Wellington, FL — February 17, 2018 — Louise Serio won for the third time in the history of the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, picking up this year’s victory with Jennifer Burger’s Rock Harbor on Saturday, February 17, at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. On the grass derby field of Equestrian Village, Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa (BRA) and Biscayo won the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic. Earlier in the day, seven additional hunter championships were awarded.
Louise Serio and Rock Harbor.Photo by Sportfot
FEI jumper competition during week six is being held at Equestrian Village, home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (13500 South Shore Blvd.) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, while the hunters take the main stage in the WEF International Arena. The sixth week of WEF continues through Sunday, February 18, while WEF goes through April 1 and offers more than $9 million in prize money.
The WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular takes place during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week at WEF as the feature “Saturday Night Lights” event. The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) founded WCHR in 1992 to recognize hunter riders and the Hunter Spectacular debuted shortly after. Each year, hunter riders look forward to a chance to compete under the lights in the International Arena at PBIEC.
Thirty-six of the country’s top professionals, juniors, and amateurs tackled the two-round course, which is offered at three heights (3’6”, 3’9”, and 4’) and designed by Steve Stephens. The top 12 riders returned for the second round. Each of the competitors qualified for the class by winning either champion or reserve in one of the specified hunter divisions during WCHR week at WEF or through another WCHR designation.
The judges for this year’s Hunter Spectacular were Chris Wynne and Sissy Wickes in position one, Shane George and Rick Fancher in position two, and John French and Mary Lisa Leffler in position three. Overall placings were decided by combining scores from the first and second rounds.
After leading in the first round with a score of 89.50, Serio and Rock Harbor, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, returned as the final pair in the handy round. They scored 86.75 for a 176.25 total to win the class.
“My horse was awesome tonight,” said Serio of her partner of six years. “I thought he jumped really well. I’ve never done him in a night class under the lights. I thought he was really on his game.”
Serio, of Kennett Square, PA, won this class twice before, in 2005 with Costello and 2011 with Castle Rock.
Louise Serio and Rock Harbor with USHJA Executive Director Kevin Price, USHJA President Mary Babick, owner Jennifer Burger, Chair of WCHR Committee Caroline Weeden, and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo by Sportfot
“You never know when you’re going to get back here again,” she said. “It’s very rewarding. Jennifer Burger who owns Rock Harbor has been a wonderful client for a long time and she’s been a big supporter, so to do it on her horse is really nice.”
Burger said, “I’m on top of the world. Louise is an unbelievable rider. She’s found me an amazing horse, and tonight was the crescendo of those two things coming together and the best it could be.”
After winning this class the past two years, Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, and Catch Me, a ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, had to overcome one mistake in the first round and a score of 83.33 to complete their three-peat. They made an amazing move up the standings from 11th to second place with the best second round score of 91 for a total of 174.33.
Scott Stewart and Catch Me.Photo by Sportfot
Returning for the handy round, Stewart said he “had nothing to lose.” He continued, “I had a little bit of a funny jump in the first round, so I was really happy that I made it back at all in the second round. I sort of just went for it. It was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever had, especially for the handy. Everything just worked. The jump that he took a little look at in the first round was the jump I really sliced in the handy, and he was perfect about it. It all just worked out great.”
In her first time competing at WEF, Tracy Fenney traveled from Flower Mound, TX, to finish in the top three of the Hunter Spectacular. She and MTM Outbid, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by MTM Farm, had an 85.33 in the first round and sat seventh. A solid hand round score of 88.83 moved them up the standings to third with a 174.16 total.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Outbid.Photo by Sportfot
“I was a little starstruck when I first got here,” Fenney admitted. “Showing against all of these guys is amazing. It’s a great class and a really fun crowd. My horse seems to deal with whatever, the lights, daylight, he’s good with that. It’s fun to compete against all these guys.”
Final Results: $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 judges score, Round 1 total
Round 2 judges score, Round 2 total, Overall total
1 ROCK HARBOR, LOUISE SERIO, JENNIFER BURGER
91.00 88.50 89.00 89.50
86.75 86.00 87.50 86.75 176.25
2 CATCH ME, SCOTT STEWART, GOCHMAN SPORT HORSE LLC
86.00 78.00 86.00 83.33
88.00 93.00 92.00 91.00 174.33
3 MTM OUTBID, TRACY FENNEY, MTM FARM
82.50 89.00 84.50 85.33
87.00 86.50 93.00 88.83 174.16
4 SHAMELESS, KELLEY FARMER, AIZLYNN RADWANSKI &
86.75 87.50 86.50 86.91
90.00 86.00 85.00 87.00 173.91
5 CINEMAGIC, DAISY FARISH, MERALEX FARM
85.00 89.50 90.00 88.16
84.00 84.00 86.50 84.83 172.99
6 CHABLIS, KELLY TROPIN, LIBERTAS FARM LLC
84.00 90.00 84.00 86.00
86.50 85.00 84.00 85.16 171.16
7 PRIVATE LIFE, SCOTT STEWART, DR. BETSEE PARKER
85.50 84.50 83.50 84.50
86.00 88.00 86.00 86.66 171.16
8 SMALL AFFAIR, AUGUSTA D. IWASAKI, IWASAKI & REILLY
82.00 85.00 87.00 84.66
80.00 87.00 89.00 85.33 169.99
9 MORE FUN, KELLEY FARMER, LIBBIE GORDON
81.00 88.00 83.00 84.00
83.00 85.00 87.00 85.00 169.00
10 CHICAGO, CALLIE SEAMAN, CALLIE SEAMAN
86.50 86.50 85.50 86.16
68.00 62.00 80.00 70.00 156.16
11 KIND OF BLUE, BRADY MITCHELL, FLOAT ON EQUESTRIAN LLC
87.00 83.00 88.00 86.00
45.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 131.00
12 AIRPORT 48, JOHN INGRAM, JOHN & STEPHANIE INGRAM LLC
82.00 87.00 80.00 83.00
ELIM 83.00
Fresh Partnership Claim $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic in Week Six
A brand new partnership triumphed in a field of 27 starters in the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic during week six. On the Derby field at Equestrian Village (home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival), Brazil’s Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa and Biscayo produced the fastest of only two clears in the three-strong jump-off.
Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa and Biscayo.Photo by Sportfot
“I’ve only had him a very short time; two weeks,” said Musa, who is spending the WEF season in Wellington for the first time, based at Paulo Santana’s barn. “He is a very small horse, but he is scopey and has a huge heart. I knew he jumps well, but today he exceeded expectations. It was his day.”
The 12-year-old horse is only lightly competed, though under his previous rider, Bolivia’s Reynaldo Roberto Daza Cardozo, he contested the Bolivarian Games in 2017. Biscayo’s Wellington victory was his first ever international win.
“I’m very happy; he was second yesterday and then went even better today,” said Musa. “I think the horse is progressing and we’re getting to know each other. I just hoped he’d go well. He’s a really good horse and I have high expectations for the rest of the season. Even though he’s really small, he thinks he’s huge.”
The horse’s next stop will be the five-star WEF 7.
Madison Goetzmann and Prestigious.Photo by Sportfot
In the day’s opening class, the $10,000 Hermès U25 Welcome, 17-year-old Madison Goetzmann was uncatchable on Prestigious, skimming more than half a second off the second-placed Noel Fauntleroy and Mae.
Goetzmann was another to ride her horse — an 11-year-old Westfalian gelding by Con Cento — to its first ever international win in his six-month-long career.
Of the 52 starters, there were 20 clears, and the top nine riders in the class were all Americans.
Final Results: $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic
1 BISCAYO: 2006 KWPN gelding
FRANCISCO JOSÉ MESQUITA MUSA (BRA), Roberto Daza: 0/0/43.17
2 JECKLE: 2009 BWP gelding by Dark x Morgan
RODRIGO CARRASCO (CHI), Nicolas Imschenetzky: 0/0/44.91
3 SUNSHINE: 2006 gelding by Diamond De Semilly x Hardi
CARLOS HANK GUERREIRO (MEX), Eurohorse BVBA- Axel Verlooy: 0/RET
4 EAX RUN RUN LS: 2008 CDLS gelding by Casall x Montebello La Silla
ILAN BLUMAN (COL), Blue Star Investments: 1/82.28
5 HFO CORVETTE: 2008 gelding by Corland x Nimmerdor
ALEJANDRO KAROLYI (VEN), Karolyi Showjumping Inc: 1/84
6 BALOUS DAY DATE: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Balou Du Rouet x Domino
MOLLY ASHE-CAWLEY (USA), Louisburg Farm: 4/76.44
7 SHIVER: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato x Grannus
LIZA FINSNESS (USA), Lisa Finsness: 4/78.06
8 CHARLY BROWN: 2005 gelding by Diamant De Semilly x Burgraaf
TEDDY VLOCK (USA), Vlock Show Stables: 4/78.07
9 UELEM CROZE: 2008 gelding by Rosire
ALEXANDRA PAILLOT (FRA), Jame Marks: 4/80.22
10 ZEPHIRE: 2004 KWPN mare by Coriano x Animo
HAYLEY BARNHILL (USA), Barnhill Enterprises LLC: 4/81.96
11 DARLING: 2004 mare by Cornet Obolensky x Gralshuter
AINSLEY VINCE (CAN), The Darling Group: 5/82.86
12 CYBEL II: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Varo x Lancer
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Mary Chapot: 7/90.86
John Ingram and Airport 48 Cruise to Championship Win in Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35
John Ingram continued his winning streak aboard Airport 48, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, well into WCHR week six at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Ingram and the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding were crowned champion of the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division on Saturday, after claiming two firsts and a second over fences and a fourth in the under saddle.
John Ingram and Airport 48.Photo by Sportfot
Airport was originally intended to be Ingram’s daughter’s equitation horse, but made it clear that he was destined for the hunter ring. The duo has succeeded at WEF ever since, and this year’s Wellington competition marks Ingram and Airport’s fourth consecutive qualification for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular.
“That’s not easy to do, and I am thrilled,” said Ingram of the pair’s achievement. “When he is right like he is now, you get your stride going, and just keep coming, and it’s easy. He is a pleasure to ride and a very special animal, and he loves it [in the International Arena]!”
Jean Sheptoff jumped her mount, Heartcore, to the reserve championship with a third, third, and sixth over fences and a first in the under saddle.
Dedication and Emma Kurtz Prevail in Bruno Delgrange Large Junior Hunter 16-17
Emma Kurtz entered the International Arena on Saturday afternoon to claim her championship ribbon in the Bruno Delgrange Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Unfortunately, her mount, Dedication, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was unable to accompany the young rider in the big ring for Saturday’s competition, as he was not feeling his best the night before. However, the pair still bested the division by claiming both blue ribbons over fences and a fourth place in the under saddle on Friday.
Emma Kurtz and Dedication.Photo by Sportfot
“He had a little bellyache last night, but he will be fine,” said Kurtz. “I’ve been riding him for almost a year and a half. Occasionally he picks something out that he doesn’t like, but he’s usually so brave, and he jumps and moves so well.”
Kurtz’s plans for the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding are to continue on to the Devon Horse Show later this year, but for now, they are enjoying their time together.
“I don’t think he has much to prove to us,” said Kurtz. “[We] just [want] to go out and have fun!”
Daisy Farish and Cinemagic, owned by Meralex Farm, Inc., took the reserve championship with a third in the under saddle and a first over fences.
Emma Kurtz and A Million Reasons Take Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Championship
Saturday’s daytime hunter competition came to a close with Emma Kurtz, aboard A Million Reasons, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, being crowned the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division champion in the International Arena. The duo took two first place ribbons over fences and a first under saddle.
Emma Kurtz and A Million Reasons.Photo by Sportfot
This championship win marked Kurtz’s second tricolor ribbon of the week after a champion finish in the Bruno Delgrange Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division earlier on Saturday afternoon. The pair were also champion in the division last week.
“[Winning this] is such an amazing feeling, especially with a newer horse,” said Kurtz of her victory aboard the 13-year-old mare. “I started riding her at the beginning of circuit [this year]. She is much slower than anything I am used to, and has the biggest stride of anything I’ve ridden, but other than that she is easy. It took some time to adapt, but [we] got there!”
When asked about what made her stand out today, Kurtz, of Wellington, FL, replied that the mare does it all on her own, and that competing in the International ring offered a great opportunity to shine.
“The horse is so beautiful and so fancy,” said Kurtz. “I love showing out there. The horses start to get bored here after a few weeks, so it’s a nice change of scenery for them.”
Devin Seek, aboard Bugsy Malone owned by Don Stewart, claimed reserve honors with a sixth in the under saddle and three seconds over fences.
Kelly Tropin and Callie Seaman Earn Lugano Diamonds Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 Titles
The Lugano Diamonds Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division ended in a California split on Saturday with champion ribbons going to Kelly Tropin riding Chablis, owned Libertas Farm, and Callie Seaman aboard her own Chicago.
Kelly Tropin and Chablis.Photo by Sportfot
Tropin, who hails from New York, NY, and works as an economist at Graham Capital Management in Norwalk, CT, won two jumping classes and the under saddle to take a championship with her ten-year-old Wurttemberger gelding by Camparino.
She woke up at 3:30am on Saturday morning with excitement about the final classes of the division, saying, “I couldn’t stop thinking about the hack and what the courses would be like. This week is extremely exciting and it’s my 13th year trying to qualify for the Hunter Spectacular. I was really proud of Chablis and this championship is one that was on my bucket list for him.”
Under the direction of Peter Lutz and Mary Manfredi in North Salem, NY, Tropin qualified for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular to highlight WCHR week at WEF.
“I have had Chablis since he was four and he’s a spectacular jumper and a dream to ride, which in my opinion is hats off to my trainers,” said Tropin. “I would imagine he’s one of the very few hunters that didn’t get shown by a professional this week, walked right up to this ring for the first time since last year, and didn’t blink an eye. We like him to be fresh and have energy, but we can trust that he knows his job and that’s a real luxury.”
After coming back from a spinal fusion surgery in July, Seaman started riding again in early January and has been showing for three weeks. She hails from Greenwich, CT, and piloted Chicago to two seconds and a fourth over fences as well as a win under saddle.
Callie Seaman and Chicago.Photo by Sportfot
“I was definitely really nervous because he was champion during this week last year and I still feel a little rusty, so I just wanted to ride really well,” said Seaman, who got the ride on Chicago after she and trainer Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm found him from Hunt Tosh at the Capital Challenge Horse Show two years ago. “I saw him showing and was like ‘I have to have that horse’.
“He’s an unbelievable mover, incredible jumper, and has a great brain,” continued Seaman. “He is so easy to ride and his consistency is what helped me get that champion ribbon today. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse and I feel very lucky to have him!”
Technicolor, owned and ridden by Lindsay Maxwell, and Screenshot, owned and ridden by Jef Lauwers, shared reserve champion honors in the Lugano Diamonds Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division.
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Affair Take Home Champion in Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Division
Augusta Iwasaki, 13, of Calabasas, CA, claimed the champion tricolor in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division to qualify for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular aboard Small Affair, owned by Lyn Pedersen.
Iwasaki and the 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Elf d’Or were first, second, and third over fences as well as sixth under saddle. She said, “This has been a really good experience because usually just the jumpers get to come in [the International Ring]. It’s an honor because a lot of very prestigious events and horses have competed here.”
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Affair.Photo by Sportfot
This year marks Iwasaki’s second time competing in the Hunter Spectacular.
“It’s nerve-wracking, but a lot fun,” she said. “Small Affair is an incredible horse; you can go in and if you do it right, you’re going to get a big score. He always tries for you and has such a presence in the ring.”
Runner up to Small Affair, Cassanto, owned and ridden by Maggie Hill, took reserve champion in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division.
Natalie Jayne and Cracker Jack Win Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship
Fourteen-year-old Natalie Jayne of Elgin, OH, collected two firsts and a third-place ribbon over fences as well as fifth under saddle to win the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship riding Cracker Jack, her own 11-year-old Warmblood gelding.
“I have never been in the International Ring before and Cracker Jack has never been to this horse show before,” said Jayne of a day of firsts for her and the horse she got the ride on in June of 2017. “Going in and having him be so good was actually almost a better feeling than ending up champion.”
Natalie Jayne and Cracker Jack.Photo by Sportfot
Cracker Jack handled the experience well for Jayne, who noted, “There were spooky jumps and hard courses all week, but he went in and just hacked around.
“It’s a good experience to get to show under the lights here,” she continued. “He has been really good the past two weeks and staying consistent with him is my biggest goal right now.”
Dominik, owned by Gochman Sport Horses and ridden by Sophie Gochman, was named reserve champion in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division.
The sixth week of WEF concludes on Sunday, February 18, with the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix and $25,000 CP National Grand Prix on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village (13500 South Shore Blvd), as well as hunter classics in the WEF International Arena.