January 26, 2007 - WEF, Day 3

Patricia Griffith and Scott Stewart Take Championships in First Year Green Hunter Sections

Wellington, FL – After a cold and dreary day of showing in the hunter ring, Friday dawned bright and breezy. The First Year Green Hunters began the day in the Grand Hunter Ring, and the division was split into two sections.

In section “A,” Patricia Griffith and Positano brought home the championship after winning all four over fences classes and placing fourth in the hack. Griffith, who is a trainer for Heritage Farm, was thrilled with her victory on the newly acquired Positano, whom she imported from Europe in late November.

“He’s just seven this year, and he’s the most fabulous horse to ride. He’s a giant, he’s 18 hands and you can do anything. He has a rubber-bit mouth, and he’s so smooth to ride. It’s so fun – you just want to ride him at every class and jump,” she enthused. “He did Littlewood last week and was just a little fresh, like he wasn’t sure where he was, but he’s always perfect to the jumps, and then here, he was just awesome – better every time.”

As a busy trainer who spends her fair share of time working with ponies, Griffith said that her partnership with Positano has turned out to be quite fun. “I train a lot of hunters, especially ponies, and I love it. I just never had a great one for myself, and when you have a great one, it is fun. He’s just an awesome, awesome horse.”

In section “B” of the First Year Greens, Scott Stewart and Winter Place took the tricolor with first places over fences and in the hack on Thursday and a second place over fences today. Winter Place is also a new partnership for Stewart, who purchased the 6-year-old Holsteiner from Cayce Harrison after the National Horse Show. Murray Kessler and Tchaikovsky were reserve champion.

Stewart had two excellent First Year horses last year, Heartfelt and Compliment, and Winter Place might fill those roles. “This is his very first time. He’s very new. He was way better than I thought he’d be. He’s a great mover, a great jumper. I was worried out here he’d be overwhelmed, but I thought he went great,” Stewart explained. “I think he’s starting off on a good note. He should be a contender.”

In the Rost Arena, the Adult Amateur Hunter 3’3” division wrapped up and pinned its champions, with Francis Briggs and Skyy earning the championship. The pair were first over fences and second under saddle on Thursday, and were first and sixth over fences today. Reserve champion was Jonathan Cohen riding Joyeaux.

Hunter competition will continue on Saturday with the second day of the Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Older classes wrapping up, as well as the Amateur-Owner 18-35 divisions and the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under divisions pinning their champions.

PHOTO CREDIT: Patricia Griffith and Positano, First Year Green Hunters Section “A” Champions. © 2007 Randi Muster.