Havens Schatt Scores Hat Trick at Kentucky Summer Classic

Written by: Gillian Ellis

Lexington, KY – July 30, 2009 – The professional hunter divisions came to a close today at the Kentucky Summer Classic. They finished up with an over fences class, a handy hunter and an under saddle class. The race for championships came down to the wire in all of the divisions. Havens Schatt had an exceptional day with two championships and one reserve championship title.

Starting early in the First Year Green Working Hunters, Schatt rode Absolut and bested the field of five for wins in the handy hunter and under saddle classes. These wins, combined with the pair’s win from yesterday, earned them the championship in the division. Absolut is owned by Tracy Scheriff of Wellington, FL. The reserve championship went to Lauren Hulen Kissel, who rode Water Music for Janet Salem of Alpharetta, GA.

Schatt rode Donovan, also owned by Tracy Scheriff, to two wins in the Green Conformation Hunter division and built upon their win yesterday. The combined victories earned them the division championship. Just Dessert, with Rick Fancher in the irons, took home the reserve championship for the Green Conformation Hunter division. Just Dessert is owned by Stephanie Wallace of Washington, DC.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter division closed with Tim Goguen and his mount Bolero taking home top honors. Goguen won both over fences classes yesterday, today’s over fences class, and the handy hunter class to easily clinch the win. Bolero is owned by Staci Arani and Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA. The reserve championship went to Havens Schatt and Aiden, owned by John Yozell of Dedham, MA.

Schatt was delighted with her horses’ performances and said, “My horses were really good today. The two horses I show of Tracy’s, Absolut and Donovan, hadn’t shown since June. Yesterday, with it being a little windy and rainy, they were a little like, ‘Whoa, back at the show!’ But, today they came back and were awesome. That was good, that it took them just one day of a little wackiness,” she laughed.

“The horse I show for John Yozell showed last week at Blowing Rock,” continued Schatt. “He was really, really good there, and he almost felt a little crabby today, like ‘Ugh, we’re showing again.’ It’s just funny to see the differences in the horses showing two weeks in a row or just beginning their first week.”

Schatt praised the Kentucky horse shows and stated, “The horse show is great; there’s nothing like it. We own a farm ten minutes from here, so it’s great to come here to show.” She commended, “The weather can be less than desirable, and you can still show. The footing is always great, the jumps are always beautiful and the courses are always nice. It’s a great place to show, and you can tell because there are more and more people coming here for the summer from further away.”

The professional hunter divisions drew to a close with the conclusion of the Regular Conformation Hunters and the Regular Working Hunters. Kelley Farmer guided Luigi to the title of champion in the Regular Conformation Hunters. Luigi is owned by Karen Rouff of Keswick, VA. Morgan Thomas piloted Timber Ridge to the reserve championship for the Regular Conformation Hunters and Regular Working Hunters. The championship in the Regular Working Hunter division was awarded to Katherine Newman and Daydream. Daydream is owned by Mimi Abel-Smith of Middleburg, VA.

Competition continues tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Junior Hunters in the Stonelea Ring. The Kentucky Summer Classic will continue at the Kentucky Horse Park until August 2, 2009.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Classic, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Photo Caption: Havens Schatt and Absolut are victorious in the First Year Green Working Hunter division at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo C 2009 Gillian Ellis. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.