Lexington Junior League - Friday Morning
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Without a cloud in sight Lexington’s light Friday morning schedule kicked off with the Saddle Seat Medal class. After performing well on the rail and completing a flawless pattern, Olivia Prentiss won the class unanimously aboard the gorgeous bay, The Princess Dianna. Proud trainer Gary Garone ran in smiling for the victory pass. Faye Wuesthofen rode to the red ribbon on the newly equitated Callaway’s Mandate under DeLovely’s direction.
Only two riders made the next gate call for the Pleasure Equitation 13 and Under Championship. Both riders rode hard to make for a good class. Repeating her qualifier win, Abigail Mutrux got to make a second victory pass aboard also recently equitated, Blackboard. Helping out DeLovely this week, equitation superstar Mandy Martin put the ribbon on Blackboard’s bridle. Reserve in the class went to Hannah Fuller who gets stronger with every class under Jonelle Chovanec-Gardiner’s instruction.
Next on the short slate of classes was the only performance class of the morning session, the UPHA Hackney Pleasure Driving Classic. In a nice group of ponies it was a mother-daughter one-two with Helen Rosburg winning with Heartland Stepaside in their debut performance with their first drive together ever! Ali DeGray picked up the red ribbon with her catch drive, Heartland Elegant Touch for Gwen Stableford. Making a strong third in the well-filled class went to Heartland Head of the Class. Beginning the year in the Road Pony ranks with Maureen Lydon, the nice pony easily made the transition to the pleasure pony ranks with Kathryn Nichols making a great catch drive for Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Kolkman under the Majestic Oaks banner. Of course all three ladies were impeccably dressed under the warm Lexington sun.
No entries showed up for the 11 and under Challenge Cup meaning the Pleasure Equitation 14-17 class came in the ring next. A large class of 11 riders fought hard for position and a chance to perform the workout. After the railwork it was Brittany McGinnis, Toria Heck, Kristin Smith, Sarah Lawson, Deanna Lanigan, and Cara Sivara to make the work out cut. Making it three incredible years in a row, Deanna Lanigan again won the championship. This year however she was aboard her new partner, Oh! What a Feeling, who previously made many victory passes with Knollwood barnmate, Nick Maupin aboard. With a smile on Deanna’s face every step of the way, trainers Scott and Carol Matton couldn’t have been happier with her performance as she made strong passes and was flawless without stirrups. Brittany McGinnis rode smart to guide her horse, Soli Deo Glori through a tough pattern. Although he is still in the process of being equitated, McGinnis could not have done a better job with him. Cara Sivara rounded out the top three under the direction of Barbe Smith and Jennifer Dixon.
For the seventh year, the Red Mile again was the home for the USEF Adult Amateur Medal National Finals. Five riders vied for the National Championship crown, and after the railwork and patterns were completed the first repeat winner was named. Brooke Jacobs won in 2006 and again this year meaning this was her last Adult Medal final. Mom Jane insists she’s not done yet, though, as she can still compete one more time in the Adult Challenge Cup, and of course she can still ride many more times in the Adult Pleasure Equitation Olympics. Aside from all her National success, Brooke is also the only person to ever be on the World Cup Team four times, meaning this is unfortunately the last time she can be on the team. No matter what she chooses to do next though, she will no doubt be successful as she demonstrated her extreme skill in guiding CH My Southern Charm through a tough workout in the Adult Medal and nailed it to win unanimously. Reserve in the class went to the always polished and poised, Victoria McHenry and Creditworthy. Both rider and horse are no strangers to the equitation world and proved it by performing in an excellent manner under Barbe Smith’s supreme instruction. Dr. Morgan Wolin rounded out the top three aboard her new for this season horse, Linus Van Pelt. Morgan was ecstatic with his pattern work as this was his first pattern ever other than a serpentine. Afterwards everyone gathered in the Clubhouse for the banquet honoring the Finals participants.
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