Legacy Cup: Final
At the Legacy Cup, "The Horse" and "The Process".

By Jamie Krauss

The final day of the Legacy Cup has arrived. Before we get to results, it's notable to mention that one of the best things about this horse show is that it is not just about winning and losing, rather about 'the horse' and 'the process.' One of the most special things about the Legacy Cup is not just the stories of success, but those of triumph.

Two particular horses come to mind.

Stephanie Mazer brought her horse, La Luna to the Legacy Cup, not knowing what to expect. Three years ago, someone put a stallion in the stall behind her, and when her owners arrived at the barn in the morning, her leg was broken. Vets said that she would never walk again.

"It took me years to bring her back," Mazer explained. "I lived in her stall for five months. I call her my 'miracle child.'"

Mazer continued, "I didn't even know what she would be able to do. Todd Minikus told me to try her in the jumpers, so I did."

Mazer and the mare have been showing in the Adult jumper division, and decided to bring her here because her other horse was coming.

"We just thought it would be fun, and we would give it a try. We even did her in the Working Hunter class one day…she's never jumped four feet before, but she was really good!" Mazer said.

Another fun story I dug up was that of Garfield's. Garfield belongs to Jenevieve Vatterott, who bought him two years ago…when he was already 19 years old. He's now 21.

"He's the soundest horse I've ever owned," Vatterott laughed. "I bought him at 19 for $9,000, and he's the best teacher you could ever ask for."

Vatterott's past is extraordinary. He began as a packhorse in Colorado, packing dead off the mountain. This was his job as a yearling and as a two-year-old, but at three he became too big for that line of work.

Wilson Dennehy discovered him "on some range out there," as Vatterott explains it. Liza Dennehy then took the horse, and he became her High JR/AO jumper. The duo even competed in some mid-west Grand Prixs.

Later in his career, he did the Equitation finals with Dawn Fogel back when she was a junior. Vatterott estimates that her horse probably had 15 owners before he came to her.

"And now he's with me to stay," she said definitively. "He'll keep going until he's done. He'll tell me when he's ready to retire."

Now, on to the final day's victories.

The Invitational classes started off on this last morning for those Non-Professionals that did not qualify in the top twenty for the finals this afternoon.

Bruce Duchossois was the big winner of the morning, winning both first and second place in the 3' class, sponsored by Kilkenny Insurance. Don't Tell Chip and Que Sera were first and second respectively. Both horses are brand new, this being only his third horse show on each.

"[Don't Tell Chip] is my practice horse. He's a blast to ride…I just leave him alone and let him do his thing," Duchossois said.

"He's very forgiving," he continued. "He's the perfect adult horse."

Second place horse, Que Sera, was a successful junior hunter ridden by Derek Braun before he was purchased by Duchossois with the intention to move up to the Amateur Owner division.

Duchossois rides five days a week, and also has event horses and combined driving horses. He said that his favorite thing about the Legacy Cup is the people that put it on.

"It's so unique to come to a horse show like this. The people that put it on are so wonderful, and they make the show exhibitor friendly. I'm glad I got to bring my horses here, and really excited about this win today, especially since both horses are new," he said.

The winner of the 3'6" invitational was Kacy Jenkins on Signature. 13-year-old Jenkins received $750, and was very excited about the win.

"I just got him in December," she explained, as she affectionately kissed her horse on the nose.

This win was especially poignant for Jenkins, who just had to put her down her last horse, Jahari, on February 13.

"I owe it all to him," she said of her late mount, whom she called 'Gus'. "He taught me everything I know in riding."

Signature might never be able to fill the horseshoes of Jahari, but the two seem to get along very well. A six-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Signature's signature characteristic is his personality.

"Other then that, my favorite things about him are…everything! I wouldn't change one thing!" Jenkins said.

Suzanne Mayo won the 3' Non-Pro Finals on her horse, Cumberland County. As the winner, Mayo received a check for $5,000, a Legacy Cup Varsity Jacket courtesy of Personalized Products, and a Hunt Jacket from Kocher Tack.

In order to catch up with Mayo, I had to trek back to her barn with her, because she takes care of her own horse.

"I can't believe this! I'm so happy," Mayo exclaimed. "It makes it even more special because he lives with me, and I took care of him here by myself." Mayo tied with Betty Oare and Stolen Moment, with the tie being broken by one pre-designated tie-breaking team of judges. A thirteen-year-old Oldenberg, Mayo has had him for four years. Before he became her adult horse, he "tried his hoof" in a bit of foxhunting.

"Cathy Menefee had him before me. He hunted with her, but eventually she was ready to 'reduce her herd,' and so I bought him," Mayo explained. She took him to Otis Brown, Jr., and with the help of Cathy Dahner, they made him into the winning hunter he is today. It is no fluke, however, that this ex-foxhunter became a champion adult hunter. Cumberland County is out of the same horse that produced Oscar and the Chairman. "Like most good horses, he's not the simplest horse in the world. I walk a fine line by keeping him at my house, but that's why today is even more special," Mayo explained. "Otis trained me here, but overall, it's a good feeling to know that I did it myself."

Mayo and her husband, Fuzzy, wanted to mention that they could not stress enough how much they liked this particular horse show. "This event is really special. People shouldn't be backed off, thinking that if they're not going to win, they shouldn't come. They give so much money, all the way down to 20th place. You still leave with a smile on your face … it's great experience."

Mimi Edwards emerged victorious in the 3'6" Non-Pro Finals. She attributes the win to her performance earlier in the week. "I was so mad at myself that I rode poorly on Friday, that I made myself do it today," she laughed. Her and her husband, Dean, sat down and strategized before the class, noting what was different about her ride on Friday from her round on Saturday, when she won. By doing this, she was able to replicate Saturday's win instead of repeating Friday's mistakes.

Edwards hardly had time to peek at her prizes, which included a jacket from RJ Classics, a Legacy Cup Varsity jacket from Personalized Products, and a pair of Paddock boots from Hobby Horse Saddlery. With a grand total of $5,728, Edwards was also the 3'6" Non-Pro Leading Rider overall, and the 3'6" Non-Pro Amateur rider. Christina Mangano won the junior title in the 3'6" category.

The final ribbons and trophies continued to be awarded. The 3' Non-Pro Leading rider was pinned next; amateur rider Suzanne Mayo took those honors, with Melissa Clanton taking the junior ribbon.

Louise Serio and Red Panda won the high score award for the second year in a row. A total score of 367 this year in the second Go Round was the highest score earned all week, earning them the Belcourt Farm Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Belcourt Farm.

Lainie Wimberly was the big winner of the show, returning to the ring to receive all of her prizes. She and Nobleman won the $38,440 3'6" Finals Saturday night, and today received the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy (sponsored by Walter J. Lee) for leading professional rider, earning $34,664. Sandy Ferrell had been in the lead with over $18,000 in winnings, but after last night's check for $25,000, Wimberly leaped to the head of the pack.

She also received the Leading Trainer Award, sponsored by E.P Bishop, Co.; and the Challenge of the Breed award, for being the top Warmblood. After receiving $1,500 for being the top Warmblood, she received an additional $500 for the top breed overall. Micanopy and Betty Oare won the $1500 prize in the Thoroughbred category, and Frisco Kid and David Conners (riding for Carol Stillwell) won in the Quarterhorse division.

And with that the 2002 Legacy Cup came to a close. Once again, it was an overwhelming success with the exhibitors and spectators who attended.