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May 12, 2008 - Lexington, KY - Havens Schatt not only had an All the Answers victory in the Pro 3' Go Round and Finals, but she also dominated the Pro 3'6" Finals with Glass Castle and earned the Walter J Lee Trophy going to the professional rider winning the most money. She totaled $12,323 in winnings. Rio Renoir, owned by Brad Wolf and ridden by Emily Williams, won the Pro 3'6" Go Round. In the Restricted Pro 3' Finals Loretta Mayer claimed the victory on Mutch De Lothain owned by Sarah Porter, while Papillon Rouge ridden by McKrell Painter took the Go Round. Motion Picture with Jennifer Papiernik aboard claimed the victory in the Pro 3'6" Restricted Finals, while Skylar, also ridden by Mayer, won the Go Round. Real Magic, owned by Gary Duffy and ridden by Rob Bielefeld, accumulated the most points to earn the Pre Green Incentive Honors. The purse for the Pro 3'6" division totaled $8,800, with $7,300 allocated to the Finals. The winning horse received $2,912. The purse for the Pro 3' division was was $12,800 (more money division because an add-back concept increases the money with each horse entered). Of that $11,300 went to the Finals and the winner received $3,672. The Go Round and Finals took place May 8th, 9th and 10th at the Legacy Cup, part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 18. PRO 3'6" DIVISION IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL GLASS CASTLE IN THE PRO 3'6" FINALS
- RIO RENOIR WINS GO ROUND While the Ocala, Florida resident was delighted with her win, owner Shaw Johnson Price was quick to talk about the nine-year-old, dark bay, 16.2H, Belgian Warmblood mare. "She is always happy," explained Price, "and she loves carrots and peppermints." When asked what Glass Castle is like to be around a sea of voices praised her attitude. "She is straightforward, really brave and direct and the sweetest horse in the whole world," commented Schatt and echoed trainer Scott Williamson, the one who found the horse. While Glass Castle was at the horse show in 2007 for then owner Caroline Moran she ended up sick, they think because of a spider bite, which kept her out of commission for the rest of that year. Yet, in 2008 she was back in action. And while she is a trooper in the arena, she also knows where the ingate and the barn are. "In the victory gallop she wanted to trot away from the gate and gallop home," said a laughing Schatt. Schatt also knows both sides of the arena. In 2006 she missed the Legacy Cup. "I took a flip on a horse over a jump, separated my shoulder and had to have surgery." Glass Castle's victory was also a lucky win. The owner was considering giving the mare a rest in preparation for more showing in the days ahead, but when the vet gave them the green light then the rest was up to "Gracie." Rio Renoir, winner of the Pro 3'6" Go Round "is like riding a cloud. He has the most comfortable rocking horse like canter and an incredible jump," explained Williams. "He is complete quality and a real pleasure to ride. In the end the rider who set a record by taking Strapless to three consecutive wins in the annual AHJF Hunter Classic in Wellington, FL, again rose to the top of the class. Two champions were crowned. A TRUE MOTION PICTURE VICTORY IN RESTRICTED PRO 3'6" FINALS
SKYLAR DOMINATES IN RESTRICTED PRO GO ROUND "He is dead simple, very straightforward and easy to ride," explained Papiernik. "He is very shy in the barn. Most of my horses are a little obnoxious but he is very patient and polite." After Papiernik completed what she thought was a good round she "wasn't sure until the end. I was hoping I would win. I called the owner right away and I think she was even more excited than me." Mayer, Chestnut Ridge, NY, was floating after her win in the Go Round. "Skylar is really unflappable and I can trust him," explained Mayer about the 10-year-old, 16.3H, grey, Warmblood gelding. Although they haven't spent much time together she likes his style. "He is very soft, straightforward and easy to ride." There was certainly no hiding how thrilled Mayer was. "It's hard to express all the emotions I am feeling. Competing in the Legacy Cup is a dream come true. I feel really enthusiastic about coming back and doing this next year. I feel so privileged and want to thank my trainers Joe Sorce and Leslie Ward and the owner Kristin Montemarano for all their support." PRO 3' DIVISION ALL THE ANSWERS, MUTCH DE LOTHAIN AND PAPILLON ROUGE TAKE
TOP HONORS The 11-year-old, 16.1H, black, Holsteiner had shown great promise after being imported from Europe in 2006. However, All The Answers was never able to show his full potential. "This horse holds a special place in my heart. He was so good and then was sidelined and was never able to reach his potential and so it was always very frustrating. He just tries so hard," commented the 37-year-old. Havens was proud. "He was awesome and felt super. He is really powerful. You have to sit pretty still and it's hard to stay with him in the air. He's a bit of an over achiever and the feeling you get when he jumps is incredible." For Mayer, Chestnut Ridge, NY, it was truly a cloud nine victory after she dominated the Restricted Pro 3' Hunter Finals aboard Mutch De Lothain. "It was a totally unexpected win." Mayer explained that the eight-year-old, 16H, bay, Belgian-bred gelding has had limited experience. "He has a wonderful temperament. He is very compact and I just love his way of going. His ears are always forward. He's happy and comes out willing to please and is a pleasure to work with." For the Go Round Painter was an artist with Papillon Rouge, owned by Dr. & Mrs. Manrin, negotiating a course that tipped the scale. Like Schatt this was the first class at this horse show for the 8-year-old, 16.1H, chestnut, Brandenburg gelding who the 29-year-old has only been riding for a little over a year. "He is incredibly brave and he loves stuff like this. The more impressive it is to look at the better he is," commented McKrell. A REAL MAGIC ROUND FOR ROB BIELEFELD "This horse is Quality with a capital Q," explained the 44-year-old professional. "He's a beautiful jumper and mover and he's got great balance, but the most important thing is he is straightforward and sincere especially for being a pre green horse. In the ring he was interested like a good show horse should be. He was alert but quiet, which is hard to get." When Bielefeld entered the ring on a horse he was still getting to know, he wasn't thinking about winning. However, after the six-year-old, brown, Dutch Warmblood, 16.2H gelding took over the early lead in the Pre Green Incentive Go Round Bielefeld knew that victory was in his reach. THE LEGACY CUP - IT'S GOOD FOR THE HUNTERS Havens commented, "As pros we have to dig deep. I feel the Legacy Cup is such a great thing for the sport that we need to support it. It's so different and specialized." "I love it," said Rob. "It was started by horsemen. I like that there are only two classes. It's easier on the horses. And the presentations add some pomp and circumstance. They also recognize the grooms. It's nice to go back to the barn and hand them $100 bill. They (the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation who hosts the Legacy Cup) are remembering what makes this possible. No one else does that." Loretta's first Legacy Cup was "amazing. I feel really enthusiastic. I've wanted to compete in this since its inception but I didn't have a horse. Now it's a dream come true." McKrell's first Legacy Cup was perfect. "The experience of something like this in a pressure situation is nice. And since the owners of Papillon don't want the horse to show a lot, the Legacy Cup was the perfect answer." Jennifer added, "We came to Kentucky just for the Legacy Cup. It is different and a great chance to train the owner's horses indoors." Emily agreed noting, "You get fired up and they make a big deal out of it. It's hard to get that way these days in the hunter classes when everyone is showing the same stuff week after week." One of the unique things Emily pointed out was that the Legacy Cup format is based on Pros and Non Pros with none of the restrictions of the normal hunter classes. You choose your height and whether you are competing as a pro or non pro. You pay your money and you compete. It's just that simple. ABOUT THE LEGACY CUP The Legacy Cup includes 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. Each division has a Go Round and a Finals. Each Go Round offers a guaranteed purse of $1,500. Go Rounds rank the top 25 horses for a clean slate Final. The 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. In addition the Legacy Cup Committee committed an added purse of $13,000. 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. Ingram Charitable Fund, Inc. & The John Ingram Family sponsored the $3,000 3'6" Restricted Pro Finals. The $1,500 Pro 3'6" Go Round sponsor was Mr. & Mrs. Rush Weeden. 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 & Kings Crossing LLC. 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.ahjf.com, email: ahjf@earthlink.net. |
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