Halifax, MA – June 22, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic began competition yesterday, but today’s highlights were the well-attended derby classes held on the scenic grass grand prix field. There were 50 entries in today’s $2,500 2’9″ Hunter Derby, and it was Jennifer Tate of Bourne, MA, riding Cavallino owned by Barbara Kravetz of Sharon, MA, who took home the top prize. Touchdown and Ericka Koscinski of Center Moriches, NY, came in first place in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic. The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic runs through Saturday, June 25, 2011, and is hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.

The “AA” rated show will host exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers with featured classes including the $25,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Open 3’3″ Hunter Derby, $7,500 Open Welcome Stake, $7,500 Open Speed Stake, and $5,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic for two heights.

Professional rider Jennifer Tate has ridden Cavallino, who is called “Eagle” in the barn, many times, but their win today on the grass field was special. Kravetz trains with Tate and has owned Eagle, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, since he was four years old. Kravetz expressed, “This was his first derby class. He’s mostly been doing Modified Adults with me over the past few years. We knew he was capable of doing it and we thought he would enjoy it. It was exhilarating and I was moved to tears. It was very exciting.”

Cavallino and Jennifer Tate

Tate mentioned, “I knew he would be suited for this class because he’s so well broke. He’s very easy and very down to earth and very quiet. That’s why Bonnie has him as an adult horse as well; he’s a steady Eddie.”

Tate and Cavallino scored a 90 (with bonus points) in the first round to lead going into the second round, where they were chasing the top score set by Huckleberry Finn and Susan Huyett.

“I thought the first round went really well. He just kept galloping and jumping, and I thought he was really focused on the task at hand. He was good. I felt pressure!” Tate said before heading in for her second round. “Everybody out there rides so well. Those are nice riding people and nice, talented horses. After I watched everybody go, I figured I’d better get galloping and start turning. The first three jumps were where he excelled. Jump one to two, he turned so well and then he really galloped down to the single oxer. I felt that he was great there.”

The top 12 from the original 50 entries returned for a shortened second round that featured rollbacks, turning options, a gallop through a ditch, and a trot jump. Tate and Cavallino were very smooth to score an 87.25 and their high total gave them the win by 3.5 points.

Cavallino and Jennifer Tate with Shawn Clawson of Fieldstone

Tate believes that the fun and interesting derby classes are good for the horses and riders. “When I grew up, we didn’t have sand rings. We rode and showed on the field; everything happened on the grass,” she said. “I love having the turn options and all of it in the derby classes. I think it’s great for these horses to get out on the field and do something different. There are lots of derbies, but it’s not the same as coming here and riding on the open field and really galloping. It’s special here. It’s such an education.”

Kravetz, who will compete with Cavallino on Friday in the Modified Adult Hunters at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic, added, “The show grounds are well laid out, it’s very user friendly and the rings are beautiful. It’s just a beautiful property.”

The winner in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic was Ericka Koscinski of Center Moriches, NY, who rode Touchdown for Salt River Farm to victory. Touchdown is a 16-year-old homebred pony from her family and she has ridden him in the pony hunters for four years. This was the first time she has competed in a derby and while she enjoyed it, she also thought her pony liked it too.

“It was a lot of fun. He liked the ring a lot. I could tell by his expression, his ears were up the whole time, and he was perky, which is good,” she said.

Touchdown and Ericka Koscinski

“I thought my first round was better,” she acknowledged. “I got down to the distances much better, and he was much more perky than in the second round! He was getting tired. It was fun to do the turns and trot jump.”

She added with a smile, “It’s like winning Pony Finals almost. That’s the trip that my aunt wanted me to have at Pony Finals. It was hard sweating it out at the end.”

Touchdown and Ericka Koscinski with Shawn Clawson of Fieldstone

Koscinski also rode Pippin, owned by Kimberly Ward, to 12th place in the class, which hosted 20 entries.

This is the first year that Koscinski has shown at Fieldstone. She noted, “The rings are really pretty and the horses like looking out of the stalls.”

The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic will continue tomorrow with competition in six rings. The feature class in the Grand Prix Field is the $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake.

Final Results: $2,500 2’9″ Hunter Derby
1.    Cavallino, Jennifer Tate, Barbara Kravetz (Sharon, MA): 354.5
2.    Huckleberry Finn, Susan Huyett, Susan Huyett (Concord, MA): 351
3.    Zephyr T, Mitch Steege, Susan Villare (Westford, MA): 340
4.    Socrates, Kristen Bumpus, Sunny Drescher (Hinesburg, VT): 338
5.    Lavari, Kate Rice, Banner Farm (Dover, MA): 336
6.    Time After Time, Addison Gierkink, Addison Gierkink (Harpeswell, ME): 335.5
7.    Guinness, Lynsey M. McCarthy, Annabel Revers (Weston, MA): 326
8.    Prince Ferdinand, Susan Huyett, Caroline Hughes (Concord, MA): 312
9.    Domino Baio, Marissa Kinnally, Marissa Kinally (Hull, MA): 297
10.     Locatelli, Joyce B. Mersereau, Eliza Greene (Concord, MA): 296
11.     Girls Night Out, Andrea Mank, Crystal Dumas (Ipswich, MA): 275.5
12.     Appleton, Katie Forest, Mattie Sears (Delray Beach, FL): 261.5

Final Results: $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic
1.    Touchdown, Ericka Koscinski, Salt River Farm (Center Moriches, NY): 340
2.    Ferdinand, Sydney Berube, Hayley Anderson (New Boston, NH): 332
3.    Undawnted, Ava Stearns, Reid Patton (Nashville, TN): 328
4.    Oakwood’s Beyond Glory, Hanaa Khan, Hanaa Khan LLC (Pound Ridge, NY): 312
5.    Clovermeade Bunny Side Up, Ali Trischler, Rabbit Hill Farm LLC (Newtown, CT): 310
6.    Secret Garden, Charlotte Keesler, Charlotte Keesler (Concord, MA): 308
7.    The Golden Ticket, Hayley Anderson, Gretchen Anderson (New Boston, NH): 290
8.    Manhattan, Haley Anderson, Sue Berube (Bedford, NH): 276
9.    Clovermeade My Boyfriend’s Back, Ellie Ferrigno, Ellie Ferrigno (Newtown, CT): 274
10.    Opening Day, Samantha Valone, Samantha Valone (Wayland, MA): 272
11.    A Chance Encounter, Thea Chafee, Thea Chafee (Potowomut, RI): 268
12.    Pippin, Ericka Koscinski, Kimberly Ward (Greenwich, CT): 266

Conveniently located just 28 miles south of Boston in the heart of southeastern Massachusetts, The Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility is bar none in the New England region. The outstanding competitions provide a great opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers to experience something new and different from their standard horse show destinations. This beautiful, scenic facility is the perfect option for competitors looking to give their horses a breath of fresh air and compete in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Centrally located, the horse show is easily accessible from Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and anywhere in the northeast region.



The stunning show grounds offer competitors, guests and spectators beautifully manicured grounds, miles of trails and an exhibitor friendly atmosphere. The facility boasts nearly 100 acres, equipped with nine all-weather hybrid sand/felt/fiber show rings, permanent and temporary stabling, ample parking, and a beautiful all-grass Grand Prix field. Renovated in 2009, this field is a world-class venue for the facility’s premier classes. With show schedules boasting over $100,000 in cash and prizes and great exhibitor parties and events, these horse shows are not to be missed!

For more information on the Fieldstone Horse Shows, please visit www.showfieldstone.com, call 781-679-0701, or email info@showfieldstone.com.

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Photo Credit: Cavallino and Jennifer Tate won the $2,500 2’9″ Hunter Derby. Touchdown and Ericka Koscinski won the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic. Photo © Tony DeCosta, www.horsesinmotionphotography.com. This photo may only be used in relation to this press release.