," remarked Ken. "It's always exciting," said Peter in his always jovial voice. "It's a great group of riders and I'm looking forward to competing in it again."

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, "but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It's exciting. We had a good year so here we are."

John quipped with a smile, "I hope I get lucky!" and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would "beat the boys." Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider's top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden

by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter's Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage

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of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. "This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife," he noted before adding, "For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show.

Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition."

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, "The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming."

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844.

For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org. For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-8358813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net

Š2004-2009, American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583 ahjf@earthlink.net 508-835-8813

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Press Link Press Release : $7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS - Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Press Release Business Name

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS - Ultimate Hunt Rider Pro Showdown

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Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have

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been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a

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delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if

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she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is

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In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003).

For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

Legal It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their Materials Copyright © 2005-2009 Central Equine, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

not necessarily reflect those of Central Equine, LLC. or their

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the

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class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presen

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the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set a three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider wit highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Per Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Tro

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donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round s winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things tha and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this a there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for ha foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones w benefiting from their efforts."

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-036 835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

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Central Equine, LLC © 2009.

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The Hunt was on in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals (Horse News Column) | Central Equine NEWS VIDEOS

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The Hunt was on in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals Column Details American Hunter Jumper

The Hunt was on in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals October 07, 2009

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October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Send Message to Columnist

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Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He

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negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by

Kelley Farmer, Hunt Tosh, Scott Stewart, Ken

American Hunter-Jumper

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the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper

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Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge

Hunter

Horse Show.

By: Diana De Rosa

Watching the Hunters Grow Thank you AHJF

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a

Hunter

very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for

Hunt Tosh is Crowned 2009

the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse

AHJF WCHR Pro Finals Winner

and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter

Hunter

Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

Don Stewart Hunter

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager

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Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

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The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

Reserved.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your The views and opinions

round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,”

expressed in this article do not

commented Hunt.

necessarily reflect those of Central Equine, LLC. or their

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his

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horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and

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winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

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After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost.

This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott

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(173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including

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the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler.

Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated

by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him.

“This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

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For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 SCORE RND 4 FINAL SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999.

The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the nonrecognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points)

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(Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3.

Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

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NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

By Diana De Rosa

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Hunt Tosh is Crowned 2009 AHJF WCHR Pro Finals Winner Column Details American Hunter Jumper

Hunt Tosh is Crowned 2009 AHJF WCHR Pro Finals Win October 05, 2009

Foundation Columnist:

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Diana De Rosa

It was almost not a surprise when first-time competitor Hunt Tosh won the AHJF World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals Send Message to Columnist

on Friday night October 2nd in front of a truly electric crowd.

Columnist other Articles

Hunt oozed with confidence from the rider meeting early in

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the day through each of four rounds where his score was always the highest. And while victory was certainly sweet he was thrilled but not terribly surprised.

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Coming from a horse family (his mom was a steeplechase rider) and having ridden just about every discipline himself,

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Hunt feels he has a knack for riding hunters and if tonight

Hunt Tosh riding Rosalynn <br /> Photo

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was any indication he is right about that. And he also uses

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whatever tools he can such as having his wife Mandy

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watching the other rounds and passing him along text tips

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that he could read just before entering the ring on his cell

Watching the Hunters Grow -

phone.

Thank you AHJF Hunter

Yet in the end it was smoothness, elegance, careful and

Don Stewart

clean riding that gave Hunt his first Pro title, truly the highest honor for a professional rider. His score of

Hunter

was a good stretch ahead of second place finisher and two-time Pro Finals winner Scott Stewart (354.6

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Farmer was third (351.99), two-time winner John French fourth, three-time winner Peter Pletcher fifth a

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While the class had an audience most people wouldn’t consider the 200 or so people much of a crowd enthusiasm was any indication then the audience was truly a powerhouse and raised the roof with their cheers and whistling after each round.

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winner Sandy Ferrell who lamented having to give up her title and so to give the crowd even more reas hearty laugh she was there to present the winner with her “tiara” and what made that moment even mo was that Hunt wore the sparkling crown.

The views and opinions expressed in this article do not

After the victory gallop and lots of prizes and money the evening extended into the dining area for a pre

necessarily reflect those of

conference where both media and the audience were invited. Among the group were the winners of the

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Hunter Challenge, a grassroots program the AHJF sponsors where the winner of the series is flown into

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Capital Challenge to experience a show of this quality. The West region winer was: Kaitlyn Johnston, A

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10/5/2009

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and the East Region winner was Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI When asked what advice the top six would offer these newcomers they were quick to answer.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you along, so keep your he go full force to get where you want,” offered Hunt.

“Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry can learn from them,” added Scott.

“Any time you get to see good professionals ride go for it and ride anything and everything,” remarked K “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it because all it takes is hard work and we are all living proof commented Peter.

“It is not just to watch what goes on in the ring but also what is happening in the schooling area and in t Watch how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the you need to be aware of,” noted John.

“Put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can,” concluded Ken. And with that the evening was over and another winner crowned. Tomorrow will focus on the two Junio Challenge winners as I capture pictures of them taking a course walk and learning from the many profe here at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

If you have questions or comments feel free to email me at dderosa1@optonline.net.

By Diana De Rosa

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centralequine 1. Building a Better World Cup http://bit.ly/2r0h110:14 AM Oct 8th from web 2. What is Dressage? http://bit.ly/qneRv11:44 AM Oct 7th from web 3. The Hunt was on in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals http://bit.ly/EISDj8:25 AM Oct 7th from web 4. New Horse - Elegant 3 ft. Hunter for Sale http://bit.ly/Xd04P1:44 PM Oct 5th from web 5. New Horse - Scopey and Brave Child/Adult Jumper and EQ horse for Sale http://bit.ly/XmOKT1:44 PM Oct 5th from web 6. Hunt Tosh is Crowned 2009 AHJF WCHR Pro z Name CentralEquine Horses Finals Winner http://bit.ly/1WM4oP8:21 AM z Location World Wide Oct 5th from web z Web http://www.centra...

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10/13/2009

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Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Friday, August 21, 2009

Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory.

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Online Vet Consult here Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by Horse Transport the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative fourround total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score.

The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

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Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

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9/6/2009

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AHJF WCHR Professional Finals Fri Oct 2nd

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Event Location 14955 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Location/Facility Type: Prince George's Equestrian Center

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Description World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals for the 2008 AHJF World Championship Hunter Rider title. (The winner of the Championship will be presented with a unique media sponsorship package from Show Circuit Magazine.) This is the only Hunter competition for Professional Hunter riders in the sport where riders go head to head after accumulating points on their best rides of the horse show. The top four are asked to compete on horses they have never ridden; the horses are kept confidential throughout the show.

Activities World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals for the 2008 AHJF World Championship Hunter Rider title. (The winner of the Championship will be presented with a unique media sponsorship package from Show Circuit Magazine.) This is the only Hunter competition for Professional Hunter riders in the sport where riders go head to head after accumulating points on their best rides of the horse show. The top four are asked to compete on horses they have never ridden; the horses are kept confidential throughout the show.

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9/26/2009

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State riders shine in major events Betsy Carter's Horse Scene Date published: 12/11/2009

VIRGINIA HAS BEEN well-represented lately in national and international competition.

Olympic eventer Leslie Law of Bluemont, riding Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val, was champion or reserve at all eight events this season and finished on the top of the leader board. She and her horse won the trophy and $10,000 and were named the 2009 Adequan U.S. Equestrian Federation Gold Cup Series Champion.

Kelly Farmer of Keswick came in third at the recent Capital Challenge, in the 2009 American Hunter Jumper Foundation's Professional World Championship in Upper Marlboro, Md., behind winner Hunter Tosh of Cummings, Ga., and second-place finisher Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J. Tosh won after four rounds of competition riding four different horses. Riders must compete on borrowed horses for this championship and must ride different horses over each of the four courses. The first three courses were hunter courses with 3-foot, 6-inch fences.

After the first three courses, only three riders were asked to compete in the fourth course, a handy hunter course. Tosh won at his first try in this championship besting three-time winner Stewart.

Calendar Dec. 12: Frying Pan park hunter show; Kelly's Ford Western show Dec. 13: Hazelwild hunter show; Kelly's Ford Hunter show Dec. 19: TWA jumper show, Hazelwild Dec. 20: TWA hunter show, Hazelwild Dec. 26: TWA jumper show, Hazelwild Dec. 27: TWA hunter show, Hazelwild Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.

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12/14/2009 5:02 PM

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AC Anne Carter Jones Hey Miss Jo, I never could get the sportstv footage WCHR Pro Finals to download, but my awesome customer Andrea found two Hunt's rounds on YouTube. Hunt is amazing! He makes every horse he sits o want to give 110%. His first round was breathtaking. And the second horse g ooo happy. No rubs, no swishy tail...Read More October 24 at 10:00pm 路 Report

Barbara DeeP Sigh Horse Farm is hosting a Special Dressage Clinic with Ms. Jacqueline Naugler Saturday October 10th. For more information see www.dshorsefarm.com October 8 at 6:35pm 路 Report

Hogany Tops Farm Congratulations WCHR Pro Champion!! I am so proud o (for so many reasons!!)!...and I love you! http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=4936 United States Equestrian Federation Source: www.usef.org Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th Annual Professional W Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals for the 2009 American Hun Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged t him. ...

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View all 7 comments Thalia Gentzel I LOVED watching the rounds on the computer - and especially the comment "Hunt Tosh, as cool as the other side of the pillow" You won't touch ground for weeks, will you?

This is soooo huge! You are a great mom!

October 8 at 9:10pm Joi Rodriguez congrats again jo jo great press release also dvd of it they are creating as we speak jr October 9 at 6:22am

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11/4/2009

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge

by Jennifer Wood Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2009

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Upper Marlboro, MD -- The Capital Challenge Horse Show had a full schedule of hunter competition today with many highlights. There were professional hunter SPECIAL DEALS divisions finishing up with championships, plus four championship classes. The big winners were Scott Stewart and World Time in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win, and Katherine Newman guided Day Camp & Riding School Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. Sandy The Best Place For Your Kid To Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Spend the Summer.Call Us Future Hunter World Championship.

Today!

Starting out the day, Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions www.TshCamp.com in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm's Declaration and Scott Stewart. With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Berkley and Sambalino have had a winning season being champion at almost Equestrian Dating everywhere they've competed. Berkley considers Sambalino a very good horse.

"Good horses are born good. When you have a good horse in the division that's View Photo Profiles of Singles. the model winner, that jumps well and that usually wins the hack, it makes for an Equestrian Dating. Join Now Free. easy day for a professional," he said. www.Fitness-Singles.com He described Sambalino as "a good hunter (who) is fun to ride. It's an amazing feeling to jump around an athletic horse, a horse that has brains, scope and uses its body like he can. You just get chills in the schooling area because he can jump a big jump, and he can jump a wide oxer. Good hunters are athletes," he concluded.

The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was the first major class held indoors today. Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91.

John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner's circle in this class, and she floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon.

In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win.

Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court. She showed Daydream for five years, since his Pre-Green year. Newman was excited to do the Emerging Professional Challenge. She remarked, "I think it's a really cool opportunity to do a special class." She noted that the course "had a really good flow to it."

Newman described Daydream as "simple." She added, "You just drop the reins when you go in the ring and just keep going. He loves to jump, and he's so much fun to ride. He looks really small, but he covers so much ground. I know him really well. Every year he's changed and gotten more mature."

The final class of the day was the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66.

Stewart bought World Time as a five-year-old in Holland, and he showed World Time lightly in the Second Year Green Hunters this year. Last year, they were First Year Green Hunter champions at the Washington International Horse Show.

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge

by Jennifer Wood Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2009 Continued: World Time came to Capital Challenge mainly to compete in the junior hunters with Victoria Colvin. Stewart decided two days ago to take World Time in the WCHR Professional Challenge over his other, greener horses. "He's the most straightforward horse," Stewart explained. "He's really dependable. He's so simple, but he's so careful and not spooky. He always comes in and tries to do it right. He's a blast."

Because he has not shown World Time recently, Stewart felt added pressure for himself. "I was more nervous for myself because I haven't ridden him around, but I knew he was going to be perfect which sort of adds to the pressure to me because he always does it right," he commented.

All of the hunter courses have been designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH, and Stewart felt that today's courses were very fitting for the Challenge class. "The courses were nice because there was a lot of galloping room," Stewart explained. "The jumps seemed more like Second Year (height), especially the oxer width. You could ride up to the jumps and get the good jump."

Stewart is pleased with his win today and for qualifying for Friday's WCHR Professional Finals, where the top six hunter riders in the nation will compete headto-head for bragging rights as the best hunter rider. The top six riders that are qualified for Friday night's competition are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, John French, Peter Pletcher, Hunt Tosh, and Kelley Farmer.

The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows: First Year Green Working Hunter Section A Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr. First Year Green Working Hunter Section B Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm Green Conformation Hunter Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Regular Conformation Hunter Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Grand First Year Green Hunter: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Grand Green Hunter: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Grand Conformation Hunter: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Tribute Perpetual Trophy: Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Best Hunter Performance: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler EMO Trip of the Show: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Future Hunter World Championship 1. Showman, Sandy Ferrell, Alexa & Krista Weisman: 90.20+90.20= 180.40 2. Vibe, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman: 85.25+88.80= 174.05 3. Good Humor, Hunt Tosh, M/M Douglas: 86.75+ 87.10= 173.85 4. Listen, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 88.25+83.05= 171.30 5. Rosebud, Kelley Farmer, Spencer Ranch: 83.50+86.90= 170.40 6. Saratoga, Kim Zindel-Buzby, Sissy Wickes: 84.76+83.20= 167.96 7. Second City, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 81.90+81.20= 164.45 8. Summer Place, Scott Stewart, Scott Stewart: 84.50+79.00= 163.50 9. Prudence, Sandy Ferrell, Torrey Pines: 84.00+78.80= 162.80 10. Gladiator, Kristen Coe, S & L Farms: 81.90+76.00= 157.90 11. Sanzibar, Ken Berkley, Karen Long: 85.20+58.20= 142.00 12. Premier, Ken Berkley, Gina Day: 84.70+45.00= 129.70 World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior 1. Hush, John Ingram 2. Sunday Morning, Havens Schatt 3. Dubari, Will Roberts 4. Winter's Tale, Scott Stewart 5. Bijou, Havens Schatt 6. Absolut, Havens Schatt 7. Krystal, Scott Stewart 8. In The Black, Clara Lidner

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Posted: Monday, October 5, 2009

Upper Marlboro, MD -- Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in SPECIAL DEALS the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Day Camp & Riding School The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., The Best Place For Your Kid To presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Spend the Summer.Call Us Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Today!

Show. The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very www.TshCamp.com impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled Horseback Riding after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the Scenic Williamstown, MA English next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass or Western maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along www.cobblehillfarm.com pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. "That was special," Billy later commented. "Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors."

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win.

After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders. "Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in," commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he's been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that.

And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. "My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps," he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. "This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes," commented Billy. "Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation's finest pro hunter riders."

"This is not an easy class to qualify for," added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. "These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm."

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses.

Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

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Continued: LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the SPECIAL DEALS 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and Day Camp & Riding School High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

The Best Place For Your Kid To When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. "I Spend the Summer.Call Us like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump Today! everything every time," commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement. www.TshCamp.com The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3'6" course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Horseback Riding Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

Scenic Williamstown, MA English GOING FOR THE WIN or Western www.cobblehillfarm.com In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt's lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt's lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. "It is a sad day for me because I don't want to give it up. It's been an honor, a great feeling," she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. "It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me," she admitted. "It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me."

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, "I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people's year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it's an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running."

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them.

Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

"I haven't done this before but it's going to be a fun class and another credit to my career," remarked Ken.

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Continued: "It's always exciting," said Peter in his always jovial voice. "It's a great group of riders and I'm looking forward to competing in it again."

SPECIAL DEALS Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, "but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It's exciting. We had a good year so here we are."

John quipped with a smile, "I hope I get lucky!" and although luck was not to be his Day Camp & Riding School John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a The Best Place For Your Kid To local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

Spend the Summer.Call Us And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would "beat the boys." Even though she Today! may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she www.TshCamp.com surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of Horseback Riding hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.

Scenic Williamstown, MA English The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the or Western www.cobblehillfarm.com pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider's top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned

by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter's Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. "This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife," he noted before adding, "For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition."

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, "The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming."

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Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown August 20th, 2009

Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders.

In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored

by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3′6″. The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated

by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm. http://news.horsegirltv.com/?p=1333

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Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown « Horse Show News & Equestrian Press

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“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts.”

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BELINDA HYDE JOINS WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Washington, D.C. (United States) - 08/03/2010 The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), the leading year-end championship horse show in the country, is pleased to announce the appointment of Belinda Hyde of Purcellville, Va., to manage spon...

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LIZA BOYD MAKES IT THREE WINS IN THE 14TH AHJF HUNTER CLASSIC SPECTACULAR Wellington, FL (United States) - 22/02/2010 "He is my Olympic hunter," commented Liza Boyd after she nailed her third victory in the 14th annual AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular in Wellington FL, aboard her seasoned mount, Brunello. Sh...

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GREGORY W. GINGERY ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Washington, D.C. (United States) - 16/02/2010 The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), the leading year-end championship horse show in the country, is pleased to announce the election of Gregory W. Gingery of McLean, Va., and Wellington, F...

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Wellington, FL (United States) - 25/01/2010 On February 14th and on February 20th equestrians will be either scoring points or cheering from the sidelines at two events showcased by the American HunterJumper Foundation (AHJF).

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS Upper Marlboro, MD (United States) - 02/10/2009 Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highes...

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ERIC L. STRAUS JOINS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AS CEO OF WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Washington, D.C. (United States) - 23/09/2009 The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a leading national equestrian event based in Washington, D.C., since 1958, is proud to announce the appointment of Eric L. Straus as the Chief Executive...

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS |

UPPER MARLBORO, MD (UNITED STATES) - 02/10/2009 22:54:46 GMT

Hunt Tosh - Fine Kiss Photo crédit: Diana De Rosa Photo Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As comanager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt.

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As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

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Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both threetime winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth

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round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points.

For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the

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Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden

by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals.

The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at http://www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 SCORE RND 4 FINAL TOTAL Hunt Tosh 93/Lone Star 90.16/As Always 89.33/Lazy Sunday 94.33/Fine Kiss 366.82 1+2 = 183.16 1+2+3= 272.49 Scott Stewart 87.66/Lazy Sunday 85.66/Fine Kiss 91/Illusioin 89.66/Rio Fino W 354.64 1+2 = 173.32 1+2+3= 264.98 Kelley Farmer 88.33/Fine Kiss 88/Illusion 87.66/Rio Fino W 88/Lone Star 351.99 1+2 = 171.32 1+2+3=263.99 Peter Pletcher 84.33/As Always 87.33/Lazy Sunday 91/Fine Kiss 262.66 1+2 = 171.66 1+2+3 = 262.66 John French 82.33/Illusion 85.66/Rio Fino W 89.66/Lone Star 257.65 1+2 = 167.99 1+2+3= 257.65 Ken Berkley 85.33/Rio Fino W 82/Lone Star 79/As Always 246.33 1+2 = 167.33 1+2+3 = 246.33 SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

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AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the nonrecognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5.

John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3.

Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan

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MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey EvansThomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

Source : PRESS LINK PR Author : Diana De Rosa

See articles with the same subject : 2009 CAPITAL CHALLENGE HORSE SHOW

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$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS--Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown

September 14, 2009

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$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS--Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

Sandy Ferrell was named 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider after winning the WCHR Pro Finals, which took place October 3rd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. (l-r) GeoffTeall, LouiseSerio, AmandaSteege, TiffanyPelton, LaurenWood. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of PreGreen horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke

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9/14/2009

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS--Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown

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Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization.

This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

Sandy Ferrell aboard Maddox after winning the 2008 AHJF Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals which took place October 3rd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. ©Diana De Rosa Photo

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

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9/14/2009

The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals Friday, Dec 11th

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for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never

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looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Hunt Tosh and Fine Kiss Photo by Diana DeRosa

The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

Billy Glass Photo by Diana DeRosa

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

Page 2 of 9 they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co -manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even

though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff.

“My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99).

Finishing 4th (after three rounds)

was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

The Competition Peter Pletcher and LazySunday Photo by Diana DeRosa

The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

Page 3 of 9 won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year.

For

Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses.

Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart.

The winner of

the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other.

“I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is

going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

Going For The Win

In the first round Hunt

Kelley Farmer and Illusion Photo by Diana DeRosa

took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

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maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16).

Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round.

After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy.

They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

The Finals Are Loved By The Pros The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken.

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“It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys.

It’s exciting. We had a good year so

here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.”

Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers Kelly Gogul, Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston Photo by Diana DeRosa

framed the picture.

Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the

winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

American Hunter-Jumper Foundation The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

Money, Trophies, Prizes and More

AHJF Awards Photo by Diana DeRosa

A number of special awards were given out as

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

Page 6 of 9 well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working

Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99).

In

addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner.

Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm,

handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing.

I sense a renewed and energized AHJF

and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

Special Awards AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a pe rson who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

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Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden

by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4.

Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

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pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; AmateurOwner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; AmateurOwner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

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Home Âť Headlines $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals By: Newsroom Associate Last Modified: 8/17/2009 1:34:49 PM

Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown

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Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation's elite Print Article pro hunter riders. In 2008 a Email to Friend delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored

by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003).

For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. "It's the one class where we are all rooting for each other," commented Ferrell. "Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don't see in our other competitions."

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of PreGreen horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

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8/17/2009

$7,500 WCHR Professional Finals - HorsesintheSouth.com

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Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the "All the Way" Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter -Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

"The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters," explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link.

"Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

Press Contact: Press Link/Diana De Rosa, 516-848-4867, dderosa1@optonline.net Newsroom Associate Staff Writer support@horsesinthesouth.com

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Katherine Newman Scores Major Win in $5,000 Emerging Subscribe Home Professional Rider Challenge Articles Subscribe to Our Blog A Horse Blog - Our Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 | Competitions, Hunter, Jumper, Riding Disciplines | Posts Blog Enter your email address in Comments Events Calendar the box below: Equine Directory Resource Guide Subscribe Market Place Provided by FeedBurner Classifieds Advertising & Web Services Newsletter Archives Share Contact Us About Us Photo Caption: Katherine Newman and Daydream took first place in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge at Capital Challenge Horse Show.

Photo © 2009 Jennifer Wood.

Upper Marlboro, MD – October 6, 2009 – Katherine Newman of Wellington, FL, added another incredible win to her list of accomplishments this past week at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Newman took first place in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge, a class open to professionals who have yet to win a championship at the Devon Horse Show or any of the fall indoor horse shows. Eighteen-year-old Newman earned numerous tricolors at indoors as a junior competitor; however, this is her first year riding as a professional.

The one round class welcomed over 25 competitive horse and rider combinations, and Newman’s smooth round and high score of 87.66 secured her the win. She rode Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith of Middleburg, VA. Newman, who has ridden Daydream for five years, rides as a professional for her parents, Kathy and Gerry Newman. They own Allwyn Court, a hunter/jumper show stable based in Wellington, FL. “It was a great week,” smiled Newman. “It was really exciting because that was my first big win as a professional. I had actually qualified for the regular Professional Hunter Challenge, and it went right before the Emerging Pro class.

I was able to go in there and kind of practice a little,” she said. “It was a lot of fun because I know Daydream so well, and I don’t have insecurities with him in the ring.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8396 Share and Enjoy: • • • • • • • Furl

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October 2, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the • 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this Pages prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. • About Me and HorsesintheSouth.com The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., • Food, Recipes, presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the Gardening American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital • Horses in Need of a Challenge Horse Show.

Good Home • Photo Galleries The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and Search then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French. Read more> search... http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8391 GO

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10/7/2009

The Hunt Was On in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals - HorsesintheSouth.com

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October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD - Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

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The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse A Horse Blog - Our Show.

Blog The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive Calendar of Events opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet Equine Directory dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Resource Guide Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

Market Place During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled Classified Ads after each round. By the ingate as riders Advertising & Web handed off horses they offered tips to the next Services riders and cheered on their opponents. As coBanner Request manager Billy Glass (left) maneuvered past the Form ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him Newsletters on as he negotiated his final round. "That was About Us special," Billy later commented. "Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory Contact Us he was there for his competitors."

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The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win.

After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

"Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night.

Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in," commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he's been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

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10/7/2009

The Hunt Was On in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals - HorsesintheSouth.com

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Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. "My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps," he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA (right), claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three.

In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. "This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes," commented Billy. "Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation's finest pro hunter riders."

"This is not an easy class to qualify for," added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. "These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm."

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. "I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time," commented Peter (left) as the other riders nodded in agreement.

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10/7/2009

The Hunt Was On in the AHJF WCHR Pro Finals - HorsesintheSouth.com

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The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3'6" course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt (right) took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley (left) who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt's lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt's lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. "It is a sad day for me because I don't want to give it up. It's been an honor, a great feeling," she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. "It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs.

It meant that much to me," she admitted. "It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me."

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President Keeley Gogul commented, "I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people's year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it's an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running."

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For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

"I haven't done this before but it's going to be a fun class and another credit to my career," remarked Ken. "It's always exciting," said Peter in his always jovial voice. "It's a great group of riders and I'm looking forward to competing in it again."

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, "but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It's exciting. We had a good year so here we are."

John quipped with a smile, "I hope I get lucky!" and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would "beat the boys." Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler (right) were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider's top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned

by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter's Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative

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total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. "This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife," he noted before adding, "For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition."

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, "The past year has been unique.

After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming."

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link:http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results, go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-8356125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

Hunt Tosh

93/Lone Star

Scott Stewart

87.66/Lazy Sunday

89.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2+3= 272.49 91/Illusioin 1+2+3= 264.98

Kelley Farmer

88.33/Fine Kiss

Peter Pletcher

84.33/As Always

John French

82.33/Illusion

Ken Berkley

85.33/Rio Fino W

90.16/As Always 1+2 = 183.16 85.66/Fine Kiss 1+2 = 173.32 88/Illusion 1+2 = 171.32 87.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2 = 171.66 85.66/Rio Fino W 1+2 = 167.99 82/Lone Star 1+2 = 167.33

87.66/Rio Fino W 1+2+3=263.99 91/Fine Kiss 1+2+3 = 262.66 89.66/Lone Star 1+2+3= 257.65 79/As Always 1+2+3 = 246.33

SCORE RND 4 94.33/Fine Kiss

FINAL TOTAL 366.82

89.66/Rio Fino W

354.64

88/Lone Star

351.99

262.66

257.65

246.33

SPECIAL AWARDS

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AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned

by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4' hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER'S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia's treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields.

(Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

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ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children's: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children's: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children's: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; AmateurOwner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children's: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children's: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children's: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children's: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; AmateurOwner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children's: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey EvansThomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735 Cell: 516-848-4867 E-mail: dderosa1@optonline.net Newsroom Associate Staff Writer support@horsesinthesouth.com

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Articles: Press Release The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

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The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

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October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD - Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the

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class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. "That was special," Billy later commented. "Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors."

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

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"Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in," commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he's been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. "My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps," he continued.

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After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. "This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes," commented Billy. "Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation's finest pro hunter riders."

"This is not an easy class to qualify for," added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. "These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm."

THE COMPETITION

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The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

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ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

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FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. "I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time," commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3'6" course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the

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course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt's lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt's lead.

Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. "It is a sad day for me because I don't want to give it up. It's been an honor, a great feeling," she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. "It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me," she admitted. "It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me."

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, "I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people's year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it's an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running."

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

"I haven't done this before but it's going to be a fun class and another credit to my career," remarked Ken. "It's always exciting," said Peter in his always jovial voice. "It's a great group of riders and I'm looking forward to competing in it again."

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, "but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It's exciting. We had a good year so here we are."

John quipped with a smile, "I hope I get lucky!" and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would "beat the boys." Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

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The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateurowner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider's top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter's Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. "This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife," he noted before adding, "For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition."

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, "The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming."

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/.

For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net. RESULTS

RIDER

RND 1

RND 2

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

FINAL TOTAL

SP AW

Hunt Tosh

93/Lone Star

90.16/As Always

89.33/Lazy Sunday

94.33/Fine Kiss

366.82

AH OL SP LIF AC AW

1+2 183.16

= 1+2+3= 272.49

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HorseWeb Articles: Horse News - The Hunt Was On In The AHJF WCHR Pro Finals

Scott Stewart

87.66/Lazy Sunday

85.66/Fine Kiss

91/Illusioin

89.66/Rio Fino W

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354.64

1+2+3= 264.98 1+2 173.32 Kelley Farmer

88.33/Fine Kiss

88/Illusion 1+2 171.32

Peter Pletcher

84.33/As Always

87.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2 171.66

John French

=

85.66/Rio Fino W

87.66/Rio Fino 88/Lone W Star

351.99

= 1+2+3=263.99 91/Fine Kiss 1+2+3 = 262.66

262.66 =

89.66/Lone Star

257.65

82.33/Illusion 1+2 167.99 Ken Berkley

= 1+2+3= 257.65

85.33/Rio Fino 82/Lone Star 79/As Always W 1+2 = 1+2+3 = 167.33 246.33

246.33

Lou Se Ke Sq (Pr to a wh exe gre sup life com to t of h and com JEF KA ME AW Sm ridd Joh (ow Iwa Re

Tot 186 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Y Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (o & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the gr receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combina accumulates the most points in either of the 4' hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plu divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Regio Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show a of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their ca meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the s with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER'S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sy treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the awa encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owne Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulat most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Sho Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCH Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (

by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and pre a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunte hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH

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PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children's: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children's: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; AmateurOwner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children's: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children's: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children's: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children's: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children's: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children's: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

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Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by StillwellHansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of PreGreen horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link.

“Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

(Source: AHP)

http://www.horsus.nl/news/?id=840&page=3

Published: 20 August 2009 14:52

9/6/2009

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$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS - Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown August 17, 2009 Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=8323

8/18/2009

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS - Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown : Hunter Jumper News Page 2 of 9 (2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell. “Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our other competitions.”

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3′6″. The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider, but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated

by The Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm.

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts.”

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

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8/18/2009

Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge : Hunte... Page 1 of 12

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge October 1, 2009

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10/4/2009

Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge : Hunte... Page 2 of 12

Upper Marlboro, MD - October 1, 2009 - The Capital Challenge Horse Show had a full schedule of hunter competition Wednesday with many highlights. There were professional hunter divisions finishing up with championships, plus four championship classes. The big winners were Scott Stewart and World Time in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win, and Katherine Newman guided Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Future Hunter World Championship.

Starting out the day, Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm’s Declaration and Scott Stewart. With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Berkley and Sambalino have had a winning season being champion at almost everywhere they’ve competed. Berkley considers Sambalino a very good horse. “Good horses are born good.

When you have a good horse in the division that’s the model winner, that jumps well and that usually wins the hack, it makes for an easy day for a professional,” he said.

He described Sambalino as “a good hunter (who) is fun to ride. It’s an amazing feeling to jump around an athletic horse, a horse that has brains, scope and uses its body like he can. You just get chills in the schooling area because he can jump a big jump, and he can jump a wide oxer. Good hunters are athletes,” he concluded.

The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was the first major class held indoors today. Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91.

John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner’s circle in this class, and she floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon.

In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9203

10/4/2009

Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge : Hunte... Page 3 of 12

Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court. She showed Daydream for five years, since his Pre-Green year.

Newman was excited to do the Emerging Professional Challenge. She remarked, “I think it’s a really cool opportunity to do a special class.” She noted that the course “had a really good flow to it.”

Newman described Daydream as “simple.” She added, “You just drop the reins when you go in the ring and just keep going. He loves to jump, and he’s so much fun to ride. He looks really small, but he covers so much ground. I know him really well. Every year he’s changed and gotten more mature.”

The final class of the day was the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66.

Stewart bought World Time as a five-year-old in Holland, and he showed World Time lightly in the Second Year Green Hunters this year. Last year, they were First Year Green Hunter champions at the Washington International Horse Show.

World Time came to Capital Challenge mainly to compete in the junior hunters with Victoria Colvin. Stewart decided two days ago to take World Time in the WCHR Professional Challenge over his other, greener horses. “He’s the most straightforward horse,” Stewart explained. “He’s really dependable. He’s so simple, but he’s so careful and not spooky. He always comes in and tries to do it right. He’s a blast.”

Because he has not shown World Time recently, Stewart felt added pressure for himself. “I was more nervous for myself because I haven’t ridden him around, but I knew he was going to be perfect…which sort of adds to the pressure to me because he always does it right,” he commented.

All of the hunter courses have been designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH, and Stewart felt that today’s courses were very fitting for the Challenge class. “The courses were nice because there was a lot of galloping room,” Stewart explained. “The jumps seemed more like Second Year (height), especially the oxer width. You could ride up to the jumps and get the good jump.”

Stewart is pleased with his win today and for qualifying for Friday’s WCHR Professional Finals, where the top six hunter riders in the nation will compete head-to-head for bragging rights as the best hunter rider. The top six riders that are qualified for Friday night’s competition are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, John French, Peter Pletcher, Hunt Tosh, and Kelley Farmer.

The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows: First Year Green Working Hunter Section A Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr. First Year Green Working Hunter Section B Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm Green Conformation Hunter Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Regular Conformation Hunter Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9203

10/4/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS October 4, 2009

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10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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October 4, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As comanager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented.

“Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9244

10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both threetime winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

GOING FOR THE WIN

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10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken.

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10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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“It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals.

The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9244

10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community.

As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 SCORE RND 4 Hunt Tosh 93/Lone Star 90.16/As Always 1+2 = 183.16 89.33/Lazy Sunday 1+2+3= 272.49 94.33/Fine Kiss 366.82

FINAL TOTAL

Scott Stewart 87.66/Lazy Sunday 85.66/Fine Kiss 1+2 = 173.32 91/Illusioin 1+2+3= 264.98 89.66/Rio Fino W 354.64 Kelley Farmer 88.33/Fine Kiss 88/Illusion 1+2 = 171.32 87.66/Rio Fino W 1+2+3=263.99 88/Lone Star 351.99 Peter Pletcher 84.33/As Always 1+2 = 171.66 91/Fine Kiss 1+2+3 = 262.66 262.66

87.33/Lazy Sunday

John French 82.33/Illusion 85.66/Rio Fino W 1+2 = 167.99 89.66/Lone Star 1+2+3= 257.65 257.65 Ken Berkley 85.33/Rio Fino W 1+2 = 167.33 79/As Always 1+2+3 = 246.33 246.33

82/Lone Star

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10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts. Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned

by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4. Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3.

Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9244

10/5/2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS : Hunter Jumper News

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ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

Written by Diana DeRosa · Filed Under Capital Challenge, Diana DeRosa, USA Tagged: Comments Got something to say?

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10/7/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: $7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS

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Home Search NWHS

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AUG 17, 2009

$7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS

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Ultimate Hunter Rider Pro Showdown Over the years the $7,500 WCHR Professional Finals have been won by the nation’s elite pro hunter riders. In 2008 a delighted Sandy Ferrell, Bernville, PA, garnered her first Pro Finals victory. Sandy is attempting to qualify again

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to see if she can earn back her title on Friday evening, October 2nd, during the

Events Calendar

Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper

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Marlboro, MD. The class is sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and presented

by John R. Ingram Fund & The Ingram Family.

In prior years the finals were dominated by John French, Redwood City, CA (2000 and 2006), Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (2001 and 2005), Peter

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Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (2002, 2004, 2007), Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ

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(2003). For these and other pro riders these Finals are their one and only

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chance to rival each other for the most sought after professional hunter title.

It is a rivalry that reeks of camaraderie and love for their fellow horsemen. “It’s the one class where we are all rooting for each other,” commented Ferrell.

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Upcoming Northwest Equine

“Trainers helping trainers, grooms helping grooms, and riders giving advice to

Events

other riders; that camaraderie is a great thing and one we don’t see in our

Fri, Sep 11 2009

other competitions.”

NFQHA

The horses are provided by the six riders who qualify for the class and with the

Regional & All

exception of Pre-Green horses, all horses are eligible. The class is judged on

Breed Show

presentation of the horse and style of the rider and is scored under the open

Fri, Sep 11 2009

numerical system by multiple teams of two judges.

AQHA

Each rider competes in three rounds on three different horses over a course of eight to ten fences set at 3'6". The three best riders advance to a fourth handy hunter round on a horse they have not ridden. The rider with the highest cumulative four-round total is the ultimate winner.

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/08/7500-wchr-professional-finals.html

Western

Professional Horseman Clinics, sponsored by Oregon QHA

9/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: $7,500 WCHR PROFESSIONAL FINALS

Page 2 of 3

The winner not only earns the most prestigious title available to a hunter rider,

Fri, Sep 11 2009

but the “All the Way” Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and

Michelle

Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The

Binder

Karazissis Family is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest single round score. The winner also receives a $3,000 cash award from the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of hosting this class.

Relational Riding Clinic Thu, Sep 10 2009

Oregon QHA Fall

Through its support of professional hunter riders, the AHJF ensures coverage

Spectacular

of both the championship and the winning ride by also giving the rider a year-

Show

long publicity sponsorship which is fulfilled by Press Link PR, an equine

Mon, Sep 7 2009

focused PR firm.

Labor Day

“The AHJF is a visionary organization. This sponsorship is a perfect example of how they do things that improve and promote the sport of hunters,” explains

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Diana De Rosa, president of Press Link. “Because of this approach there has been an amazing growth in all areas, including in the competition arena, in how many people own hunters and in the amount of coverage seen in equine focused media. We owe the AHJF thanks for having the foresight to think of innovative ways to promote this sport. The hunter horses and riders are the ones who are benefiting from their efforts."

For information AHJF or its programs, contact the AHJF at PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508-835-6125, email ahjf@earthlink.net or visit their web site at www.ahjf.org.

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http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/08/7500-wchr-professional-finals.html

9/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

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OCT 5, 2009

THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

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October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round

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of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for

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the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He

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negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four

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rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first

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attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince

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George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR

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Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John

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R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-

Northwest Roundup NWHS Magazine About Us Subscribe Past Issues Contact Us Submission Guidelines Advertise Make a Payment Help

Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive

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opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken

Upcoming

Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French. During the class the

Northwest

crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round.

Equine

By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders

Events

and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past

Mon, Oct 12 2009

the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to

Columbus Day

Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,”

Sat, Oct 10 2009

Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at

Essential

victory he was there for his competitors.” The atmosphere was one of

Horsemanship

camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the

Clinic with Sus

awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and

Kellogg

press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and

Sat, Oct 10 2009

spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders. “Everything about

Fall Fun

this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you

Schooling

complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets

Show

a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt. As a first

Sat, Oct 10 2009

time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an

Ranch Roping & Horsemanship

extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/hunt-was-on-in-ahjf-wchr-pro-finals.html

10/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

Page 2 of 6

captivates him most. Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also

Clinic with

his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and

Paul Rogers

that really helps,” he continued. After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA,

Sat, Oct 10 2009

claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott

Jackson

Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was

County

paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99).

Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33). Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,”

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commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.” “This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd

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showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.” THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing. In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply

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one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions. ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior

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Hunter Division. FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare. LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach. CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes,

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Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba. When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement. The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their

Reviews Reviews ( 3 ) • Profile • Reviews

horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges. GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/hunt-was-on-in-ahjf-wchr-pro-finals.html

10/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

Page 3 of 6

(93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33). The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round.

After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99). Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total. Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals. THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented. Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.” After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.” For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse. “I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.” Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters. And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.”

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/hunt-was-on-in-ahjf-wchr-pro-finals.html

10/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

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Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture.

Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.. The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition. AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge. The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009). At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler.

Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship. A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since. Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible

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10/6/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS

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hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.” For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link:

http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844.

For complete results go to the horse show link:

http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org. For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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OCT 16, 2009

Jennifer Gurney and The Other Brother Win $10,000 North American League Adult Hunter Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show

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Harrisburg, PA - October 16, 2009 - The third time was the charm for Jennifer Gurney as she guided The Other

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Brother to the win in the $10,000 North American League Adult Hunter Final held during the Pennsylvania

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National Horse Show. Gurney, from Cazenovia, NY, had shown in the final on two other occasions, but the third

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time around was perfection. "Two years ago Wahoo was 10th in the NAL class", said Gurney. "Last year The Other Brother was 7th and Wahoo didn't get a ribbon." "I kind of got hooked on the NAL a couple of years ago when I did

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Wahoo", Gurney went on to say. "It seemed like a reasonable goal to set. The show is a blast, so the first time I

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came here I thought wow, this is where I want to be. I don't get to show every weekend, so we had to pick and

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choose as to where we could rack up enough points to get in. I think I showed nine or ten times, he's fifth in Zone 2

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and has been champion every time out and won almost every class. He's been a star, if I get him right and prep him right and get him in the right frame of mind, he is just an absolute pleasure. You just sit there and enjoy the ride."

"He was slightly looky in the first round. Many people were having trouble with the oxer. I kind of let him hunt down the last line. I might have been a little deep to the last one but I didn't want to take back. I got an 82 in the

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first round and I was in the hunt with that. Then I took him up there (to the schooling area) and galloped him, and

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slow him down and sit a little to go forward. He foresees what I want him to do. You can feel him see the distances.

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He knows his job. He is a cool, cool horse. My score in the second round was an 88, and he was so wonderful, I couldn't ask for anything better. I was thrilled It! It was so much fun." I grew up riding show horses, got out of it for fifteen years, did the race horses and galloped race horses on the track and the whole nine yards. My parents own race horses, I managed a farm in Westchester for about ten years and didn't have time for anything else, 100 acres and 100 horses and so after I had my second child we bought our own farm and I started getting back into it.

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I never expected to get into it the way I have. It's been a blast, an absolute blast. He does Zones on Sunday and then

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on Monday he gets his shoes pulled off and gets turned out for the winter." The NAL runs season-long series in

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seven hunter-jumper divisions - Adult Hunter, presented by Cavalor, Children's Hunter, Open Jumper Speed, Adult Jumper, Children's Jumper, Pony Jumper and the new Low Junior/ Amateur-Owner Jumper. The NAL qualifying period started September 1, 2008 and ended August 31, 2009. While riders did not need to be members

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of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, only current members earned points toward year-end finals. The 2009 Pennsylvania National Horse Show runs October 8-17, at the Pennsylvania Farm and Show Complex in Harrisburg, and features 10 full days of hunter and jumper competition with both amateurs and professionals vying for the coveted championships. The Pennsylvania National hosts 10 national championships. The competition highlight is the $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National on Saturday, October 17th at 7:00 pm. Special event highlights include: Kinsley Construction Company Hunt Night Competition, Jack Russell Terrier Races, The North American Fox Hunting Horn Blowing Championship, Family Days with Free Pony Rides. There will be demonstrations, as well as special educational events and barrel and carriage racing. The show is entertaining and educational. Approximately 70 vendors are accepted offering a wide variety of items: clothing, gifts and antiques, custom signs and furniture, fine and costume jewelry, toys, pet items, t-shirts and tack shops. All offer a unique variety of items sure to please horse lovers and non-horse people alike. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show is proud of its tradition of supporting both equine and youth programs. The show benefits the Harrisburg Kiwanis Youth Foundation and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

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Hunt Tosh Wins Debut Performance in WCHR Professional Finals at Capital Challenge Brubaker Takes Second WCHR Adult Finals, Cash Wins Ariat Adult Medal Finals, Hooker Retains Lead in NA Junior/AO Challenge Cup Upper Marlboro, MD - October 7, 2009 - The highlight event of the Capital Challenge Horse Show was held this evening to a solid crowd of fans in the stands. In the WCHR Professional Finals, the top six qualified hunter riders in the nation went head-to-head in a four-round class to determine the 2009 Professional World Champion Hunter Rider. Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, led the class from the beginning to win in his debut in the prestigious event.

Tosh started out the night with a bang when he scored a 93 in the first round on the horse he brought to the competition, Lone Star, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. In the second round, he rode Camira, owned by Melanie Barnes, brought to the competition by Peter Pletcher. They scored a 90.16 to raise Tosh's total to 183.16. In the third round, Tosh and Lindsay Wolf's Lazy Sunday had a score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49. Tosh qualified as one of the top three riders to return for the final handy round. He piloted Fine Kiss, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. They scored the highest round of the night with a 94.33 to give Tosh a total of 366.82 points for the win. Tosh was thrilled to win his first WCHR Professional Finals. "When you win in a class like this, it's an especially big victory, and it is fun to do. I've watched it in the past, and it's something that you always want to win and hope you can come back. I hope to do it again like these guys." Tosh was speaking of his fellow competitors, like three-time winners Peter Pletcher and Scott Stewart, two-time winner John French, newcomer Ken Berkley, and Kelley Farmer. "I was lucky to have a high score on my horse to begin with," Tosh pointed out. "So once you start thinking about the third and fourth horse, you're basically hoping you don't mess up. Everything happens so fast down there, and you just get caught up in it. It was nice that way for me because you don't have time to slow down and think about where you are and where everyone else is." The class was praised for the group of quality horses that were brought in this year. "There were some really good jumpers. They were probably the best hunter type horses that we've had in the history of the class, which is nice. I think it was a great evening," said second-place finisher Scott Stewart. Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year's World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals. She won the Finals aboard Caitlin Zeigler's Relentless (left).

The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship this year. The top twelve horses from the first round were invited back to compete in the second round. Brubaker and Relentless were in fifth place after round one with a score of 83.66. Coming back for round two, they put in a very consistent and composed round earning a high score of 87.00. The duo finished with a combined score of 170.66 to secure the win. Relentless was a catch ride for Brubaker, who doesn't have her own horse. Through her trainers, Archie Cox and Tracy Behr, she is able to find rides throughout the season and compete at the WCHR shows. "Archie and Tracy sit down with me at the beginning of each year, and we write down goals. I keep that on my mirror on home," Brubaker explained. "After last year, our goal this year was to win the WCHR National Championship. Anything else that came along was great." The ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka. The two achieved a first round high score of 87.20. The top ten horses from the first round returned to the ring for another go. Once again, Cash and Calinka took the high score of the round with an 86.60 for a final score of 173.80. Calinka is owned by Laura Gamino. The $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup wrapped up the Friday afternoon session. Only eight managed to go clear over the speed course designed

by Conrad Homfeld. Last to go was Thursday night's winner Tim Hooker and his own Sirius 127. Hooker rode the course impeccably with quick turns and shaved time off the clock by leaving out a stride in the first line. Hooker tried to leave out a stride again in the last line but got into a tight spot to the last oxer. The ever-athletic Sirius 127 (below) made a great effort to easily clear the jump. They finished with a time of 54.574 seconds, 0.552 seconds faster than Lauren Crooks and Endeavor, who finished second with a time of 54.997. The final round of the Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup will take place on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. The class is a timed first jump-off format with $25,000 in prize money. The overall winner will take home the Ariat Congressional Cup. Competition continues tomorrow with the conclusion of the Pony Hunters. The Junior Hunters will award championships on Sunday. For more information about the show including photos, news, and results, visit the official web site at www.capitalchallenge.org. To watch live footage of this year's horse show, please visit www.equestriansport.tv. This year's Capital Challenge Horse Show will run from September 26 through October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The horse show is conveniently located off of Route 4, just seven miles east of the Capital Beltway. WCHR Professional Finals 1. Hunt Tosh 93+90.16+89.33+94.33= 366.82 Lone Start owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler 2. Scott Stewart 87.66+85.66+91.66+89.66= 354.64 Lazy Sunday owned by Lindsay Wolf 3. Kelley Farmer 88.33+88.00+87.66+88.00= 351.99 Fine Kiss owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare 4. Peter Pletcher 84.33+87.33+91.00= 262.66 Camira owned by Melanie Barnes 5. John French 82.33+85.66+89.66= 257.65 Illusion owned by Paige Dotson 6. Ken Berkley 85.33+82.00+79.00= 246.33 Rio Fino W owned by Wendy Hofmeister WCHR Adult Amateur Finals 1. Amy Brubaker, Relentless 83.66+87.00=170.66 2. Lindsey Evans- Thomas, Promise 84.25+83.66=167.91 3. Jeanine Cash, Washington 84.00+83.00=167.00 4. Laura Beckworth, Holiday 84.33+81.83=166.16 5. Darby Mazzarisi, Mickey Mouse 81.33+83.33=164.66 6. Missy Luczak, Ledger 79.33+80.33=159.66 7. Mimi Tashjian, Collin 82.33+77.33=159.66 8. Lisa Arena, Endo Fino 87.00+71.33=158.33 9. Gail Horrigan, By Design 76.16+73.33=149.49 10. Ainsley Sadlo, Vermilion 73.33+76.00=149.33 ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals 1. Jeanine Cash, Calinka 87.20+86.60=173.80 2. Brian Feigus, Winston 85.00+82.95=167.95 3. Amy Brubaker, War Eagle 83.70+84.20=167.90 4. Emma Mann-Meginniss, Temptation 82.05+81.10=163.15 5. Kristina Lyons, Cocoa 78.05+84.00= 162.05 6. Melissa Feller Commander Tom 79.00+82.00=161.00 7. Amy Cooper, Spy Glass 78.05+79.00=157.05 8. Elise Cook, Lion King 80.50+76.00=156.50 9.

Elysse Ruschmeyer, Arkits 79.20+77.00=156.20 10. Caroline Hughes, Prince Ferdinand 78.50+75.60=154.10 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Round Two 1. Tim Hooker, Sirius 127 0/54.475 2. Lauren Crooks,

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Northwest Horse Source News

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points clear of dressage winner Shelley Temple. “I wanted her to go out a champion,” said Stafford, a two-time Individual medalist at the last two World Championships. A new face won the Single Horse Championship, as Fritz Grupe maintained the lead he commanded on the first day despite the fact that his horse has only been driven as a single three times.” The National title made the four day trip from California easier to bear. “It’s great to be here in KY and to get a medal,” said Grupe. “ I was scheduled to be on a fishing trip in Alaska, but he was driving so well I decided to come. “It is encouraging to know those of us from the West are competitive.” Grupe won his championship by just more than five points, making this the closest of all the FEI classes. There were two other titles defended at the 2009 USEF National Driving Championships, In the Pony Champs, Tracey Morgan and Lisa Stroud both extended their streaks, sweeping the Pairs and Team Championships respectively. Both popular drivers won by very comfortable margins.

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS October 2, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored

by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French. During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.” The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders. “Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt. As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most. Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued. After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33). Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.” “This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.” THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before.

Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing. In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions. ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division. FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare. LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained

by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach. CAMIRA, 10-

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year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba. When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement. The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring.

And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges. GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33). The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99). Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy.

They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total. Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Hunt’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Hunt’s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals. THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented. Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.” After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment. AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.” For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse. “I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.” Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys.

It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.” John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters. And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more.. The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition. AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge. The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009). At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China

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Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award. This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship. A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since. Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.” Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.” For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link:

http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php? g2_itemId=155844. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org.

Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org. For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508 -835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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Bright Stars Sirius 127 and Tim Hooker Win $40,000 North American Junior/AmateurOwner Challenge Cup Grand Pony Hunter Championship Awarded to Franklin's Tower and Taylor Ann Adams, Lyle and O'Mara Win $5,000 Handy Hunter Challenge Upper Marlboro, MD - October 3, 2009 - It was another day filled with exciting competition at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. The evening session consisted of the final round of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, and early leader Tim Hooker on Sirius 127 was able to retain that lead for the series win. Hayley Barnhill and Toucan Tango won the $25,000 final class. The pony hunters finished their divisions and the Grand Pony Hunter Championship was awarded to Franklin's Tower and Taylor Ann Adams. Two junior hunter championships were also named. In tonight's final round of the $40,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, 15-year-old Hayley Barnhill from Memphis, TN, rode Toucan Tango (left), a seven-year-old Holsteiner/Selle Francais gelding, to the win. The Time First Jump-off course was designed by Conrad Homfeld, and the class was presented by the Oken family and Hi Hopes Farm. Out of 24 entries in the class, there were eight clear rounds. Barnhill returned fourth in the order and put in a quick, clear round in 38.669 seconds. Every rider after her had faults, which gave Barnhill the win. "I was a little nervous about it, but I knew he would be good and he'd be there for me," she said afterwards. "It looked a little hard. We thought to go for it, but not be too crazy because we're trying to get ready for Harrisburg." Barnhill and Toucan Tango will compete next in the Prix des States team competition. For Hooker, his plan of taking the early lead in Thursday night's speed class came to fruition. Hooker and Sirius 127, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, won the first two speed phases of the Challenge Cup. In tonight's class, they had four faults and placed ninth. Hooker had to wait and see how Tracey Weinberg did in the jump-off to determine whether he would lead the victory gallop. If Weinberg had won, she would have repeated her victory from last year. If she was second, she would have had to jump-off against Hooker. When Weinberg had a rail on her final mount, it gave the win to Hooker. "I'm very glad to win the Cup here. I was aiming for it from the time I got here," Hooker said. "I tried to take the lead early because I felt it would be necessary to give me a shot at keeping Tracey from winning. Fortunately my plan worked." Hooker was also thrilled to compete against his daughter Heather, who made it to the jump-off tonight and placed fourth. "It was a lot of fun to ride with Heather in this class," he said. "I hope to be doing that for years to come." Along with winning the Ariat Congressional Cup, Hooker (below right) was named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider. Barnhill was named Best Junior Jumper Rider. This year's Grand Pony Hunter Championship went to the winner in the Large Pony Hunter division, Franklin's Tower, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams for Meg O'Mara. They won three over fences classes and also placed third over fences. The reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters was For the Laughter, ridden by Victoria Colvin for Scott Stewart. They won an over fences class and the under saddle. Adams was also named the Best Pony Rider and they won the EMO Pony Trip of the Show with a score of 90. Adams has been riding

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TOP AUTHOR AND TRAINER TO SPEAK AT WOMEN'S HORSE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE The Women's Horse Industry Association is pleased to announce that Janet Del Castillo will be speaking at the upcoming Women's Horse Industry conference November 3-4, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. From the Peace Corps to the paddocks, Janet has lead a life full of excitement and challenge. She was touched so deeply by President Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, she dropped out of San Francisco State University and went to serve her country in Columbia, South America. She was the only American in a small rural village where she delivered babies by candlelight and inoculated neighboring villagers against an outbreak of smallpox, traveling to them by dugout canoe. After eighteen years of marriage to a physician, divorce forced her to confront the realities of making a living in the real world. She was left with the responsibility of raising three teenage children, a barn full of racehorses and a farm to manage. The farm was miles from the nearest race track and it occurred to her that her horses might just train as well if not better, on the sandy trails among the orange groves. With the help of her children, she galloped her horse into condition in the orange groves and swam them in the lake. Then, when they were ready and to the amazement and amusement of trainers, owners and journalists, she packed up her horses and took them to the track to race. When opportunity and preparedness come together, miracles happen and one did for Janet. She purchased a "throw away" horse that was donated to a children's home. As a favor to the home, she took the filly (First Prediction) and trained her into becoming a major stakes winner in Florida, earning over $300,000. Her success dispelled the myth that all racehorses must live at the track and be trained there. Hers come off the farm...a horse's natural environment and are hauled to the track the night before the race or the day of the race. Under this training program, her horses run with no medication and remain sound. First Prediction ran 100 races, placing or winning in 50% of them. Her off beat training program does not consist of simply keeping the racehorses on the farm. It blends practical experience with common sense and is designed to enhance the endurance, strength and physical maturity horses need to withstand the breakneck speeds of racing. She believes that a horse was meant to be a horse and not stuck in a stall 23 hours a day and exercised one hour, and that fit, healthy horses do not need to be medicated. Del Castillo has given seminars and speeches at many tracks around the country. And, she has written the well known book, "Backyard Race Horse", a training manual for people who want to train horses on their farms and backyards. The book is now in its 4th printing and more than 24,000 copies have been sold. She has also produced a pilot for a television series, Backyard Race Horse, which is now being pitched to many major networks, including the Animal Planet and PBS. Whether you have a thoroughbred, quarter horse, pain, Arabian or appaloosa, or you show and jump, Janet's book can help you discover how get a well-conditioned horse and results that are low cost. If you want to take them to the track, all the better. Horses, she says, just love to run. "We are very happy to have someone with Janet's expertise speak at our conference. I've been lucky enough to see her book and instructional video and all I can say is, "Wow". I am very impressed with her understanding of the training aspect of our industry and know that she will definitely be a big hit at the conference. To accomplish what she has without using drugs on her horses is for many in the industry, a big step in the right direction." states Catherine Masters. The theme of the Women's Horse Industry Conference is: MARKETING AND MAKING YOUR HORSE BUSINESS SUCCEED". "This conference is all about learning the tricks of the trade in marketing as well as learning new techniques to keeping your horses healthy. There will be a lot of business taking place at the event and attendees are advised to bring plenty of business cards and information on their companies," states Catherine Masters, Executive Director. The event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Phillips Lane in Louisville, Kentucky. For a complete list of speakers and other hotels, please visit: www.womenshorseindustry.com and click on 2009 Conference. Limited exhibit space is still available. For additional information or to sign up to attend, please call (615) 730-7833. The event is open to members and non-members. The Women's Horse Industry has over 550 members in all areas of the horse industry from miniatures to mules and everything in between. 'If you can't find what you need from our members, it probably doesn't exist," states VP Debby Lening.

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge Grand Hunter Championship Goes to Sambalino and Ken Berkley Upper Marlboro, MD - September 30, 2009 - The Capital Challenge Horse Show had a full schedule of hunter competition today with many highlights.

There were professional hunter divisions finishing up with championships, plus four championship classes. The big winners were Scott Stewart and World Time in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win, and Katherine Newman guided Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Future Hunter World Championship. Starting out the day, Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm's Declaration and Scott Stewart. With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider. Berkley and

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Sambalino have had a winning season being champion at almost everywhere they've competed. Berkley considers Sambalino a very good horse. "Good horses are born good. When you have a good horse in the division that's the model winner, that jumps well and that usually wins the hack, it makes for an easy day for a professional," he said.

He described Sambalino as "a good hunter (who) is fun to ride. It's an amazing feeling to jump around an athletic horse, a horse that has brains, scope and uses its body like he can. You just get chills in the schooling area because he can jump a big jump, and he can jump a wide oxer. Good hunters are athletes," he concluded. The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was the first major class held indoors today. Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91. John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner's circle in this class, and she floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon. In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win. Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court. She showed Daydream for five years, since his Pre-Green year. Newman was excited to do the Emerging Professional Challenge. She remarked, "I think it's a really cool opportunity to do a special class." She noted that the course "had a really good flow to it." Newman described Daydream as "simple." She added, "You just drop the reins when you go in the ring and just keep going. He loves to jump, and he's so much fun to ride. He looks really small, but he covers so much ground. I know him really well. Every year he's changed and gotten more mature." The final class of the day was the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66. Stewart bought World Time as a five-year-old in Holland, and he showed World Time lightly in the Second Year Green Hunters this year. Last year, they were First Year Green Hunter champions at the Washington International Horse Show. World Time came to Capital Challenge mainly to compete in the junior hunters with Victoria Colvin. Stewart decided two days ago to take World Time in the WCHR Professional Challenge over his other, greener horses. "He's the most straightforward horse," Stewart explained.

"He's really dependable. He's so simple, but he's so careful and not spooky. He always comes in and tries to do it right. He's a blast." Because he has not shown World Time (left) recently, Stewart felt added pressure for himself.

"I was more nervous for myself because I haven't ridden him around, but I knew he was going to be perfect...which sort of adds to the pressure to me because he always does it right," he commented. All of the hunter courses have been designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH, and Stewart felt that today's courses were very fitting for the Challenge class. "The courses were nice because there was a lot of galloping room," Stewart explained. "The jumps seemed more like Second Year (height), especially the oxer width. You could ride up to the jumps and get the good jump." Stewart is pleased with his win today and for qualifying for Friday's WCHR Professional Finals, where the top six hunter riders in the nation will compete head-to-head for bragging rights as the best hunter rider.

The top six riders that are qualified for Friday night's competition are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, John French, Peter Pletcher, Hunt Tosh, and Kelley Farmer. The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows: First Year Green Working Hunter Section A Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr. First Year Green Working Hunter Section B Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm Green Conformation Hunter Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Regular Conformation Hunter Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Grand First Year Green Hunter: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Grand Green Hunter: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Grand Conformation Hunter: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Tribute Perpetual Trophy: Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Best Hunter Performance: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler EMO Trip of the Show: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Future Hunter World Championship 1.

Showman, Sandy Ferrell, Alexa & Krista Weisman: 90.20+90.20= 180.40 2. Vibe, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman: 85.25+88.80= 174.05 3. Good Humor, Hunt Tosh, M/M Douglas: 86.75+ 87.10= 173.85 4. Listen, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 88.25+83.05= 171.30 5. Rosebud, Kelley Farmer, Spencer Ranch: 83.50+86.90= 170.40 6. Saratoga, Kim Zindel-Buzby, Sissy Wickes: 84.76+83.20= 167.96 7. Second City, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 81.90+81.20= 164.45 8. Summer Place, Scott Stewart, Scott Stewart: 84.50+79.00= 163.50 9. Prudence, Sandy Ferrell, Torrey Pines: 84.00+78.80= 162.80 10. Gladiator, Kristen Coe, S & L Farms: 81.90+76.00= 157.90 11. Sanzibar, Ken Berkley, Karen Long: 85.20+58.20= 142.00 12. Premier, Ken Berkley, Gina Day: 84.70+45.00= 129.70 World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior 1. Hush, John Ingram 2. Sunday Morning, Havens Schatt 3. Dubari, Will Roberts 4. Winter's Tale, Scott Stewart 5. Bijou, Havens Schatt 6. Absolut, Havens Schatt 7. Krystal, Scott Stewart 8. In The Black, Clara Lidner 9. Czech, Teddi Jo Mellencamp 10. Farewell, Rachel Koggan Emerging Professional Rider Challenge 1. Daydream, Katherine Newman 87.66 2. Collin, Chad Keemum 87.00 3. Cecret Weapon, Molly Sewell 84.83 4. Fair Wind, Caitlin Venezia 84.33 5. Daisy May, Christina Serio 84.00 6. Smart Pak, Tim Maddrix 83.33 7. Chelsea, Kim Zindel Busby 82.33 8. Czech, Teddi Jo Mellencamp 79.66 9. Rock Star, Alexandra Garrity

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79.00 10. King Lear, Jennifer Bliss 78.00 World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Challenge 1. World Time, Scott Stewart 90.83+89.66=180.49 2. Rumba, John French 90.08+86.66=176.74 3. Rosalynn, Hunt Tosh 87.66+86.00=173.66 4. Rio's Echo, Peter Pletcher 89.66+84.00=173.66 5. Virtue, Katie Huber 84.66+86.66=171.32 6. Lyle, Jenny Karazissis 87.66+82.33=169.99 7. Lemieux, Sandy Ferrell 83.58+83.66=167.24 8. Endo Fino, Amanda Steege 85.00+78.66=163. 66 9. Andiamo, Emily Williams 81.00+80.66=161.66 10. Sterling, Jennifer Bauersachs 83.50+78.00=161.50 The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the Amateur-Owner and Adult Amateur Hunters, the WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge, Round One of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, and the Children's/Adult Jumper Challenge. For more information about the show including photos, news, and results, visit the official web site at

www.capitalchallenge.org. To watch live footage of this year's horse show, please visit www.equestriansport.tv. This year's Capital Challenge Horse Show will run from September 26 through October 4 at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The horse show is conveniently located off of Route 4, just seven miles east of the Capital Beltway.

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Extreme Mustang Makeover Equine Contenders To Be Presented during SMU vs Navy Game October 17 T.Boone and Madeleine Pickens To Make Presentation of Adopted Mustangs SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, DALLAS, TEXAS Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens of Dallas, Tex., adopters of two Extreme Mustang Makeover equine contenders, El Compadre and Felio, today announced that they will present the mustangs to Southern Methodist University during its contest against Navy October 17 in Dallas. The announcement was made during a press conference highlighting the coming halftime activities at Gerald Ford Stadium on the SMU campus. At the game, Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens will present SMU President Dr. Gerald Turner, SMU Head Football Coach June Jones and Southern Methodist University with the beautiful and trained Nevada Mustangs as a gift to the school. "This is a great opportunity for our program and we were honored that the Pickens' approached the Foundation to assist them in identifying appropriate horses," said Patti Colbert, Executive Director of the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF). "The Foundation certainly supports Madeleine in her goal to protect the wild horse population and appreciates her bringing attention to the value of the human-animal bond created through the mustangs, their trainers and adopters." El Compadre, a three-year-old bay gelding gathered from the Maverick Medicine herd management area, will be under the hand of trainer Jesus Jaruegui of Bailey's Harbor, Wis. El Compadre and Jaruegui were among the top 10 in the Legends division at the recent Extreme Mustang Makeover Western Stampede competition in Fort Worth September 18-20. The black gelding, Felio, also a three-year-old, will have trainer Scott Stinemetz of Great Bend, Kan., in the saddle. Felio, who was among the top 20 in Legends competition, was gathered from the Owyee region of Nevada. Currently, the mustangs are under the care of SMU Equestrian Team Head Coach Haley Schoolfield. "These mustangs are certainly not what we expected and don't fit the stereotype," she said. "They are truly good looking horses and we're amazed with how far they've come in their training under Jesus and Scott." Ms. Pickens said the connection with the SMU Mustangs and her goal to protect wild horses through her National Wild Horse Foundation was "divine intervention." "I'm sure there are people wondering why we are doing all of this," said Madeleine Pickens. "One of my life's passions is to protect and save America's Wild Horses -- a living symbol of our American heritage and freedom. What better place to get the word out about protecting and saving wild horses than Dallas, Texas, and a football game at the home of the SMU Mustangs. We thought the perfect game would be against Navy, as we can not only salute the American Mustang, but we also can salute the men and women of our Armed Forces." Ms Pickens was joined at the news conference by her husband, as well as Dr. Turner, Coach Jones, and former Dallas Cowboy quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, a member of the National Wild Horse Foundation advisory board, which is chaired by Coach Jones. The Extreme Mustang Makeover, the nation's most unique equine competition, will offer an estimated $300,000 in prize money as it enters its third year of competition after two years of what industry observers are calling nothing short of amazing events across the United States. Working in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, nearly 2,000 mustangs have been placed for adoption through MHF programs and events. About the Mustang Heritage Foundation The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover is to increase the adoption of mustangs across the country. The Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to showcase the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. About the Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 258 million acres of public lands, located mostly in the West. Wild horses and burros roaming public rangelands are managed in a manner consistent with BLM's overall multiple-use mission, as set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 220,000 horses and burros into private care through adoption. For more information, visit

wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS. Labels: equine event news PO ST ED BY NW HS A T 9 :3 8 AM

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SEP 30, 2009

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Phelps Media Group - Press Release

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Hunt Tosh Wins Debut Performance in WCHR Professional Finals at Capital Challenge Written by: Jennifer Wood Client: Capital Challenge Horse Show Release Date: 2009-10-02 Brubaker Takes Second WCHR Adult Finals, Cash Wins Ariat Adult Medal Finals, Hooker Retains Lead in NA Junior/A-O Challenge Cup

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Upper Marlboro, MD - October 2, 2009 - The highlight event of the Capital Challenge Horse Show was held this evening to a solid crowd of fans in the stands. In the WCHR Professional Finals, the top six qualified hunter riders in the nation went head-to-head in a four-round class to determine the 2009 Professional World Champion Hunter Rider. Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, led the class from the beginning to win in his debut in the prestigious event.

Tosh started out the night with a bang when he scored a 93 in the first round on the horse he brought to the competition, Lone Star, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. In the second round, he rode Camira, owned by Melanie Barnes, brought to the competition by Peter Pletcher. They scored a 90.16 to raise Tosh’s total to 183.16.

In the third round, Tosh and Lindsay Wolf’s Lazy Sunday had a score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49. Tosh qualified as one of the top three riders to return for the final handy round. He piloted Fine Kiss, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare.

They scored the highest round of the night with a 94.33 to give Tosh a total of 366.82 points for the win.

Tosh was thrilled to win his first WCHR Professional Finals. “When you win in a class like this, it’s an especially big victory, and it is fun to do. I’ve watched it in the past, and it’s something that you always want to win and hope you can come back. I hope to do it again like these guys.”

Tosh was speaking of his fellow competitors, like three-time winners Peter Pletcher and Scott Stewart, two-time winner John French, newcomer Ken Berkley, and Kelley Farmer.

“I was lucky to have a high score on my horse to begin with,” Tosh pointed out.

“So once you start thinking about the third and fourth horse, you’re basically hoping you don’t mess up. Everything happens so fast down there, and you just get caught up in it. It was nice that way for me because you don’t have time to slow down and think about where you are and where everyone else is.”

The class was praised for the group of quality horses that were brought in this year. “There were some really good jumpers. They were probably the best hunter type horses that we’ve had in the history of the class, which is nice. I think it was a great evening,” said second-place finisher Scott Stewart.

Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year’s World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals. She won the Finals aboard Caitlin Zeigler’s Relentless. The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship this year. The top twelve horses from the first round were invited back to compete in the second round. Brubaker and Relentless were in fifth place after round one with a score of 83.66.

Coming back for round two, they put in a very consistent and composed round earning a high score of 87.00. The duo finished with a combined score of 170.66 to secure the win.

Relentless was a catch ride for Brubaker, who doesn’t have her own horse.

Through her trainers, Archie Cox and Tracy Behr, she is able to find rides

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Page 2 of 3 throughout the season and compete at the WCHR shows.

“Archie and Tracy sit down with me at the beginning of each year, and we write down goals. I keep that on my mirror on home,” Brubaker explained. “After last year, our goal this year was to win the WCHR National Championship. Anything else that came along was great.”

The ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka.

The two achieved a first round high score of 87.20. The top ten horses from the first round returned to the ring for another go. Once again, Cash and Calinka took the high score of the round with an 86.60 for a final score of 173.80. Calinka is owned by Laura Gamino.

The $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup wrapped up the Friday afternoon session. Only eight managed to go clear over the speed course designed by Conrad Homfeld. Last to go was Thursday night’s winner Tim Hooker and his own Sirius 127. Hooker rode the course impeccably with quick turns and shaved time off the clock by leaving out a stride in the first line. Hooker tried to leave out a stride again in the last line but got into a tight spot to the last oxer. The ever-athletic Sirius 127 made a great effort to easily clear the jump.

They finished with a time of 54.574 seconds, 0.552 seconds faster than Lauren Crooks and Endeavor, who finished second with a time of 54.997.

The final round of the Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup will take place on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. The class is a timed first jump-off format with $25,000 in prize money. The overall winner will take home the Ariat Congressional Cup. Competition continues tomorrow with the conclusion of the Pony Hunters. The Junior Hunters will award championships on Sunday.

For more information about the show including photos, news, and results, visit the official web site at www.capitalchallenge.org. To watch live footage of this year’s horse show, please visit www.equestriansport.tv. This year’s Capital Challenge Horse Show will run from September 26 through October 4 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The horse show is conveniently located off of Route 4, just seven miles east of the Capital Beltway.

WCHR Professional Finals 1. Hunt Tosh 93+90.16+89.33+94.33= 366.82 Lone Start owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler 2. Scott Stewart 87.66+85.66+91.66+89.66= 354.64 Lazy Sunday owned by Lindsay Wolf 3. Kelley Farmer 88.33+88.00+87.66+88.00= 351.99 Fine Kiss owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare 4. Peter Pletcher 84.33+87.33+91.00= 262.66 Camira owned by Melanie Barnes 5. John French 82.33+85.66+89.66= 257.65 Illusion owned by Paige Dotson 6. Ken Berkley 85.33+82.00+79.00= 246.33 Rio Fino W owned by Wendy Hofmeister WCHR Adult Amateur Finals 1. Amy Brubaker, Relentless 83.66+87.00=170.66 2. Lindsey Evans- Thomas, Promise 84.25+83.66=167.91 3. Jeanine Cash, Washington 84.00+83.00=167.00 4. Laura Beckworth, Holiday 84.33+81.83=166.16 5. Darby Mazzarisi, Mickey Mouse 81.33+83.33=164.66 6. Missy Luczak, Ledger 79.33+80.33=159.66 7. Mimi Tashjian, Collin 82.33+77.33=159.66 8. Lisa Arena, Endo Fino 87.00+71.33=158.33 9. Gail Horrigan, By Design 76.16+73.33=149.49 10. Ainsley Sadlo, Vermilion 73.33+76.00=149.33 ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals 1. Jeanine Cash, Calinka 87.20+86.60=173.80 2. Brian Feigus, Winston 85.00+82.95=167.95 3. Amy Brubaker, War Eagle 83.70+84.20=167.90 4. Emma Mann-Meginniss, Temptation 82.05+81.10=163.15 5. Kristina Lyons, Cocoa 78.05+84.00= 162.05 6. Melissa Feller Commander Tom 79.00+82.00=161.00 7. Amy Cooper, Spy Glass 78.05+79.00=157.05 8. Elise Cook, Lion King 80.50+76.00=156.50

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Page 3 of 3 9. Elysse Ruschmeyer, Arkits 79.20+77.00=156.20 10. Caroline Hughes, Prince Ferdinand 78.50+75.60=154.10 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup 1. Tim Hooker, Sirius 127 0/54.475 2. Lauren Crooks, Endeavor 0/54.997 3. Tracey Weinberg, Linda Z 0/55.192 4. Tracey Weinberg, Cromwell 0/55.854 5. Erin Stewart, Devito 0/57.194 6. Benjamin Simpkins, Astro Z 0/ 59.543 7. Heather Hooker, Perle 0/59.764 8. Hayley Barnhill, Toucan Tango 0/60.803 9. Rachel Cline, The Real Deal 4/55.500 10.Kirstie Dobbs, Kolette 4/58.587 Photo Credit: Hunt Tosh, shown here on Lazy Sunday, won the WCHR Professional Finals. Amy Brubaker was victorious in the WCHR Adult Hunter Finals. Jeanine Cash won her first Ariat Adult Medal Finals. Tim Hooker and Sirius 127 won the second round of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup. Photos Š 2009 Jennifer Wood/PMG. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

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Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC Announces 2010 Horse Show Schedule Thursday, February 11, 2010 The nation’s premier horse show management company, Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, is pleased to announce that it will be featuring the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North, the USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast, the USEF National Pony Finals, and the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show during the 2010 season. All four six competitions will be held at the newly

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renovated Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, which is also the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesT. The nation’s leading hunter and jumper riders will return once again for the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series to compete for top honors during this prestigious event. The show features two exciting weeks of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, scheduled for the week of May 12-16, 2010, and the Kentucky Spring Classic held from May 19-23, 2010.

Each week the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will feature the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*, where riders will have the opportunity to compete for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. These two classes will kick-off the Hagyard Challenge Series, consisting of five grand prix classes held during the 2010 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. The final Hagyard event will be the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier held on August 20 during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. The Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus will be awarded to the year’s top rider following the completion of this exciting event.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will also feature the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on May 16 and the Kentucky Spring Classic will feature the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix to be held on SundaySaturday, May 22. Both of these classes will be held in the new Outdoor Stadium that features the OTTO Sport footing system, and will host the show jumping events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesT. The first week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, is a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) recognized hunter competition. The WCHR is an awards program started by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, and the awards are presented, on both a national and regional level, to Pony, Junior, Amateur, Professional, Adult and Children’s hunter riders who accumulate the most points at WCHR designated horse shows throughout the year.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will also feature the Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Dietrich Insurance, being held Saturday, May 14, in the Walnut ArenaMain Stadium.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Horse Park in May,” said Hugh Kincannon, manager of Kentucky Horse Shows LLC. . “Now that the construction projects related to the World Equestrian Games have been completed we think it is quite simply the finest horse show facility in the world. Of special note to Oour hunter exhibitors will be especially pleased to note tthe installation of the OTTO Sport footing in the Murphy Ring which is being funded by the Bluegrass Festival and KHJA horse shows.”

The country’s top riders will return to the Kentucky Horse Park at the end of July to compete during the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. The events will begin with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show held from July 28-August 1, 2010, and the Kentucky Summer Classic is scheduled for the week of August 4- 8, 2010.

The 2010 Adequan I.M. FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North will run concurrently to the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, and these thrilling events will be hosted in the Outdoor Stadium. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will also feature the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, part of the Hagyard Challenge Series. The week’s main event will be the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix to be held on Saturday, July 31.

The Kentucky Summer Classic is a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) recognized hunter competition, and has also been selected to host the 2010 USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast. The hunter classes for this championship event and the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic will be held August 5-7, 2010.

An additional highlight during the Kentucky Summer Classic will be the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix, scheduled for the evening of Saturday, August 7, 2010, in the Indoor Arena. This event will be held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s “Hats Off Day,” which is a salute to the horse industry in Kentucky. Admission to the Park will be free on that Saturday, so enjoy taking the opportunity to see the world’s top equestrians compete at the highest level.

Following the Kentucky Summer Classic will be the 2010 USEF Pony Finals, held from August 10-15, 2010. The top ponies from across the nation will gather at the Kentucky Horse Park to compete for championship honors in their respective divisions. The event has grown so much over the last two years that a sixth day has been added to the competition. The Green Pony Hunters will compete on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Regular Pony Hunters will compete from Wednesday through Saturday. Each height of the Regular Pony Hunter sections will compete over two days. The Pony Jumpers will once again show Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, while the Pony Equitation Final will take place on Sunday.

The final event of the summer series will be the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, to be held August 18 – 22, 2010. This event will showcase the top hunters by hosting the 2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, Presented by Dietrich Insurance on August 20 & 21.This exciting competition will once again offer $100,000 in prize money to those horsesthe top 75 horses that qualify. Another feature event will be the

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge Thursday, October 1, 2009 Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge Grand Hunter Championship Goes to Sambalino and Ken Berkley http://www.swhorsetrader.com/blog/2009/10/scott-stewart-and-world-time-are-victorious-in-1500... 10/6/2009

Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge | South... Page 4 of 8 Upper Marlboro, MD – September 30, 2009 – The Capital Challenge Horse Show had a full schedule of hunter competition today with many highlights. There were professional hunter divisions finishing up with championships, plus four championship classes. The big winners were Scott Stewart and World Time in the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win, and Katherine Newman guided Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Future Hunter World Championship.

Starting out the day, Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm’s Declaration and Scott Stewart.

With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Berkley and Sambalino have had a winning season being champion at almost everywhere they’ve competed. Berkley considers Sambalino a very good horse. “Good horses are born good. When you have a good horse in the division that’s the model winner, that jumps well and that usually wins the hack, it makes for an easy day for a professional,” he said.

He described Sambalino as “a good hunter (who) is fun to ride. It’s an amazing feeling to jump around an athletic horse, a horse that has brains, scope and uses its body like he can.

You just get chills in the schooling area because he can jump a big jump, and he can jump a wide oxer. Good hunters are athletes,” he concluded.

The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was the first major class held indoors today. Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91.

John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner’s circle in this class, and she floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon.

In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win.

Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court. She showed Daydream for five years, since his PreGreen year. Newman was excited to do the Emerging Professional Challenge. She remarked, “I think it’s a really cool opportunity to do a special class.” She noted that the course “had a really good flow to it.”

Newman described Daydream as “simple.” She added, “You just drop the reins when you go in the ring and just keep going. He loves to jump, and he’s so much fun to ride. He looks really small, but he covers so much ground. I know him really well. Every year he’s changed and gotten more mature.”

The final class of the day was the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66. http://www.swhorsetrader.com/blog/2009/10/scott-stewart-and-world-time-are-victorious-in-1500... 10/6/2009

Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge | South... Page 5 of 8 Stewart bought World Time as a five-year-old in Holland, and he showed World Time lightly in the Second Year Green Hunters this year. Last year, they were First Year Green Hunter champions at the Washington International Horse Show.

World Time came to Capital Challenge mainly to compete in the junior hunters with Victoria Colvin. Stewart decided two days ago to take World Time in the WCHR Professional Challenge over his other, greener horses. “He’s the most straightforward horse,” Stewart explained. “He’s really dependable. He’s so simple, but he’s so careful and not spooky. He always comes in and tries to do it right. He’s a blast.”

All of the hunter courses have been designed by Michael Rheinheimer of Willoughby, OH, and Stewart felt that today’s courses were very fitting for the Challenge class. “The courses were nice because there was a lot of galloping room,” Stewart explained. “The jumps seemed more like Second Year (height), especially the oxer width. You could ride up to the jumps and get the good jump.”

Stewart is pleased with his win today and for qualifying for Friday’s WCHR Professional Finals, where the top six hunter riders in the nation will compete head-to-head for bragging rights as the best hunter rider. The top six riders that are qualified for Friday night’s competition are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, John French, Peter Pletcher, Hunt Tosh, and Kelley Farmer.

The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows: First Year Green Working Hunter Section A Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr. First Year Green Working Hunter Section B Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm Green Conformation Hunter Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Regular Conformation Hunter Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Grand First Year Green Hunter: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Grand Green Hunter: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Grand Conformation Hunter: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Tribute Perpetual Trophy: Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Best Hunter Performance: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler EMO Trip of the Show: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Future Hunter World Championship 1. Showman, Sandy Ferrell, Alexa & Krista Weisman: 90.20+90.20= 180.40 2. Vibe, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman: 85.25+88.80= 174.05 3.

Good Humor, Hunt Tosh, M/M Douglas: 86.75+ 87.10= 173.85 4. Listen, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 88.25+83.05= 171.30 5. Rosebud, Kelley Farmer, Spencer Ranch: 83.50+86.90= 170.40 6. Saratoga, Kim Zindel-Buzby, Sissy Wickes: 84.76+83.20= 167.96 7.

Second City, Kelley Farmer, Jane Gaston: 81.90+81.20= 164.45 8. Summer Place, Scott Stewart, Scott Stewart: 84.50+79.00= 163.50 9. Prudence, Sandy Ferrell, Torrey Pines: 84.00+78.80= 162.80 10. Gladiator, Kristen Coe, S & L Farms: 81.90+76.00= 157.90 11.

Sanzibar, Ken Berkley, Karen Long: 85.20+58.20= 142.00 12. Premier, Ken Berkley, Gina Day: 84.70+45.00= 129.70 World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior 1. Hush, John Ingram 2. Sunday Morning, Havens Schatt 3. Dubari, Will Roberts 4. Winter’s Tale, Scott Stewart 5. Bijou, Havens Schatt 6. Absolut, Havens Schatt 7. Krystal, Scott Stewart 8. In The Black, Clara Lidner 9.

Czech, Teddi Jo Mellencamp 10. Farewell, Rachel Koggan

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Scott Stewart and World Time Are Victorious in $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge | South... Page 6 of 8 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge 1. Daydream, Katherine Newman 87.66 2. Collin, Chad Keemum 87.00 3. Cecret Weapon, Molly Sewell 84.83 4. Fair Wind, Caitlin Venezia 84.33 5. Daisy May, Christina Serio 84.00 6. Smart Pak, Tim Maddrix 83.33 7. Chelsea, Kim Zindel Busby 82.33 8. Czech, Teddi Jo Mellencamp 79.66 9. Rock Star, Alexandra Garrity 79.00 10. King Lear, Jennifer Bliss 78.00 World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Challenge 1. World Time, Scott Stewart 90.83+89.66=180.49 2. Rumba, John French 90.08+86.66=176.74 3. Rosalynn, Hunt Tosh 87.66+86.00=173.66 4. Rio’s Echo, Peter Pletcher 89.66+84.00=173.66 5. Virtue, Katie Huber 84.66+86.66=171.32 6. Lyle, Jenny Karazissis 87.66+82.33=169.99 7. Lemieux, Sandy Ferrell 83.58+83.66=167.24 8. Endo Fino, Amanda Steege 85.00+78.66=163. 66 9.

Andiamo, Emily Williams 81.00+80.66=161.66 10. Sterling, Jennifer Bauersachs 83.50+78.00=161.50 The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the Amateur -Owner and Adult Amateur Hunters, the WCHR Amateur-Owner Challenge, Round One of the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, and the Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge.

For more information about the show including photos, news, and results, visit the official web site at www.capitalchallenge.org To watch live footage of this year’s horse show, please visit www.equestriansport.tv. This year’s Capital Challenge Horse Show will run from September 26 through October 4 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Tags: Capital Challenge, Equine, Horse, Hunter, Jumper This entry was posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am and is filed under Hunter/Jumper, Shows & Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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THE HUNT WAS ON IN THE AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Kelley Farmer & Illusion

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Hunt Tosh & Fine Kiss October 2, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2nd at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund & the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Billy later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Hunt.

As a first time competitor, Hunt was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

After four rounds Hunt, Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (351.99).

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Finishing 4th (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (262.66), 5th was John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and 6th was Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Billy. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla.

“These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

THE COMPETITION The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Peter and Scott are both three-time winners and John won twice. Although Kelley has never won the class she did ride in it before. Kelley was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year. For Hunt and Ken this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: RIO FINO W, 7-year-old, 17.2 h, Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only its fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

ILLUSION, 15.2 h, bay, Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman & Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

FINE KISS, 8-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

LAZY SUNDAY, 9-year-old, 16.1 h, grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

CAMIRA, 10-year-old, 17 h, bay mare, owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. LONE STAR, 9-year-old, 16.3 h, bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Peter as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three (Hunt, Kelley and Scott) competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

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10/7/2009

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Kelley Farmer, Hunt Tosh, Scott Stewart, KenBerkley, John French, Peter Pletcher

Hunt Tosh & Lazy Sunday

GOING FOR THE WIN In the first round Hunt took the early lead (93) followed by Kelley (88.33). In 3rd was Scott (87.66), then Ken (85.33), John (82.33) and Peter (84.33). In the second round Hunt maintained his domination of the class after his second round score of 90.16 was combined with his first round score (183.16). Kelley was 2nd (176.33), 3rd Scott (173.32), 4th Peter (171.66), 5th John (167.99), and 6th Ken (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Hunt continued on top (272.49) followed by Scott (264.98) for 2nd, Kelley in 3rd (263.99).

Scott as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a uturn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Hunt went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Kelley who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Huntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Kelley would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Huntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead. Hunt Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

Scott Stewart & Lazy Sunday THE FINALS ARE LOVED BY THE PROS The 2008 Pro Finals winner was Sandy Ferrell who just missed making it into the 2009 Finals by three points. For Sandy the memory still remains of that night she claimed her

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10/7/2009

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crown. “It is a sad day for me because I don’t want to give it up. It’s been an honor, a great feeling,” she commented.

Sandy was so thrilled with her victory that she took her memorabilia and had a shadow box made. “It included my number, the scores that were printed in the Chronicle, a close-up win photo, and the people in the stands with Go Sandy signs. It meant that much to me,” she admitted. “It was a moment in my career that no one can ever take away from me.”

After the class Sandy passed the torch to the winner. In fact it was a tiara that she passed along giving the crowd a good laugh when Hunt as a good sport wore the tiara along with his smile. It was truly a crowning moment.

AHJF President, Keeley Gogul commented, “I think this class is the highlight for a lot of people’s year. The riders are thrilled to qualify for this and it’s an exciting incentive to know that you will compete against the best in front of an actual audience, which is rare for the hunters. In addition, you have to have a great horse to get in the running.”

For the veterans and newcomers this class is the only professional class of the year and so nothing can compare to it for them. Before the class the riders gathered and talked about what was ahead, from preparing the horses to having a support team there to help them remember the courses and switch tack to their new horse.

“I haven’t done this before but it’s going to be a fun class and another credit to my career,” remarked Ken. “It’s always exciting,” said Peter in his always jovial voice. “It’s a great group of riders and I’m looking forward to competing in it again.”

Hunt agreed that not only were the riders great, “but it is a good group of horses; not one of them is not a hunter of some kind and it is an honor to know I am keeping up with these guys. It’s exciting. We had a good year so here we are.”

John quipped with a smile, “I hope I get lucky!” and although luck was not to be his John was an incredible sport and after the press conference spent some time with a local group of Maryland kids answering their questions and signing posters.

And the lone female Kelley was hoping she would “beat the boys.” Even though she may have been the only female in the class in the picture taking after the class she surrounded herself with the two female Junior Hunter Challenge riders while the five other male qualifiers framed the picture. Kaitlyn Johnston and Ashley Butler were the winners of the Challenge, a grassroots series competition which the AHJF sponsors and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and two days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more..

The riders have the AHJF and the sponsors to thank for not only the class but the pomp and ceremony, including the carriage ride, rider recognition, buffet dinner, PR campaign surrounding the event, press conference, photo ops and more. The sponsors in unison with the AHJF feel it is important to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2009).

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

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10/7/2009

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MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazzisis Family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since.

Billy is proud that there show hosts this prestigious class which happens at a memorable time of the year for him. “This event is special to me because it is my 11th anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he noted before adding, “For the Pro Finals this class is all about good competition and for me personally this is a demonstration of the incredible hunter rider ability at this horse show. Sixth place is as good as first place in my eyes. What truly makes this class unique is the level of competition.”

Concluding the evening was AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla, who commented, “The past year has been unique. After consideration was given to merge the AHJF with the USHJA, it was abandoned earlier this year because of the value that has been placed on this organization by the Board and hunter community. As an organization we now know that we truly have a purpose and a reason for existing. I sense a renewed and energized AHJF and it has been exciting here at Capital Challenge. The support behind the AHJF to continue to grow and support the hunter community has been heartwarming.”

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action go to this link: http://www.equestriansport.tv/. For Photos: http://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php? g2_itemId=155844. Photos by PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa. For complete results go to the horse show link: http://www.capitalchallenge.org. Links to all of the above are available at www.ahjf.org .

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

RESULTS RIDER

RND 1

RND 3

SCORE RND 4

90.16/As 89.33/Lazy 94.33/Fine Kiss Always1+2 = Sunday1+2+3= 183.16 272.49 Scott 87.66/Lazy 85.66/Fine 91/Illusioin1+2+3= 89.66/Rio Fino W Stewart Sunday Kiss1+2 = 173.32 264.98 Kelley 88.33/Fine Kiss 88/Illusion1+2 = 87.66/Rio Fino 88/Lone Star Farmer 171.32 W1+2+3=263.99 91/Fine Kiss1+2+3 = Peter 84.33/As 87.33/Lazy 262.66 Pletcher Always Sunday1+2 = 171.66 John 82.33/Illusion 85.66/Rio Fino 89.66/Lone French W1+2 = 167.99 Star1+2+3= 257.65 Ken 85.33/Rio Fino 82/Lone Star1+2 79/As Always1+2+3 Berkley W = 167.33 = 246.33 Hunt Tosh

93/Lone Star

RND 2

FINAL TOTAL 366.82 354.64 351.99 262.66 257.65 246.33

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SPECIAL AWARDS AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Louise Serio, Kennett Square, PA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Small Affair, ridden by John French (owned

by Iwasaki and Reilly) Total Points: 1869 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Lone Star, (rider/Hunt Tosh) (owner/Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1855 points) (Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

Keeley Gogul, Ashley Butler, Kaitlyn Johnston AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: West Region: Kaitlyn Johnston, Arlington, TX; East Region: Ashley Butler, Lawrence, MI. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the nonrecognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ (Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base.

The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: Sambalino (ridden by Ken Berkley) owned by Gina Day, 1765 pts.

Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Iwasaki and Reilly (owner of Small Affair who was ridden by John French to 1869 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Dialog L, 18-year-old Rheinlander, by Diamantino out of Pasteurxx, (owned by Bruce Duchossois, trainer Scott Culp, groom Jane Shields. (Donated

by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

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AHJF HUNTER COURSE DESIGNER AWARD: Michael Rheinheimer, Chardon, OH

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL: 2009 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Hunt Tosh, Cummings, GA (93 + 90.15 + 89.33 + 94.33 = 366.82), 2. Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL (87.66 + 85.66 + 91 + 89.66 = 354.64), 3. Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA (88.33 + 88 + 87.66 + 88 = 351.99), 4.

Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX (84.33 + 87.33 + 91 = 262.66. 5. John French, San Juan Bautista, CA (92.33 + 85.66 + 89.66 = 257.65); 6. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ (85.33, 82, 79 = 246.33).

AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Stacey Arani, Dover, MA, 1542 pts.; 2. Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1454 pts.; 3. Becky Gochman, New York City, NY, 1369 pts.; 4. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1365 pts.

ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1934 pts; 2. Gail Horrigan, Camarillo, CA, 1455 pts; 3. Christina Haney, Long Beach, CA, 1378 pts; 4. Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, San Juan Bautista, CA, 1704 pts.; AmateurOwner: Nicole Kane, Newport Beach, CA, 1003 pts.; Junior: Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1467 pts.; Pony: Pearl Theodosakis, Chatsworth, CA, 1370 pts.; Children’s: Samantha Sommers, Malibu, CA, 1261 pts.; Adult Amateur: Amy Brubaker, Pasadena, CA, 1402 pts.

MIDWEST: Professional: Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, 1003 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Scheriff, Wellington, FL, 658 pts.; Junior: Caitlin Ziegler, Milwaukee, WI , 996 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1491 pts.; Children’s: Lulu Farish, Versailles, KY, 738 pts.; Adult Amateur: Victoria Watters, Cincinnati, OH, 700 pts.

SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Courtney Calcagnini, Pilot Point, TX, 1285 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Gayle Cox, Adkins, TX, 1229 pts.; Junior: Caroline Gibson, Magnolia, TX, 1078 pts.; Pony: Peyton Escher TX, 661 pts.; Children’s: Taylor Reid, Pilot Point, TX, 930 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jessica Zienkievicz, Round Rock, TX, 1300 pts.

NORTH EAST: Professional: Cynthia Williams, Mt. Kisco, NY, 1145 pts.; AmateurOwner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 851 pts.; Junior: Danielle Cooper, Syosset, NY, 1154 pts.; Pony: Allison Toffolon, Bronxville, NY, 1044 pts.; Children’s: Brianne Link, Sayville, NY, 825 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Lee Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, 1130 pts.

SOUTH EAST: Professional: Terry Brown, Canton, GA, 993 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sarah Ward, Windermere, FL, 920 pts.; Junior: Taylor Ann Adams, Memphis, TN, 1128 pts.; Pony: Elizabeth Butterworth, Grimesland, NC, 930 pts.; Children’s: Lexi Johnson, Bristol, VA, 272 pts.; Adult Amateur: Megan Massaro, Summerfield, FL, 895 pts.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Kristin Nixon, Arvada, CO, 1235 pts.; AmateurOwner: Weatherly Stroh, Wolcott, CO, 1182 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 1330 pts.; Children’s: Megan MacPherson, Boulder, CO, 1109 pts.; Pony: Allison Carlson, Naples, FL, 693 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Parker, CO, 804 pts.

NORTH WEST: Professional: Shelley Campf, Canby, OR, 1385 pts.; Amateur Owner: Ellen Wilber, Seattle, WA, 1139 pts.; Pony: Payton Smith, Bothell, WA, 1254 pts.; Children’s: Deisy Jimenez, Woodinville, WA, 1250 pts.; Junior: Max Thompson, Woodinville, WA, 1195 pts.; Adult Amateur: Susan Miner, Bellevue, WA, 1208 pts.

MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1457 pts.; AmateurOwner: Betty Oare, , Warrenton, VA, 825 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1140 pts.; Pony: Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1685 pts.; Children’s: Lindsay Wolf, Potomac, MD, 647 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lindsey Evans-Thomas- Annapolis, MD, 1034 pts.

Tags: AHJF, Equine, Horse, Hunter, Jumper, professional world championship, WCHR This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm and is filed under Hunter/Jumper, Shows & Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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The Hunt was on in the American Hunter Jumper Foundation's World Championship Hunter Rider Pro Finals

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Release: October 06 2009

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By Diana DeRosa

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Hunt Tosh went into the first round of the 15th Annual Professional World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals for the 2009 American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Professional WCHR title, as if it belonged to him. He negotiated the highest mark in the first round and never looked back. Four rounds later he won the highest honor for a professional rider for his very first attempt in this prestigious class, which took place on October 2 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.

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Photo by Diana DeRosa Hunt Tosh and Fine Kiss

The 2009 WCHR Professional Finals was sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., presented by John R. Ingram Fund and the Ingram Family, produced by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and hosted at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The riders were escorted into the arena in a carriage. It was a very impressive opening to the evening and set the stage for the night, which began with a buffet dinner in the concourse and was followed by presentations of special awards and then the class of the six finalists: Hunt Tosh, Peter Pletcher, Ken Berkley, Scott Stewart, Kelley Farmer and John French.

During the class the crowd was electric as they cheered, applauded and whistled after each round. By the ingate as riders handed off horses they offered tips to the next riders and cheered on their opponents. As co-manager Billy Glass maneuvered past the ingate near the end of the class he spied Ken passing along pointers to Hunt and rooting him on as he negotiated his final round. “That was special,” Glass later commented. “Even though Ken at that point knew he had no shot at victory he was there for his competitors.”

The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and may the best man (or woman) win. After the class and the awarding of prizes and ribbons the night continued with a dessert social and press conference in the dining area. It was a chance for both media and spectators to hear about the class in the words of the riders.

“Everything about this class is great from the atmosphere at the ingate to the fans cheering as you complete your round. There is a special feeling about this night. Everyone gets a little more energized and the adrenalin kicks in,” commented Tosh.

As a first time competitor, Tosh was amazingly calm as he talked about how lucky he’s been and how well his horses have been going. Having grown up in a horse family, being on a horse is just part of his daily routine and winning was just an extension of that. And it is the elegance and finesse of the hunters that captivates him most.

Sure the win was about how well he rode, but it was also his support staff. “My wife Mandy was watching and passing along tips and that really helps,” he continued.

After four rounds Tosh of Cummings, GA, claimed the victory with a score of 366.82 ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ (354.64) after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. In third was Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA (351.99). Finishing fourth (after three rounds) was Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX (262.66), fifth was John French of San Juan Bautista, CA (257.65), and sixth was Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ (246.33).

Whether you finished first or sixth in this class was no indication of the caliber of the riders who have all proven their breadth. “This year at the Capital Challenge, Ken finished first in seven classes,” commented Glass. “Every rider who qualifies for the Pro Finals is at the top of his or her game, and whether first or sixth you are truly seeing the nation’s finest pro hunter riders.”

“This is not an easy class to qualify for,” added AHJF Executive Director Michele Perla. “These riders have to be extremely skilled to make it into the top six. They all deserve our applause and appreciation and anyone watching that night was lucky to have the chance to witness such incredible hunter talent all competing in one class on one night and the crowd showed their appreciation and enthusiasm.”

The Competition The six riders who qualified for the Finals were both veterans and newbies. Pletcher and Steward are

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both three-time winners and French has won twice. Although Farmer has never won the class she did ride in it before. Farmer was also the winner of the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular earlier in the year.

For Tosh and Berkely, this was their very first time competing.

In the Pro Finals, each rider must supply one horse and ride that horse first. The competitors then alternate on the other horses. Some top hunters were shown including: —Rio Fino W, seven-year-old 17.2-hand Warmblood gelding, owned by Wendy Hofmeister, trained by Tammy Provost. This is only his fourth horse show in the hunters and is currently showing in the Working and Junior Hunter Divisions.

—Illusion, 15.2-hand bay Warmblood gelding, owned by The Dotson Family and trained by James Hagman and Marla Amormino and is currently showing in the Small Junior Hunter Division.

—Fine Kiss, eight-year-old, 15.3 h, Warmblood mare, owned by Mr & Mrs. Ernest Oare, trained by Bucky Reynolds and currently showing in the Amateur-Owner division with Betty Oare.

—Lazy Sunday, nine-year-old 16.1-hand grey gelding by Zangersheide, owned by Lindsey Wolf and trained by Ben Guanciale and Kim Stewart. The winner of the 2008 USHJA Hunter Derby in Palm Beach.

—Camira, 10-year-old 17-hand bay mare owned by Melanie Barnes, Austin, TX. —Lone Star, nine-year-old 16.3-hand bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler, was the winner of the China Blue Working Hunter Award and High Score of the horse show (92) co-winner of the award with Rumba.

When asked why they chose the horses they did the riders echoed each other. “I like to choose a horse that I know is not going to be spooky and is going to jump everything every time,” commented Pletcher, as the other riders nodded in agreement.

The riders were allowed to briefly warm up on their horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3’6” course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three competed. This course was their chance to impress the judges.

Going for the Win In the first round, Tosh took the early lead (93) followed by Farmer (88.33). In third was Stewart (87.66), then Berkeley (85.33), French (82.33) and Pletcher (84.33). In the second round Tosh maintained his domination of the class after his second-round score of 90.16 was combined with his first-round score (183.16). Farmer was second (176.33), Steward was third (173.32), Pletcher fourth (171.66), French fifth (167.99), and Berkeley sixth (167.33).

The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. After the third round Tosh continued on top (272.49) followed by Stewart (264.98) for second, and Farmer in third (263.99).

Stewart as the first to go in the Handy Hunter set the pace with a brilliant round, galloping a u-turn to the first fence out of the gate, turning corners with elegance, carefully and precisely negotiating a trot fence and showing a change of pace for the gallop between fences with boldness and accuracy. They scored 89.66 for the round and 354.64 for a four-round total.

Tosh went next and was even more impressive negotiating the tests with a hidden ease that made his smooth round appear almost too easy, but that came out because of the soft skill of his riding, scoring 94.33 for a total of 366.82. Last to go was Farmer who put in a strong performance as well (88/351.99) but Tosh’s lead was so far ahead of the others that announcer Ken Kraus laughed when he said that Farmer would have to score an impossible 107 to overtake Tosh’s lead. Tosh had won his first Pro Finals.

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions.

A number of special awards were given out as well. Louise Serio of Kennett Square, PA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Small Affair, ridden by Californian John French, and owned by Iwasaki and Reilly, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Lone Star, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. Amanda Steege, Bedminster, NJ, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award.

This was the 15th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals. The winner not only received the trophy but also $3,000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan. The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by the Karazzisis family for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Fine Kiss (264.99). In addition, the winner received a sponsorship from the AHJF, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Ferrell as its winner. Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship.

For those interested in seeing the Finals in action, visit www.equestriansport.tvhttp://presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=155844. For complete results, visit www.capitalchallenge.org.

4047 Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY 40511 Phone: 859-258-2472 Fax: 859-231-6662

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The 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show was a great success this year with fantastic competition in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. The show was held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. Equitation Weekend Highlights, presented by BigEq.com Cayla Richards of Calabasas, CA, was a big winner on the first day of Equitation Weekend after she took the 15-Year-Old Equitation Championship and outlasted top riders to win the Flat Championships.

Richards won the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships, sponsored by Caraneen Smith, over 14 other riders from the five other equitation divisions. Second place went to Amber Henter, and Diederique Vander Knapp was third.

The reserve champion in the 15-Year-Old Equitation division, which is sponsored by Caraneen Smith, was Theo Boris of Culver City, CA. Boris rode Du Calme to first and second places over fences.

The champion of the 17-Year-Old Equitation, sponsored by Caraneen Smith, was Morgan Hale of Odessa, FL. Hale was the reserve champion last year in the 16-Year-Old division and was happy that she improved from last year. Hale rode Urco, a horse she has shown for a year, and she trains with Don Stewart. They placed first and second over fences and were fourth on the flat. The 17-Year-Old reserve champion was Jacqueline Lubrano of Glenmoore, PA. She and Golou II finished first, second, and sixth.

Jessica Springsteen continued her success at Capital Challenge this year with the championship in the 16-Year-Old Equitation, which is sponsored by Frank Madden Show Stables. She rode Papillon over fences to a blue ribbon indoors and Class Action to second place on the flat and first place in the outdoor over fences class. The 16-Year-Old reserve champion was Amber Henter of St. Petersburg, FL. Henter rode Triumph to first on the flat and to two fourths over fences.

Caroline Spogli made her debut in the equitation weekend count when she won the 13-/14-Year-Old Equitation championship, sponsored by Erin Duffy, Laurie Derosa, Newmarket, and Tammy Provost.

Spogli, who is from Rancho Santa Fe, CA, is 14 years old and trains with Ken and Emily Smith. She rode Superfly to two first places, one over fences and one under saddle. Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, FL, was the 13-/14-Year-Old Equitation reserve champion. She rode Almost Famous and placed second, third, and fifth.

The final equitation championship of the day was in the 12-Year-Old division, sponsored by Caraneen Smith. Sydney Callaway of San Diego, CA, captured the championship when she and her mount Cassius were first and second over fences. Callaway trains with Erin Duffy at Newmarket Stables. The 12-Year-Old Equitation reserve champion was Hannah von Heidegger of Chatsworth, CA, on Ambassador. They placed first, third, and fifth in the division.

Chase Boggio of Canton, GA, rose to the top of 87 competitors to win the 2009 North American Equitation Championships. Sixteen-year-old Boggio rode Graphiq, a 12-year-old gelding, to victory.

Boggio led through the entire class, scoring an 88.6 in the first round and an 89.45 in the second round.

Sara Green and Samson made a jump up the standings from eighth to third place with a strong secondround score of 86. Laura King had two steady trips on Uno to score 85.6 and 86.8 for second place.

Sylvia DeToledo of New York, NY, won a work-off for victory in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals. In the THIS National Children's Medal Finals, it came down to the two top riders after two rounds of competition. They were separated by only two-tenths of a point, which mandated a work-off to be held. Sylvia DeToledo and Lion King had a near-perfect work-off for the win. In second place, also with a very strong work-off, were Sydney Callaway and Cassius.

In the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, Charlene Graham of Rochester, NY, finished on top with her horse Only You. Jessica Springsteen was honored in a presentation as the Best Equitation Rider of the weekend by Jonathan Rabon of EMO Agency.

Professional Hunter Highlights The first championship of the week went to Rumba and John French in the Second Year Green Working Hunters. The nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding is owned by Mountain Home Stables of Woodside, CA. Rumba and French won both over fences on the first day of competition and were third in the under saddle. They picked up second places in the handy and stake classes.

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Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, rode Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler's Lone Star to the championship in the Regular Working Hunters. They started out the week with a win and second place over fences and were second under saddle. They won the first class and added a third-place ribbon. The reserve champion in the division was On Top, ridden by Keri Kampsen for Laurel Ridge Sport Horses of Temecula, CA. They placed second, third, and fourth over fences.

Tosh also rode Rosalynn, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare of Warrenton, VA, to the reserve championship in the Second Year Green Working Hunters after placing sixth over fences, second in the handy class, and winning the stake class. Tosh has ridden the mare since last fall, sharing riding duties this year with Kelley Farmer.

In the Future Hunters, the champion of the Six-and-Over division was Showman, ridden by Sandy Ferrell for Alexa and Krista Weisman of Sherborn, MA. The pair won three of four classes in the division and was second under saddle. Scott Stewart and Too Cool finished as reserve champions. They placed second in all three over fences classes and were third under saddle.

Ferrell also finished as champion in the Future Hunter Mares division with Torrey Pines Stables' Prudence. They won three out of four classes. The reserve champion was Rosebud, ridden by Kelley Farmer for Spencer Ranch. They were first, third, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle.

Hunt Tosh and Good Humor were champions in the Future Hunter Non-Thoroughbred division. They were first, first, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle. The reserve champion was Summer Place, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart, who placed first and third over fences.

Scott Stewart picked up a Future Hunter championship with Nescio in the Thoroughbred/Thoroughbredcross division. They were first, second, and fourth over fences and they won the under saddle class. The reserve champion was Listen, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Jane Gaston. They won two over fences classes and placed sixth in the remaining over fences class.

Tim Goguen and Tripoli, owned by Boggs Hill, won the championship in the Future Hunter Five-andUnder division. They placed first, third, and third over fences and won the under saddle class. Peter Pletcher and Vibe, owned by Becky Gochman, were reserve champions with first, third, and fifth places.

The final championship went to Premier and Ken Berkley in the Future Hunter Colts and Gelding division. Owned by Gina Day, Premier won three out of four classes in the division. Premier's barn-mate Crownpoint, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart, was first, second, third, and fifth for the reserve championship.

Scott Stewart and World Time won the $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge. After the first round earlier in the day, the top 12 were asked back for the second round. Scott Stewart and World Time won the first round with a score of 90.83 and won the second round with an 89.66 to score a total of 180.49 for the win over John French and Rumba, who scored 176.74, and Hunt Tosh on Rosalynn with 173.66.

Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship after their Green Conformation Champion win. Berkley and Sambalino, owned by Gina Day, were champions in the Green Conformation Hunters, winning over Fashion Farm's Declaration and Scott Stewart. With their 37 points in the division, they were awarded the Grand Hunter Championship and Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

Katherine Newman guided Daydream to victory in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the evening session, the up-and-coming riders in the hunter/jumper industry showed their stuff in the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. In the one-round class, it was all or nothing with one score determining the winner. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win. Newman is riding in her first year as a professional for her parents Gerry and Kathy Newman, and their farm, Allwyn Court.

Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the Future Hunter World Championship. The $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship was held indoors, and Sandy Ferrell and Showman, who were crowned Grand Future Hunter Champions, carried away the World Championship with two scores of 90.2. Showman is owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman. They also collected the EMO Trip of Show for the Futures, with a high score of 91.

John Ingram of Nashville, TN, rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class. Hush is no stranger to the winner's circle, and he floated across the ground to win the blue ribbon.

In the WCHR Professional Finals, the top six qualified hunter riders in the nation went head-to-head in a four-round class to determine the 2009 Professional World Champion Hunter Rider. Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, led the class from the beginning to win in his debut in the prestigious event.

Tosh started out the night with a bang when he scored a 93 in the first round on the horse he brought to the competition, Lone Star, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler. In the second round, he rode Camira, owned by Melanie Barnes, brought to the competition by Peter Pletcher. They scored a 90.16 to raise Tosh's total to 183.16.

In the third round, Tosh and Lindsay Wolf's Lazy Sunday had a score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49. Tosh qualified as one of the top three riders to return for the final handy round. He piloted Fine Kiss, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare. They scored the highest round of the night with a 94.33 to give Tosh a total of 366.82 points for the win.

Tosh was thrilled to win his first WCHR Professional Finals. "When you win in a class like this, it's an especially big victory, and it is fun to do. I've watched it in the past, and it's something that you always want to win and hope you can come back. I hope to do it again like these guys."

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WCHR Professional Finals 1. Hunt Tosh 93+90.16+89.33+94.33=366.82 Lone Start owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler 2. Scott Stewart 87.66+85.66+91.66+89.66=354.64 Lazy Sunday owned by Lindsay Wolf 3. Kelley Farmer 88.33+88.00+87.66+88.00=351.99 Fine Kiss owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare 4. Ken Berkley 85.33+82.00+79.00=279.33 Rio Fino W owned by Wendy Hofmeister 5. Peter Pletcher 84.33+87.33+91.00=262.66 Camira owned by Melanie Barnes 6. John French 82.33+85.66+89.66=257.65 Illusion owned by Paige Dotson The championships awarded for the professional hunter divisions are as follows: First Year Green Working Hunter Section A Champion: Ante Up, Sandy Ferrell, Ann Thompson Reserve Champion: Triton, Peter Pletcher, Don Stewart Jr. First Year Green Working Hunter Section B Champion: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Reserve Champion: Travino, Patricia Griffith, Heritage Farm Green Conformation Hunter Champion: Sambalino, Ken Berkley, Gina Day Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Regular Conformation Hunter Champion: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Reserve Champion: Declaration, Scott Stewart, Fashion Farm Grand First Year Green Hunter: Arabella, Peter Pletcher, Becky Gochman Grand Green Hunter: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Grand Conformation Hunter: Luigi, Kelley Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare Tribute Perpetual Trophy: Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Best Hunter Performance: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler EMO Trip of the Show: tie: Rumba, John French, Mountain Home Stable Lone Star, Hunt Tosh, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Hunter Highlights The Amateur-Owner Hunters were split by age into two divisions. In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Erin Stewart of Ocala, FL, rode Quality Time to the championship for her father, Don Stewart. Quality Time and Stewart swept the division, impressively winning all five classes. Their incredible performance easily gave them the Grand Amateur Hunter Championship, and Stewart was named the Leading Amateur Hunter Rider. They also won the EMO Amateur Trip of the Show. The reserve championship went to Dawn Fogel on Royal Oak, who had two second places over fences and a fourth under saddle.

The championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over division went to Stacy Arani and Bolero.

Arani and Bolero earned a first, two seconds and a fourth over fences. Bolero is owned by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA. The reserve championship went to John Ingram and his own Hush. Hush earned a first over fences and a first under saddle.

The World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Amateur-Owner Challenge immediately followed the championship pinnings. Tracy Scheriff of Wellington, FL, rode her own Absolut to victory. The refined pair had a graceful and faultless round collecting the high score of 85.66. The class featured the top amateur riders and their horses from both divisions in a one-round class.

In the outdoor arena, Annie Frazier and her horse Bijou took home the championship in the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division. The pair was first and third over fences and won the under saddle. The reserve champion was Lisa Arena aboard her own Endo Fino. They took home a first and a third over fences.

Frazier's top ribbons gave her and Bijou the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter title and Leading Adult Hunter Rider. The EMO Adult Trip of the Show award went to Bliss and Laura Beckworth, who scored an 88.5 in the Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunter division.

In the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division, Amy Brubaker and CR Franz Marc took home the champion tricolor. CR Franz Marc is owned by KAC Horses, LLC. Reserve went to Laura Beckworth and her own Bliss.

Marilou Case and her horse, Unwritten, were the Adult Amateur Hunter 51 and Over division champions.

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The reserve championship went to Motown ridden by Karen Long Dwight. Motown is owned by Karen Long Dwight and Barbara Ridder Irwin.

Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year's World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals. She won the Finals aboard Caitlin Zeigler's Relentless. The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship this year. The top 12 horses from the first round were invited back to compete in the second round. Brubaker and Relentless were in fifth place after round one with a score of 83.66. Coming back for round two, they put in a very consistent and composed round earning a high score of 87.00. The duo finished with a combined score of 170.66 to secure the win.

The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka. The two achieved a firstround high score of 87.20. The top 10 horses from the first round returned to the ring for another go.

Once again, Cash and Calinka took the high score of the round with an 86.60 for a final score of 173.80.

Calinka is owned by Laura Gamino.

This year's Grand Pony Hunter Championship went to the winner in the Large Pony Hunter division, Franklin's Tower, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams for Meg O'Mara. They won three over fences classes and also placed third over fences. The reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters was For the Laughter, ridden by Victoria Colvin for Scott Stewart. They won an over fences class and the under saddle. Adams was also named the Best Pony Rider and they won the EMO Pony Trip of the Show with a score of 90.

The Small Pony Hunter championship went to Elation and rider Meredith Darst. Elation is owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, and trained by Rob Coluccio and Richard Cunkle of Wellington, FL. Today, Elation and Darst won the first over fences class and the handy hunter class. The reserve championship in the Small division went to Prince Monticello, ridden by Kirklen Petersen for owner Ashley Delgado. They were second and third over fences and finished sixth in the handy hunter class.

In the Medium Pony division, Allison Toffolon aboard Heart's Desire, owned by Stone Ridge, took home the championship. Toffolon and Heart's Desire finished first and third over fences, first under saddle, second in the handy hunter and fifth in the conformation class. Reserve champion Meredith Darst and Chloe Hirtenstein's Champlain Treasure Me collected a first in the handy hunter, a second over fences and a second in the conformation class.

The Large Junior Hunter 16-17 champion was Sarah Sturges and her horse Sweet Addiction. The duo won twice over fences and took fifth under saddle. Reserve champion was Laura King and Pharrell, who had a second, sixth and third over fences and a first under saddle. Pharrell is owned by Blantyre Farm, of Irvington, NY. In the $5,000 Handy Hunter Challenge, 13 competitors took on a course full of turns, a trot jump, hand gallop, and an option that included opening and riding through a gate. The first horse in the ring was Lyle, ridden by 17-year-old Abby O'Mara of Rumson, NJ, and they laid down a fabulous trip that no one could come near for a score of 88.66.

To finish Saturday in the outdoor ring, the Children's Hunter Pony division gave out their championship ribbons. Madelyn Keck rode Porter Allen's Tango to the champion tricolor, while Taylor Willever on Chase the Rain, owned by Kimber-view Stables was the reserve champion.

The Grand Junior Hunter Champion was Laura King aboard Heartfelt, the champions of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Heartfelt is owned by Blantyre Farm of Irvington, NY. The pair finished with a first and two seconds over fences. Their top finishes also gave them the Grand Older Junior Hunter Championship. Alexandra Arute and Red Rooster secured the reserve championship with a first and sixth over fences and a first under saddle. Red Rooster is owned by Old Oak Farm of Los Angeles, CA. King was also presented with the best Junior Hunter Rider Award. The EMO Junior Trip of the Show was a tie with a score of 88.5 between Red Rooster and Alex Arute and Sarah Sturges with Sweet Addiction.

The Small Junior 15 and Under Champion was Victoria Colvin and Ovation. Ovation is owned by Scott Stewart and Colvin has been riding the nine-year-old Brandenburg since the beginning of Florida. Colvin and Ovation finished with a first under saddle, second in the handy hunter and fourth over fences. The reserve champion was Casey Green and her own Savannah. The pair was first in hunter stake, second over fences, and fifth under saddle.

The Large Junior 15 and Under Champion was Sambalino, another mount for Victoria Colvin. They earned a second, third, and sixth over fences and were first under saddle. Sambalino is a seven-yearold Brandenburg owned by Gina Day that Colvin started riding at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Sambalino was also the Grand Champion Junior Hunter of the two younger divisions. The reserve champion was Hasbrouck Donovan aboard Quality Time for Don Stewart. They finished with a second over fences, third in the stake and fourth under saddle.

Kelly Cruciotti and Q were named the Grand Children's Hunter Champion and collected the EMO Trip of the Show along with the Children's Hunter 14 and Under Section tricolor. Q was first and second over fences and was first under saddle. The reserve champion was Chloe Johnson aboard Park Place. Park Place is owned by Tina Hubbard of Shaker Heights, OH. Johnson and Park Place finished with two thirds over fences and second under saddle.

The champion of the B Section of the Children's 14 and Under Hunters was Independence, ridden by Alyson Jacoff for Rach Schaeffer. The reserve championship in the section went to Limoges, ridden by Megan MacPherson for Audrey Carlson. Talie Lynch and Sunfest won the Children's 15-17 Hunter championship over Phoebe Hersh and One Up, who were awarded the reserve championship.

The WCHR Children's Final victory went to Silas V and Brianne Link, while the WCHR Pony Challenge was won by Madelyn Keck and Tuscany. Tuscany is owned by West End Stables of Los Angeles, CA. They had a smooth and consistent round earning the high score of 83.00. Red Rooster and Alexandra Arute won the WCHR Junior Challenge with a score of 88.66. Red Rooster is owned by Old Oak Farm in

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Los Angeles, CA. The award for Leading Trainer of Capital Challenge went to Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ. Hayley Barnhill was given the Stewart Warner Cup for junior riders. Parker Wright was the recipient of the Stewart Warner Cup. The Cup is given to an up-and-coming junior rider who exhibits the best hunter style and show potential.

Jumper Highlights In the $10,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Challenge, 52 entries went to post, but only 17 were able to find the path to a clear round. These 17 returned for a jump-off against the clock. The eight-fence jump off was a fast track offering up long galloping lines, yet tested riders with a tight roll-back to an in and out.

Eleven riders kept the rails from hitting the dirt and the chase for the blue came down to speed.

The last rider on course was Katherine Edgell on Miss Kitty. They were the fastest fault-free round, stopping the clock in 34.755 seconds. They beat the next fastest time by more than two seconds as the last horse in the ring. Second place went to Joann Williams on Weekend Warrior, who was double clean in 36.949 seconds. Jeanine Cash and Turbo were third with a clear round in 36.979 seconds. Edgell was named Leading Adult Jumper Rider, while Colleen Lewis on Orlando was named Leading Children's Jumper Rider.

The North American Junior/Amateur Challenge Cup kicked off on Thursday evening with a Time First Round class. There were 27 entries in the class, and there were eight clean rounds. This was the first round of three in the Challenge Cup, which awards $40,000 in total prize money and was sponsored by Heritage Farm and Kate Considine/Willow Brook Farm. Tim Hooker of Wellington, FL, rode Sirius 127 to a very quick round of 53.734 seconds to win over Tracey Weinberg, who finished second on Larone in 54.483 seconds and third with Cromwell in 58.459 seconds.

In the $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Round Two, only eight managed to go clear over the speed course designed by Conrad Homfeld. Last to go was Thursday night's winner Tim Hooker and his own Sirius 127. Hooker rode the course impeccably with quick turns and shaved time off the clock by leaving out a stride in the first line. Hooker tried to leave out a stride again in the last line but got into a tight spot to the last oxer. The ever-athletic Sirius 127 made a great effort to easily clear the jump. They finished with a time of 54.574 seconds, 0.552 seconds faster than Lauren Crooks and Endeavor, who finished second with a time of 54.997.

Early leader Tim Hooker on Sirius 127 was able to retain the lead for the series win in the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup. Hayley Barnhill and Toucan Tango won the $25,000 final class. In the final round of the $40,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup, 15year-old Hayley Barnhill from Memphis, TN, rode Toucan Tango, a seven-year-old Holsteiner/Selle Francais gelding, to the win. The Time First Jump-off course was designed by Conrad Homfeld, and the class was presented by the Oken family and Hi Hopes Farm.

Out of 24 entries in the class, there were eight clear rounds. Barnhill returned fourth in the order and put in a quick, clear round in 38.669 seconds. Every rider after her had faults, which gave Barnhill the win.

For Hooker, his plan of taking the early lead in Thursday night's speed class came to fruition. Hooker and Sirius 127, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding, won the first two speed phases of the Challenge Cup. In the final round, they had four faults and placed ninth. Hooker had to wait and see how Tracey Weinberg did in the jump-off to determine whether he would lead the victory gallop. If Weinberg had won, she would have repeated her victory from last year. If she was second, she would have had to jump-off against Hooker. When Weinberg had a rail on her final mount, it gave the win to Hooker.

Along with winning the Ariat Congressional Cup, Hooker was named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider.

Barnhill was named Best Junior Jumper Rider.

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October 14, 2009 -- Upper Marlboro, MD - Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best.

Their victory weekend included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world's elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Ashley Butler, Hunt Tosh & Kaitlyn Johnston Olympic gold medalist Conrad Photo by Diana DeRosa Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

AHJF President Keeley Gogul with Ashley Butler & Kaitlyn Johnston

http://ahjf.com/pr_JHC_capchall09....

16:23:55 PM

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for

1

AHJF - American Hunter-Jumper F...

Friday, January 08, 2010

Page 2 of 5

the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look Photo by Diana DeRosa behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER - JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2'3" and 2'6" fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. "When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too."

Ashley doesn't just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. "I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion."

While horses take up a lot of her life she's very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children's play at her school. "It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player."

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping "to do it as a profession one day."

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that "it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven't won anything and so I guess this year was our year."

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, "I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to."

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

"They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about," she continued.

http://ahjf.com/pr_JHC_capchall09....

16:23:55 PM

Conrad Homfeld with Ashley Butler & Kaitlyn Johnston Photo by Diana DeRosa

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Friday, January 08, 2010

Page 3 of 5

"It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2'3" and the other 2'3", 2'6" to 3'6" and all the shows are on the same circuit."

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. "This is an amazing program and I can't believe I am here. I can't wait to tell all my friends."

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone.

Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye's Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23-year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you'd be wrong. "I also ride my trainers horses," she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. "I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2'9" and school at 3'."

Kaitlyn Johnston, AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge winner for the Western Region Photo by Diana DeRosa

While Kaitlyn can't remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. "I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off."

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. "They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can't explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I've warmed up I am fine."

Although most of Kaitlyn's time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, "I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don't know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge."

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. "I didn't expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn't aiming to win but then I won both classes."

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, "My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer's jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height."

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition "they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn't show in all of them like other people did."

http://ahjf.com/pr_JHC_capchall09....

16:23:55 PM

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Friday, January 08, 2010

Page 4 of 5 Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. "I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders."

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. "I was speechless when I met him," she admitted. "I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here."

Peter Pletcher with Kaitlyn Johnston & Ashley Butler Photo by Diana DeRosa

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, "I learned so much.

I think I am going to use everything I learned."

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION

Hunt Tosh, Scott Stewart, Ashley Butler, Kelley Farmer, Kaitlyn Johnston, Peter Pletcher John French & Ken Berkley Photo by Diana DeRosa At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

"No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be," offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. "Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do," suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final's winner.

"Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can," added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you," remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. "It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena," noted two-time WCHR Pro Final's winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, "put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level."

http://ahjf.com/pr_JHC_capchall09....

16:23:55 PM

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While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

"Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge," said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her.

Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Kaitlyn Johnston, Karen Golding & Ashley Butler Photo by Diana DeRosa

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

Š2004-2009, American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583 ahjf@earthlink.net 508-835-8813

http://ahjf.com/pr_JHC_capchall09....

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hunter and jumper world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

http://www.horsesdaily.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1180:ahjf-junior-hunter... 12/11/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn

Page 2 of 6 Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

Kaitlyn Johnston Photo by Diana DeRosa

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session,

sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

Ashley Butler - Just 13 and Living A Dream

Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler. Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

Ashley Butler, Conrad Homfeld and Kaitlyn Johnston

The road to where she is

Photo by Diana DeRosa

today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.” Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.”

http://www.horsesdaily.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1180:ahjf-junior-hunter... 12/11/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn

Page 3 of 6

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win.

I think it was because Jughead

and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination. “They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued.

“It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.” Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here.

I can’t wait to tell all my

friends.”

At 16 Kaitlyn Has Horses In Her Blood

Kaitlyn Johnston, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnston.

Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so Karen Gogul, Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston. Photo by Diana DeRosa

many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare. And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them.

I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am

competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

http://www.horsesdaily.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1180:ahjf-junior-hunter... 12/11/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn

Page 4 of 6

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.” Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.” For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of.

I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t

show in all of them like other people did.”

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.” Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most.

“I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR Pro Finalists Give Some Direction

At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six. “No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s

Hunt Tosh and Fine Kiss Photo by Diana DeRosa

winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked

http://www.horsesdaily.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1180:ahjf-junior-hunter... 12/11/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn

Page 5 of 6

Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend. “Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

American Hunter-Jumper Foundation The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net .

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Home Âť Showing/Events AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn By: Newsroom Associate Last Modified: 10/16/2009 9:47:32 PM

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from Their Heroes

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Email to Friend October 14, 2009 -Upper Marlboro, MD Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Their victory weekend included a chance A Horse Blog - Our to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world's elite riders, horses, judges, course Blog designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) Calendar of Events of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic Equine Directory gold medalist Conrad Homfeld, World Cup Team Hunter Resource Guide Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Market Place Peter Pletcher, and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people Classified Ads who gave of their time and knowledge.

Advertising & Web Services In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots Banner Request horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and Form a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules Newsletters and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for About Us junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Contact Us Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Portfolio Ashley, Lawrence, MI, won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three Members days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing Username: what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that Password: someone at their level could only dream about.

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During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley

http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8507

10/17/2009

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Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad (left) and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER - JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner, over 2'3" and 2'6" fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. "When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too."

Ashley doesn't just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults, but it is the horses that she enjoys most. "I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion."

While horses take up a lot of her life she's very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children's play at her school. "It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it.

My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player."

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping "to do it as a profession one day."

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that "it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven't won anything and so I guess this year was our year."

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, "I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to."

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all

http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8507

10/17/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn - HorsesintheSouth.com

Page 3 of 6

gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

"They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about," she continued.

"It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2'3" and the other 2'3", 2'6" to 3'6" and all the shows are on the same circuit."

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. "This is an amazing program and I can't believe I am here. I can't wait to tell all my friends."

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family.

Skye's Alibi is a four-month-old Warmblood cross, Paint filly whom her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross, gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you'd be wrong. "I also ride my trainer's horses," she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. "I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2'9" and school at 3'."

While Kaitlyn can't remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. "I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off."

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. "They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can't explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I've warmed up I am fine."

Although most of Kaitlyn's time is consumed with her horses, at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge, Kaitlyn remarked, "I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don't know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge."

http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8507

10/17/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn - HorsesintheSouth.com

Page 4 of 6

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. "I didn't expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn't aiming to win but then I won both classes."

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, "My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer's jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height."

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition "they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn't show in all of them like other people did."

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. "I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders."

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher (right) that awed her the most. "I was speechless when I met him," she admitted. "I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here."

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, "I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned."

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

"No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be," offered Hunt, Cummings, GA (left).

"Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do," suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final's winner.

"Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can," added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you," remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX.

http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8507

10/17/2009

AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge Winners Listen and Learn - HorsesintheSouth.com

Page 5 of 6

"It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena," noted two-time WCHR Pro Final's winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, "Put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level."

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

"Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge," said Karen Golding (right).

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had.

Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-8358813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

Newsroom Associate Staff Writer support@horsesinthesouth.com

http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=8507

10/17/2009

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Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge October 16, 2009

October 16, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Read more Written by Capital Challenge · Filed Under Capital Challenge, Diana DeRosa, USA | Leave a Comment

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10/31/2009

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge : Hunt... Page 1 of 11

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Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge October 16, 2009

October 16, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Their victory weekend http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9470

10/31/2009

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge : Hunt... Page 2 of 11 included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title.

At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER – JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.”

Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.” http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9470

10/31/2009

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge : Hunt... Page 3 of 11 The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

“They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued.

“It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.”

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a sixyear-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23-year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.”

Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9470

10/31/2009

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge : Hunt... Page 4 of 11 To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.”

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.”

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION

At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA. Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

“Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=9470

10/31/2009

Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes at the Capital Challenge : Hunt... Page 5 of 11 Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge. In 2004, the AHJF created an

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annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the

Northwest

grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a

Equine

special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This

Events

annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the

Sat, Oct 17 2009

non-recognized level. Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner

Happ's Trail

and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored

Horse

by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to

Challenge

the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to

Sat, Oct 17 2009

judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting

Ranch Roping

awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level

&

could only dream about. During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a

Horsemanship

judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy

Clinic with

Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500

Paul Rogers Sat, Oct 17 2009

Foothills of the Cascades Ride & Tie Sat, Oct 17 2009

Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/ahjf-junior-hunter-challenge-winners.html

10/17/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN A... Page 2 of 5 Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro

Partnership

Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five

Intensive

other finalists. ASHLEY BUTLER – JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen

Week 4 of 4

-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital

Sat, Oct 17 2009

Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler. Ashley earned her win on

Two Day

Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse. The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my

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cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.” Ashley doesn’t just ride.

In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.” While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional

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musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.” As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.” The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.” Ashley also was appreciative to

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the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.” That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination. “They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where

Horse Problems Solved Natural Horsemanship Training Teaching The Language of The Horse NaturalHorsemanshipNow

all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued. “It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.” Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and

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was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.” AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills. Her

Reviews Reviews ( 3 ) • Profile • Reviews

horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare. And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed. Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/ahjf-junior-hunter-challenge-winners.html

10/17/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN A... Page 3 of 5 just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.” While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.” No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.” Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming. Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.” To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.” And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.” Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.” Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.” Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six. “No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/10/ahjf-junior-hunter-challenge-winners.html

10/17/2009

Northwest Horse Source News: AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN A... Page 4 of 5 Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.” While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend. “Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding. Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider. Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember. AMERICAN HUNTERJUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan. The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010). At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010

Page 1 of 15

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JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

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JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE – TRULY A UNIQUE PROGRAM RUN BY THE AHJF Friday, November 6, 2009

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN AND LEARN Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes October 14, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best.

Their victory weekend included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such http://www.swhorsetrader.com/200...

17:00:54 PM

4

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010 as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

Page 5 of 15

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL. The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER – JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.”

Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.”

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

“They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued. http://www.swhorsetrader.com/200...

17:00:54 PM

5

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010 “It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.”

Page 6 of 15

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend.

“This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23-year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.”

Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. http://www.swhorsetrader.com/200...

17:00:54 PM

6

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010 I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.”

Page 7 of 15

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.”

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX. “It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

“Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had.

Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her.

Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember. http://www.swhorsetrader.com/200...

17:00:54 PM

7

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010 AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION

Page 8 of 15

The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateurowner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net. .

AHJF JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE WINNERS LISTEN AND LEARN Ashley and Kaitlyn Spend a Weekend Learning from their Heroes October 14, 2009 — Upper Marlboro, MD – Ashley Butler and Kaitlyn Johnston were all eyes and ears making sure to absorb everything they could. As the winners of the annual AHJF Junior Hunter Challenge they were mixing and mingling with the best of the best. Their victory weekend included a chance to wander the horse show grounds with some of the hunter and jumper world’s elite riders, horses, judges, course designers and more on the final weekend (October 2-4, 2009) of the eight-day Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld. World Cup Team Hunter Challenge and AHJF WCHR Pro Finals three-time winner Peter Pletcher and Olympic and World Equestrian Games Chief Steward Karen Golding are just a sampling of the people who gave of their time and knowledge.

In 2004, the AHJF created an annual program known as the Junior Hunter Challenge. It is based around the grass roots horse shows (non USEF or USEF Local Member Events) and a special series of classes guided by a specific set of rules and regulations. This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level.

Kaitlyn, Arlington, TX, was the Western Region winner and Ashley, Lawrence, MI won for the Eastern Region. This event is sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the winners get a free trip to the Capital Challenge and three days of hands-on activities such as learning to judge, seeing what grooming is like at an A-rated horse show, presenting awards in the arena and more. It was a weekend that someone at their level could only dream about.

During the weekend they met with Geoff Teall for a judging session, sat with noted riders and trainers Havens Schatt and Sandy Ferrell for the WCHR Pro Finals and got a look behind the scenes at barn etiquette with AHJF President Keeley Gogul. They received a firsthand tour of the HEART Ambulance, met and learned how to walk a course from Conrad and were educated in national, international and Olympic rules and regulations from Karen, Wellington, FL.

http://www.swhorsetrader.com/200...

17:00:54 PM

8

JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE ...

Friday, January 08, 2010

Page 9 of 15

The highlight of their victory was being part of the photo awards presentation after Hunt Tosh won the $7,500 Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Finals for the 2009 AHJF Professional WCHR title. At the end of the evening they attended the Pro Finals press conference and had their picture taken with Hunt and the five other finalists.

ASHLEY BUTLER – JUST 13 AND LIVING A DREAM Thirteen-year-old Ashley Butler (April 1, 1996), an only child, came to the Capital Challenge Horse Show with her mom, Sally Butler.

Ashley earned her win on Jughead, a Trakehner over 2’3” and 2’6” fences. Jughead is owned by Cedar Lodge Stables, which is also home for the horse.

The road to where she is today started when she was just a baby. “When I was little my parents gave me pony rides and I would stay at the barn and pick up rocks and then when I was eight I started riding. My aunt, who is a co-owner of a barn, is my trainer and my cousins help me out a lot. My mom used to ride too.”

Ashley doesn’t just ride. In fact she plays basketball, softball, is in a drama and music class and also vaults but it is the horses that she enjoys most. “I just love being around them; the feeling that you have when you are with them. They are your best friends, it is my passion.”

While horses take up a lot of her life she’s very serious about her other activities and last year had the lead in the annual children’s play at her school. “It is a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My parents are professional musicians. My mom is a pianist and my dad is a professional guitar player.”

As far as horses, Ashley is hoping “to do it as a profession one day.”

The young teenager devoted a lot of time to her victory explaining that “it took a lot of hard work to qualify and win. I think it was because Jughead and I had good courses at our shows. Out of all the hard work I have put in I haven’t won anything and so I guess this year was our year.”

Ashley also was appreciative to the AHJF for organizing the Junior Hunter Challenge series and commented, “I really like this program. I learned a lot and to be able to win and come here is amazing and overwhelming. I never thought I could come to some place like this and now I know I can become a professional if I want to.”

That confidence was encouraged by all the people she spent time with over the weekend who made it clear that they had all gotten to where they are today by hard work and determination.

“They let me know that it does take a lot of work to get to where all the professionals are today. I learned how to judge and what the HEART ambulance does and what one of these shows is all about,” she continued.

“It is a lot bigger than what I am used to. For us there are just two rings and the first ring goes from cross rails to 2’3” and the other 2’3”, 2’6” to 3’6” and all the shows are on the same circuit.”

Before ending our conversation Ashley wanted to thank the AHJF and especially Colleen Costich, who works for the AHJF and was the one who guided her through the weekend. “This is an amazing program and I can’t believe I am here. I can’t wait to tell all my friends.”

AT 16 KAITLYN HAS HORSES IN HER BLOOD Kaitlyn Johnstone, 15 (September 26, 1994), is also an only child who came to the Capital Challenge horse show with her parents Becky and Kevan Johnstone. Kaitlyn has four horses of her own ranging from just four months to 23 years and it was that experience around so many different horses that has helped improve her riding skills.

Her horses consist of Merlin, a 17-year-old, Thoroughbred, bay gelding who is the newest member of her horsey family. Skye’s Alibi is a four-month old, Warmblood cross, Paint filly who her mare, Sky Blue, a six-year-old Paint/Draft cross gave birth to. The veteran horse in her family is Babe, a 23year-old, bay, Quarter Horse mare.

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And if you think these are the only horses that Kaitlyn is around you’d be wrong. “I also ride my trainers horses,” she revealed.

Kaitlyn started collecting horses when she was just eight years old. “I just keep adding them. I ride hunters and jumpers and right now I am competing up to 2’9” and school at 3’.”

While Kaitlyn can’t remember the first time she was ever on a horse she surmises that she was bitten by the horse bug on a pony ride. While her early memories are dim she recalls one early incident that should have discouraged her. “I rode a horse named Brio. He was 17 hands tall and at one point he ran away with me and I fell off.”

No matter, she just fell in love with these animals. “They are my passion. I always wanted to be around them. I can’t explain why but maybe just their beauty. I love being on them; when I am on their back in the show ring at first I get nervous but once I’ve warmed up I am fine.”

Although most of Kaitlyn’s time is consumed with her horses at one point she played soccer and these days she tries to fit in time for running and swimming.

Looking around the indoor arena at the Capital Challenge Kaitlyn remarked, “I want to end up here. I thought about the grand prix but I don’t know yet. I want to train and ride. I would like to get where all these guys are as far as riding and then I can train. Teaching other people what you know is making good use of your knowledge.”

To earn her stripes for the points needed to earn her the win Kaitlyn showed in two Hidden Lake shows in Texas. “I didn’t expect to win. I was riding in it for fun and wasn’t aiming to win but then I won both classes.”

And there is an aside to her story. For the second competition Kaitlyn explained, “My trainer took the wrong horse. It was my trainer’s jumper but it was the best mistake she ever made, so I won on two different horses. The horses look exactly the same except for the height.”

For her winning ride she was given a test by the judge and recalls that in the first competition “they had us make up our own course and so I did the most difficult course I could think of. I was really surprised when I found out I won because I didn’t show in all of them like other people did.”

Like Ashley, Kaitlyn is thankful to the AHJF for recognizing the need for a program like this. “I really love the program. It helps kids our age learn about the horse shows and what to aim for. It is a lot bigger here. I really like seeing all the big time riders.”

Looking back at the weekend it was meeting fellow Texan Peter Pletcher that awed her the most. “I was speechless when I met him,” she admitted. “I just found out he existed and was getting to know about him and then I got to meet him here.”

Kaitlyn continued talking about the weekend noting, “I learned so much. I think I am going to use everything I learned.”

WCHR PRO FINALISTS GIVE SOME DIRECTION At the press conference following the WCHR Pro Finals the six finalists were asked to offer advice to Kaitlyn and Ashley on what they can do to one day be one of the final six.

“No matter where you are starting out there are always people that will help you, so keep your head up and go full force and go for where you want to be,” offered Hunt, Cummings, GA. “Ride as many horses as you can and take a lot of time to see what the top professionals in the industry do,” suggested Scott Stewart, Flemington, NJ and Wellington, FL, three-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner.

“Take every opportunity you can to watch good professionals ride and ride anything and everything you can,” added Kelley Farmer, 2009 AHJF Hunter Classic winner, Keswick, VA. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. All it takes is hard work and we are all up here to prove that to you,” remarked Peter, Magnolia, TX.

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“It is not just about watching the competition but also spending time observing the schooling area and how we are getting the horses ready for the class. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside the competition arena,” noted two-time WCHR Pro Final’s winner John French, San Juan Bautista, CA Ken Berkley, Flemington, NJ, concluded, “put yourself in the best and most professional riding environment that you can regardless of your level.”

While it was during the press conference that these riders offered their advice, the Junior Challenge winners had been receiving good suggestions all weekend.

“Ask questions of everyone because at your age you are like a sponge,” said Karen Golding.

Keeley left an open invitation for the riders to contact her with whatever questions they had. Peter offered to meet up with Kaitlyn at one of their local shows and even school her. Conrad took his time to make sure the riders understood how to stride out distances and what different fences required of the horse and rider.

Each of the people who sat with the Junior Challenge winners went above and beyond what either Ashley or Kaitlyn could have imagined. Who knows maybe this weekend will be the stepping stone for Ashley or Kaitlyn to one day walk in the shoes or boots of the many professionals who gave of their time and expertise to make this weekend something they will always remember.

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs and the AHJF Investment Plan.

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 20, 2010) and the World Champion Hunter Rider Pro Finals (October 8, 2010).

At the Capital Challenge the Junior Hunter Challenge weekend was part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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