2006 Press Releases

LEGACY CUP FOCUSES ON PONIES AND PROS
FOR ITS FIRST WEEK

THE WINNERS OF THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGACY CUP IN A NUTSHELL
WITH A THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS

3'6" PRO & RESTRICTED PRO GO ROUND, FINALS & CHAMPIONSHIP
While the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation is the creator of the Legacy Cup it is because of all the support from the sponsors that they are able to "put the show back in the horse show." So a special thank you goes to Bryan Baldwin's Meralex Farm as the sponsor of the 3'6" Pro Finals won by Just Jack ridden by Jennifer Alfano for owner Caroline Moran (Score 268, earnings $3,187). All Season Farm was the sponsor of the 3'6" Pro Go Round which was won by Louise Serio on Rio Renoir for owner Brad Wolf (190/$450). Mr. & Mrs. Rush Weeden sponsored the 3'6" Restricted Pro Finals, won by Luminaire, ridden by Megan Udelson for Betty Weibel (246/$150) and for their 8th place finish in the Finals they earned $248. They also won the 3'6" Restricted Pro Championship sponsored by John & Stephanie Ingram and an additional $1,250. Joe Darby sponsored the Restricted Championship for 3'6" Trophy. McQuay Stables was the sponsor of the 3'6" Restricted Pro Go Round which was won by Maria Dritsas aboard Passport for owner Casey Scudder (156/$150). (A Restricted Pro rider is a new professional or one who hasn't shown or won at the upper levels of show hunter competition.) A number of other companies and individuals also supported the 3'6" Pro division, including Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery.

The 3'6" Pro division started with 31 horses entered in the first round which was narrowed down to 29 horses that competed in the Finals. A total of $10,200 was given out in the division, which consisted of two classes-a Go Round and the Finals.

3' PRO & RESTRICTED PRO GO ROUND, FINALS & CHAMPIONSHIP
The 3' Pro Finals was sponsored by Montoga/Geoff Teall and the winner Tucker (262/$4,356), ridden by Chris Payne, Cincinnati, OH, was presented with the China Blue Trophy, presented each year by China Blue Farm. Jennifer Papiernik (173.5/$450) rode Montrachet, owned by Lauren Butwid, to win the Pro & Restricted Pro 3' Go Round. The 3' Restricted Pro Finals was sponsored by Ashland Farms and Say the Word (250/$150) with Kristi Cardalico, Lake Worth, FL, aboard was given the Ashland Stables Perpetual Trophy. They were 5th (170/$90) in the 3' Go Round. They were also the 3' Pro Restricted Champion (420/$1,250) sponsored by John and Stephanie Ingram. Janet Read sponsored the Pre Green Incentive and the winner Purple Label, ridden by Rob Bielefeld, Wellington, FL, was honored with the Wedgewood Trophy (412/$3,000).

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 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 the abovementioned four winners based on their level of experience. In both the 3'6" and 3' Restricted Pro Divisions a total of $3,500 was given out.

PONY GO ROUND, FINALS & LEADING PONY RIDER
Frostin, owned by Far Niente and ridden by Jennifer Waxman (254/$2,016) was the winner of the Pony Hunter Finals. The Pony Hunter Go Round was won by My Little Dickens (173/$450) with Megan Davis in the irons. They were 15th in the Finals and earned an additional $128. A total of $8,900 was given out in the Pony Hunter division with $1,500 earmarked for the Go Round and $7,400 for the Finals. A total of 32 ponies entered the division.

SPECIAL WEEK ONE AWARDS
When all the money was tallied it was Rob Bielefeld who garnered the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy as the rider accumulating the most money throughout the week ($5,087). Emily & Ken Smith won the Week One Leading Trainer Award and $750, sponsored by EP Bishop Insurance Co., for the trainer whose riders accumulated the most prize money during the first week of the Legacy Cup.

3'6" PRO DIVISION
JUST JACK AND JENNIFER ALFANO STAY COMPOSED FOR THE WIN IN 3'6" PRO FINALS
Rio Renoir and Louise Serio Win Go Round

"I had a blast," said Jennifer Alfano after her winning round worth $3,178 on Just Jack. Alfano did not have much time to get used to her new mount as she only got the ride when his regular rider (Havens Schatt) broke her shoulder. Yet the match was meant to be as they just clicked. "This week was the first time I have ridden him," explained Alfano, who added a special thank you to Caroline Moran and Scott Williamson "for giving me the chance to ride this great horse."

"He is a fun horse to ride," she continued. "You pick up a gallop and keep going. He is a small horse but he doesn't know that. He has such a big stride and a big jump."

Alfano took over the lead as the 12th rider in a starting field of 29 horses. "I was getting pretty nervous at the end. There were so many great horses and riders in this class."

When the 37-year-old rider realized that the victory was hers she was thankful and "I was really excited. It's nice to compete against all these great riders and horses here in one class."

Riding comes natural to Alfano who competes as a professional for Susie Schoellkopf out of Buffalo, NY. "I love the horses and what I do which is pretty much just ride. There is not a lot of time for too much else."

Each division at the Legacy Cup has two rounds. The first is a Go Round from which riders qualify to compete in the Finals that begin on a clean slate format. The winner in the Go Round was Louise Serio, who ultimately finished second in the Finals only two points behind Just Jack's score of 268 (Rio scored 266) and won a purse of $1,368 for owner Brad Wolf.

Similar to Just Jack, Rio was also being ridden by someone new because his regular rider Holly Orlando couldn't be at the Legacy Cup. "Holly has won everything on this horse," said Serio. No wonder after Serio described how great the bay gelding was to ride. "He canters with that nice balance and push off; It's an amazing feeling." In addition, Serio explained, "He can jump from any distance."

Serio earned $450 for her win in the Go Round and only her second time showing him. Their first pairing took place in an outside arena in very inclement weather. "It was a little bit hard to get to know him outside because it was muddy and rainy, but when we went indoors things fell into place."

Last year Serio won the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine World Champion Hunter Rider title for the second time. She is also one of the key people who created the Legacy Cup concept which is based on an add-back system where the top placed horses and riders win more money than in normal shows; the more people who show, the more potential for the purse to increase.

MEGAN UDELSON AND LUMINAIRE DOMINATED THE RESTRICTED 3'6" PRO DIVISION
Maria Dritsas and Passport Win Go Round
While Luminaire finished 8th in the Finals (and earned $248), he won the Restricted 3'6" Pro Finals ($150) for rider Megan Udelson. The 9-year-old, 16.1 hand, bay, Trakehner, gelding not only won but was also the Champion of that division, which garnered them the Legacy Cup Trophy for the Restricted 3'6 Pro Rider donated by Joe Darby, and an additional $1,250.

This was no surprise to Udelson who explained that Luminaire "is a very special horse. He's happy all the time. The owner Betty Weibel and I found him together three years ago and we've brought him along from the very beginning so this win is important to us."

What's even more unique is that "he loves his job. His favorite thing to do is go in the show ring and he always gives 100%. You can count on him."

In addition, Luminaire "is fantastic to ride. He is so light and soft across the ground and he has an enormous stride and a lot of scope so you can go very slowly and smoothly," continued his rider.

When asked how she felt once she realized they had won, Udelson commented, "I was proud because that was my goal coming into the evening. I was determined to ride my best. My horse was in the right condition and I also had great help from my trainer (Scott Williamson) and assistant trainer (Melissa Murphy)."

She paused for a moment and then continued. "It was such an accomplishment for the whole team of people from the owners, the grooms, the trainer, and the rider; everybody really works to bring it together. They are a very important part of the horse's performance."

Like Alfano, Udelson admitted that horses are a main focus in her life. "This is pretty much what I do. I love the relationship that you have with the animals and learning how to communicate with them is the biggest thing." Yet in the end while horses are a big part of her daily schedule, the Cleveland, OH resident admits that she also "enjoys spending time with my husband Steven and our dog Keda."

Maria Dritsas on Passport earned $150 as the top Restricted Pro 3'6" Go Round rider.

3' PRO DIVISION
CHRIS PAYNE AND TUCKER SHINE IN 3' PRO FINALS
Jennifer Papiernik and Montrachet win Go Round
Tucker was the 15th horse to go and when the three pair of judges gave him a combined score of 262 in the 3' Pro Finals 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.

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 3' Pro Go Round, which was sponsored by All Seasons Farm and won by Jennifer Papiernik and Montrachet the day before and where Tucker 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.

Papiernik, who started riding when she was 13, "was very proud," of the horse who loves candy and cupcakes. "His owner (Lauren Butwid) brings him frosted cupcakes from Publix. She even bought him an Easter Basket."

"I love training the babies," added Papiernik, Wellington, FL, who along with her trainer Judy Grayson has slowly taken Montrachet up the ladder and he's responded quite well to their careful, easy paced schedule. "He is probably one of the easiest horses in the barn. He's very simple, always has his ears up and loves attention. He's got such a great personality."

This was Papiernik's first Legacy Cup and she "had a blast! We thought it would be fun and something new," explained Papiernik. The 25 year old also credited the fact that she "had a great horse. He's a pre green and he just peaked at the right time. He's gotten so straightforward and very easy to ride."

PRE GREEN INCENTIVE WON BY PURPLE LABEL AND ROB BIELEFELD
It was Rob Bielefeld and Purple Label's score of 162 in the first 3' Go Round and 250 in the finals that 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," explained Bielefeld.

"Helen's (Varble - his trainer) 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.

One of the great things about each class of the Legacy Cup is that it determines multiple winners and at the end of the week when the money was tallied it was Bielefeld who accumulated the most money with his five horses (Purple Label, CC Bloom, Lucky, Landstorm and Talent Scout). Not only did he earn a total of $5,087, but was also presented with the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy donated by its namesake.

SAY THE WORD SHOWS HIS STYLE IN 3' PRO RESTRICTED FOR KRISTI CARDALICO
Jennifer Papiernik and Montrachet Win Restricted Pro Go Round
"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 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."

PONY HUNTER DIVISION
PONY POWER FOR JENNIFER WAXMAN IN PONY FINALS & THIRD LEADING RIDER TITLE
My Little Dickens & Megan Davis Win the Go Round
Frostin entered the arena as the 13th pony to go on Sunday, May 14th. Again there was another replacement because even though Paige Bellissimo was listed as the rider it was Jennifer Waxman who was aboard. Waxman also rode Bellissimo's other pony, Cloudy Bay. Waxman and Frostin calmly but energetically toured the arena and headed toward their first fence with a controlled brilliance. By the time they had completed their course it was clear they had put in a great round and when the scores were tallied their 254 total immediately went to the lead which none of the remaining field of ponies could beat.

Surprisingly, Cloudy Bay was Frostin's closest rival. Their score of 253 was just one point shy of the winning total. In the end Waxman and Frostin not only won the Pony Finals, sponsored by Lanes End Pony Stables/The Farrish Family, but the 14-year-old rider ended up as the Leading Pony Rider (an honor bestowed upon the rider who accumulated the most money throughout the pony division). This was Waxman's third time in a row to earn that title which she won in 2004 on Strike a Pose and in 2005 on Tuscany.

"They are my friend Paige's ponies and they couldn't come so I ended up riding them," explained Waxman who these days also can be seen competing in Junior Jumpers.

Frostin had warmed up well for the Chagrin Falls, Ohio resident. "I had a good feeling going into the ring," she explained. In the end their first place finish garnered them $2,016, while Cloudy Bay earned $1,096 for his second place finish.

Waxman will be back for week two as well when she will be showing a horse in the Non Pro 3'6" division.

While horses are an important part of Waxman's life, it is not the only thing she does. "I run track and I play basketball. It's nice to have a break every once in a while to be home, but the horses are the most important." Yet the teenager is not looking into the future. "I plan to enjoy them now and see where it takes me," she added.

Just before leaving Waxman had a few things she wanted to add without being asked. "I'd like to thank the Bellissimos for letting me ride their ponies," she commented, "and thank Ken & Emily Smith, Kristi Cardalico, and David Nation, my trainers." And last but not least, "thank you to my parents for supporting me."

A total of $8,900 was given out in the Pony division with $7,400 allocated to the Finals.

The winner of the Go Round, 12-year-old Megan Davis (MD), had a few bobbles in the Finals but still was happy with her first round victory. My Little Dickens had a very strong lead and finished 11 points (173 and earnings of $450) ahead of second place finisher Incredible with Meredith Darst riding (262 for $330) for Lochmoor Stables That Go Round victory meant she had achieved another milestone with the pony that is now leading on the National Standings in the Small Pony division.

After her victory ride Davis commented, "I thought I did well. I started out a little slow and then it built up to the end and finished off nice," explained Davis. "I thought it was a good score. I was happy with it."

Megan's mom Kim also thought things were looking up after Dickens did his course. "He had that look; he was on it so I was just hoping."

The 14-year-old, 12.2 hand, liver chestnut, small Welsh Pony gelding is also fun in the barn and "he has a really cute personality. He begs a lot for treats and mints. He is just really sweet," explains Megan, who admits to "spoiling him. I just like treating him special."

The young girl used to play the piano but "started to not have a lot of time to practice and it became hard with my riding." In the fall she did some running cross country "and did well," said her mom. Yet the horses are what hold Megan's attention. "It is a special sport. It's not like anything else. I like all the personalities and enjoy dealing with different situations when I ride. It's never the same."

Megan has spent a fair amount of time this year in the winner's circle but she also has learned that "when you don't have such a good round you have to be a good sport and learn from your mistakes."

She also realizes that this is not something you do alone. "My trainers (Tim and Kelly Goguen) and grooms are good to me and I am always confident that my ponies are ready to go to the ring. I feel like they teach me well and I am always learning something new.

AND THIS WEEK'S LOTTO WINNERS ARE KEN & EMILY SMITH OF ASHLAND FARMS
Waxman's top two placements on Frostin and Cloudy Bay helped Ken and Emily Smith earn the Week One Leading Trainer Award and $750, sponsored by EP Bishop Insurance Co., for the trainer whose riders accumulated the most prize money. Emily, who runs Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL with her husband Ken, was "very happy."

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.