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THE LEGACY CUP
An Overwhelming Success & A New Future for the Hunters

Photos & Article By Diana De Rosa

The inaugural Legacy Cup, (May 1-6, 2001 in Lexington, VA, presented by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation) was truly a home run. Its goal was to breath new life into the hunters and to do something different. Not only did it accomplish that goal, but also the bases were truly loaded at this event. The Legacy Cup offered the competitors significant prize money in an atmosphere that was relaxed and fun. In between the competition there were parties and get-togethers. There was even quite a bit of laughter and a chance to catch your breath, a nice change of pace from the normal horse show rat race. Beyond the Pro and Non-Pro divisions, there was also money for specific breeds, Limited Pro riders and Pre-Green horses.

The foundation of the show was the Pro and Non-Pro divisions set at 3' and 3'6". Each division had two Go-Rounds after which the top 20 riders competed in a Finals based on their combined score. All the hunter classes were judged by four sets of two judges, a system both the competitors and the judges felt was the fairest way to judge the hunters. "It's nice to have four different panels of judges," explained Russell Frey, the judge from Hume, VA. "You get a different view of every round. Each pair of judges is judging a different course because there were some jumps you could see better than them and other jumps they could see better than you. It was a very fair way to do it."

RED PANDA AND LOUISE SERIO LEAD THE PROFESSIONALS
The biggest success story at the horse show was Red Panda, a 5-year-old Belgian Warmblood, ridden by Louise Serio, and owned by Bryan Baldwin, who won the 3'6"Pro Finals. They attained the highest score of the horse show (93, 96, 96, 94) in their finals. This combined with other placings gave them a total purse of $28,410, as well as a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle and an array of other prizes. "He was awesome," commented Liza Dennehy, who came from Denver, CO to judge the class. "Louise does a great job," added Patrick Rodes (Argyle, TX), who was doubling as both a judge and course designer. "Horses like Louise," he continued.

Fernwalk was the winner of the 3' Pro Finals. Ridden by Scott Hofstetter and owned by Mr. & Mrs. Don Stewart, Fernwalk's final score of 353 earned him $4,316. Fernwalk also placed second in the Pre-Green Incentive. And was the winner of the Thoroughbred Breed title. Second place honors in the 3' Pro Finals went to Oracle, ridden by James Lala, Wellington, FL, to 346.5 and owned by Jenny Sutton. Little Blue, ridden to 344 by Peter Pletcher, is owned by Gray Wolf Farm, Houston, TX.

A unique concept, called the Limited Pro division, was a nice addition to the show. Any new professionals were allowed to enter themselves in this division. Once the Pro 3' or 3'6" class was pinned, then a second pinning took place for the Limited Pro riders within that class and the top 20 then competed in a clean-slate Finals. Easy Street, ridden by David Connors, Holmdel, NJ, was the winner of the 3' Limited Pro Finals. Connors also rode Better N Better to the fifth place ribbon in the Limited Pro 3'6" Finals and placed 6th in the 3' Pro Finals on Frisco Kid. Connors, who has competed quite a bit in Quarter Horse hunter shows, is new to the multi-breed hunter horse show. You wouldn't have known this by his many successes at the Legacy Cup. He rode Frisco Kid to the victory in the first round of the Pro 3' Finals and was the Overall winner as well. He also won both Round 1 and Round 2 in the Limited Pro 3' division on Frisco Kid, which gave him the Overall high score title. Frisco Kid, who is owned by Bill Ellis, also won the Quarter Horse Breed title. Amanda Steege-Herrara, MA, aboard Anne Connolly's Unseen, was the winner of the Limited Pro 3'6" Finals.

Ahead of Fernwalk in the $15,000 Pre-Green Incentive (sponsored by Janet Read) for the hunter within its first or second year of showing, which accumulated the most points, was Grey Slipper, ridden by Louise Serio. Grey Slipper won Round 2 of the Pro 3' division and was second Overall.

HUNTERS FINALLY EARN SIGNIFICANT PRIZE MONEY
It certainly was Serio's week and her results were an indication of how this horse show gave out significant prize money; more than any hunter show has ever done. Horses and/or students trained by Serio accumulated a total of $52,881. Since that was the most money accumulated for any trainer, Serio won the Leading Trainer award (sponsored by E.P. Bishop) and a $1,500 bonus. She also won the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy as the rider who accumulated the most money throughout the Pro competition. Her winnings totaled $47,423. Red Panda lead the way in the $5,000 Challenge of the Breeds (sponsored by Stal Hendrix). He earned $1,500 and accumulated the most money by a Warmblood. He received an additional $500 as the highest money winner of the Breeds. Fernwalk had accumulated $11,755 and Frisco Kid $6.994. Red Panda's earnings increased tremendously by the $25,000 he earned for winning the Pro 3'6" Finals.

Serio, Kennet Square, PA, was a very deserving winner. Not only has she been a consistent winner in hunters in the past but also is part of the inspiration for the Legacy Cup. Serio is the Founder of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, a nonprofit organization with its purpose to promote the equestrian sport of hunter competition. The AHJF is the parent organization of the World Championship Hunter Rider Program (WCHR), a nationally sought after awards program for world-class hunter rider competition. Serio, Geoff Teall, Michele Perla, Colleen McQuay and Kavar Kerr are the key people behind the creation of the Legacy Cup.

NON-PROS TAKE THEIR TURN
Professionals weren't the only ones featured at the Legacy Cup. The Non-Pro riders also claimed victories at both 3' and 3'6". Keep the Faith, ridden and owned by Elizabeth Coughlin, Lutherville, MD, was the winner in the 3'6" section. This pair also won the second qualifier. Surprisingly, after completing their first round, Coughlin ended up on the ground when her horse spun around unexpectedly. "Keep the Faith looked like he was a little bit fresh the first day. It was a lot to look at the first time going in the ring," explained Rodes. Once Keep the Faith was more comfortable with the setting he showed off what Rodes called, "A very pleasant picture. He's soft and he canters uphill. He's very balanced. And she's a wonderful rider. She's young and she's got a world of potential."

Caroline Clark, Iron Station, NC, (who is both the owner and rider) aboard Superstitious won the Practical Horseman's Non Pro 3' Finals. They won Round 1 and were third in Round 2, which put them in the lead Overall. Their score of 339 ahead of Stillwater's 334 earned them $1,798. Betty Oare, Warrenton, VA, rode Stillwater.

CONSOLATION CLASS AND OTHER HONORS
The $10,000 Legacy Cup Invitational (sponsored by Judi McGee Holmes), for riders who did not qualify to compete in the Pro 3'6" Finals, was won by Odin, ridden by Scott Hofstetter, Ocala, FL, and owned by Robert Haas. A $10,000 Legacy Cup Under Saddle Class was won by Small Talk ridden by Tommy Serio, Keswick, VA, and owned by Caroli Stables. Both victories earned purses of $3,000 each.

The Belcort Farm Perpetual Trophy was won by Bryan Baldwin & Meralex Farm, Brandon, FL, owners of Red Panda, the horse who achieved the highest numerical score for any single round.

The show also featured two jumper classes. Hadfield's Karona, ridden by James Lala, won both the Welcome Prix and the Legacy Sweepstakes.

A HOME RUN
It was a novel concept and it worked. "We need to recognize our membership because they are the ones who have supported the organization with private donations to make this and other events happen," explained Kerr, AHJF President. "The amateurs, owners, and parents as well as the professionals. Beyond the private donors, the vendors also donated great prizes to make the event even more special."

After it was all over, the committee of the Legacy Cup received a letter from Amanda Steege-Herrara who wrote, "I just wanted…to thank you for all of the time and hard work you put into making the Legacy Cup happen. It was an unbelievable experience for me. I thought the facility was fabulous and you guys did so many things to make it feel special. Everyone who worked there was friendly and courteous. They were always available to answer questions or take suggestions. The courses were beautiful and so fun to ride. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy themselves including the judges who seemed to have a great time and looked very relaxed. I loved the judging system and really didn't hear anyone complain about the judging during the six days of showing. The ribbons, trophies, and gifts were like nothing I have ever seen and the presentations in the ring made the event feel very important. The limited pro division was great for a young professional like me; it gave me a chance to feel like I really accomplished something at a very important horse show. Most of all I was overwhelmed by how supportive and friendly all of the other riders and trainers were towards each other----everybody watched and cheered for each other---this is how I think horse shows should be all the time. I just wanted you to know that somebody out there appreciates all of your efforts. I can't wait for next year."

And with that letter, the committee knew their goal had been accomplished. The bases were loaded and they had hit a home run with this event. The Legacy Cup was new, different, relaxing and set the pace for a whole new future for the hunters