2006 Press Releases

TUCKER, SAY THE WORD & PURPLE LABEL HAVE AN OUTRAGEOUS NIGHT AT LEGACY CUP IN 3’ PRO FINALS
By Diana DeRosa

May 12, 2006—Lexington, KY--“He is outrageous,” said Chris Payne, Cincinnati, OH, about Tucker after they won the 3’ Pro Final on May 12 at the 2006 Legacy Cup, which is being held as part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington.

The 3’ Pro division started with a field of 62 horses entered in the first round which was narrowed down to the top 25 horses that competed in the Friday night finals. A total of $16,400 was given out in the division, which consisted of two classes—a Go Round and the Finals. The Finals determined four winners based on their level of experience. In addition to Tucker, the Restricted Pro Finals winner and Champion of the division was Say the Word ridden by Kristi Cardalico, Lake Worth, FL, and the Pre Green Incentive winner was Purple Label with Rob Bielefeld, Wellington, FL, in the irons.

CHRIS PAYNE AND TUCKER SHINE
Tucker was the 15th horse to go and when the three pair of judges gave him a combined score of 262 the remaining riders knew that would be tough to beat. In fact no one else could surpass that score and they rose as the winners and the recipients of a check for $4,356. Second place honors went to Tammy Provost aboard Cabachon (254 - $2,236) for owner Stephen Martines.

Payne was impressed and appreciative of the fact that he gets to ride the 8-year-old, 15.3 hand, bay Hanoverian, owned by Julie Holzberger. “He’s such a good horse. He always tries his hardest no matter what the class is,” explained the 37-year-old.

“He’s soft, light and has a natural, high beautiful jump. He does the best he can every time and is so scopey,” he added about the horse who “loves to be appreciated. He loves attention. He’s such a sweet kind horse to be around.”

When asked how he did in the first round, which was sponsored by All Seasons Farm and won by Jennifer Papiernik and Montrachet the day before and where they placed ninth he explained, “I had a bird incident. At the last fence a bird spooked my horse but he was good up until then.” Montrachet also won the Restricted Pro Go Round sponsored by Gray Wolf Farm.

PURPLE LABEL OWES IT ALL TO A TEAM EFFORT
Purple Label’s score of 162 in the first 3’ Go Round and 250 in the finals gave them the combined total of 412, which garnered them the Pre Green Incentive Championship and a check for $3,000. In addition they won $992 for placing 5th in the 3’ Pro Finals.

Purple Label is “nice to ride,” explained Bielefeld who only started riding him a few days earlier and those first rides were a challenge. “We were just getting to know each other and it got better each day. By Thursday (the day before their finals) we clicked and it continued through to today,” explained Bielefeld. His trainer Helen Varble nodded in agreement.

“Helen’s prep is the key to success,” he continued. “It’s all about training, grooming, feeding and time. We start at 4:00 a.m. It’s all of the above and it is a team effort.” Bielefeld emphasized the concept of team adding, “Behind the scenes is more important than anything else.” And it was for the “team” that he was happy about his victory.

“I was happy for everybody,” said the Floridian. “You put so much into it.” Bielefeld also felt compelled to focus on the owners, Kitty and Bruce Eckert, and the fact that these kinds of owners “are few and far between. Fortunately we won and the owners were here. It was like the Derby. We had our own win picture.”

Bielefeld knew that to win the Pre Green Incentive the judges are looking for a horse that easily handles the 3’ course. “He’s extremely scopey, athletic and glides across the ground,” said Bielefeld about the 7-year-old, 16.3 hand, black Hanoverian gelding. “He has enough jump, stride, and scope to do all that. You have to have the scope and range to be able to jump 3’6”. It shouldn’t look like the horse is putting that much effort into a 3’ course.”

When Purple Label isn’t in the show ring he’s relaxing and Kitty loves feeding him. “He’s addicted to peppermints and he loves carrots and apples,” she said with a smile.

SAY THE WORD SHOWS HIS STYLE FOR KRISTI CARDALICO
“I was really excited,” said an ecstatic Cardalico after she won the Restricted 3’ Pro Finals and the Championship ribbon on Say the Word, who is owned by Far Niente. They had placed 4th in the 3’ Pro Finals which earned them $1,240 plus an additional $150 for being the top placed Restricted Pro rider.

Cardalico, who trains with Ashland Farms also made a point of thanking owners Ken and Emily for “giving me the opportunity to ride him.”

She recalls that a “very big grey horse” was the first horse she ever rode and that was when she was five years old. Now she rides lots of different horses but considers Say the Word one of the best.

“He can be a tiny bit lazy but when he gets in there and realizes it’s important he knows his job and rises to the occasion.”

While the riders were thrilled about winning they also were thankful to the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation for coming up with this innovative, high paying, exhibitor-friendly event.

“The Legacy Cup is great and gives everyone an equal opportunity to present at their level and the hunters need something like this,” said Payne.

Bielefeld was grateful to the AHJF and two if its founders. “We need to thank Louise (Serio) and (Geoff) Teall for promoting this type of event. It’s good for the hunters.”

“I think it is a really good class. It makes the hunters feel that much more important and it’s fun,” noted Cardalico. “Even if you don’t do as well as you want, it’s still a really fun class.”

Thanks also go to the sponsors. The 3’ Pro Finals was sponsored by Montoga/Geoff Teall and the winner was presented with the China Blue Trophy, presented each year by China Blue Farm. The 3’ Restricted Finals was sponsored by Ashland Farms and was given the Ashland Stables Perpetual Trophy. John and Stephanie Ingram sponsored the 3’ Pro Restricted Champion. Janet Read sponsored the Pre Green Incentive and the winner is honored with the Wedgewood Trophy for the Pre Green Incentive also presented by Janet Read.

The evening began at 6:00 with an elegant presentation recognizing the winners from the first leg of the 3’ Pro Finals. This was followed by the class which spectators could watch while either enjoying a full dinner in the Legacy Club or snacks in the Legacy Cup Rider’s Tent. Once the class was over the top riders then took a lap of honor followed by a group shot with the winners.

The AHJF is focusing on many aspects for the Legacy Cup. While its primary focus is to offer significant prize money, which is rare in hunter competitions, it is also important that the riders feel special with nice trophies and prizes as well as a special presentation ceremony in the ring.

The day began cold and damp and continued that way even through the evening but the concept behind the Legacy Cup gave everyone there a warm cozy feeling about the hunters and the goals behind this unique event.

For more information about the Legacy Cup contact the AHJF (335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369), Phone: 508-835-8813, www.legacycup.com, E-mail: AHJF@earthlink.net.