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Louise Serio and Red Panda win Professional Classic; Serio's total winnings total over $45,000!

It was a good afternoon for Louise Serio. Not only did she capture the 3'6" Professional title, she did it by attaining the highest scores at the horse show: 93,96,96 and 94!

Red Panda laid down a picture perfect trip, and the crowd knew it. They erupted in cheers, then died down to silence to anxiously wait for the scores to be announced.

"When I heard the scores, I started to cry. I knew I had a good round, but you never know just how good," said Louise.

Louise said that "Panda," who is only five years old, felt very relaxed today. Although this round seemed exceptional to most, Louise said that it wasn't "that out of the ordinary for him."

"That's what makes him so special. That's the Panda. It's just his nature to be good," Louise explained.

This win is very special to Louise, who is involved with the horse shows in more ways then one. Not only is she an exhibitor, but she's on the Legacy Cup Committee with Geoff Teal, Michelle Perla, Coleen McQuay, and Kavar Kerr. Louise has ardently worked to make the horse show happen, but says that when she's here this week she's "just and exhibitor."

After their win today, Louise and Panda's total winnings equaled $28,410. They were also awarded a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle for their efforts, as well as a wool Legacy Cup cooler and a leather and wool Legacy Cup Jacket. This determined Panda as the winner of the Warmblood section of the Challenge of the Breeds as well. Bill Ellis' Frisco Kid took the Quarterhorse title, with Don Stewart's Fernwalk taking the Thoroughbred section title with total earnings of $10,255.

Lainie Wimberly and Nobleman took the second place honors in this exciting class. Nobleman won a class earlier this week, and jumped so well today that he almost popped Lainie right out of her tack! With scores of 90,89,87, and 89, Nobleman earned his place in the victory gallop.

James Lala rode the 16.1 hand dark gray gelding Only Blue to the third place position. Only Blue, owned by Sagamore Farm, finished with a score of 350 points, and got a check for $3,000 as well as a Legacy Cup baby pad and a gift certificate from LPC Equine Nutrition.

Unseen, the winner from this morning's limited professional class, took the fourth place title in the Professional class, with Amanda Steege Hererra in the irons. Peter Pletcher took both the fifth and sixth place ribbons, with Claudia Pletcher's January's Best and Gray Wolf Farm's Geste. James Lala and Carlin Vickery's Galen finished seventh, and Carol Stillwell's As We Speak with David Conners was eighth. Scott Hofstetter rode Don Stewart's Hilton to the ninth spot, and Tommy Serio took tenth with Margaret Taylor's Summer Ralley. Louise was back in the winners circle for the eleventh place award on Michele Perla's Magical Life, and Scott Hofstetter received another award with the twelfth place win on Candace Haas' Fancy that.

As the show came to a close, all were in agreence that it was a total success. Louise Serio commented, "It couldn't have gone any better." Other's made it a point to come up and say how much they appreciated the planning of such an event, like Pam Baker, who said: "There was nothing I didn't like about the show." Scott Hofstetter told us that he loved the show.

"Everybody just really seemed to have a great time," he said. The courses were absolutely great, the parties were great. It's just nice to see the hunter people coming together."

And with that, the inaugural Legacy Cup concludes. For those who missed it this year, word of mouth will probably bring them here in 2002. For those who enjoyed this years show, the memory of a horse show that showcased their part of the industry will not soon fade...nor will the prize money checks in their pockets.