Posted February 11, 2006

Havens Schatt and Lavari In Perfect Form for First Year Green Hunter Championship at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – February 10, 2006 – The 34th Annual Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had eight rings of equine action today and multiple classes were held. In the hunter classes, only one division awarded a championship.

The First Year Green Working Hunters were split into two sections this week due to a high number of entries. There were still over 30 horses in each section. In Section A, the tricolor went to Lavari, ridden by Havens Schatt and owned by Tracy Scheriff.

Lavari jumped to third and fourth place ribbons on Thursday and finished today with a win in the under saddle and in one of the over fences classes. Consistency was key for the young horse, and it led to the championship. “He was more consistent this week,” Schatt noted. “He got two ribbons on the first day instead of one.” Schatt added with a smile, “This week he came back a little proud. He’s pretty much got a routine already. He just comes to the ring and does his thing.”

The striking bay gelding did double duty at the first week of WEF, earning reserve championships in the First Year division with Schatt and the Adult Amateur Hunters with owner Scheriff. Scheriff hopes to move up to the Amateur-Owner Hunters later this year. “She’s playing it by ear,” Schatt explained. “She’ll move up as soon as she feels comfortable on him.”

Although Lavari was nine years old and a stallion as of last summer, he has adapted well to his new surroundings. Schatt clarified, “He was a breeding stallion in Europe. He was gelded last year right before he came to the United States.” Lavari has proven to be extremely well-behaved and focused on his job. She went on to say, “He’s come a long way. He had to figure out that he’s not a jumper anymore. Now he’s figured it out and he’s getting more and more consistent. He’s been really good and I’ve been really pleased with how he has progressed.”

Lavari has even made Schatt think of a comparison to a famous horse. “He reminds me of riding St. Nick, which is fun because he was such a good horse,” she said about the hugely successful grey stallion owned by Caroline Moran. “Lavari is like a bigger, slower version of St. Nick. He’s not grey, but that’s okay! I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”

In Section B, the champion was Mimosa, ridden and owned by Addison Phillips. Reserve champion went to Sports Fan, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart.

WEF hunter competition continues tomorrow with championships in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over and Small Junior 15 & Under divisions.

Photo Credit: Lavari and Havens Schatt, champions in the First Year Green Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.