Debbie Bass and Just Harry Return to Winner’s Circle for Second Championship of Season

Wellington, FL – Just Harry, piloted by Debbie Bass, showed competitors in the 51 & Older Adult Amateur Hunter division section “A” how a veteran does it. At age 20, Just Harry has been with the Bass family for about 16 years and has competed in every hunter division there is, from the First Year Greens through the Regular Workings to the junior divisions. Partnered with Bass of Gates Milles, Ohio, the pair earned first and third over fences on Friday and sealed the championship with second and sixth over fences on Saturday.

“He’s been with us for a long time and has done all the divisions,” Bass commented. “He’s been coming down here all these years, getting circuit champion in the juniors and in the adults. He’s been doing this a long, long time.”

Despite his age, Just Harry goes as well as ever. “He was great this weekend. It’s colder and sometimes that can be problematic, but I guess with age he’s mellowing,” Bass laughed. “He was really easy to ride and perfect. Now he just knows his job so it’s very, very easy. He’s simple as long as he’s prepared.” Bass added that the pair earned the championship in the second week of hunter competition this season.

In section “A,” reserve champion went to Diane W. Burt and Amandale. In section “B” of the 51 & Older Adult Amateur Hunters, Carol Cone and Harmony Bay, who are on their way to repeating last year’s circuit championship performance, earned the tricolor. The pair were first and second over fences on Friday, and third under saddle and both firsts over fences on Saturday. Margaret O’Meara and Sensation were reserve champion.

Competing in the Mogavero Arena, the 18-35 Amateur Owner Hunter division, sponsored by Kilkenny Insurance Agency, concluded with Clara Lindner and her new partner Hush earning the championship.

“I bought him two weeks ago. This is his first year showing in the 3’6”, and I did a couple classes at Littlewood last week, but this is our first time over here, and I wasn’t expecting this at all! I’m so proud of him,” she explained. Lindner recently purchased the 7-year-old gelding from Kim Prince.

Although Hush is fairly young and green, Lindner said he rides well. “He is so brave, he’s not spooky at all. Sometimes he wanders a little, but every time he goes in the ring, he’s better and better. He’s so smooth, and he’s so much fun to ride. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

The pair earned a first over fences and a first in the hack on Friday and were fourth and ninth today. Reserve champion in the 18-35 Amateur Owner division was Round About, ridden by Morgan Trexler.

The fourth week of hunter competition at the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the pinning of the remaining championships in the Small and Large Junior Hunters, Children’s Hunters, all pony divisions and more. Next week kicks off World Champion Hunter Rider week at WEF, which is the highlight of the circuit for hunter competitors.

PHOTO CREDIT: Carol Cone and Harmony Bay, champions in section “B” of the 51 & Older Adult Amateur division. ©2007 Randi Muster.