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RIO RENOIR AND LUCERNE TAKE TOP HONORS IN 3'6" PRO FINALS AT THE LEGACY CUP

Tammy Provost Wins Walter J. Lee Trophy

Nicole Simpson & Rio Renoir Photo by ©Diana DeRosa

May 13, 2006 - "I was holding my breath until the end because I knew there were several good horses after me," commented a jubilant Nicole Simpson after she rode Rio Renoir to win the Pro 3'6" Finals in the Legacy Cup on Saturday, May 12. Winner of the Restricted Pro 3'6" Finals was Kristi Cardalico riding Lucerne, owned by Rachel Udelson. The Legacy Cup is part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 19.

Riders had to qualify to compete in the Finals by first riding in the Thursday's Pro 3'6" Go Round. That class was won by Violets Are Blue ridden by Jennifer Alfano and owned by Helen Lenehan. Winner of the $500 3'6" Restricted Pro Go Round was De-Lovely ridden by Chris Cawley and owned by Claudine Laserjohn. Lucerne was 2nd. The Walter J. Lee Trophy for the professional rider accumulating the most money in the Pro divisions was presented to Tammy Provost after she totaled $7,754 in winnings. The purse for the Pro 3'6" division totaled $10,200, with $8,700 allocated to the Finals. The winning horse received $3,178.

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. Bryan Baldwin/Meralex Farm sponsored the Pro 3'6" Finals. Mr. & Mrs. Rush Weeden sponsored the $3,000 3'6" Restricted Finals. The $1,500 Pro 3'6" Go Round sponsor was Lynn Jayne/Our Day Farm. McQuay Stables sponsored the $500 Restricted Pro Go Round. Gifts to the horses and riders were thanks to Personalized Products, Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery. The Pro Finals jacket awarded to the winner was sponsored by Stacey Lefton Glick.

RIO RENOIR - ALWAYS A CHAMPION

Nicole Simpson & Rio Renoir Photo by ©Diana DeRosa

Winning is not new to Rio Renoir who has dominated Hunter classes for years. So it was no surprise when even though he placed 22nd in the Go Round he went on to win the Finals.
"He's beautiful and so fun to ride," explained Simpson. "He has a great canter and when he jumps he feels like he wraps his knees around his head. He's very animated and has a great expression."

Simpson couldn't say enough nice things about the eight-year-old, 16.3H, bay, Canadian Sport Horse gelding (by Rio Grande) adding, "He's real brave and rises to the occasion. When he goes in the ring he pricks his ears and looks and feels like he is enjoying himself."

Even with all that talent under her Nicole knew that there were a lot of great Hunters in this Finals round and she waited patiently to see if anyone could surpass her score of 265. "I knew it wasn't over until it was over but he did his best in this class and you can't ask for more than that."

Not only is Rio good in the show ring but he's great in the barn. "He's like a big pony and he's spoiled. He also knows when he's been good."

While Nicole has ridden many Hunters over the years more recently she has been seen in the Jumper arena and has even represented the U.S. abroad, including at the 2002 World Equestrian Games. Yet she was glad to get back into the Hunter arena. "It was fun to do it again it felt like a blast from the past and you never mind when you have quality horses to ride. And the Hunters are nice because it keeps you smooth, helps maintain your style and it's great practice," added Nicole after her first Legacy Cup experience.

Nicole especially appreciated the fact that the Legacy Cup takes place indoors, which is something the Hunters don't generally do until the Fall Indoor Circuit. "It's great to be able to take advantage of an indoor venue. It helps prepare for the Fall Circuit and they do a first class job at this event."

LUCERNE DOMINATES IN RESTRICTED PRO 3'6" FINALS

Kristi Cardalico & Lucerne Photo by ©Diana DeRosa

Lucerne had finished the Junior Hunters earlier in the day before competing in the Pro 3'6" Restricted Finals and he was just a little tired. So, Kristi didn't have to do very much in the warm-up arena as he was already prepped. "We kept it very simple," she explained.

They entered as the next to last Restricted Pro combination to compete (with only De-Lovely to go) and Kristi admitted she was "a little nervous." Yet in the end the 10-year-old, bay, Warmblood gelding continued his winning form.

"The course had a nice flow to it and he has a very nice form over the fences," explained Kristi about the horse who loves candy, but "is not pushy about getting some."

"He loves the indoors," she added. "It makes him feel like it's a little more special."

For Kristi it was the second day in a row in the Winner's Circle as she had won the Restricted Pro 3' Finals just the day before on Manolo and the year before on Say the Word.

"I'm really excited because I didn't expect this much and now I'm looking forward to next year."

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