Unexpected Win for Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando in Green Conformation Hunters, While Stewart Dominates Remainder of Hunter Divisions at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL- February 17, 2005 - The hunters continued in the spotlight today at the Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL.

The Green Conformation Hunter division saw a new name on the leaderboard, as Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando, riding for Thomas Deibert, picked up the championship ribbon. Although Orlando and Rio Renoir competed together last year in the Pre-Green division, the conformation classes were something new and unexpected. Rio Renoir was champion in the First Year Working Hunter division at the Littlewood Horse Show, but Orlando and trainer Joe Guzman decided to enter in the conformation division at WEF for practice in the Internationale Arena yesterday. “He’s had about three weeks off,” said Orlando. “We really didn’t know what to expect; we were thinking he might be a little rusty.”

The dainty light bay gelding excelled on the big grass field, and won the first over fences class and placed fourth in his second effort. The move to the Grand Hunter Field today went well also, as he and Orlando placed sixth in the under saddle class, and returned for a first and third over fences.

Orlando also rode Volunteer and Cast A Spell in the conformation division, who picked up a second and third place over fences yesterday. “I had three horses in this division, and none of them are conformation horses. We threw them in an extra division for practice,” revealed Orlando. “It ended up that Rio was the best in that division. It was just kind of an afterthought to put them in the conformation, but it ended up paying off. I was thrilled with him.” Reserve champion went to Regi Baker’s Without Question and Rob Bielefeld, who also were champions in Section A of the First Year Green Working Hunters. Shaw Johnson Price’s Costello and rider Louise Serio were reserve champions in Section A.

Scott Stewart and his string of top hunters were unbelievable today, as he racked up champions and reserve champions all day. Four of the five divisions were held in the familiar Grand Hunter Field today, and Stewart was in the winner’s circle six times.

Stewart was champion in Section A of the First Year Green Working Hunters with Music Street, owned by Alexa Weisman. Music Street won all three classes yesterday and had the high score of the day, with a 90. Reserve champion in Section B was Heart & Soul, ridden by Shachine Belle and owned by Debbie Perkins. At the end of the day, Stewart pulled one more championship out of the hat, by winning the Second Year Green Working Hunters with Cool Blue, owned by Carolyn Kelly. Reserve champion was Noir, ridden by Ken Smith and owned by Mrs. Quentin Alexander.

Stewart started the day with a bang in the Regular Conformation Hunters, placing first and second in both over fences classes with Tribute and Chopard, both owned by Krista Weisman. Tribute made it a hat trick for the day as he won the under saddle class, and Chopard came in fourth. The three wins today, plus a second place from yesterday, gave Tribute the championship. Stable-mate Chopard settled for the reserve.

The streak continued in the Regular Working Hunter division, where Alexa Weisman’s Prove It and his own horse, Beyond, battled it out for champion and reserve. Beyond took second place in the under saddle class and had a high score of 88 to win the first over fences class, while Prove It was fourth. Prove It proved his worth to everyone, as he matched the high score of 88 in the second over fences class and Beyond was third. Prove It walked away with the tricolor ribbon, while Beyond was reserve champion.

Tribute, Chopard, and Prove It have been winning in the hunter divisions for years, but Beyond has started to make a name for himself, as well. “All my horses were wonderful today, and I was very happy that Beyond did so well. He’s a bit younger than the others, but he’s really coming into his own lately,” commented Stewart. “I’m so pleased with all of them today, they were great.”

Photo Credit: Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando, champions in Green Conformation Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.