2006 Press Releases

A "LUCKY" WIN FOR SAMANTHA HALLMAN AT LEGACY CUP
A Fall and A Victory All in One Round

May 21, 2006 - Lexington, KY - It was "Lucky" luck for Samantha Hallman who rode two horses in the Non Pro 3' Go Round Finals on Saturday, May 21, 2006 at the Legacy Cup, which was part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington. She first rode CC Bloom but after crashing through an oxer on the course, Hallman walked out of the ring dismayed but determined. Near the end of the field of 25 horses Hallman rode in on Lucky and aced the course winning the Non Pro 3' Finals, the Leading Non Pro 3' Rider Overall, the Non Pro 3' Amateur Finals and the Overall Non Pro Rider (3' and 3'6"). Grace Socha aboard Navigator was the winner in the Junior section of the Finals and was the Leading Junior Non Pro 3' Rider. The Finals were sponsored by Derbydown, Inc./Louise Serio and the winner was presented with the Lisa Cudahy Trophy,

Other trophy winners included Ashland Farms for the Non Pro Team award and Derbydown, Inc./Louise Serio for the Week Two Trainer Award, sponsored by E. P. Bishop Co. The Belcort Trophy is presented to the owner of the horse with the highest score, presented this year to Caroline Moran, for Just Jack's score of 268. Just Jack was ridden by Jennifer Alfano.

HALLMAN HAS A LUCKY AND A BLOOMY DAY
Twenty-seven-year-old Hallman, Wellington, FL, was thrilled about her victory but she was still anxious to get back to her hotel room "I've had a cold all week. I think the killer rain last week got to me," she explained, "just too many days standing in the wet weather!"

Yet she still managed to recall her victory ride thrilled that Lucky (who had won the 3'6" Pro Finals in 2004) was on today. "It was a nice thing and a great win and I am thrilled to death. He has a true talent. I had a lot of faith in him. I knew if anyone could pull it off he could." Hallman went on to explain that the 17.1H, 16-year-old, bay, Danish Warmblood gelding by Lucky Light, can either be "very very good or very bad. Last year Rob (Bielefeld - her trainer) walked in and he spun in a circle before he even got going."

Hallman was able to pull it together after falling off of CC Bloom. The 10-year-old, 16.1H, Belgium Warmblood, chestnut mare, by Jus du Pomme, Gold Medal winner at the 1996 Olympic Games, was named after Bette Midler because "she is a sassy little redhead." She explained, "After a fall you have to get right back on the horse. That sounds so cheesy but that's what you have to do. It made me ride that oxer (the one she fell off over) more conservatively. I wanted to do well and go well and be safe on Lucky."

When not competing, Hallman is attending graduate school. She also started playing polo this season, "which has made me a stronger rider. I box to stay fit and do pilates to increase my strength and balance because I don't get to ride all the time so I need to make sure the rest of my fitness is together."

Hallman praised the Legacy Cup saying "It is a wonderful event and I am always thrilled to participate in it. It is a goal and we get revved up for this horse show. They do a great job to make for a nice horse show and one that is both exhibitor and spectator friendly. Also they make it special for the grooms by giving them prizes. Not enough is said about that. (She was referring to the fact that an anonymous sponsor underwrites awarding the grooms of each of the top three placed horses a $100 cash prize.) It is really a wonderful event."

When not competing, Lucky "is a total character. He wants your full attention at all times. He wants to be the star and he is."

Hallman, who took away a check for $4,470 for her first place finish in the Finals, had her own plans for celebrating her win, because her cold had her wanting to enjoy the comfort of her hotel room. "A hot bath sounds really good right now."

Hallman wanted to thank a few people before she headed off for her bath. "A special thank you to my family for being so supportive and to Rob Bielefeld and Scott Fitton, my trainers, and Chrystal Knight, who does absolutely everything for me, our groom Fernando Cruz Rodriquez and all the other people that help me get to the ring each week because it is a team effort and they are the most supportive, fantastic team."

GRACE SOCHA HAS A GOOD NAVIGATOR
Grace Socha rode both Final Answer (14th in the Finals and 4th in Juniors) and Navigator (4th in the Finals) in the Non Pro 3' Finals and it was Navigator who took her to the top of the Junior division. Both horses are owned by Sherri Crawford. She also won the Non Pro 3' Leading Junior Rider for the most money won in that division.

Surprisingly, this was the first time Socha ever competed on Navigator and she only had a brief schooling a few days earlier to get to know him just a little. "He is an absolute dream. He is very comfortable and gives you a great feeling and really nice to ride. He was on it the entire way - he was with me. I wasn't worried about anything. I knew I was going in with a great horse and I just went for it."

Sixteen-year-old Socha, Glenville, NY, like so many others, gave the Legacy Cup high marks. "I think it is a great event. It's really exciting and a great pleasure to ride in."

The last day of both the Legacy Cup and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows is a mad dash to leave. Everyone is packing to catch planes and return cars heading either home or to their next horse show. Socha, who admitted that "horses are pretty much my life," also was in a hurry but as she was leaving she too wanted to add one more comment. "Thanks to my farm Derbydown and Louise Serio and Amanda Lyerly for being the best support team," she commented. "And a special thank you to Havens Schatt and Sherri for giving me the opportunity to ride such great horses."

And with that the Legacy Cup was over with new and repeat winners. Plans are already in the works for next years Legacy Cup which will again take place as part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. The day began with a Champagne Brunch, sponsored by Jenny Sutton and Wrenwood Farms, where the food was a repeat of the great recipes that those who were members of the Legacy Club had enjoyed for the two weeks. The Finals began at 3:00 and by 5:30 it was over and if you walked around the Kentucky Spring Horse Show grounds there were few people other than the workers who were onsite. The winners, losers and hopefuls were back on the road again!

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.