2009 AHJF WCHR PRO FINALS PUBLISHED PRINT CLIPS

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Heads Up HUNTER/JUMPER NEWS

~ Everyone at the New England Equitation Championships was checking to see who was wearing a new Zone I Finals jacket...these jackets continue to be a hot commodity and every champion at this year's Zone I Finals, which were held in conjunction with the Eastern States Horse Show in Springfield, Mass., on September 30-October 4, got one. Besides the jackets, the buzzword at this year's Zone Finals was money, money, money! Prize money! Trainers of all the classic winners took home checks for $100 and the top professional score in their classics earned an additional $300. High Point Pro, Kristen Newton, of Rocking Horse Farm also took home the $300 check and a portable wooden mounting block. But the pros weren't the only ones taking home goodies. A grooming tote went to the adult high score and the high pOint children's pony. Bridles from SmartPak were awarded to all reserve champion pony hunters in large, medium and small divisions. Dover Saddlery gave coolers to the reserve champion in the greens, pregreens, amateur owners, and chil­dren's horses. Special thanks to the top level sponsors and also big kudos to the Zone I Committee, in particular Carla Sharp, jay Sargent, Pam Hunt, lilli Bieler, and lisa Foster.

~ Speaking of the New England Finals, Larissa Laffey recorded the highest score ever in the Horsemanship Class to win the class over two-time defending champ, Emmajohnson. Larissa also won the junior sportsman­ship award at both the New England Finals and the MHC Finals! Larissa is the daughter of trainer Olana Laffey.

~ And speaking of trainers' daughters ... linda langmeier's nine-year-old daughter, Mckayla-still in jods­stole the show with a great trip scored in the high 70S! It won't be long till she's following in Mom's footsteps by bringing home the blue!

~ jimmy Toon's horse I-Toon won the best horse award for the second straight year.

~ There were a few big-time trainers missing from the NEEC this year and word is that most people didn't mind, saying that the NEEC should return to its roots of being a showcase for New England riders ...

~ Congrats to Woodridge Farm, who had two riders place in the adults-

Amy Cooper was second in the older adults and Steve Violin was fourth in the middle adults!

~ Congratulations also to Amanda Steege, who was awarded the AHj F Winter's Run Sportsmanship award at the Capital Challengel Amanda and her Ash Meadow Farm in Bedminster,

1 N.j., will once again join forces with her father, Mitch Steege of Red Acre Farm in Stow, Mass., at HITS Ocala this winter in hopes of another successful show series.

~ Cornerstone Farm also had a suc cessful outing at the Cap Challenge. Phoebe Hersch and Monica Hunt's One Up was reserve in the Children's Hunter 15-17. At MHC Finals, lynne Berardini was third in the Open Equitation under 30; Ashley Morin won the Open Equitation 12-14, and Brittany Bouchard was third in the class. Cornerstone also congratulates Brittany Bouchard on the purchase of Alero with a special thanks to Dawn Dorrance. Finally, congrats to jess lusty on the lease of Sandy and Alexa Bayko for qualifying for the ASPCA Maclay Finals in Syracuse.

~ Charlotte McEnroe's daughter Willough welcomed baby girl, Honour Angelikah in july. Honour was a week early and Charlotte sends a special thanks to good friend Cookie DeSimone for taking over the training and coaching of her clients at a moment's notice during the Head of the Bay horse show!

~ In other news from Charlotte, at Woodbury Manor in Sutton, Mass., Katie Eppinger has leased Pillsbury

124 HORSEMEN ' S YANKEE PEDLAR· DECEMBER 2009

from Tatra Farms and Captain jack Sparrow from Dana Hall. Katie had a successful season with both ponies, and competed with Captain jack Sparrow at the Pony Finals, where Katie had a top score in the practicum horsemanship test.

~A trip to Holland and Germany found a new horse for Marita Zuraitis ... look for Marita and her new mare, Better than Diamonds. Casey Zuraitis and Unforgettable Flight had a successful show season ending with great tri ps at the junior Hunter

BY KIM ABLON WHITNEY

.... Amanda Steege was honored at the Capital Challenge Horse Show_ Her parents Mitch and Kathy were there for the presentation_

college at St. Lawrence University. Charlotte welcomes Maeve Foley and Elara to Woodbury Manorl

~ Meanwhile at Charlotte's other loca­tion, Apple Knoll Farm, congrats to Veronica Dabrowski on her lease of Auto, and to the Walsh girls on their purchase of Knight Hawk and Ashford's Lad. All _had a great time at the vermont Summer Festival, and Veronika's daughter julia rode Captain jack Sparrow in the lead line class held in thejumperstadium ring!

~ Kensington Equestrian Center (KEC) trainer Sheryl Macleod and owners jocelyn and Brian McQuillan would like to congratulate all of their riders on a successful finals season. Devon Macleod on her pony Leap of Faith was the MHC Mini Medal Champion at the MHC Days of

continued on page 125 ~

Fi nals before Casey headed off to

Devon Macleod was the MHC Mini Medal Champion at the MHC Days of Champions_

The McEnroe Family and its newest member, Honour_

HUNTER/JUMPER

Capital Challenge HorseShow DRAWS TOP COMPETITORS TO SHOW PLACE ARENA

The 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show was a great success this year with fantastic competition

in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. The event was held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Equitation Weekend Highlights Cayla Richards of Calabasas, Calif., was a big winner on the first day of Equitation Weekend after she took the 15-Year-Old Equitation Championship and outlasted top riders to win the Flat Championships.

won a work-off for victory in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals. In second place were Sydney Callaway and Cassius.

In the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, Charlene Graham of Rochester, N.Y., finished on top with

Franklin's Tower and Taylor Ann Adams were Grand Pony Hunter Champions.

Richards won the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships over 14 other riders from the five other equitation divisions. Second place went·to Amber Henter of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Diederique Vander Knapp was third.

The champion of the 17-Year-Old Equitation was Morgan Hale of Odes,sa, Fla. Hale rode Urco, a horse she has shown for a year. Reserve was Jacqueline Lubrano of Glenmoore, Pa., · with Golou II. .

Jessica Springsteen continued her success at the Capital Challenge this year with the championship in the 16-Year-Old Equitation. She rode Papillon over fences to a blue ribbon indoors and Class Action to second place on the flat and first place in the outdoor over fences class. Reserve was Amber Henter with Triumph.

Caroline Spogli made her debut in the equitation weekend count when she won the 13/14-Year-Old Equitation championship. Spogli, of Rancho "Santa Fe, Calif., rode Superlly to two first places, one over fences and one under saddle. Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Fla., was the 13/14-Year-Old Equitation reserve champion with Almost Famo\ls.

The final equitation championship of the day was in the 12-Year-Old divi­sion. Sydney Callaway of San Diego, Calif., captured the championship when she and her mount Cassius were first and second over fences. Callaway trains with Erin Duffy at NeWmarket Stables. Reserve was Hannah von Heidegger on Ambassador.

Chase Boggio of Canton, Ga., rose to the top of 87 competitors to win the 2009 N9rth American Equitation Championships with Graphiq, a 12-year-old gelding. In second place were Laura King and Uno.

Sylvia DeToledo of New York, N.Y.,

reserve champiOns.

Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty were tops in the Children's/Adult Jumper Challenge .

The final cham­pionship went to Premier and Ken Berkley in the

• her horse Only You. Jessica Springsteen was honored in

a presentation as the Best Equitation Rider of the weekend.

Professional Hunter Highlights: Monday through Friday The first shampionship of the week went to Rumba andJohn French in .the Second Year Green Working Hunters. Rumba and French won both over fences on the first day of compe­tition and were third in the under saddle. They picked up second places in the handy and stake classes.

Hunt Tosh of Milton, Ga., rode Lone Star to the championship in the Regular Working Hunters, with Keri Kampsen and On Top in reserve. Tosh also rode Rosalynn to reserve in the Second Year Green Working Hunters.

In the Future Hunters, the cham­pion of the 6 &: Over division was Showman, ridden by Sandy Ferrell. Scott Stewart and Too Cool finished as reserve champiOns.

Ferrell also finished as champion in the Future Hunter Mares division with Torrey Pines Stables' Prudence, winning three out of four classes. Reserve was Rosebud, ridden by Kelley Farmer.

Hunt Tosh and Good Humor were champions in the Future Hunter Non­Thoroughbred division. They were

• first, third, and fourth over fences and fourth under saddle. In reserve were Summer Place and Scott Stewart.

Scott Stewart picked up a Future Hunter championship with Nescio in the ThoroughbredlThoroughbred Cross division. Kelley Farmer and Listen were in reserve.

Tim Goguen and Tripoli, owned by Boggs Hill, won the championship in the Future Hunter 5 &: Under divi­sion. Peter Pletcher and Vibe were

Future Hunter Colts &: Geldings division, winning three out of four classes in the divi­sion. Premier's bam-mate Crownpoint and Scott Stewart came home.with the reserve championship.

Scott Stewart and World Time won the $15,000 WCHR Profess­ional Challenge.

Ken Berkley rode Sambalino to the Grand Hunter Championship with 37 points in the division, after their win as Green Conformation Hunter ChampiOns over Fashion Farm's Declaration and Scott Stewart. Berkley was named the Leading Hunter Rider.

The evening session featured the $5,000 Emerging Professional Rider Challenge. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Newman rode a precise, smooth round on Daydream, owned by Mimi Abel-Smith, to score an 87.66 from the judges for the win.

Sandy Ferrell and Showman were the Grand Future Hunter Champions and won the $25,300 Future Hunter World Championship with two scores of 90.2. They also collected the EMO Trip of the Show for the Futures, with a high score of 9l.

John Ingram of Nashvill~, Tenn., • rode his horse Hush to victory in the World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Senior class.

In the WCHR Professional Finals, Hunt Tosh led the class from the beginning to win in his debut in the prestigious event. Tosh scored a 93 in the first round on the horse he brought to the competition, Lone Star. In the second round, he rode Camira, who was brought to the competition by Peter Pletcher, to score a 90.16, raising his total to 183.16.

In the third round, Tosh and Lindsay Wolfs Lazy Sunday had a

136 HORSEMEN'S Y ANKH PEDLAR • DECEMBER 2009

score of 89.33 for a total of 272.49. Tosh qualified as one of the top three riders to return for the final handy round on Fine Kiss to score the highest round of the night with a 94.33 to total 366.82 for the win.

Hunter Highlights: Thursday through Sunday The Amateur-Owner Hunters were split by age into two divisions. In the 18-35 Hunters, Erin Stewart swept the division with Quality Time, impresSively winning all five classes for the Grand Amateur Hunter Championship. She was also named the Leading Amateur Hunter Rider, and they also won the EMO Amateur Trip of the Show. In reserve was Dawn Fogel on Royal Oak.

The championship in the Amateur­Owner Hunter 36 &: Over division went to Stacy Arani and Bolero. In reserve were John Ingram and Hush with a first over fences and a first under saddle.

The World Champion Hunter Riqer (WCHR) Amateur-Owner Challenge immediately followed the champi­onship pinnings. Tracy Scheriff of Wellington, Fla., rode Absolut to victory i~ a graceful and faultless round, scoring 85.66 in a one-round class featuring the top amateur riders and their horses from both divisions.

In the outdoor arena, Annie Frazier and her horse Bijou took home the championship in Fhe Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division. Frazier's top ribbons gave her and Bijou the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter title and Leading Adult Hunter Rider. The EMO Adult Trip of the Show award went to Bliss and Laura Beckworth with an 88.5 in the Adult Amateur 51 &: Over Hunter division.

In the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division, Amy Brubaker and CR Franz Marc took home the champion tricolor. Marilou Case and her horse, Unwritten, were the Adult Amateur Hunter 51 and Over division champions, with reserve

going to Motown ridden by Karen . Long Dwight.

Amy Brubaker had a repeat performance in this year's World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Adult Amateur Finals, winning aboard Caitlin Zeigler's Relentless. The pair also won the National WCHR Adult Championship.

The Ariat National Adult Medal Finals was won by Jeanine Cash riding Calinka. The two achieved high score in both rounds for a final score of 173.80.

This year's Grand Pony Hunter Championship went to the winner in the Large Pony Hunter division, Franklin's Tower, ridden by Taylor Ann Adams. Adams was also named the Best Pony Rider and they won the EMO Pony Trip of the Show with a score of 90.

The Small Pony Hunter Champ­ionship went to Elation and rider Meredith Darst after they won the first over fences class and the handy hunter class.

In the Medium Pony division, Allison Toffolon aboard Hean's Desire, owned by Stone Ridge, took home the champi­onship. In reserve were Meredith Darst . and Champlain Treasure Me.

The Large Junior Hunter 16-17 champion was Sarah Sturges and her horse Sweet Addiction. Reserve cham-

pions were Laura King and PharrelL In the $5,000 Handy Hunter

Challenge, Lyle, ridden by 17 -year-old Abby O'Mara, laid down a fabulous trip that no one could come near for a score of 88.66 ..

To finish Saturday in the outdoor ring, the Children's Hunter Pony divi­sion gave out their championship ribbons. Madelyn Keck rode Porter Allen's Tango to the champion tricolor, while Taylor Willever on Chase the Rain, owned by Kimber-View Stables, was the reserve champion.

The GrandJunior Hunter Champion was Laura King aboard Heartfelt, the champions of the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Their top finishes also gave them the Grand Older Junior Hunter Championship. King was also presented with the best Junior Hunter Rider Award. The EMO Junior Trip of the Show was a tie with a score of 88.5 between Alex Arute with Red Rooster and Sarah Sturges with Sweet Addiction.

The Small Junior 15 &: Under Champion was Victoria Colvin and Ovation, with Casey Green and Savannah in reserve.

The LargeJunior 15 &: Under Champion was Sambalino, another mount for Victoria Colvin. Sambalinp was also the Grand Champion Junior

Hunter of the two younger divisions. Kelly Cruciotti and Q were named

Grand Children's Hunter Champions and collected the EMO Trip of the Show along with the Children's Hunter 14 &: Under Section tricolor. Q was first and second over fences and was first under saddle.

The champion of the B Section of the Children's 14 &: Under Hunters was Independence, ridden by Alyson Jacoff. Talie Lynch and Sunfest won the Children's 15-17 Hunter Championship with Phoebe Hersh and One Up in reserve.

The WCHR Children's Final victory went to Silas V and Brianne Link, while the WCHR Pony Challenge was won by Madelyn Keck Tuscany. Red Rooster and Alexandra Arute won the WCHR Junior Challenge with a score of 88.66.

The award for Leading Trainer of Capital Challenge went to Ken Berkley of Flemington, N J. Hayley Barnhill was given the Stewan Warner Cup for junior riders. Parker Wright was the recipient of the Stewan Warner Cup, awarded to an up-and-COming pony rider who exhibits the best hunter style and show potentiaL

Jumper Highlights: Thursday through Saturday In the $10,000 Children'siAdult

NEWBURY Congratulations to The International Group, LLC

on the purchase of Ami De Gemmes. Special thanks to the Eugene and Chu families, Amanda Flint, Timmy Kees, and Leslie Howard

HUNTER/JUMPER

Jumper Challenge, Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty were the fastest fault­free round, stopping the clock in 34.755 seconds. Second place went to Joann Williams on Weekend Warrior. Edgell was named Leading Adult Jumper Rider, while Colleen Lewis on Orlando was named Leading Children's Jumper Rider . .

The Nonh American Junior/ Amateur Challenge Cup, which awards $40,000 in total prize money, kicked off with a Time First Round class, the first round of three. Tim Hooker of Wellington, Fla., rode Sirius 127 to victory in a very quick round of 53.734 secbnds over Tracey Weinberg and Larone. The pair also captUred the win in the $10,000 North American Junior/ Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Round Two, retaining the lead for the series win in the North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup. Fifteen-year-old Hayley Barnhill and Toucan Tango won the $25,000 final class.

Hooker was also named the Best Amateur Jumper Rider. Barnhill was named Best Junior Jumper Rider.

For more information and complete results from the Capital Challenge Horse Show, please visit www.capital­challenge.org. ~

Congratulations to everyone at Newbury Farm on a successful 2009 show season! Best of luck to all in 201 O!

Cory Hardy, Trainer • (978)337-0366 • www.newburyfarm.org

DECEMBER 2009 • HORSEMEN ' S Y ANKEE PEDLAR 137

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10 SIDELINES J ULY 2009 FOR HORSE PEOPLE · ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE

Amy Brubaker: Catch Riding Works for Her by Erin Gilmore

It was a blue-tinged spring for Amy Brubaker. On a leased horse, she swept her division in the AlA Hunters at the first Oaks Blenheim show series of the year, topping off a three-week streak that rarely saw her place below the top three. This amateur rider has made quite a "career" out of riding other people's horses, and credits the commitment of her trainers and lots of well-timed luck for propelling her to the blues and championships with impressive consistency.

Each and every consummate horse person can remem­ber the moment they caught the horse bug. For Amy, it was while watching horses travel along the bridle path outside her childhood home in Northern California. Riding lessons for the little girl evolved quickly once Amy also caught the show bug . But while she was growing up in the late '70s, stepping up to a big trainer in Northern Ca. also meant a commute. Amy's hometown of Lucas Valley was a two­hour drive away from trainer Larry Langer's Pacific Horse Center in Sacramento. Lessons with Larry became family road trips, and with her parents' support, Amy thrived under Larry's instruction and amassed a stellar junior record . But after qualifying for a slew of junior medals, riding in the Maclay Finals back when it was held at Madison Square Garden, and anchoring the team that won the '78 Junior Nations Cup, Amy was ready for a break from riding .

She turned her focus to those more mainstream aspira­tions of college, marriage and career. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Amy went to work for

"big four" accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, married, and settled near Los Angeles.

However, horses always remained on the horizon. As an adult, she was realistic about reentering the scene. She knew she'd want to compete again , but harbored no delusions about the financial challenges of showing and horse ownership.

"When I was a junior it was straightforward . You had one horse and that horse did it all, " she says. "I showed a ton and loved it. I spent all of my parents' money, which was not sUbstantial , and then I went to college to actually make a living for myself and learn how to do this on my own."

Amy began lessons with trainer Stacy Lambakis in Los Angeles, and jumped back into showing in the AlA hunters and equitation with Mary Gatti 's Rainbow Canyon Ranch . In 2002 she won the Los Angeles Horse Show Association's Senior Medal Finals and was year-end champion in the AlA Hunters. But when she began setting her sights towards the Big Eq and national medals, Mary connected her with Archie Cox.

"Everyone aspires to ride with Archie, " Amy explains. "He's just amazingly talented and always makes it fun . He is the mas­ter at getting yOI:J to the ring relaxed, even in high-pressure situ­ations. It really is an art form, and he does it better than any­body."

Amy herself stands as proof of that statement: the majority of her wins were earned aboard leased horses or catch rides. That's no small feat for an amateur rider competing in the spot­light. Amy's record under Archie's eye is extensive, and includes the 2006 USEF National Champion in Adult Equitation , and a Reserve in the '06 Ariat National Adult Medal Finals.

The most recent high-pressure situation present­ed itself in the form of the WCHR Adult Amateur Finals at the 2008 Capital Challenge. Amy worked all season to qualify for the finals , but the afternoon before the class , Archie called , saying that they had another horse for her. The horse she planned to ride had been chosen for the WCHR Professional Rider Challenge, leaving her without a mount. Archie connected with East Coaster Havens Schatt, who offered "All the Answers", a gelding in her barn with a scopey jump. After a quick school in the morning , Amy laid down two great rounds to clinch the win .

The current economy has taken its toll on Amy's horse budget, but as always, she finds a way to make it work. After indoors last. year she began training with Tracy Baer full time. All parties recog­nized that the move was the best solution to fit Amy's amended budget, and Amy still receives valu­able coaching from Archie at shows when Tracy is absent. She is quick to recognize Tracy for her efforts in collaborating with other trainers and stay­ing flexible, all factors that are critical in getting Amy into the ring .

Capital Challenge, 2008. An exciting day . .. Photo by Dennis O'Neill.

\

"

FOR HORSE PEOPLE · ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE

Her newest partner in the winner 's circle is another horse that came about by happenstance. While com­peting at HITS Scottsdale over the winter, Amy joked to owner Sandra Beirman that she was sick of getting beaten by her horse Likewise every week. Amy offered to lease and help sell Likewise if Sandra was ever interested. It just so happened that Sandra was ready to move on to a younger horse, and at the end of the week Likewise was on his way home with Amy. "I've been so lucky that I've had some great horses that I've been able to ride once or twice, or for a long time, " she acknowl­edges.

By not owning a horse (she has in the past) Amy keeps her costs .. down, and balances her wor.k schedule whenever possible to accommodate horse shows . Winning the Ariat Medal Finals has been a goal for years, and Amy hopes to qualify for the Capital Challenge and find the horse that will get her in the ring this year. She's always happy to land a catch ride, even when it means covering her own entries.

"Success depends on a couple of things; one when anything works as well as it has worked it takes a little bit of luck," she says. "And it really takes a trainer being totally committed to making it work. You've got to have people who are willing to take a chance on you , and both my trainers have gone above and

SIDELINES JULY 200911

beyond to support me. I can go from hero to zero in one round, but they are always there for me."

Amy's ready acknowledgement that riding is the ultimate hum­bling experience does nothing to dampen her enthusiasm for the sport she loves. It's that combination of realism and passion which make the best riders , to say nothing of a little luck, when it counts.

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The Roving Repot1er Asks Professionals. ...

"What is Your Most Memorable Indoor Moment?"

48

Joey Currais

Scott Stewart "MY most exciting indoor moment was the first year I won the World Championship Hunter Rider title at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, in

1998, on Chopard. I had done that class a few times before, but winning it was a huge thrill."

Scott Stewart, the most accomplished hunter rider in the nation, is based at his River's Edge Farm in Flemington, New Jersey, as well as Wellington, Florida. Winning the WeHR class at the Capital Challenge in 1998 set a precedent for future victories as he won it again in 1999, 2001, and 2003. His other accolades include being named Leading Hunter Rider at both the Pennsylvania National and the Washington International Horse Shows. He also holds the world record of being the only rider ever to take all five hunter championships in the professional divisions at the National Horse Show. Q ,

"MY most memorable indoor moment was at the Washington International a few years ago. My student Caitlin Donovan had ridden the small pony

hunter, Helicon Take Notice, at only six local horse shows. She went into the ring at Washington, had a great trip, and received a score of of 92%! We were all so excited and it was truly a memorable show."

Joey Currais is known as the 'pony professional' at Hunters Landing Farm, located at the Riverdale Equestrian Center in The Bronx, NY. Q

Mark Jungherr

Patricia Griffith "I'd have to say it was 2006 when Maggie McAlary won both the Medal and

Maclay Finals. Maggie was one of my first students at Heritage Farm and she won each final on a different horse. It was a pleasure to teach her and it was so nice to see it all come together for her like that. Maggie was also one of the youngest riders to ever win the National Pony Medal when she was only ten years old, riding a small pony.

"Another memorable moment for me was when Adrienne Sternlicht won all four of her pony classes on the small pony Ingenue at Harrisburg in 2005.

"As for my own riding, it was last year when I won the WCHR Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge on Vida Blue and was champion in the Regular Working Hunters. He is one of my all-time favorite hunters and it was great to win on him."

Patricia Griffith trains at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York. Q

"ll Then Roscoe and I tied for the President's Cup with Swiss rider, Stefan V V Lauber, at the 1997 Washington International. FEI times only went to

1I100th of a second, so they combined the first and second place purses and split it down the middle. It was the only time I ever tied." (Ed note: This was only the second first place tie in President's Cup history since Rodney Jenkins on Number One Spy and Terry Rudd on Mr. Demeanor deadlocked in 1976.)

Mark Jungherr is a World Cup veteran and the course designer for Northampton Hunter & Jumper Horse Show. Q

Today 's Equestrian October 2009

... ..

Sandy Ferrell "Iwould have to say winning the World Championship Hunter Rider

Professional Challenge last year at the Capital Challenge. It's a very special class and they do a great job. As a hunter rider, it's a great class because it's a special event just for the professionals. There are so many great riders, and it's one of the few times that the professionals have a chance to come together, cheer each other on and help each other out. It's rare to have such camaraderie and the riders, grooms, everyone is so supportive and they all come up to congratulate you."

Sandy Ferrell is from Bernville, Pennsylvania and trains out of her farm, Royal Show Hunters. n

Mike Heneghan

Gr.etchen Goodale "MY most memorable indoors was the fIrst time I rode at the Medal Finals when , I was 12 years old. I was training with Susie Humes and rode a horse named Swiss Miss that had done the open jumpers with Jeffrey Welles. Previous to this, I had been doing the local circuit on a hunter, competing in 2'6" classes. Then I met Susie in April and she got me Swiss Miss and I went right into the big eq, qualifying for the Medal Finals in two months. Needless to say, I was very fortunate to have such an amazing horse!

"I had a rail down at the finals but otherwise I did fine. It was the most awesome experience of my life. I continued to qualify every year after that but there was noth~ ing as excIting as that first year, being so young, and actually being there, and doing a good job. It was a whirlwind!"

Gretchen Goodale is a trainer at Hampshire Farms on Shelter Island, NY, where she teaches all levels of rid ing to children and adults. n

"It was defInitely 1989 when my student, Ray Texel, won both the Medal and Maclay Finals at 15 years of age. The year before Cheryl Wilson won the Medal

Finals. There is nothing more exciting than when one of your riders wins at the finals ."

Mike Heneghan recently returned to the Connecticut area and has teamed up with Peter Leone at Lionshare Farm in Greenwich. Q

Today 's Equestrian October 2009

Jennifer Bliss "MY most memorable moment is probably winning the Pony Hunter Winner's Stake at Harrisburg in 1998. I scored a 93 on my medium

pony hunter, Peppermint Pizzazz. He was such a special pony, and it was the highest score I'd gotten. Earlier in the day I'd seen Eva Gonda score a 93 on her junior hunter Doubletake, and I thought, 'I 'd love to get a 93,'­and we did!"

Jennifer Bliss of North Salem, New York, works with juniors and amateurs in hunters, jumpers and equitation, as well as bringing along some hunters of her own, at her Harris Hill Farm. The photo is of of Jenn competing at the Fairfield County Horse Show this past June where she showed Don't Think TWICe in the pre-green hunters. n

49