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The Legacy Cup Is On

Cabachon Wins Pro 3' Finals - Manolo Wins Pro 3' Restricted Finals - Mojito Wins Pre Green Incentive

May 12, 2006 - Lexington, KY -- "I am so excited for the owner Stephen Martines because he is so supportive," said Tammy Provost after she rode Cabachon to win both the Pro 3' Hunter Go Round (May 10) and Finals (May 11). Tammy was competing at the 2007 edition of the Legacy Cup. The winner of the Restricted Pro 3' Hunter Finals was Manolo ridden by Kristi Cardalico and owned by Barri Platt. Pulitzer, ridden by Chrystal Knight and owned by Jack Schock won the Go Round. The Pre Green Incentive was won by Mojito with Rob Bielefeld riding. The Legacy Cup is part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 19.

The Legacy Cup is designed to give Hunter riders much more than other classes and divisions they compete in. The focus is on money, presentation and fun. In addition to the prize money garnered through the entry fees, sponsors play a significant role. A special thank you to the sponsors of the Pro 3' division, which is open to any horse not competing in the Pro 3'6" division and ridden by a professional. These include Boggs Hill/Mr. & Mrs. Tim Goguen for $2,500 Added Money to the Pro 3' Finals, Mr. & Mrs. John Ingram for the Restricted Pro 3' Finals, Janet Read for the $10,000 Pre Green Incentive, going to the top eight horses in either their first or second year of showing, who have never shown over 3'6". Ashland Farms/Ken & Emily Smith sponsored the Pro 3' Go Round and H 'n D Stables/Bruce Duchossois sponsored the Restricted Pro 3' Go Round. Gifts to the horses and riders were thanks to Personalized Products, Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery.

TAMMY PROVOST AND CABACHON WIN GO ROUND & FINALS
After winning two days in a row Tammy and Cabachon's owner Stephen Martines were thrilled. At 17, this 16.3H, bay, Oldenburg mare, who they call Alyce in the barn, showed she still has what it takes.

"She is really straightforward and very smooth to ride with an incredible feeling in the air," explained Tammy about the mare who she considers a "beautiful mover with a beautiful stride and nice expression."

Cabachon's main job is taking Stephen around the Adult Amateur 50 and older fences, which she was also doing at this show.

"It's a treat to ride a made horse," added Tammy noting that after her win she was "so excited even though I kind of expected that I could count on her because last year she was 2nd."

Cabachon resides at Our Day Farm in Elgin, IL with Stephen's trainer Lynn Jayne. Steve purchased the mare when she was around eight and imported her from Germany. He explained that it hasn't always been easy to find the right horse for him. "It takes a special horse for my size and the way I ride and my trainer Lynn has an eye for that. Alyce is such a classic horse, smooth and so sweet and willing to please."

Surprisingly, it was Peridot, another horse owned by Stephen and ridden by Tammy, that almost won the Go Round but a missed lead and bobble by the seven-year-old, 16.2H, bay Oldenburg gelding moved him into 21st. In the Finals Peridot proved he also has the skill and finished 2nd.

Peridot is a new ride for Stephen since he's only had the horse a couple of months. "He was out of Quarantine and in Florida for only three days before I owned him. I haven't shown him yet," commented Stephen who admits even before purchasing Peridot he owned quite a few horses. In fact he has 23.

"I've never sold a horse. I have mares, babies, retired horses and show horses," he explained. Some live on his own farm (15) and his show horses stay with Lynn. When on the Florida Circuit Stephen brings six of his horses down to his farm in Florida.

"He's a lot like Alyce. He's smooth," explained Tammy about Peridot. "Even though he is seven he acts like an older horse. "He's normally a perfect lead changer and because he's so smooth it took me a minute to realize he had missed his lead because he got it and then swapped off."

For the Finals although Peridot started to play just a little bit around one corner, his lead changes were perfect.

Stephen, who has been riding for 30 years now, recalls the day he first rode Peridot. "When I tried him I came over to Lynn and said I am so comfortable I could go into the show ring right now."

MANOLO WINS RESTRICTED PRO 3' FINALS AND PULITZER WINS GO ROUND
Just like Tammy, Kristi Cardalico also had a first and second place finish in her division. On the grey Manolo she was 1st and on the bay Tycoon 2nd in the Restricted Pro 3' Finals.

"He is very nice to ride," said Kristi about Manolo. "He's got a beautiful jump and a very nice canter. He was good when he entered the ring. He walked in and perked up a little like he knew this was a special class."

While her horses energy level was rising to just the right height, Kristi had to be sure hers didn't rise too much. She had won the same class last year on Say the Word and was feeling a little bit of the pressure to do it again.

"I was second going into today. But when I got into the ring I focused on the riding." Kristi knew that if she allowed the pressure to control her she might override so the key was not to allow herself to get distracted on the horse that she has only ridden a few times and hadn't ridden all winter.

For the Go Round (the first phase of the two-round Restricted division) Manolo was second to Pulitzer. In the Finals Pulitzer finished 3rd after Kristi's two mounts.

Pulitzer, whose barn name is Noah, is a 10-year-old, 16H, grey, Warmblood gelding.

"He is so easy to ride," commented Chrystal Knight after his win. "He is a perfect Adult Amateur Horse. He knows his job and does it and he likes it inside (the Legacy Cup takes place in the indoor arena). He rose to the occasion."

Pulitzer was also feeling fresh because he hadn't competed since November. During those months off he was enjoying the life of a pleasure horse going trail riding and relaxing.

"I was really excited to win. I don't get a lot of opportunities to show a nice horse like that. So many of them are green and young and so it was nice to go in on one that knows the ropes. You don't have to worry about anything you can go in and have fun," she continued.

THE LEGACY CUP - IT'S GOOD FOR THE HUNTERS
When asked what they thought about the Legacy Cup all the riders echoed their approval.

"It is a great idea. Hunters don't ever get to compete for money and they do a beautiful job. I love the Legacy Cup," noted Tammy.

"It is so great that hunters get some recognition. The money is always nice but recognition is sometimes better," added Steve, who when not riding sells, services and leases heavy construction equipment in Chicago.

"The Legacy Cup really showcases all the nice hunters that we have and the format makes it special the way they do it at night. It's a lot of fun for everybody," added Chrystal. "And the AHJF is a great Foundation. They do a lot of good for the horse show community."

"I absolutely love the Legacy Cup," chimed Kristi. "I wish there were more Legacy Cups for the Hunters. It makes it special with the presentations and the fact that it's very simple. You have one round and then you go into the Finals on a clean slate. You dress up and compete indoors at night. It is sort of like a jumper classic which you don't get in the hunters too often."

ABOUT THE LEGACY CUP
The two-week Legacy Cup was developed to benefit the show hunter sport with a unique format, unprecedented rewards and a pleasant environment to showcase the hunters. It is the brainchild of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. (AHJF).

The Legacy Cup format is different than other show hunter events. The divisions include two professional and two non-pro divisions; one at 3' and one at 3'6" and the Legacy Cup Pony Hunter Division. In addition the format allows for multiple awards within each class and division. In the Pro 3' division Restricted Riders were also recognized. A Restricted Pro rider is a new professional or one who hasn't shown or won at the upper levels of show hunter competition. The Go Round determines which riders come back for the Finals.

Each Go Round offers a guaranteed purse of $1,500. Go Rounds rank the top 25 horses for a clean slate final. The 2007 Legacy Cup entry fee is $400 of which 50% goes directly to the division purse and 50% to the AHJF for the expenses associated with the event. The 2006 Legacy Cup proved to be very successful and on the heels of that success, the Legacy Cup Committee again committed an added purse of $13,000 to the 2007 event. This added money, combined with 50% of the division entry fee, means even more money to the exhibitor and the amount increases with each horse entered.

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

To view photos check out the following website:
http://www.presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=50422