Washington, D.C. – October 31, 2011 – The 53rd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted the best hunter, jumper, and equitation riders in the nation competing for top prizes at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. over six days of competition, and the WIHS thanks all of the sponsors, employees, exhibitors, volunteers, and spectators for making this year’s show an incredible success.

From the puissance to ponies, the best in equestrian sport competed at the WIHS, and with community events like Barn Night and Kid’s Day, entertaining exhibitions, and incredible competition, the show brought horses to the city in fine fashion.

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 Capture Victory in $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Events DC

Nick Skelton captured another big win at the 53rd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), this time taking home the largest purse with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273 in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Events DC. Along with prize money, Skelton was awarded a Rolex watch from Tiny Jewel Box as the Leading Jumper Rider sponsored by Elm Rock LLC.

Skelton and Carlo 273, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contender, were the last to go clear in the opening round of 24 entries over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. First up in the jump-off was Davis on Nemo 119, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cambridge owned by Old Oak Farm. They had two rails to finish with eight faults in 39.74 seconds for third place.

Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey, a 10-year-old Selle Francais stallion by Rosire owned by Remarkable Farms LP, had an unfortunate rail for four faults in 43.00 seconds, but that would hold up for second place. Margie Engle (USA) followed next on Indigo, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Indoctro owned by Griese/Garber/Hidden Creek and Gladewinds. They dropped two rails for eight faults and with a slower time of 40.41 seconds, they would place fourth.

Last to go, Skelton knew that he had to produce a clear jumping round for the win. He took some extra time, but it was enough for victory. He and Carlo 273 stopped the timers in 46.32 seconds with two time faults.

“Actually I don’t like those jump offs when there are no clears and you have to go last,” Skelton admitted. “You can make a mistake. If they had all been clear, at least you can go in there and go faster, but when you are in that position you have to be careful. I prefer to have other clears, to have to go fast and attack. Also the time was very tight, so I got two time faults. It was a good class. The horse jumped great and I thought the course was fair for the amount of riders that were in it.”

Skelton described Carlo as a “very talented horse.” He continued, “He is very careful. He has all the jump and he has a great mind. He really wants to do it, so that makes my life easier.”

For their victory, Skelton and Carlo 273 were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. As Leading Jumper Rider, Skelton also won the Margaret Chovnick Memorial Trophy. Skelton was named the Leading International Rider as well.

Jumper Results: Wednesday to Saturday

The last class of the Wednesday afternoon session was the $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship, and Ryan Goodman led the victory gallop on Adrienne Marciano’s Pulsatilla W. The evening session highlight, the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship, saw Haley Pratt with the blue ribbon on Hillary Simpson’s Shane. The night concluded with a victory for Laura Kraut and Stars & Stripes’ Teirra in the $10,000 Children’s Defense Fund Open Jumper Speed sponsored by The Wasserman Foundation.

Thirty-two entries contested the opening class of the international jumpers, and it was Laura Kraut and Teirra who were able to find the fastest clear path to victory in the $10,000 Children’s Defense Fund Open Jumper Speed class sponsored by The Wasserman Foundation. Kraut and Teirra held a wire-to-wire lead, going first in the class and jumping clear in 52.50 seconds. Some went clear, and some went faster, but none were able to beat the combination.

Second place went to Emilie Martinsen and her own Gucci, jumping clear in 57.206 seconds. Margie Engle also cleared the course aboard Ashland Farm & Stadium Sport Horse’s Lord Spezi, and finished in third with a time of 58.838 seconds.

The $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship had 29 entries, and 11 of those were clear to advance to the jump-off. Ryan Goodman and Pulsatilla W put down a clear round in a time of 31.940 seconds to take the win over Katherine Strauss and Fardela, who finished in 32.254 seconds. Belle Fulmer piloted Godspeed to third place in 33.298 seconds. For their win today, Goodman and Pulsatilla W were presented with the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen.



As Wednesday’s competition continued, the evening session got underway with the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship. Thirty entries showed in the first round and six were able to go clear to advance to the jump-off. Three jumped double clear, and it was the fastest time of 28.829 seconds posted by Kaley Pratt and Shane that earned top honors. Katherine Edgell and Miss Kitty were a close second in 29.788 seconds, and Hannah Murrin and Valentina finished third with a time of 34.072. Pratt and Shane were presented with the Dorothy Foote “Goodie” Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hall.



Sarah Tredennick of Denver, CO, rode Vigaro to the win in the $31,000 International Open Jumper Jump-off class. Todd Minikus and Sweetheart wowed the crowd in their Uncle Sam costume and cleared the Georgetown Cupcake Joker fence to win the $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume class.

Thursday night was the always popular “Barn Night,” presented by Dover Saddlery, where local barns, teams, and groups celebrate equestrian sport with their barnmates, friends, and families. Breyer Animal Creations had a Stablesmates Painting booth. Contests such as Best Banner, Best Video,  Best Barn Spirit, and Largest Group Contest were held for special prizes like a Kawasaki All-Terrain Vehicle courtesy of Gaithersburg Equipment Company, and gift certificates from Dover Saddlery. Additional thanks go to sponsor, Peterson Family Foundation, and media partners The Equiery and Virginia Horse Journal.

There were 24 entries in today’s $31,000 International Open Jumper jump-off class. Seven found the way to a clear round and advanced to the jump-off. Sarah Tredennick and Vigaro, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Tredennick, were the fastest double clear for victory in 35.36 seconds. Nick Skelton (GBR) rode Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273 to second place in 35.62 seconds, while Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo were third in 37.25 seconds.

The $20,000 Gambler’s Choice Costume class is always a crowd favorite at the WIHS. Garnering the most points in the class was Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Sweetheart, owned by  Windsor Show Stables, who had a total of 1190 points. “Avatar” Saer Coulter finished second with Copernicus Stables’ Julia Des Brumes with 1160 points, while “Skeleton” Nick Skelton and Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson, were third with 1110 points.

Minikus was presented with the Crown Royal Trophy donated by Crown Royal, while Sweetheart, a 12-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker, won the Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy donated by the Washington International Horse Show.

In the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers sponsored by North Star, KC van Aarem of Woodbine, MD, and Mastermind took the top prize. They were the fastest double clear in a jump-off of eight entries in a class of 22. They crossed the timers in 29.318 seconds after a fast rollback to the final oxer. Michael Hughes and Drumnacross Farm Ltd’s Red Hot were second in 29.959 seconds. Samantha Schaefer and Sugar Ray were third in 30.347 seconds. Van Aarem was presented with the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by Beagle Brook Farm.

The High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers showed in a $5,000 class sponsored by AAA Equestrians, LLC. With 21 entries to start, only three were able to clear the course without fault. Megan Nusz and TNT Equine Partners’ Banana D’Ive Z completed the only clear jump-off round in a time of 31.942 seconds to earn top honors. Charlotte Jacobs finished with four faults in 29.127 seconds aboard Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Promised Land to place second. Genevieve Zock and Olinda had two rails in the jump-off to finish with eight faults in 31.812 seconds in third.

Following their winning round, Megan Nusz and Banana D’Ive Z were presented with The “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy donated by The Curtin Family in honor of the 1990 winner Footloose, ridden by Caroline Curtin, and in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot.



In an exciting display of horsepower, Nick Skelton (GBR) powered over the seven-foot Boeing wall to win the $25,000 Puissance on Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Skelton was the only one to go clear in the fifth and final round when the wall was raised to seven feet tall (2.13m). As the only clear in the final round, Skelton was also awarded a $5,000 bonus from The Boeing Company. For his win, Skelton was presented with the Congressman’s Challenge Trophy donated by the Late Honorable Rogers C.B. Morton and the Late Honorable F. Robert Watkins, of Pennsylvania as well as the Armed Forces Cup.

The other two to make it to the final round were Andrew Kocher (USA) on Elizabeth Allen’s Donnatello and Todd Minikus (USA) on Sweetheart, owned by Windsor Show Stables. They tied for second place. Scott Brash (GBR) and Stanley Brash’s Intertoy Z knocked the blocks off the wall in the fourth round, when the wall was set at six feet, nine inches (2.05m) for fourth place, while Ljubov Kochetova (RUS) and Aslan retired after the second round with the wall at six feet (1.83m). Aaron Vale and Quito, owned by Walter Ulan, cleared the wall at five feet, six inches in the first round, but they had an unfortunate rail at the vertical in the original course for sixth place.

In addition to their Puissance victory, Skelton and Unique won the $10,000 International Open Jumper 1.40m Faults Converted class that was held earlier in the day. The pair jumped last in the class of thirteen and went clear in 52.470 seconds for the win. Skelton was awarded The General Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the late Arthur J. Morris. Mark Leone and Annie 66, owned by Ri-Arm Farm, finished in 55.900 for second place. Reed Kessler and Pacha de Nantuel finished in third with a time of 56.010 seconds.

Reed Kessler, of Armonk, NY, rode Ligist to victory in Friday night’s $31,000 International Open Jumper 1.50m class held just before the Puissance. In a faults converted format, Kessler and Ligist jumped clear and completed the course in 54.220 seconds. Kessler beat out Nick Dello Joio and Geledimar Z, owned by Wembley Farms Inc., who finished in 55.220 seconds. Third place went to Richie Moloney and Equinimity LLC’s Alsvid with their time of 55.420 seconds.

Eighteen-year-old Christina Kelly of Nicholasville, KY, earned a victory in the $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class aboard Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais. The pair jumped clear in 50.753 seconds to take home top honors. Sponsored by AAA Equestrian, LLC, the class awarded The Cover Story Perpetual Trophy donated by Rolling Acres Farm. Yesterday’s High Jr/AO winners Megan Nusz and Banana D’Ive Z finished in second in 52.163 seconds. Third place went to last year’s class winners Tracey Weinberg and Larone with a time of 52.553 seconds.

Samantha Schaefer, of Westminster, MD, earned victory in the $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by North Star, aboard her own 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Sugar Ray with a clean round in 50.728 seconds. Lillie Keenan and Firework, owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, jumped clear in 53.227 seconds for the reserve position. Gabrielle Stern and Anjelica finished third in 53.471 seconds. Schaefer and Sugar Ray were presented The Eleanor White O’Leary Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

The $10,000 Ambassador’s Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was sponsored by AAA Equestrian LLC, and it was Victoria Colvin who came away with the win on Waminka, owned by Rivers Edge. They were the only double clear in a jump-off of four entries. Olinda and Genevieve Zock were second, while Liza Finsness on Ormsby Hill was third.

Colvin was presented with yet another trophy in a week of incredible success for the 14-year-old rider from Loxahatchee, FL. For the classic, she won the Ambassador’s Cup Perpetual Trophy donated by Ambassador and Mrs. Marion H. Smoak.

Colvin won the Grand Junior Hunter championship yesterday and was named Best Child Rider on a Horse. She said of her wins, “I’m excited. I think the best thing was Best Junior Rider. It meant a lot to me.”

The High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper champion was Banana d’Ive Z, ridden by Meagan Nusz. They were awarded the Greenberg Challenge Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Hermen Greenberg. Waminka and Colvin were reserve champions. The Shalanno Style of Riding Award was given to Samantha Schaefer.

In the $5,000 Senator’s Cup Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by North Star, Michael Hughes of Allendale, NJ rode Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Red Hot to victory. They finished the jump-off double clear in 33.237 seconds for the win over Gabrielle Stern on Anjelica, who stopped the timers in 33.903 seconds for second place. Third place went to Sugar Ray and Samantha Schaefer, who had a clear round in 34.455 seconds.

For their win, Hughes and Red Hot were presented with the Swan Lake Perpetual Trophy donated by Beagle Brook Farm in honor of the 1992 winner Swan Lake, ridden by Jennifer F. Miller.

The Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Champion sponsored by North Star was Red Hot, ridden by Michael Hughes. Samantha Schaefer and Sugar Ray were the reserve champions. They won the Foxbrook Perpetual Trophy in honor of Space Citation donated by Joy Slater.

Hunter Results: Tuesday to Sunday

The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship was the opening class of the Tuesday evening session, and 32 of the nation’s top children’s hunters came out to compete. The winner was Double Down, ridden by 14-year-old Elizabeth Adelson of Tulsa, OK, for owner Four Fillies LLC. They had a first round score of 78, and when they came back for their second round, Adelson had a plan to improve.

Their plan worked, and the judges average came to an 82 in the second round, giving them a total of 160 for the win. Second place went to On Star, ridden by Rachel Okun for Jillian Fellows, who scored a total of 158.166. Quatro and Stella Styslinger, who rode for Staisha Bejarano, were third with a total of 157. For their win tonight, Adelson and Double Down were presented with the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Fen.

In the $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Championship, there were 26 entries. The top 12 returned for a second round and it was Practical, ridden and owned by Elise Ledsinger, who came out on top. They led the way through both rounds of competition with scores of 81.833 and 81.333 for a total of 163.166. Second place went to My Sweet Daniel, ridden and owned by Whitney Blanchard, who had a two round total of 161.666. Bay of Gold finished third with Phoebe Weseley and a score of 160.166.

Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ, rode Alexandra Crown’s Garfield to the Grand Hunter Championship. Stewart was also named the Leading Hunter Rider after he won four tricolor ribbons. Stewart and Garfield won all three of their over fences classes this week in the High Performance Hunters sponsored by Pony Lane Farm. After adding a third place in the under saddle, they easily captured championship and Grand Hunter Championship honors.

For the Grand Hunter Championship, they were presented with the Rave Review Challenge Trophy, donated by Stoney Hill. For their win in the High Performance Hunters, they were awarded the “NOT ALWAYS” Challenge Trophy donated by Miss Peggy Steinman. The reserve champion in the High Performance Hunters was Summer Place, ridden by Maggie Jayne for Pony Lane Farm. They received a third and two fourth places over fences and were second in the under saddle. Garfield also won the Protocol Trophy, awarded to the High Performance Hunter with the most points at the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and Washington International Horse Show.

Stewart’s second championship of the day came in the Green Conformation Hunters sponsored by Mrs. Stephen C. Clark, Jr. with Touchdown, owned by Becky Gochman. They won all three over fences classes plus the model for the top tricolor. The reserve champion was Moshi, ridden by Sandy Ferrell for Stephanie Riggio. They placed second, third, and fourth over fences, were second in the model, and won the under saddle. For their division championship, Touchdown, a six-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quattro B, and Stewart were presented with the Valiant Hawk Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Mrs. Stephen J. Clark.

The third time was another charm for Stewart who won his third championship of the day in the First Year Green Working Hunters on Reality, owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman. They were first, second, and fourth over fences and second in the under saddle. The reserve champion was Holden, ridden by Chris Payne for Susan Moriconi. They were first, third, and third over fences.

For his incredible performance this year, Stewart was named the Leading Hunter Rider sponsored by The Gochman Family and presented with the Robert Coluccio Leading Hunter Rider Perpetual Trophy donated by his friends and family. The trophy comes with an interesting story, as it was originally commissioned in 1888 in New York City and belonged to John Jacob Astor IV, who along with his mother, survived the sinking of the Titanic. In addition to the trophy, Stewart won a Rolex luxury timepiece courtesy of Tiny Jewel Box. This was Stewart’s sixth time winning the honor.

The Regular Conformation Hunters, sponsored by The Davis Family, had a new champion this year in Casallo, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC, and owned by Erin McGuire. The pair won two over fences classes and were second in the remaining over fences class. They added a third in the model and second under saddle. For their Regular Conformation championship, they were awarded the Mary Farren Perpetual Trophy. The reserve championship went to Small Affair, ridden by John French for Iwasaki & Reilly. They received second place in two over fences classes and were second in the under saddle.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter championship was awarded to Summer Place, ridden by Maggie Jayne of Elgin, IL, for Pony Lane Farm. Jayne and the nine-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner gelding by Levisto placed first, second, and fourth over fences and were second in the under saddle. The reserve champion was Premier, ridden by Scott Stewart for Gina Day. They were first and third over fences and won the under saddle. Summer Place and Reality tied for the Grand Green Working Hunter Championship and were awarded the Claire Lang Miller Challenge Trophy, donated by Miss Claire Lang Miller.

While she has never having won a tricolor at indoors before, Becky Gochman was able to sweep her division at the WIHS, taking the championship on Sambalino and the reserve championship on Empire in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters sponsored by Lynn Ellen Rice. Sambalino was first and second over fences and won the under saddle, while Empire placed second in two over fences classes and was fifth under saddle.

For their top ribbons, Sambalino and Gochman were awarded the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship. They were presented with the Frank Counselman Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Frank Counselman. Gochman was also presented with the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider award sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare.

Poetic and Maggie Boylan of Patterson, NY, won the championship in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters. Boylan and the 11-year-old Westphalian gelding by Faveur finished first and third over fences and won the under saddle class. Keri Guanciale and Thoughtful were the reserve champions after they placed first and second over fences and were second under saddle.

Victoria Colvin and Sanzibar, owned by Karen Long Dwight, were awarded the Grand Junior Hunter Championship after earning the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under tricolor. Colvin was also give the Best Child Rider on a Horse honors. Starting out the day, Colvin and Sanzibar placed first, first and second over fences and finished fifth under saddle. Lillie Keenan and Don Stewart’s Confidential were reserve with a first, second and fourth.

Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, and Sanzibar were presented The Ides of March Perpetual Trophy donated by Linda Lee and Lee Reynolds. In addition to the grand championship, Colvin earned the prestigious DiVecchia Perpetual Trophy as Best Child Rider on a Horse. The award was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Crown; the trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick DiVecchia.

The Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under completed their division with a championship win for Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, and Chansonette Farm LLC’s C Coast Z. The pair scored two second place ribbons over fences to come out on top. Victoria Colvin piloted Becky Gochman’s Touchdown to the reserve championship with first and sixth place finishes.

The Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division awarded championship honors to Olivia Esse of Pasadena, CA and Oscany Inc.’s Clooney. The pair placed first, second and fourth. Reserve champion Tenerife, owned and ridden by Noel Fauntleroy, placed second, second and third.

The Large Junior Hunter 16-17, sponsored by Pam Carmichael Keenan, next awarded championship honors to Meg O’Mara and Walk the Line, a 12-year-old Selle Luxemburg gelding owned by O’Mara and Don Stewart. The pair earned two first place ribbons over fences and was awarded The Chance Step Perpetual Trophy, donated by Brooke Carmichael McMurray Fowler and Pam Carmichael Keenan. Heather Hooker guided Richard Prant’s Castlekeep to the reserve tricolor with a first over fences and sixth under saddle. 

O’Mara of Rumson, NJ, and Walk the Line were awarded The Lyrik Challenge Trophy, donated by Ashley and Courtney Kennedy, for the top junior hunter stake round. O’Mara also earned the brand new Georgetown Trophy as the high-score junior hunter owner-rider with scores of 89 in both classes won.

For The Laughter, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, won the Large Pony Hunter championship for the second year in a row and earned the coveted Grand Pony Hunter Champion award with Meredith Darst in the irons. Darst, of Lebanon, OH, earned two championships aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s talented ponies this morning. Darst rode For The Laughter to the championship in the Large Pony Hunters, sponsored by Rose Hill Farm. The pair finished first in all four classes to take top honors in the division and was awarded The Pegasus Stable Perpetual Trophy donated by Ms. Fenwick Kollock.  Daisy Farish and All The Best, owned by Katherine Strauss LLC, finished in reserve with two second place ribbons.



Darst and For The Laughter were then presented with The Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy donated by Scott Novick and Rustic Woods for the Grand Pony Hunter Championship. Darst was excited to earn top honors and explained that she tried not to let the pressure get to her. “I just thought about riding my best,” she stated. 



Darst also guided Parker’s Enchanted Forest to the championship in the Medium Pony Hunters earlier in the morning with first, fifth and sixth place ribbons over fences and a win under saddle. Laugh Out Loud, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram and ridden by Martha Ingram, finished first in both rounds over fences today to secure the reserve championship.
For the championship, Darst and Enchanted Forest were presented The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy Donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Ltd.



Ten-year-old Madeline Schaefer, of Westminster, MD, dominated the Small Pony Hunters this weekend earning the championship aboard Hi Lite and the reserve championship with Cardiff Mardi Gras. Schaefer just purchased Hi Lite from Madison Maners. The pair earned first, first and fourth over fences and placed second under saddle. Riding Cardiff Mardi Gras, Schaefer earned second, second and third. 
The Small Pony Hunter division was sponsored by Further Lane Farm. Schaefer was awarded The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy, donated by Stombock Saddlery, in memory of E.P. (Bud) Stombock. 



Schaefer is following in the footsteps of her big sister, Samantha, who was champion and reserve in the same division in 2004 aboard Halcyon Hawthorn and Rainbow Canyon. In addition to the championship, Schaefer received the Potomac Trophy as the high scoring junior hunter rider on a pony with her score of 89 on Hi Lite. Schaefer was also presented with the award for Best Child Rider on a Pony sponsored by Gotham North. She was presented The Captain V.S. Littauer Perpetual Trophy donated by Hugh J.B. Cassidy III, Mrs. William Dillon and Miss Marion Lee.

Talking about her ponies, Schaefer explained, “Hi Lite needs a smooth and quiet ride. Mardi you have to kick; he is very quiet.”



Concluding the week of competition at the 2011 WIHS were the regional hunter championships. The WIHS Regional Pony Hunter grand champion was David Pawlak riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Liseter Clever Star. Pawlak received The Liseter Clever Star Perpetual Trophy donated by Dr. Betsee Parker, who was also the sponsor of the division. The reserve champion was Sarah Boston riding Blackberry. In their final class today, Pawlak and Liseter Clever Star finished on top with a score of 85 over fences. Elena Desanti followed with a score of 80 aboard Sand Castle, owned by Streett Moore. Boston and Blackberry finished third with a score of 78.   

The WIHS Regional Hunter Horse Finals immediately followed with a grand championship win for Molly Cole riding Newport, owned by Streett Moore. Cole was awarded The Black, Starr and Frost Perpetual Trophy donated by Black, Starr and Frost. Reserve went to Mary Claire Medeiros riding Olivia. Medeiros and Olivia won today’s final class with a high score of 83. Black Magic and Marissa Simmons scored a 76 for second place and Cole finished in third with a score of 71 aboard Newport.

Equitation Results: Saturday and Sunday

The 2011 WIHS Equitation Classic Finals concluded with a significant win for 18-year-old Chase Boggio, of Canton, GA. Boggio rode Massimo, his ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cassini, through the first two phases of competition, finishing with a score of 85.33 in the hunter phase and an 89 point total in the jumper phase. Returning for the final work-off sitting in second place overall, Boggio’s ride aboard Elizabeth Benson’s mount Calito 7 scored an 87.83, giving him a three round total of 262.166 for the win. 


Boggio earned the victory over Hayley Barnhill, of Collierville, TN, who totaled 259.999 with scores of 87, 86.67, and 86.33. Barnhill rode Elizabeth MacWilliam’s Camora in the hunter/jumper rounds and then piloted Boggio’s mount Massimo in the final work-off. Third place went to Elizabeth Benson, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, with a three round total of 258.499. Benson rode Horizon Hill Farm LLC’s Calito 7 to scores of 87 and 90.33 in the first two rounds. Her ride in the final work-off aboard Sarah Milliren’s mount Vancouver, owned by Elvenstar Farm, scored an 81.17.


Boggio was presented The WIHS Equitation Classic Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. G. Ralph Ours, III and was awarded a pair of custom chaps provided by Journeymen Saddlers, Ltd. Tonight’s victory was particularly exciting for the rider given that he had previously been in the top ten for this class three times before finally putting his name on the elite list of winners. He finished seventh in 2008, second in 2009, and eighth in 2010.  


Massimo was awarded The Lugano Memorial Trophy donated by Stoney Hill as the winning horse of the night. In last year’s competition, Massimo helped put rider Lillie Keenan in the winner’s circle after she rode the big gray in the final work-off. This year he carried both the first and second place finishers through excellent rounds. Trainer Christina Schlusemeyer found the talented gelding in Europe two years ago and knew that he would be the perfect horse to guide Boggio to a national championship.


“I purchased Massimo in November of 2009, and he has been amazing for me,” Boggio explained. “When I tried him in Europe he was very green and could not canter in a straight line. I told Christina he could never do the equitation, but she said ‘He’ll do it, just watch’. He has just been so easy; he never does anything bad. Massimo truly is the deluxe equitation horse.”

Commenting on his victory, Boggio smiled, “It means a lot to win here. I’ve been second in pretty much every big class that there is in the United States, so it feels good to finally win one.”


Later in the afternoon, the young riders competed in the WIHS Pony Equitation Classic Finals with a win for 13-year-old Ali Tritschler riding Rose Hill Farm’s Hallelujah. Tritschler earned the high score of 85 over fences and came out on top after a final work-off. For her victory, Tritschler was presented The Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the friend and students of Mrs. Jane Marshall Dillon. She was also awarded a pair of custom chaps provided by Journeymen Saddlers, Ltd. Emma Lemke finished second, Audrey Muscari third, and Daisy Farish fourth.



For full results and more information, please visit www.wihs.org.