Tyler, TX – October 29, 2009 – The professional hunter divisions and the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions completed their second day of competition at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. Held at the scenic Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas, the show benefits Habitat for Horses, and runs through November 1, 2009. The top finisher today was James Hensen and Castlewellan, who had a clean sweep during the Green Conformation Hunter division and claimed the championship tricolor. Later in the day the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions showed in the Main Hunter Ring, and it was Emily Woodall and Fun One that took home the Overall Amateur-Owner Championship trophy.

The Green Conformation Hunters were the second division to compete today at the Dallas Harvest Hose Show. Hensen and Castlewellan, owned by Dr. Susan Bradley of Dallas, TX, claimed all of the division’s blue ribbons and earned the championship award for their excellent performance. The reserve championship honors were presented to Robert Allison for his ride aboard Ascot, owned by Monica Algarra of Dallas, TX.

“He was very good here,” noted Hensen. “I think he has progressed all year and he’s only gotten better as we go along. I thought he jumped very well this week, and there were things that have been rough spots all week that smoothed out. He just wants you to be confident; I think he would do anything a person would want.”

Castlewellan is six-year-old Mecklenburg, and his owner shows him in the Adult Amateur Hunter divisions. Next year, Hensen will continue showing him in the Green Conformation Hunters as a Second Year horse, and he also hopes to show him in the Hunter Derby classes.

“He is a very correct horse and he moves very well,” explained Hensen. “I was a little afraid to start him in the derbies this year as a first year horse. I know there are horses that can do that, but I just didn’t think he was ready this year. We’re hoping for a good year next year.”

 

James Hensen and Castlewellan

The next division of the day was the Regular Working Hunters, where the championship award went to Martien Van Der Hoeven and Celano, owned by Cassandra Ship of Guelph, ON. Also earning top ribbons was Courtney Calcagnini and Curtain Call, owned by Shannon Reid of Pilot Point, TX, who earned the reserve championship prize.

Celano is 14 years old and competes in the Amateur-Owner Hunters with his owner, who could not be here this weekend. Van Der Hoeven competed this week in the Regular Working Hunters, and will show in tomorrow’s $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby.

“I think he feels good,” said Van Der Hoeven. “He’s shown here all summer and he likes the ring and the footing. Patrick always does a nice job and tries to put on a really nice derby, so I think tomorrow will go very well.”

The first division to compete today was the Green Hunters. Will Roberts and Dubari, owned by Gayle Cox of Adkins, TX, were the winners of the championship prize, while Tracy Fenney and Clooney, owned by Tope Line Sporthorse of Cypress, TX, followed with the reserve championship honors.

The Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunters competed after the completion of the professional hunter divisions. The top honors and the championship tricolor were awarded to Jana Rodes, of Argyle, TX, and Dress Up. The reserve championship prize went to Gayle Cox of Adkins, TX, for her ride aboard Dubari.

Rodes has owned Dress Up since she was four months old, and has worked hard to bring her along. “She is eight years old now, so this is a very special win,” she expressed. “Dress Up is pretty simple. Her lead changes have been a bit slow over the years, so we have sacrificed some classes due to that, but when we’re on she is great and she loves her job.”

Rodes hopes to compete with Dress Up for many more years, and she also owns her three-year-old sister. Rodes is going to take her time getting her started, because she knows that the filly will have a bright future ahead of her if she follows Dress Up’s path.

The final division of the day was the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters. Emily Woodall, of New Caney, TX, and Fun One walked away with the championship prize, and also claimed the Overall Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship trophy. The Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Reserve Championship went to Erin Walker, of San Antonio, TX, and Sahalee.

“Fun One has done nothing but take care of me and win for me during the two years that I have owned him,” smiled Woodall. “He’s kind of timid and so am I, but he’s wonderful. He’s a delightful horse to ride and I will own him forever.”

During the last two years Woodall competed in the Adult Amateur Hunter division, but she was excited to step-up to the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter division when it became available. “This is a wonderful division for him,” she explained. “I’m not really interested in doing the 3’6′”, but in this division he jumps much better. The jumps are big enough to be real jumps and he loves it. I hope it really catches on and stays really popular.”

Woodall enjoys competing at the Texas Rose Horse Park each year during the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. “I love that it is horse friendly,” she said. “The facility is beautiful, the barns are wonderful, the rings hold up well, and Patrick Rhodes always builds beautiful jumps. I love it here and I always look forward to coming here.”

Tomorrow, the Dallas Harvest Horse Show will feature the $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby in the Main Hunter Ring, beginning at 4 p.m. This week’s highlight event is the $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix held on November 1, 2009.

For more information on the 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show and to view the prizelist, please visit www.southboundsshows.com .

For more information on Habitat for Horses please visit www.habitatforhorses.org .

Photo Credit: James Hensen and Castlewellan earned the Green Conformation Hunter Championship after sweeping the division at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

Emily Woodall and Fun One

Photo Credit: Emily Woodall and Fun One were named the Overall Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.