Carolyn Kelly Leads After Two Rounds of the Victor Hugo-Vidal Equitation Championship

Wellington, FL - December 4, 2004 - The Victor Hugo-Vidal National Horse Show Equitation Championship - This three round test of horsemanship kicked off today with the first two rounds of the competition. The Flat Phase and Hunter Phase went today and the final Jumping Phase goes on Sunday.

In the Flat Phase, Carolyn Kelly scored a 95 to win. Phase One featured tests at the walk, trot and canter and then collected and extended versions of the trot and canter.

Megan Young, winner of the ASPCA and USEF National Medal Finals grabbed the second place with a score of 90. Third went to Haylie Jayne who posted a score of 87. Following in fourth was Maggie Macalary at 86.

Rounding out the first phase placings were Nikko Ritter (79), Cortie Wetherill (75), Virginia McNeil (65) and Megan Edrick (62). The riders then returned for the Hunter Phase, Phase Two of the Championship.

Carolyn Kelly was once again the cream of the crop, scoring an 89.66 over the jumps. Haylie Jayne moved up for second place at 87.83. The balance of the hunter phase ribbon winners were Nikko Ritter (85.33), fourth, Megan Young (79) fifth, Maggie Macalary, (76) sixth, and Cortie Wetherill (56.33) seventh.

Carolyn Kelly takes a commanding lead into the third phase on Sunday and credits herr mount for all of her success. “He’s such a great horse,” Kelly said. “He’s soft in the mouth and he responds so well to your leg; he’s almost perfect. For me, it’s easy to get a top score on a horse like Kontiki.” Kelly said that having the flat phase first was her advantage. “Flat work has always been my strongest point. I do a lot of no stirrup lessons so that helps me a lot,” Kelly laughed.

Kelly says that having a prepared horse was a big boost, as well. “He used to be a Grand Prix horse, so he’s been out on this field before in previous years,” said Kelly. “This year we showed him in the junior hunters too, so he was pretty much ready for this class.”

Kelly takes almost a ten point lead into tomorrow’s finals.

Victor Hugo-Vidal National Horse Show Equitation Championship – Two Round Totals

1 – Carolyn Kelly – 95 – 89.66 = 184.66

2 – Haylie Jayne – 87 – 87.85 = 174.83

3 – Megan Young – 90 – 79 = 169

4 – Nikko Ritter – 79 – 85.33 = 164.33

5 - Maggie Macalary – 86 – 76 = 162

6 – Cortie Wetherill – 75 – 56.33 = 131.33