Posted February 23, 2006

Louise Serio Scores Another Championship at Zada Enterprises LLC Wellington Masters at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – February 23, 2006 – The fifth week of the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival began yesterday, but the first hunter championships of the week were awarded today.

Champion in the Second Year Green Hunters was Costello, ridden by Louise Serio and owned by Shaw Johnson Price. The striking bay gelding, who finished second in last week’s AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach, came back in fine form. “He loves the night class,” Serio mentioned. “He likes the grass, the atmosphere. He’s never nervous about anything like that.” Costello was the winner of all three of Wednesday’s classes and returned today for a first and fourth over fences. Reserve champion in the division was Music Street, ridden by Scott Stewart for Alexa and Krista Weisman.

Although this was only the second week of competition for Costello, Serio acknowledged that he felt even better in his second time out. “Last week was also the first time he had jumped the 3’9”,” Serio added. “He just got more relaxed. I thought he jumped beautifully this week. Every class was excellent.”

She went on to say, “He likes new and different things. He’s not the least bit spooky. He likes a different environment and new jumps. He really rises to the occasion. He’s so talented that everything is easy for him.”

In the Green Conformation Hunters, there is a new horse under the tutelage of rider Scott Stewart, and it is one that has been unbeatable so far. Compliment, an eight year old Oldenburg owned by Molly Ohrstrom, jumped his way to a third championship out of three tries this week. On Wednesday, Compliment won the model and over fences classes and was third under saddle. Today, Compliment won both over fences classes. The reserve championship went to Ashton, ridden by Ken Berkley for Karen Long Dwight.

Stewart, who has had many of the top hunters in the nation, had high praise for his young mount. “He’s the total package. He’s a mover, he’ll win the model, and he jumps unbelievable. Not only is he beautiful, but he’s probably one of the best jumpers that I’ve ever had.”

Stewart went on to explain about Compliment’s style, “He’s so smooth going around. He doesn’t look like he should be able to jump like he jumps, because he’s so pretty. You don’t expect him to do what he does. He gets up to the jump and really has an explosive jump. He almost looks too good to be true sometimes!”

In the Regular Conformation Hunters, champion this week was Popeye K, ridden by Tommy Serio and owned by Elizabeth Spencer. Reserve champion in the division was Good Life and Scott Stewart.

The Regular Working Hunters saw Wellington resident Holly Orlando in the winner’s circle with Scott Hakim’s Wolfgang. Nairobi and Morgan Thomas, who rode for KW Unlimited, were reserve champions.

Hunter coverage continues tomorrow from the Winter Equestrian Festival with the championships in the First Year Green Working Hunters and the Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters.

Photo Credit: Costello and Louise Serio, Second Year Green champions at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Jennifer Wood.