2005 Press Releases

Legacy Cup Concludes with Non Pro 3' Finals
Lewis, Skiffington, Wetherill & Ashland Farms Shine on the Final Day
By Diana DeRosa

May 22, 2005 -- Lexington, KY - One of the great things about the Legacy Cup is that one class determines many winners. And the final class on Sunday, May 22, of this two-week event held as part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington, KY was a perfect indicator of that. The Non Pro 3' Finals (sponsored by Louise Serio/Derbydown, Inc.) was won by Wendy Lewis (Cleveland, OH & Wellington, FL) riding Forget Paris.

Since both Juniors and Amateurs competed together, the same results also determined the Junior winner as Alexandra Skiffington (Wellington, FL) on North Fork. Skiffington also ended up as both the Leading Non Pro Junior Rider and the Leading Non Pro Rider based on money won ($3000). Since Lewis is an Amateur rider she also won the Amateur division and ultimately finished as the Leading Rider in the Non Pro 3' division based on the money she won. She earned $2,097 for her rides in both the First Non Pro 3' Go Round and Finals.

The Belcort Farm Perpetual Trophy was awarded to Cortie Wetherill, owner of Take Away, ridden by Havens Schatt. The Trophy is presented to the owner of the horse who produces the highest cumulative score during the Legacy Cup. Take Away's winning score was 278. Additionally, Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farm, won the Leading Trainer Award for Week Two for their student earnings of $6,850. The Non Pro Team Award, given to the barn whose students accumulate the most money in the Non Pro division, was also Ashland Farm for their students' total winnings of $10,200. Skiffington was one of the students that helped them earn that award.

Of course Ken and Emily and their students were proud to win this inaugural award. "We love it," said Ken. "It's a great award and a great competition. It's nice to go indoors in the spring. It's the best of the best competing here and the competition is strong. The money is nice and the courses are wonderful. The presentation is special and they cater to the exhibitors."

Lewis overhead Ken's accolades about the Legacy Cup and chimed in. "I love it because it caters to the hunters and it's a show where the best hunters come. The AHJF does such a fine job, from the judges, to the staff, to the food."

The conversation then turned to her winning ride. Lewis was the 20th rider to go out of the field of 26 and her 258 score on her 10-year-old, 15.3 3/4H, Selle Francais, chestnut, gelding proved to be unbeatable.

Earlier in the week she wasn't even sure they'd be competing. Her horse (who she has had since he was four) had pulled a muscle in his butt but "Dr. Steele's acupuncture and a few days rest and relaxation did the trick," explained Lewis, about the horse she says "is not without his idiosyncrasies."

She continued saying, "He thinks he sees things he doesn't and he's not easy to ride. When he's good he's very very good but when he's bad he's awful. Yet, I have a synergistic relationship with him."

Around the barn he's a hoot! "Pierre (his barn name) is always hungry and he eats anything that doesn't eat him first." Lewis explained that if you want his ears to go up, "you have to mention food."

The final day of the Legacy Cup proved to be a positive one for the team. "Today I could tell he was going to be good," said the 50-year-old rider who has been back in the saddle for nine years now after taking a 17 year break. "He just felt perfect!"

Lewis went on to explain that at the 2004 Legacy Cup, "we blew the very last fence - an oxer. This year I was glad when I nailed the two oxers. Winning this class has been my goal and now I've finally done that. It's a very prestigious event to win. I'm glad I did it on my own horse."

And with that the 2005 Legacy Cup ended on a high note for Lewis, Skiffington, Ashland Farms, Wetherill and the many other riders who competed throughout the two weeks. While winning was their ultimate goal, being a part of this event also seemed to get high marks from everyone.

By the time this year's event had concluded a total of 234 horses competed (which was up by 20% from last year) and $75,300 in purses was 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.