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WAXMAN AND SALOON DOMINATE NON PRO 3'6" FINALS AT THE LEGACY CUP

Heart Surgeon Brad Wolf Pilots Rio Renoir to Victory

Saloon & Jennifer Waxman Photo ©Diana DeRosa

May 19, 2007 - Lexington, KY - Jennifer Waxman and Saloon dominated the Non Pro 3'6" Finals at the Legacy Cup by winning both the overall and Junior Finals as well as the Leading Non Pro 3'6" and Leading Non Pro 3' and 3'6" Rider honors. Saloon's owner, Whitney Roper, won the Belcort Perpetual Trophy because his 267 total was the highest cumulative score. Rio Renoir ridden by Heart Surgeon Brad Wolf won the Non Pro 3'6" Amateur Finals and Leading Amateur Rider award. The Non Pro Team Award went to Ashland Farms after their students totaled the most money ($11,231). Ken & Emily Smith won the Week Two Leading Trainer Award. This was the final day of the two-week Legacy Cup which was part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington, KY, May 10-19.

As the Leading Non Pro Junior Rider, based on money won and selected from both the 3' and 3'6" divisions, Jennifer Waxman was presented with the Signature Trophy in honor of Weatherly Stroh's Large Junior Working Hunter who dominated that division in the Midwest from 1987-1991. Wolf received the Jeannie Geiger Memorial Trophy for his Leading Rider honors.
The top 25 riders had to qualify from a field of 31 to compete in the Finals by first riding in the Non Pro 3'6" Go Round. That class and the Non Pro 3'6" Junior class was won by Sister Parish also ridden by 15-year-old Jennifer Waxman and owned by Whitney Roper. Winner of the Non Pro 3'6" Amateur Go Round was Rio Renoir. The purse for the Non Pro 3'6 division totaled $10,400, with $8,900 earmarked for the Finals. The winning horse received $3,216.

The Legacy Cup is unique in that it focuses on being different than the other typical Hunter classes. Riders receive more money and prizes thanks to an add-back format and the support of sponsors. The Non Pro 3'6" Go Round was sponsored by Lee Cesery. Gifts to the horses and riders were thanks to Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery. Other sponsors include the Lindner Family for the Perpetual Trophy in their name and EMO Insurance for the ribbons.

JENNIFER WAXMAN COULD DO NO WRONG
Jennifer and Saloon are no newcomers to the winner's circle. Last year they won the Leading Junior Non Pro 3'6" Junior Rider honors. In the Finals they went early but maintained their lead right to the very end.

"He felt awesome," commented Jennifer. She explained that they had opted not to show Saloon this week and so he was fresh and alert for his final competition of the week. "He wanted to win and he was jumping great," she added.

Although Jennifer had the leading ride on Sister Parish in the Go Round that class took place during the day. With this class taking place at night it was just a bit different for the horse. "It's late at night and there are a lot of distractions," she explained. Sister Parish also hit a top rail early in the course. They ended up out of the ribbons but even though Sister Parish didn't make the final cut, Jennifer did.

"Saloon knew this was an important class and he gave it 150%," said the junior rider and freshman. In addition to Sister Parish and Saloon she was also riding the 6-year-old Zoom, who Jennifer explained, "doesn't have a lot of experience. I'm so proud of him. He was so good and he tried so hard." They finished 3rd in the Non Pro 3'6" Finals and 2nd in the Juniors.
As Jennifer was leaving to go celebrate she suddenly stopped. She had one more thing she wanted to say. "I really want to thank my parents and Whitney and Mrs. Roper, and my trainers Ken & Emily Smith," she concluded.

Rio Renoir & Brad Wolf Photo ©Diana DeRosa

Brad Wolf will be back in the operating room at 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning and will have a pretty intense working schedule all week but for the final day of the Legacy Cup his mind was focused on Rio Renoir.

"I really wanted to ride him well and not let my horse down," said the 46-year-old about his 8-year-old Canadian-bred, 16.3H, bay gelding, who had won the week before with Nicole Simpson in the irons.

"I'm really happy and proud of my horse," he added. "He is just an amazing jumper. He gives 100% every time."

Brad admitted that riding "is a big break from doing surgery and a great stress reliever and when he's on his horse nothing else matters. He doesn't get to ride much but when he does he tries to do his best and winning is a great perk for Brad.

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.

Signature Trophy
Jennifer Waxman & Saloon, $3,216

Jeannie Geiger/Leading Amateur Rider
Brad Wolf & Rio Renoir, $1,396

Overall & Leading Non Pro 3'6" Rider from money won on all Horses
Jennifer Waxman

Belcort Trophy
Saloon, owned by Whitney Roper, ridden by Jennifer Waxman, 267

Non Pro Team Award
Ashland Farms, $11,231

Leading Trainer Award for Week Two
Ken & Emily Smith

To view photos check out the following website:
http://www.presslinkpr.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=49382