New York City, NY - November 12, 2003 - The Metropolitan National Horse Show kicked off a new era of horse showing in New York City on October 29 to November 2, 2003. Located at Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson Complex right on the Hudson River, the venue provided an intimate setting where spectators could mingle with the riders and horses, and a large show arena provided ample space for interesting and challenging courses.

Additionally, special touches such as having the VIP Lounge in a barge on the river and pre-show festivities at the fabled Tavern on the Green restaurant, added a bit of whimsy and fun to the competition. This year is the 120th anniversary of the National Horse Show Association of America, formed in 1883.

The ASPCA-Maclay National Horsemanship Championship
On the final day of the Metropolitan National Horse Show, Mathew Sereni of Los Altos Hills, CA jumped up to finish on top in the prestigious American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Maclay National Horsemanship Championship. Courtney McKay of Ocala, FL won the Reserve Championship.

When asked if he thought he would win the ASPCA-Maclay on his mount, Fareniente, Sereni said simply, "I had faith in my horse." Then his eyes welled up with tears. Archie Cox, his trainer explained, "he's very sympathetic to horses and horses like him. To him a horse is not a machine." Sereni fondly calls his mount Floho, which means lazy in Spanish.

Regarding the course Sereni commented, "It all just fit together. At first my heart started beating faster and then I got moving and I knew Floho could do it."

McKay's Reserve Championship was slightly bittersweet as she commented that this is her last year in the Junior division. "She's very dedicated and will ride any horse in any weather," commented her trainer Christina Schlusemeyer. Her 11 year-old Irish Warmblood had been trained in upper level dressage before he was redirected towards jumping. "He learned fast," McKay said. "He's so smart."

The ASPCA-Maclay Finals have long been the proving ground for future top international stars. Such notable equestrians as William Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, Conrad Homfeld, Leslie Howard, Peter Wylde, Ray Texel, and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson won the ASPCA-Maclay National Championship prior to going on to international equestrian success. The list of the top ten ASPCA-Maclay Finals riders follows this article.

Special Awards
Casey Green of Westport, CT won The Wayne Carroll Sportsmanship Award, given in memory of popular trainer Wayne Carroll. The coveted Best Child Rider on a Horse award went to Daisy Johnson of New York City, NY.

Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD had a stellar show taking home three major honors. She was named Best Child Rider on a Pony, won the Medium Pony Hunter division with Northwinds Onyx, and was Reserve Champion on Halcyon Hawthorn in the Small Pony Hunter division.

Hunter Champions
Other pony hunter champions included My Little Dickens and Emma Lipman of Bedford, NY who galloped away with the Small Pony Hunter Championship. In the Medium Pony Hunter division, Simply Magical and Katherine Newman of Upperville, VA won the Reserve Championship.

In the Large Pony Hunter division, Land's End Mad Hatter and Linden Miller of Atlanta, GA took home the top tri-color ribbon. Land's End Mad Hatter was also declared the Grand Champion Pony Hunter. Paris Sellon of Los Angeles, CA and Newsworthy were Reserve Champions.

Making rider Emily Williams of Wellington, FL appreciate his name, Priceless was crowned the Craven Cup Grand Champion Hunter. Priceless is owned by All Seasons Farm, LLC. Priceless took a second bow with the designation of Champion in the Second Year Green Hunter Division. Reserve Champion in that division went to Carmen, ridden by Ken Smith of Wellington, FL and owned by Mary P. Dunahay, Inc.

In the First Year Green Working Hunter Division, Southern Lights, owned by Dr. Sheila Buchbinder, was awarded the Championship to delight of rider Samantha Darling of Colts Neck, NJ. Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ guided Titleist over the jumps to take Reserve Champion. Titleist is owned by Manhattan Mortgage.

Fakir Rouge, a lightly shown hunter this season, made a splash by earning the Championship in the Regular Conformation Hunter Division. Fakir Rouge is owned by Meadowoods Farm and Renee Liebler of Greenwich, CT and was piloted by Scott Stewart. Westcliffe, owned by Molly Mullen of Chicago, IL, brought the Reserve Championship to rider Caroline Weeden of Lake Forest, IL.

Emily Williams steered the legendary Strapless right into winning the Championship of the Regular Working Hunter Division and the Regular Hunter Challenge. Strapless is owned by Clara Lindner of All Seasons Farm, LLC. Reserve Champion was awarded to Prove It, owned by Mimi Tashjian of Greenwich, CT and ridden by Scott Stewart.

The aptly named Tribute made owner Krista Weisman of Sherborn, MA and rider Scott Stewart proud by capturing the Green Conformation Hunter Championship. In this division Authentic took Reserve for rider and owner Dudley MacFarlane of Darien, CT.

Lee Kellog of New York City, NY and Gifted bested all others and earned the Championship in the Amateur Owner Working Hunter Division for 18-35 year olds. Katie Polk of Malibu, CA and Eminem, owned by Silver Raven Farms, took home the Reserve Championship.

Gershwin, owned and ridden by Kimberley A. Quinn of Charlotte, NC, brought music to her ears with the Championship in the Amateur Owner Working Hunter in the 36 and Over Division. Reserve Champion went to Lennox and owner/rider Sandra Brown of Newtown Square, PA.

In the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-36 Division Melissa Feller of Medham, NJ, the owner and rider of Imported, won the Championship. The Rainman did not disappoint Maria D'Anza of Summit, NJ in bringing home the Reserve Championship.

The partnership between rider Cornelia Guest of Old Westbury, NY and owner Whitney Roper of Rumson, NJ, gave their shared mission a leg up when Sister Parish brought home the Championship in the Adult Amateur Working Hunter Division for 36 and Over. Amy Buccarelli of Bedminster, NJ who owns and rides Just A River jumped her way to the Reserve Championship.

In the Small Junior Working Hunter 15 & Under Division, the Championship went to Double Cinco owned and ridden by Lexy Reed of Beaver Falls, PA. The Reserve tri-color ribbon was awarded to L'Azure, owned by Shalanno Farms and piloted by Addison Phillips of New York City, NY.

For the Small Junior Working Hunter 16-17 Division, Bucky Dent came out swinging with owner and rider Christina Mangano of Upperville, VA to take home the Championship. Clara Lindner of Cincinnati, OH and the legendary Strapless took the Reserve Championship.

Rio Bravo jumped brilliantly to capture the Large Junior Working Hunter 15 & Under. Rio Bravo is owned by WGHR Farm and Sale Johnson and ridden by Daisy Johnson. Bellingham Bay made owner and rider Stephanie Danhakl's day with the Reserve Championship. Danhakl lives in Pacific Palisades, CA.

The Large Junior Working Hunter 16-17 Division was conquered by Saloon, owned and ridden by Whitney Roper. Best Seller took the Reserve Championship for rider Megan Edrick of Woodland Hills, CA and owner Emily Horner of Calabasas, CA.

In the Ladies Side Saddle Hunter division, Count On Me and Danielle Buchheit of Johnson, NY dominated the competition and brought home the Championship ribbon. The Reserve Championship was awarded to Silver Lining and Sandra Litvin of West Chester, PA.

In the Children's Working Hunter Division for riders who are 14 years old or younger, owner/rider Kelsey Rae Calabro of Watermill, NY partnered with Renoir to paint the Championship picture. Meghann Doughtery of Flourtown, PA, who owns and rides Wellington, took home the Reserve placing.

Jumpers
Polly McTaggart of Greenwich, CT and Havana were the overall champions in the three-day long Liberty Cup. Reserve Champion went to Barbara Rockford of New Jersey and Summer Salute.

In an exciting finish to the Metropolitan Cup, the overall winner was Elena Lusenti of New York City, NY and Larone. Larone is owned by Northern Belles, Inc. Cannonboy and Lara Gay of Ridgefield, CT were Reserve Champions. Both the Liberty Cup and the Metropolitan Cup were run as a three-phase competition in a modified World Cup format.

In the Rotating Pair Relay, costumes and quickness were the key ingredients to victory. Amanda Starbuck of Ridgefield, CT on Lickity Spit and Joy Slater of Unionville, PA on Shindig took home a pair of blue ribbons for their efforts.

The Junior and Amateur Owner Hit & Hurry Jumper Class went to a speedy Lara Gay and her flashy jumper Campezino. Campezino is owned by RCG Farms. The Gambler's Choice class was captured by Lickity Spit owned by Stepping Stone Farm and ridden by Amanda Starbuck.

Dressage in New York City
Culminating the first day of the competition was the evening dressage exhibition. The Continental Cup was run as a musical freestyle team competition. Three teams each of four competitors were represented by Grand Prix, Intermediaire, Young Rider, and Pony riders. The top team included Sue Jaccoma on Jellowa, Silke Rembacz riding Connecticut, Elisabeth Austin on Hierarch, and Isabelle Leibler on Get the Picture. Also competing were Rachel Chowanec, Julie McKean, Marissa Mastronardi, Michael Shondel, Katie Riley, Cesar Parra, Anne Gribbons, and Ashley Holzer.

Austin, of Williston, VT, was surprised by how enthusiastically the crowd received the dressage exhibition. "It was amazing to feel the support and excitement from the crowd. Some dressage movements that we take for granted absolutely awed them. I was a bit worried about my horse's reaction to the applause, but the highlight of the evening was during our extended trot when the audience cheered us on. This caused him to try even harder. He's the best and I couldn't be happier with our performance."

On Saturday night, top dressage rider George Williams wowed the crowd on his talented mare, Rocher in a musical freestyle ride. After his performance, fans mobbed him at an autograph session. At this year's Dressage World Cup in Goteborg, Sweden, Williams and Rocher placed sixth in the Grand Prix Kur standings against the best riders in the world.

Exhibitions and Traditions
Each of the five days of the Metropolitan National Horse Show included performances from internationally famous Mexican charro Geraldo "Jerry" Diaz. A charro is a skilled Mexican horseman, with the Charro tradition going back to roots in the 17th century. The charro, who developed the customs, dress, music and equestrian abilities later borrowed by the American cowboy, dresses in traditional costume. Diaz is an expert horseman and trick roper who offered fine family entertainment.

Movie stars Seabiscuit and War Admiral from the hit movie 'Seabiscuit' were on site throughout the show. Spectators visited with them daily at their stalls and many brought home complimentary posters and Seabiscuit memorabilia. This year is the 65th anniversary of the legendary match race between the two great champions.

Continuing one of the long traditions of honoring the City of New York, the New York Daily News donated a horse for the fourteenth time to the New York Police Department Mounted Unit during the Thursday evening performance. Daily News 14, a bay, 10 year-old Quarter Horse, will soon join New York's Finest in patrolling the streets of New York.

Next Year
The second Metropolitan National Horse Show is scheduled for November 3 to 7, 2004 at Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson Complex in New York City. This will mark the 121st anniversary of the National Horse Show Association of America.

ASPCA-Maclay Final Results
Metropolitan National Horse Show
November 2, 2003, in New York City, NY