Ponies and Pros at the Two-Week Legacy Conclude First Week with Tuscany, Jivago, Take Away, Nassau and Polaroid Taking Top Honors

Havens Schatt Dominates in 3’ and 3’6” Pro Divisions and Wins Trainer’s Award

Article and Photos by Diana DeRosa

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2005 - In the first week of the two-week Legacy Cup, while Jennifer Waxman and Tuscany took the lead in the Pony Hunter division and Lauren Bass on Jivago dominated in the Restricted Pro 3’6” division, it was a Take Away victory for Havens Schatt in the Pro 3’6” division. Schatt also dominated in the Pro 3’ division, winning the Finals on Nassau, who also won the Pre-Green Incentive. Additionally, she won the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy and the Leading Trainer Award for Week One. Michael Tokaruk and Polaroid were the big winners in the Restricted Pro 3’ division. The Legacy Cup took place for the second year in a row at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington, KY. The first week ran May 11-15 and the show runs through May 22.

Pro and Restricted Pro 3' Division Dominated by Nassau and Polaroid

On May 13, Nassau dominated the field in the Pro 3’ Finals and claimed prize money of $1,862. The nine-year-old gelding was purchased by owner Gina Marie Mondel just before Christmas and Schatt, who took him to his winning ride, said, “He’s great to ride. He’s pretty consistent and he knows his job.”

Mondel, who shows him in the adult divisions, added that Nassau is “really lazy but he’s a very kind horse and very generous.” She looked at her dad (Jack) and her grandfather (Duke) while talking about the horse she loves and added, “My dad’s very supportive.”

Nassau had shown in the Pro 3’ Go Round on May 12th and after competing all day in other classes that laziness came into play. “Yesterday he had a light rub. He wasn’t as sparky as he was tonight (in the Pro 3’ Finals). He jumps better when he is fresh,” said Schatt.

Tokaruk rode Polaroid to eighth place and a check for $392 in the Pro 3’ Finals. As the highest placed Restricted Pro rider that put Tokaruk in the lead of the Restricted Pro 3’ Finals (for an additional $150) and they also won the Restricted Pro 3’ Champion and claimed another $450. The 16.3 hand, 7-year-old, bay gelding was purchased in Holland and the Legacy Cup was only his third horse show with Tokaruk aboard.

“He is very slow and almost goes around like an equitation horse,” explained Tokaruk (TN). “He’s got an amazingly slow and rhythmic canter. He’s a long horse, so you have to keep him together. He’s still learning and this is the first time he’s ever shown indoors. He’s really a great horse and he’s only going to get better,” he said.

The May 12th Pro 3’ First Go Round was won by Morgan Thomas and Nairobi ($450), owned by Kimberly Wang Limited, while Chad Watridge rode Rhinestone Cowboy, owned by Kimberly Koloff, and Remington, owned by Ashley Deflin, to win first and second in the $500 Restricted Pro 3’ First Go Round. Rhinestone Cowboy finished just behind Polaroid in the Restricted Pro 3’ Championship, while Nairobi finished 25th.

Both Schatt and Tokaruk gave the Legacy Cup high marks. “It’s a great idea,” commented Schatt. “It really showcases the hunters and gives up and coming professionals a chance to be recognized.”

Tokaruk added, “I am inspired by what the AHJF has done especially as a young professional trying to work my way up the ranks. To be able to come to a show that rewards me as a young professional is very gratifying. To know that even within the professional division there are different levels of riders has definitely inspired me.” Tokaruk concluded saying, “One day I want to be standing here as the Overall Pro Champion!”