Maui Jim and Sally Duffield Surf to Adult Amateur 3’3” Hunter Championship at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – The Zada Enterprises LLC Wellington Masters week at the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festial (WEF) continued today. In the Adult Amateur 3’3” Hunter division sponsored by Kilkenny Insurance Agency, the champion was Maui Jim, ridden and owned by Sally Duffield of Wellington, FL.

“This was my first championship in all the years I’ve been here,” Duffield exclaimed. “I was very excited.” She has shown at WEF for almost 25 years and has won classes before, but it finally came together this week for Duffield and her seven-year-old Hannoverian gelding.

Duffield has owned Maui Jim for two years and trains with Tammy Provost. Originally from Michigan, Duffield moved to Wellington last year. Duffield showed in the Adult Amateur 51 & Over division in the earlier weeks of WEF, and she plans to hopefully move up the Amateur-Owner Hunters at the end of the circuit. “I might show at 3’3” one more time before I walk into the Grand Hunter Ring,” she acknowledged.

Maui Jim won three over fences classes this week and placed fourth in the under saddle in their first time competing at 3’3”. The reserve championship went to Fame, ridden and owned by Laura Lee Montross. “Unfortunately in our first class, he was really good,” Duffield laughed, “but he jumped the first fence at 3 feet, not 3’3”, so we had four faults.”

When Duffield first saw Maui Jim, she noticed his ideal jumping style and good looks. Plus, “he really seemed to enjoy it,” she remembered. At only five years old, Maui Jim “didn’t know what a straight line was,” Duffield said. “He was pretty wiggly.” Duffield showed him one week after she purchased him, but noted that trainer Provost started the horse and increased his knowledge in the show ring. “He’s grown mentally, for sure,” she added.

“He’s very laidback and smooth, so I have to kick a little. He’s got a great canter. He doesn’t take anything too seriously,” she described. “He goes trail riding and everything; he’s a really fun horse.”

In the First Year Green Working Hunter division, there was only one section of competition for the first time this season. The champion was Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart for owner Molly Ohrstrom of The Plains, VA. This was Ovation’s third championship this season. The reserve champion was Hush, ridden by Nicole Simpson for Clara Lindner.

The junior riders began their equitation competition today with the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search class, which was split into two sections. The winner of the A section was Maggie McAlary of Amherst, NH, on Mid-Accord. The section B victor was Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, who rode Papillon 236.

The winner of the Ariat Adult Medal class was Lindsey Mohr, who rode Allegro for the Mill Creek Stables to victory over Joy Harrington-Graue, Alexandra Wexler and Jennifer Januzis. Jennifer Reid and Kitsous du Carry rounded out the top five in the class.

The Zada Enterprises LLC Wellington Masters continues tomorrow with championships in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 and Large Junior 16-17 Hunter divisions.

Photo Credit: Maui Jim and Sally Duffield, Adult Amateur 3’3” champions at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © 2007 Randi Muster.