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Posted February 21, 2006 Pony Hunters Wrap Up Competition in Bainbridge Florida Classic at Winter Equestrian Festival
In the hunter discipline, the Adult, Children’s, and Pony Hunters often have the most entries and are very popular. WEF is no exception. In the Florida Children’s Hunter Classic today, it was the perfect ending to a very successful weekend for Tobasco and Alexandra Thornton. The 13 year old rider scored a championship with the 8 year old Trakehner/Thoroughbred chestnut gelding by Abdullah yesterday and rode two solid rounds for the win today. This weekend is only the fourth time Thornton has shown in the Children’s Hunters, but the young rider looked like a veteran today. About Tobasco, she mentioned, “I like him because he’s so smooth. He lands and takes off so softly.” Thornton and trainer Susie Humes found the adorable gelding through Ken and Emily Smith and Don Stewart at last year’s Washington International Horse Show. They purchased him after the National Horse Show, and it has been a successful match. Thornton is thrilled with her win, but was quick to credit those who helped her achieve it. “All of this is possible because of Kris, Benjamin, and Sergio in the barn, Jen and Andrew, who help ride in the morning, Susie, and my parents most of all,” she said. In addition to riding multiple horses and ponies, Thornton is also a ballet dancer at the School of American Ballet in New York City. She believes that the two sports complement each other, but are not necessarily similar. “I think riding with my heels down really contributes to my plié in ballet. Last year, I grew four inches, so my Achilles tendon was tight. I had to stretch it out and riding was really good for it,” she explained. “Ballet helps your posture in riding. Riding and ballet are very different because, in ballet, you rehearse. It’s like going into a course that you’ve been practicing for the past two weeks.” Humes said that Thornton is a natural rider. “Her strengths as a hunter rider are that she has a wonderful brain, she’s very smart, and she has a great work ethic. She has great concentration in the ring, and she’s very smooth,” she related. Although Thornton was leading the class going into her final round, she was not thinking about the win. “I wasn’t really thinking about winning or getting a good ribbon. I was just trying to do the best for each trip. It really worked out well in the end. It’s very exciting to win!” Official Results: Class 2003, Florida Children’s Hunter Classic, North American League qualifier
The Small Pony Hunters were the first division in the Rost Arena today. Reed Kessler and her adorable grey pony Helicon Take Notice finished with the tricolor in the division. Reserve champion was Blackberry, ridden by Schaefer Raposa and owned by Heritage Farm. In addition, Kessler brought home the reserve championship in Section B of the Medium Pony Hunters on Kylie Wright’s Satin. Kessler and Helicon Take Notice, nicknamed “Princess Alexis”, had a very successful 2005. They were circuit champions at WEF and champions at the Washington International Horse Show. Kessler explained why her pony is special, “You can kind of just float around. You don’t have to focus on strides, because she’ll do that for you. So basically, you just float around and look for distances. Her big stride makes that so easy.” Kessler also mentioned that the grey mare is “a little fatty. She shakes you down for food. She’ll come out of the gate and go to numerous people and look for food!” As for the future, Kessler said that while both of her small ponies are for sale, she still looks forward to keeping them at their best. “She’s been so good, and I’m so excited that I get to keep riding her,” Kessler concluded. In the B Section of the Medium Pony Hunters, Ashley Toffolon and Touch of Silver came away with the championship. Although the pair have only been together for less than a year, Toffolon acknowledged that she is outgrowing the cute grey pony. Their win today was a great success, and Toffolon said of her partner, “She’s pretty easy to ride. You just have to get your pace and make sure that she’s paying attention.” Toffolon had a small case of nerves going into the final class, but she admitted her secret to staying cool under pressure. “My cousin told me to sing to her while I’m going around the course,” she said with a laugh. “It kind of keeps the beat of her and calms both of us down.” Schaefer Raposa swept away the championship ribbon in section A of the Medium Pony Hunters on Blu Venture Rainbeau, owned by Nellie Ann Foosaner. Reserve champion went to Major League owned and ridden by Phoebe Robinson. Raposa rides for Heritage Farms, which has locations in both Wellington, FL, and New York. She trains with Patricia Griffin. This is only the third time Raposa has shown Blu Venture Rainbeau, one of the seven ponies that she is showing this weekend. “He was so good,” said Raposa. “He has a huge stride and really just gallops up to the fences.” She added, “Because of his stride, I have a chance to get a really good pace going, and he jumps so well when I keep him moving forward that way.” In the Large Pony Hunter division, Kaitlin Campbell had the championship ride on Blue Chip for owner Megan Schall of Medina, Minnesota, and trainer Tommy Serio. Campbell, who is usually found in the Children’s Jumper ring, rode three ponies this weekend. “I just sat on Blue Chip on Friday for the first time,” said Campbell, who is based out of the Patty Miller Show Stables in Pennsylvania. “He is just a really nice pony. He is easy and has a heart of gold,” she said. Reserve champion went to Vanity Fair ridden and owned by Adrienne Sternlicht. The Peggy Cone Memorial Adult Hunter Classic was led from start to finish with fantastic rounds from Winter Castle and Jeanine Zukerman, who rode for Vanessa Redfern. The win is one of the biggest for Zukerman and Winter Castle, and it meant even more than a normal class. “I’ve had a lot of great wins on this horse, but this was the most meaningful because I knew Peggy Cone and I know Carol Cone very well. She’s a great rider and a great friend,” Zukerman said. Zukerman was not nervous going into the class. “I just wanted to try and keep it together and keep thinking of everything David’s been telling me to do and just keep my cool,” she expressed. “It’s going to go how it goes, you know? My goal is to do the best I can.” Winter Castle did not feel the pressure either. Zukerman added, “He felt great. He’s a special horse, and he really rises to the occasion. He never lets me down. I’m really just thankful everyday that I get to ride him.” Official Results: Class 2002, Peggy Cone Memorial Adult Hunter Classic, North American League qualifier
The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter-jumper divisions – Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Open Jumper Speed. Each series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA in October. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members earn points toward year-end finals. For more information, a list of qualifying competitions and results, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com. Photo Credit: Tobasco and Alexandra Thornton, winners of Florida Children’s Hunter Classic at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster. |
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Wellington,
FL – February 19, 2006 – The Bainbridge Florida Classic,
presented by the Palm Beach Post, finished competition today at the
Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with very special classes for some
of the most popular divisions.
