2005 Press Releases

It's "Cool" - That's What the Juniors and Amateurs Said About The Legacy Cup
Skiffington and Price Win Top Honors in Non Pro 3'6" First Go Round
By Diana DeRosa

May 20, 2005 -- Lexington, KY - "Cool" is how both Alexandra Skiffington and Shaw Johnson-Price referred to the Legacy Cup after they each took top honors in their respective divisions. Skiffington was both the Overall Non-Pro 3'6" First Go Round winner and the winner of the Junior division riding Noir, while Price was the Overall Amateur winner aboard Costello. They were competing in the fourth Legacy Cup at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington, KY. This was the first class in the second week of this two-week event and both these riders couldn't say enough about the whole concept of the Legacy Cup.

"This was a really cool class. There is no other class like it," remarked Skiffington. "It's something we look forward to each year. It's a money class as opposed to a point class. In most of the classes we are just competing for points and this is a lot of prize money. And it's nice to compete for a lot of prize money. "

Price echoed Skiffington's words. "I think it is really cool. I'm happy to be a part of it. I think it's neat that everybody gets to go in and everybody across the board is even. You are competing against people you don't know." Price was referring to the fact that the class was for non-pros, both Juniors and Amateurs competing together, unlike at the typical horse show where their divisions are separated.

Skiffington praised her eight-year-old gelding saying, "He is very sweet and he is a lot of fun to ride. He is soft, smooth, and comfortable and he has a very big stride, a floating stride."

The 17-year-old, who lives in Wellington, FL, says Mrs. Quentin Alexander's Noir is "very consistent and I have a lot of confidence in him. I knew if I didn't mess up that I had the horse to do it on. He's very unique - he's very long legged. He is very elegant looking and very soft to watch go around. His looks and his way of going are what really separate him from the other horses."

Noir is not only fun to ride but he's a joy to be around. "He's kind of like a human instead of like a horse," continued Skiffington. "He loves to be played with and he loves treats … and people."

Noir had what it took and going into the ring it was up to Skiffington. "When I entered the ring I was thinking about everything my trainer told me and to have a smooth, consistent ride … to ride normally and pretend it was like any other class. I had to ride as well as I could; going around the course I was thinking about staying smooth and keeping everything soft."

When it was over, Skiffington knew they had both done well. "I was very pleased. Of course, whenever you have a great round you are very happy." Skiffington went on to explain that she had had a great day with all her horses and winning this class was like "putting the icing on the cake. It's very exciting to know that you did well and nice to know that all your hard work paid off. That's why we come every day - to work. We like to win at the end of the day. When you win a class it's nice to know that everyone's work has paid off - the grooms, the trainers... It's just exciting when you know you did well. I'd especially like to say thank you to my trainers, Ken and Emily Smith, of Ashland Farms."

For Price this class was equally rewarding but in a different way. The 41-year-old from Chesterown, MD competed extensively as a junior and young adult but then took a 15 year break and it was only two years ago that she climbed back in the saddle again.

Said Price, "I was thinking that this is a building block; I've never done anything like this before and look at it as practice."

Her attitude paid off in spades and both she and Costello put in consistent performances. Costello (who also won the prestigious AHJF Hunter Classic at Wellington earlier this year with Louise Serio riding) suits Shaw. "He is totally laid back. He's one of those horses that you have to gear up and get going and he does great." Price added, "He's kind and he's wonderful."

In the barn, "He's not the most horse friendly horse but he is people friendly. He likes to eat everything. He definitely likes his groceries," she added.

Price was competing on two horses. On Costello she placed 1st in the Amateurs and 2nd Overall and on Reese she was 4th in the Amateurs and 6th Overall. Skiffington was also competing on two horses. While she won both the Junior and Overall with Noir, she was ninth on Say the Word, owned by Far Niente Equine LLC.

When it was all over, Price was thrilled. "I was really happy that I was consistent. That's all I want is to be consistent. It's like building blocks - you build and two fall off and then you keep on building…"

Price explained, "I went in there as nervous as can be but said to myself that you know today is today and tomorrow is another day and every day is a new day and how it comes is how it comes."

And so this day came out really great and for Price it was, "really exciting for me to do so well. This has been the best day of my life!"

And so it goes. The Juniors and the Amateurs had a really "cool" day competing in the Non Pro 3'6" First Go Round.
Legacy Cup action continues through May 22. By the time this year's event has concluded over $70,000 in purses will be distributed. For more information about the Legacy Cup contact the AHJF (335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369), Phone: 508-835-8813, email: ahjf@earthlink.net or go to www.legacycup.com.