By Nichole Osborne

Green Hunters Prove Themselves

By Veronica Finkelstein

The green horses took center stage Tuesday in the Dixon Oval. Dubbed "green" not for their color but for their comparative lack of experience-these show horses may be in their first or second year of rated show competition but they still showed tremendous scope and style.

 

In the first year green division, Scott Stewart led the jog for ribbons over fences, taking blue on Becky Gochman's horse Enjoy.  Second and third place were awarded to Elizabeth Solter riding Townsend for owner Dale Crittenberger and Minion for owner Marcia Castleman.  The ranks shuffled for the under saddle division, with first place going to As Always, second going to Caldwell, and third going to At One's Word.

 

Scott Stewart on Dedication

In the second year green division over fences class, Scott again stood at the front of the jog order, taking blue with Fashion Farm's Dedication.  Second place was awarded to Macallan, ridden by Havens Schatt.  Third place was awarded to Empire, also piloted by Scott Stewart.  After the horses jumped a second time, Scott again found himself on top of the pack, picking up a second blue with Dedication.  The red ribbon went to Listen piloted for Dr. Betsee Parker by Tori Colvin.  Unlike most riders in this division who are professionals, Tori is still a junior and in fact earned no shortage of awards during Devon's junior week.  Notwithstanding her tender years, she proved herself more than capable of stacking up against the professionals, giving Listen a sensitive and expert ride over fences to earn second place.  The yellow ribbon went to Macallan, owned by Tracy Scheriff-Muser.

 

In the green conformation division the blue ribbon over fences in the first round went to Rapunzel, ridden by Jennifer Alfano.  The red ribbon was awarded to Beholden, piloted by Scott Stewart and the yellow ribbon went to Wingman, ridden by Jennifer Bauersachs.  Scott took revenge in the second over fences class, winning first place on Beholden and relegating Rapunzel to second place.  Third place was awarded to Scott's own horse, Tristan.  

7 and 8 Year Old Young Jumpers

By Halie Greening

Tuesday afternoon as the sun brutally beat down on the Dixon Oval, the seven and eight year-old young jumpers took the ring. These two classes shared the similarity in that the competitors had to complete clean first rounds in a time of 71 seconds and zero faults in order to immediately do a jump-off round against the clock.

 

Schuyler Riley on Andretti

In the seven year-old young jumpers' class, six horse and rider combinations remained in the ring to complete their jump-off round which they were allowed to do upon their completed round with zero faults. With 6 competitors all vying for the final win, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL riding Andretti, owned by South Beach Stables stole first with a clean jump-off round producing the fastest time of 37.831 seconds.

 

Laura Chapot on Zealous

Continuing with the same course, but with contestants aboard 8 year-old young jumpers, seven entries made a second appearance in the ring to attempt the best ride in the jump-off. With a great variety of obstacles and combinations, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ riding Zealous, conquered the course with a time of 34.213 seconds and zero faults.

 

As the seven and eight year-old young jumpers made their last strides out of the ring, the ring crew jumped to their duties of setting up the daunting course to be ridden tonight by some of the top equestrian athletes in the $7,500 Open Jumper class. On the long list of entries, Olympic riders McLain Ward and Beezie Madden, and long-listers Christine McCrea and Katie Dinan.  Nothing but a spectacular show is expected to proceed in the Dixon Oval at 7:00 p.m.