Fiyero and Elizabeth Boyd Win in Front of a Record Crowd at the 12TH AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular

Article and Photos by Diana DeRosa

Genuine & Angelo Take Second and Third

To see Tim Goguen, Wellington, FL, among the top three was no surprise since he was the defending champion.  In 2007, he earned the top honors on Safari but this year the defending rider/horse combination had a late lead change on a corner right near the ingate forcing Goguen to circle. 

Goguen was proud of Angelo, an 8-year-old, brown, 15.2 1/2 H, gelding Warmblood, who is owned by Katie Dinan.  “That’s a fun horse for 4’.  He’s a little horse but that kind of gallop for him is right up his alley.  It’s a nice horse to ride.  He went beautifully in both rounds.  Earlier that day he was hand walked and then showed that night.  He is really easy as far as getting to the ring; he’s all business – that part of him makes him a really special horse.”

Coe, Toluca, CA, had earned a bye into the class by winning the 2007 World Championship Hunter Rider Pro Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in October of 2007.  She chose the Second Year Green mount Genuine, an eight-year-old, 15.3H, bay, gelding for the honors.  The horse is owned by Laura King Kaplan and is a new ride for Kirsten. 

“This is only my second time showing him,” she explained.  Kirsten couldn’t gush enough about her mount noting, “What a dream.  He’s not fazed.  He’s not spooky.  He puts out an effort every time.  He’s a wonderful horse. Just as those words were oozing out of her mouth Liza piped in, “We are really lucky to be able to ride these horses.”  Both Kirsten and Tim nodded in agreement.

By the end of the conversation Liza and Kirsten were finishing each other’s sentences as they chimed in agreement about what a great honor this was just to be in the class never mind finish first and second.  Yet it always came back to their horses.  “You are only as good as your horse.  We are so lucky!”  they chimed.

A New Look and Feel

The setting was new for the crowd.  Seats replaced grass in most areas surrounding the arena and allowed for more spectators to enjoy the action.  The Hunter Classic has become an event not to miss.  The grass footing in the arena of years passed was replaced by all-weather footing, which this year proved to be a welcome change because the many downpours which took place throughout the week never dampened the footing or the event. 

Also, the new lighting was so good that photographers did not need flash and for the first time a host of photographers were there capturing the action.  The TV lighting also eliminated the shadows, which in the past has created a spooky course for both horses and riders.

Commentator and AHJF President Geoff Teall was pleased. “I thought it was a really good class.  It’s interesting that it had all professionals in the second round.  I’m not saying it was better or worse – just different.    It gave a different flavor to the whole thing, which I thought was great.   The margin was so small from 1st through 12th.  It was highly competitive.  The new improved footing and lighting made a big difference.  Each year it is getting more and more horse friendly.  This year it made a big leap forward.  I think it will encourage people who have hesitated to do the class to take the plunge now. “

Course designer Patrick Rodes took the new footing into consideration when designing the course since horses go differently on the all-weather footing than they do on the grass.  “Tonight’s course is pretty straightforward.  My goal for this is to have a bunch of nice rounds.  The marquis jump with the palm trees is a spectacular jump and that’s last in the second round.”

The riders were pleased with the new setup and the course.  “The ring was much better.  It was very well lit and was not spooky like last year.  There were vast improvements in the arena this year.  The courses were wonderful and quite appropriate.  There were choices to go inside, what lead to start off on and they were great courses for a class like this.  You were on a good lick the whole entire course.”

“It was really a galloping course.  If you stayed with it, it flowed,” added Goguen.