Scott Stewart Racks Up Three Championships at Monmouth County Horse Show - Maria Schaub Wins BET/USEF Talent Search

Freehold, NJ- August 18, 2005 - The 110th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show offered exciting competition today in the Grand Hunter Ring as professionals vied for championships in four different divisions. In the jumper annex, some of the nation’s top equitation riders battled for the win and precious points in the medal classes.

In the First Year Green division, the 6 year old Canadian Sport horse Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando pulled off the win on the final day. After a somewhat disappointing fifth place in the first over fences class, they came back for second place in the second class. Combined with their two firsts and a third from yesterday, they had enough points for the championship ribbon. Orlando, of Wellington, FL, gives credit to trainer Joe Guzman and Rio’s owners, Thomas and Cynthia Deibert of Ottsville, PA. “Cindy is the coolest lady. She loves her horses, and she has been a great friend and loyal owner,” Orlando commented, “Joe and Cindy and Rio are a great team.” Reserve champion in the division was Fellini, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Molly Ohrstrom of The Plains, VA.

New Jersey resident Scott Stewart of Flemington had a fantastic day in the professional divisions and claimed the remaining three championships. His first tricolor came in the Second Year Green division on Cool Blue, owned by Carolyn Kelly of New York, NY. The adorable grey gelding received two firsts and a second place yesterday and came back today to receive a fourth and another first place. “He’s just an amazing jumper and so easy to ride,” Stewart explained. Cool Blue will also show tomorrow in the Small Junior Hunter division with his owner. Word for Word, ridden by Tim Goguen of Newtown, CT, and owned by Janet Read of Wellington, FL, received the reserve championship.

The 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Green Conformation Circuit Champion was in action today at the Monmouth County Horse Show, and the spectacular results of this past winter were no different today. Granted, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart, won all six classes in his division to capture the tricolor. Stewart has owned Granted since he was two years old, so their relationship has developed over the years. “He’s probably the greenest of all my horses today,” he revealed. “He’s starting to learn as he goes. It’s all so easy for him though. He’s got such a big stride, and I think he’s going to be a very nice junior or amateur horse.” Goguen piloted Overlord, owned by Julie Frank of Darien, CT, to the reserve champion ribbon.

In the Regular Working Hunter division, it was another tough battle between Stewart and Orlando. Stewart came out on top as champion today after he guided Up to Date to first and second place ribbons today. Up to Date won the under saddle yesterday and was second in both over fences classes. The laid back mare is a somewhat new ride for Stewart, who bought her from Christine Tribble in April. “Jenny” caught his eye in the jumper ring and has made a smooth transition into the hunter ring. “I thought she would make a good Small Junior horse, and I just did her in the Working to get her used to the hunters. She’s great at it!” Stewart exclaimed.

Stewart also explained what he saw in the talented mare and said, “She just had an incredible jump. Her expression was nice, and she moved fairly well. Her technique was perfect as a hunter. She had good basics and a good rider before, so it was pretty easy to get on and finish up the hunter part of it.” Up to Date will also show tomorrow in the Small Junior Hunter division with Alexandra Stathis. Up to Date’s transition is similar to that of the reserve champion winner, Wolfgang II, who started his career in the jumpers with Olympian Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ. Wolfgang II was ridden by Orlando and is owned by Scott Hakim of North Salem, NY.

Monmouth County Horse Show is a favorite of Stewart’s, who conveyed, “I love it. The main hunter ring is great; the footing is good. It’s a nice horse show to come to, and they do a wonderful job.”

Equitation Courses at the 110th Monmouth County Horse Show Prepare Riders for Upcoming Indoors Competitions

East Freehold, NJ-August 18- Five consecutive equitation classes kicked off the junior competition today at the 110th Monmouth County Horse Show. Riders prepared their mounts while Philip J. Devita of Apopka, FL designed five very different and challenging tracks. The classes today included the PHA/NJPHA/NJHSA Gold Medal, the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay, the WIHS Jumper Phase, and the BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.

Devita offered the comment, “These courses are for five major equitation classes, and the ring is challenging because of its shape. The jumps come up quickly, and the measurements of the arena are similar to that of a wide indoor ring. I try to give every course a different presentation while maintaining challenges and questions. I think this ring rides similar to those at Indoors, so I think these courses are good preparation for competitors.”

The PHA/NJPHA/NJHSA Gold Medal started the equitation classes with a course of ten fences and thirteen obstacles. The course tested riders in their abilities by requiring them to trot fence number five, a yellow vertical, and counter-canter fence number nine, a black and white striped vertical. Riders struggled with fence nine, some getting the counter-canter through flying changes, while others halted or trotted to change leads during their approach.

Kimberly McCormick of Clermont, NJ mastered the test and rode her way to a blue ribbon finish. Maria Schaub, the 16 year old from Holmdel, NJ, finished in second place. McCormick and Schaub ride with trainer Frank Madden of Beacon Hill Farm in Colts Neck, NJ. Chelsea Moss of Medford, NJ came away with a third place ribbon.

The Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal followed the Gold Medal with a difficult first round, determining the four riders who would return for the final test. Asked to return were Melissa Monte, Amanda Groher, Christy Distefano, and Faye Keegan. Distefano chose not to compete in the test, automatically placing her in fourth. The test involved cantering four obstacles, trotting the last jump, and coming to a complete halt. Melissa Monte completed the challenge and won first place, with Keegan finishing with the red ribbon, and Groher collecting the yellow.

Monte of Burnersville, NJ continued her success in the next class, the ASPCA Maclay, winning another first place. Gabriella Marush rode away with second, and Faye Keegan was awarded third. Monte rides with trainer Megan Maillet and competed on Elizabeth Kirby’s horse, Reeve Gauch. Kirby of Mendham, NJ, who currently shows in the 3 foot equitation, asked Monte to ride her horse to help prepare it for when she moves up to the 3’6’’ level. Although Monte referred to Reeve Gauch as green, the mount performed like a veteran today and helped Monte qualify for the Medal Finals. Maillet commented, “We always have a great show here at Monmouth. We attend every year, and our horses always do well. The footing, rings, and jumps are always nice. The courses tend to be technical and difficult, but not impossible.”

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Jumper Phase followed the ASPCA Maclay, and Maria Schaub improved upon the second place she won earlier. Schaub won the WIHS Jumper Phase with a score of 89 aboard her mount Amigo. Kimberly McCormick pinned second, and Carolyn Curtsio finished in third.

Schaub rode consistently well and walked away with the blue ribbon and high point perpetual trophy from the BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. After competing over fences, riders returned for the flat portion. Schaub gracefully rode through the sitting trots and counter-canters and came away smiling. “I had a super day!” she exclaimed. “My horses were perfect,” commented Schaub. “I never expect anything when I walk into the ring. I always view every day as a new one, and both of my horses were stars today. I thought the courses were great too. The ring is oddly shaped, and I think it kind of wakes us up for the upcoming indoor shows. It rides like a small indoor ring that is outdoors. It’s great preparation.”

Schaub added, “I love this show because it’s so close to my house. I get to sleep in my own bed at night, and the horses get to go back to the farm. I know I love sleeping in my own bed every night, and I’m sure they do too! I also think it’s great for those who like to show locally. It’s such a nice show, and I’m glad they get to participate.”

Orion, the horse Schaub piloted over the BET/USEF course, is owned by Brianne Goutal, her family, and Cloverleaf Farm. Schaub will also ride Goutal’s horse at the upcoming Calvin Klein sponsored equitation class in the Hamptons, as well as in the BET/USEF Talent Search Finals. Trainer Frank Madden reported, “Maria is using this time to get used to Brianne’s horse. Orion was purchased as an investment horse, and we’re really happy with how it’s working out. Maria rode great today.” Madden also enjoys the close proximity to his farm, Beacon Hill. “I love this show because it’s an A rated local show. It’s only five miles away from home and run very well. I think it’s extremely important to support our local horse community. I also think it’s a good warm-up for my students to compete in a smaller ring before the indoor shows.”

Madden coached at least eight equitation students today and came away with top ribbons in every class. Kimberly McCormick and Sloane Coles finished the BET/USEF Talent Search in second and third place.

Photo Credit: Cool Blue and Scott Stewart, Second Year Green champions at Monmouth County Horse Show. Photo by Randi Muster.