Barri Platt Triumphs with Manolo for Grand Junior Hunter Championship and Leading Rider Award at 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival

Riggio and Indian Summer Score 92 for Victory

Wellington, FL - The junior and amateur-owner hunter divisions concluded in the Internationale Arena today at the 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival. Championship and reserve championship honors were determined and presented on the grass field.

The Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division was the first to wrap up this morning, and Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, came away with the top tricolor aboard Saloon. Waxman, who pilots the horse for Whitney Roper, was champion with Saloon at the National Horse Show last year as well. The reserve championship was presented to Say The Word and Nicole Bellissimo of Wellington, FL. Say The Word is owned by Far Niente Equine.

In the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, Cortright Wetherill rode to the top with Take Away. Wetherill, who is a freshman at Rollins College, hails from Wellington, FL. "My horse was awesome this weekend," stated Wetherill after the presentation. "I think I caught the flu or something at school, so I'm not feeling too well. But all fall the horse was really good, and he felt great here. He loves the field and always goes so well out there."

"Take Away is an Oldenburg, and I've had him for three years," he added. "He did the Regulars with Havens Schatt for a year, and then I've done him in the juniors for two years. It's really cool to be champion here considering it's my last junior year. Plus, it's nice to be down in Florida this early and then have a break until circuit."

The reserve championship in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters went to Zenith and Katherine Newman. Newman showed the horse for owner Dee Thomas of Wellington, FL.

The Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters were next in the order and Katie Dinan of New York, NY, guided her mount Angelo to championship honors. Waxman added another tricolor to her collection and captured the reserve championship on Lights Out, owned by Nellie Ann Foosaner of Middleburg, VA.

Barri Platt took home the championship in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters with her horse Manolo. Platt resides in Overland Park, KS. "Manolo was awesome!" exclaimed Pratt. "My trainer David (Nation) got him ready for me. Every time David rides him, he's perfect. I was really comfortable going in on him." She continued, "I took a little bit of time off from riding for about a month and just came back, so I was nervous. He always makes my nerves go away. It was my first time out on the big field, so I was nervous about that, but I don't think he cared at all. He was ready. I want to say thank you to my trainers, Ken and Emily Smith and David Nation, for helping me this weekend. I live in Kansas City, and my trainers and horses are here, so I appreciate everything they did to get him ready."

Platt also received the Grand Junior Hunter Championship for her rides aboard Manolo, and she was later presented the overall Leading Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider award, the "Ruxton and Scot To Do" Challenge Trophy, for earning the most points out of all the hunters in the junior and amateur-owner divisions.

The reserve championship in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters went to Babett and Sara Bryan of Statesboro, GA.

The Tara Management Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters showcased on the Internationale Arena field next, and Stephanie Riggio was all smiles after she earned the championship aboard Indian Summer. "I had a great day today. I recovered from a little bit of an 'iffy' day yesterday," Riggio laughed. "I was a little rusty from being indoors and them coming out here; it's kind of a different mentality."

"He was absolutely amazing today. He got a 92," she grinned. "I've never gotten a 92 in my life! It was very cool. He loves to show on the field. He's on when he's out there. He just knows it's important and that people are watching, and he's such a performer. He did everything I asked for and them some. He was perfect."

Roundabout and Morgan Trexler of Reading, PA, took home the reserve tricolor in the younger Amateur-Owner Hunters. Roundabout is owned by Windswept, Inc.

Ellen Toon triumphed for both championship and reserve championship ribbons today in the Kilkenny Amateur-Owner 35 and Over Hunters. Toon, of South Salem, NY, earned top honors with her two mounts, Attache and Invincible. She was also the recipient of the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship.

The 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival continues through Sunday, December 9, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. Hunters continue tomorrow with the National Horse Show Hunter Championship.

Photo Credit: Barri Platt and Manolo. Photo (C) 2007 Randi Muster.