Washington, D.C. – October 27, 2009 – In an exciting three horse jump-off, Todd Minikus (USA) and Alaska were the fastest clear round to win the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix World Cup qualifier on Saturday presented by The Boeing Company. Kate Levy (USA) and Lirving du Volsin finished second, while Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Vicomte D were third. Earlier in the evening, Samantha Schaefer was victorious in the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals.

The week’s courses were designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, and out of the 29 entries in the class, only three could find the path to the jump-off. Ken Berkley (USA) and Carlos Boy, owned by Alexa and Krista Weisman, just missed the jump-off by accumulating one time fault in 78.84 seconds to finish fourth. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) kicked up his speed after having a rail down to finish as the fastest four-faulter in 67.17 seconds on Night Train, owned by Double H Farm.

The first to return in the jump-off was Levy and Lirvin du Volsin, owned by LA Horsepower and Kate Levy. She went for the safe clear round, but was very efficient with her speed. She finished clear in 36.32 seconds and would have to wait and see how the riders chased her time.

Levy noted, “I was really happy with my jump-off. This is definitely the biggest grand prix that I have had to do with that horse. I was not expecting much with these two behind me, so I just really wanted to jump a clear round and be as neat as possible because my horse is so game, but I didn’t want to take too many risks and have a rail.”

New U.S. Equestrian Team rider Mario Deslauriers (formerly of Canada) piloted Vicomte D, owned by Jane F. Clark, next in the jump-off. Deslauriers turned up the speed and galloped down to the final oxer, but they had the front rail down for four faults in 34.48 seconds.

“The last two big classes that I have done with him in the jump-off I have had the last fence down,” Deslauriers said of Vicomte D, an 11-year-old Belgian gelding. “He has been jumping great and tonight he really put on a good show. It is just a matter of keeping at it, and the luck will come back because he is a very quick horse and he wins a lot of classes.”

It all came down to Minikus as the final rider in the ring on Alaska, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Callie Seaman. Minikus made a very tight turn from the first vertical back to the next oxer and then continued that speed through the rest of the shortened course. He galloped over the final oxer and stopped the timers in 34.55 seconds for the win.

“It looked like Kate did her jump-off just right. Not crazy, but prompt, and then it put the pressure on Mario and myself to have to go a bit,” Minikus explained. “I got to the gate just to watch the end of Mario’s and in typical Mario form he looked like he was going pretty quick and had a little bad luck at the last jump. I thought my turn from one to two was maybe a little quicker and then I did the same number of strides to the third jump and just tried to stay inside of the footprints.”

Minikus had kind words for Alaska, who won multiple grand prix events this year including the grand prix qualifier in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. “He has a lot of quality. He is a careful horse, and he is very good with his technique. He doesn’t have enough mileage really at this point, but he always gives it a good effort. When he guesses, he usually guesses with the right answer, so he is a very enjoyable horse, and I am very glad I have him to ride.”

It has been 19 years since Minikus last won the President’s Cup Grand Prix, and he was happy to receive once again the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. “There is history behind the President’s Cup; it is for sure one of our most prestigious grand prix. It starts off the indoor circuit, so any win is a good win for sure.”

Minikus won the Leading Jumper Rider Award sponsored by the Blundon Family, and was awarded the Margaret Chovnick Memorial Trophy. Andres Rodriguez of Venezuela was named the Leading International Rider.

Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD, was the top junior rider in the WIHS Equitation Classic finals. She led from the beginning with a top score of 87.92 in the hunter phase, and added a jumper phase score of 86.92. She was the last to return in the Top 10 work-off and was feeling the pressure from Chase Boggio, of Canton, GA, who had a high score in the work-off of 89.67. The top 10 riders switched horses, and Boggio masterfully rode Molly Braswell’s The General to increase the leading point total to 261.999.

Although Boggio and Braswell both train with Bob Braswell and Christina Schlusemeyer, Boggio had never ridden The General before. “He is in the same barn as I am, but I had actually never ridden him before today. I don’t think I could have been any luckier with the draw though,” he said. “I have seen him go enough to know what he is like. He was sort of similar to my horse. You just have to ride him forward like a hunter a little bit, so it wasn’t too big of a difference.”

Boggio won the equitation championships at Capital Challenge Horse Show and was seventh in the USEF Medal Finals. He said of his mount Graphiq, “I just feel like I really click with him. I have just gone in with really no expectations, and it has all just sort of come together all at once.”

Schaefer returned on Lucy Davis’ mount Patrick as the last to go. She had a smooth round and a bold final line. The judges rewarded her with a score of 91.67 for the work-off and a total of 266.498 for the win. Schaefer trains with Andre Dignelli, Kim Stewart, Kirsten Coe, Patricia Griffith, and Don Stewart.

“It went really well. I thought I stayed pretty consistent through all three phases, and I got pretty lucky. I got a really nice horse to ride in the final phase too,” Schaefer said of Patrick. “I didn’t know anything about the horse. I have never seen it go, but they told me a lot about it and it rode just like they said. He was really easy. I think it is a young horse, but he has a really big stride and he doesn’t really move you over the jumps.”

This was only the third time that Schaefer has shown Travino. “I have never shown my horse in the jumper phase,” she remarked. “He is young. He did the First Years earlier in the week. He is really sweet to ride, he is easy, and he has a nice rhythm. He is fun; I like him a lot.”

Tina DiLandri of La Jolla, CA, had scores of 82.33 and 86 with her mount Cadeau and a score of 76 in the work-off on Boggio’s Graphiq for a total of 244.330 and third place. Lucy Davis of Los Angeles, CA, finished fourth with a total of 243.582, while Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, was fifth with 240.999 points.

For her win tonight, Schaefer was awarded the WIHS Equitation Classic Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. G. Ralph Ours III. Schaefer’s mount Travino, owned by Heritage Farm, won the Lugano Memorial Trophy donated by Stone Hill.

The $10,000 Senator’s Cup Junior Jumper Stake kicked off the jumper competition Saturday with a class of 20 entries. Eight of the original entries jumped clear over the first round course, and six of those jump-off rounds went clean to race against the clock. The horses and riders laid down rounds with increasing speed as they maneuvered the shortened course, and it was 16-year-old Samantha Harrison of La Canada, CA, and her ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Santika, who came out on top. Harrison and Santika jumped clear in a very fast time of 30.911 seconds to win the class. Laura Pfeiffer rode Thorstin, owned by Fox Meadow Farm of Temperance, MI, to the second place honors with their clear round in 31.391 seconds. Alexandra Thornton and Naomi, owned by Dunwalke LLC, finished in third with the final clear round of the jump-off in 31.400 seconds.

Harrison and Santika were awarded The Swan Lake Perpetual Trophy, which was donated by Beagle Brook Farm in honor of the 1992 class winner Swan Lake, ridden by Jennifer F. Miller.

Along with her win in the class today, Harrison was also awarded the reserve championship in the Junior Jumper division for her success in the classes throughout the week. Friday’s winners Reed Kessler and Flight were awarded the championship tricolor for their great week of competition. Kessler and Flight were awarded The Greenberg Challenge Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Greenberg.

Following the championship presentations, two riders were presented with special awards. Laura Pfeiffer was presented with the Shalanno Style of Riding Award, sponsored by Shalanno Farms. The award is presented each year to the Junior Jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation and the respectful, dignified manner of a true sportsman.

Hasbrouck Donovan was then presented with the award for Best Child Rider on a Horse, sponsored by Georgina Bloomberg. The DiVecchia Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick DiVecchia, was awarded to Donovan for demonstrating the highest quality in horsemanship and sportsmanship combined with good appearance and courtesy. Donovan rode Confidential, owned by Don Stewart, to the Grand Junior Hunter Championship earlier in the week.

The $15,000 Open Jumper Pairs Relay was held next with the win going to Shane Sweetnam aboard UnaDonja and Charlie Jayne aboard Carentina III. Marilyn Little-Meredith and Calmar 3 paired up with Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L for the second place finish.

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

Jumpers – Wednesday through Friday

The 2009 Washington International Horse Show continued on Wednesday with the best horses and riders in the country competing in jumper championships. There were three jumper classes in total, and the first class victory went to Spencer Smith and Markies in the $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship. Alissa Kinsey guided Grisset to first place in the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship. Opening up the Amateur-Owner Jumper competition, Susan Knoblauch and Carneval won the $2,500 Time First Jump-Off class.

In the $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship, 13 horse and rider combinations were clear from the first round to advance to the jump-off. The early lead was held by Lauren Tyree on Eurocommerce Rome, who was clear in the jump-off in 28.123 seconds. The lead changed hands when Rachel Brodsky and Elliot 92 lowered the winning time to 27.671 seconds.

But it was eventually Spencer Smith and Markies, who went second to last in the jump-off, that would find the winning ride in 25.935 seconds. For their win, they were awarded the H. Fenwick kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen.

Smith and Markies, a 24-year-old veteran show jumper, were quick in the jump-off and left out strides where possible. Twelve-year-old Smith of Wellington, FL, trains with his parents, Emily and Ken Smith. He has been riding Markies for two years and said that the seasoned horse has taught him everything he knows about the jumpers.

The last proved to be the best in the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship. Alissa Kinsey of Ft. Myers, FL, and her 12-year-old Hanoverian mare Grisset scorched the jump-off course with a clear round and winning time of 24.709 seconds over 26 other competitors in the class. They were chasing another fast time set by Kenzie Donovan and Max (last year’s Championship winners), who finished in 25.369 seconds. Donovan was the early leader and finished third with her horse Oyster, who crossed the timers in 25.501 seconds.

Kinsey and Grisset were awarded the Dorothy Foote “Goodie” Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

Grisset has had a very successful year, including a Winter Equestrian Festival circuit championship, and multiple wins at the Vermont Summer Festival, Showplace Spring Spectacular, and the Devon Horse Show. After an uncharacteristic rail last week at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Kinsey was a little worried going into the class, which led to a careful first round. In the jump-off however, she knew that she could go for the time and not worry about her horse.

The final class of the day was the first class of the competition for the Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Twelve entries went to post, but only two found a way clear to the jump-off. Both had trouble in the jump-off round, but the win went to Susan Knoblauch of Huntersville, NC, on Carneval, who finished with 11 faults in 48.028 seconds. Clara Lindner and Seraldo were second with 12 faults in 40.470 seconds. The fastest four-faulter from the first round was Lillian Hahn on Lucky One, who had a time of 57.023 seconds.

Knoblauch and Carneval won the “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot and donated by The Curtin Family in honor of the 1990 winner “Footloose,” ridden by Caroline Curtin.

It was another exciting day of competition on Thursday at the 2009 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), as the schedule featured four jumper classes for amateur-owner, junior, and open jumpers. The highlight class of the day was the $30,000 Open Jumper Time First Jump-off class, and Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) took the top prize on Couletto K James. Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Da Vinci were victorious in the $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume class, presented by Honeywell International, Inc.

Earlier in the day, Lillian Hahn won the Amateur-Owner Time First Round on Lucky One, and Navona Gallegos on Drossana took first place in the opening Junior Jumper Time First Jump-off class.

In the $30,000 Open Jumper class, 30 horses went to post in the first round. There were six clear rounds that returned for the jump-off, with the first horse in the ring setting the pace. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and new mount Night Train, owned by Double H Farm, were double clear and stopped the timers in the jump-off in 30.45 seconds.

Next in, Hillary Dobbs (USA) and Quincy B had a fast time of 31.17 seconds, but a rail put them into fourth place at the end of the class. Jill Henselwood of Canada’s silver medal Olympic team followed with Bottom Line, owned by Bradon Construction. They were clear in 32.44 seconds to finish third. Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam on Zamiro, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, had eight faults in 32.00 seconds for sixth place.

The eventual winner, Ward and Couletto K James, owned by Katie Dinan LLC, were able to leave strides out, thanks to the horse’s large stride, and a sharp turn to the final vertical helped them bring the winning time down to 29.42 seconds for the win.

The final pair in the class, Marilyn Little-Meredith and Raylyn Farms Inc.’s Ragrusa H, had eight faults in 30.48 seconds for fifth place.

Ward was given the ride on Couletto K James for the WIHS and next week at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, but the horse has been showing recently with his owner, junior rider Katie Dinan.

Although it has been seven years, Ward has had the ride on Couletto K James before. He rode the talented gelding for three years and said that now he is “a little more experienced, a little more clever.” Ward added, “He has had a few miles under the hood now. He has always been a great, great horse, and it’s very exciting for Katie’s future. It is a pleasure to get to ride a great horse again.”

For his win, Ward was presented with the Ben O’Meara Memorial Challenge Trophy.

The last class of the night was the entertaining costume class for the $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice. While quite a few riders had a chance to catch the winning point total, it was Andres Rodriguez dressed as Sherlock Holmes and the seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding Da Vinci that scored the highest amount of points with the fastest time. Their clear jump over the Joker fence raised their total to 1400 points, and their time of 56.31 seconds gave them the win. Margie Engle (USA) and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L (57.60 seconds) and Todd Minikus (USA) on Olinda (59.43 seconds) finished second and third.

Rodriguez, a 25-year-old from Venezuela, competed for five years in Europe with the Pessoa family before moving to the United States three years ago. This is his first time competing at the WIHS.

As the winning rider, Rodriguez was given the Crown Royal Trophy, donated by Crown Royal, and the Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the WIHS, for his winning horse.

A $2,500 Amateur-Owner Jumper class began the jumper competition this afternoon with the win going to Lillian Hahn and Lucky One. The class was held in a Timed First Round format, and Hahn and Lucky One had the fastest of only three clear rounds to take top honors with a time of 59.400 seconds. Benjamin Simpkins and Astro Z earned second place after jumping clear in 64.404 seconds. The third place award went to Marley Goodman and U-2 with the only other clear round in a time of 70.736 seconds.

Hahn is a 23-year-old rider from Tryon, NC, and has trained with Vick Russell for ten years. Lucky One is a ten-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding from Denmark. This is Hahn’s second year showing Lucky One at the Washington International Horse Show and the day’s victory followed a solid third place finish in the first class of the Amateur-Owner Jumper division last night. Hahn was honored as well, with the Cover Story Perpetual Trophy, donated by Rolling Acres Farm.

The next class of the afternoon was the $2,500 Junior Jumpers with the winning round going to Navona Gallegos and Drossana. Six of the original 20 entries in the class went clear to jump-off, and Gallegos and Drossana had the faster of two clear jump-off rounds in a time of 39.072 seconds for the victory. Reed Kessler and Flight earned the second place honors with their clear jump-off round in 39.805 seconds. Third place was awarded to Samantha Harrison and Santika with the fastest four-fault round in 39.424 seconds.

Class winner Navona Gallegos is 18 years old and from Santa Fe, NM. She rides with California trainer Karen Healey. Gallegos leases Drossana, a 12-year-old Westphalian mare, from owner John Huggins. Gallegos was presented with the Eleanor White O’Leary Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

The 2009 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is one of the most exciting equestrian competitions in the country, and it is one of only two shows in North America that offer a puissance, or “high jump” class. Friday night’s $25,000 Puissance presented by Chevron Corporation saw a very familiar face for the awards presentation. Seven-time winner McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, was the winner of the class on Vancouver. David Beisel of Cincinnati, OH, finished second with Patoile, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises Inc.

Ward and Beisel were the only two riders out of a starting field of seven to reach the third jump-off round. The first round started with Shane Sweetnam (IRL) on Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Little Emir and Jonathan McCrea (IRL) on Promised Land, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables, having rails on earlier fences on the course, although they both cleared the puissance wall that was set at 5’10” (1.78m). This eliminated them from the competition. Also eliminated for a fault at the wall was Andres Rodriguez (VEN) on Tornado.

Along with Ward and Beisel, two other riders were clear in the first round to move on to the second round, where the wall was raised to 6’1″ (1.85m). Charlie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Carentina III were clear, but chose to retire after this round. Irishman Darragh Kenny and Missy Clark/North Run’s Gael Force were also clear to move on to the third round.

In the third round, the wall was moved up to 6’7″ (2.01m), and the first rider to attempt the jump was Ward on Vancouver. They easily cleared the wall to move on to the final round. Beisel and the very game Patoile were also clear. The luck of the Irish was not with Kenny, however, who had a very unfortunate fault at the wall when Gael Force cleared it, but kicked out the top block with his hind legs as he was landing.

The wall in the final round was raised to 6’10” (2.09m), but neither Ward nor Beisel were able to clear it. Ward had trouble when Vancouver shifted right over the wall, and he took the top blocks down. Beisel, who had been galloping to the wall in previous rounds, took a more conservative approach and Patoile refused. When he tried again, Patoile refused and Beisel fell off. Horse and rider were okay, but due to the fall, Beisel would have to take second place.

For his win tonight, Ward was given the Congressman’s Challenge Trophy, donated by the Late Honorable Rogers C.B. Morton and the Late Honorable F. Robert Watkins, of Pennsylvania. Ward retired the trophy before in 2002 after he won three years in a row on Achat 6, and he also was the winner in 1994 and in 2006 and 2007 on EquiFit Pozitano.

Amazingly enough, this was Ward’s first class showing with Vancouver, an 11-year-old New Zealand-bred Dutch horse.

This is Beisel’s second time at the WIHS, and it was his and his horse’s first ever Puissance class. He and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare have been together for three years and they compete in the grand prix classes usually. At last year’s WIHS, Beisel saw the class and wanted to compete in it this year.

The first class of the night was the $20,000 Open Jumper 1.50m Faults Converted class. In a blaze of speed, Todd Minikus and Olinda, owned by Houlihan Lawrence, were the winners in a time of 49.52 seconds. Just behind them were Hillary Dobbs and Marengo in 50.99 seconds. Third place went to Christine McCrea on Romantovich Take One in 53.46 seconds.

The $15,000 Open Jumper Faults Converted was won by Kent Farrington and R.C.G. Farm’s Samar this afternoon after the pair had the fastest of five clear rounds in 51.45 seconds. Last year’s winners Hillary Dobbs and Marengo, owned by The Dobbs Group, earned the second place honors in 53.98 seconds. Jonathan McCrea and Victor E, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables, came in third in 55.29 seconds.

Class winners Kent Farrington and Samar were presented with The General Dwight E. Eisenhower Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the late Arthur J. Morris, and the pair took the victory gallop following their winning round.

The $10,000 Ambassador’s Cup Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was held with an exciting victory for Paige Johnson of The Plains, VA. With her ride in the class, Johnson won the prestigious Ambassador’s Cup Perpetual Trophy for the second year in a row, thanks to the generous donation of Ambassador and Mrs. Marion H. Smoak. Last year Johnson won the class with La Martinee, and this year with she rode Chiron S to the victory. Both horses are owned by Salamander Farm.

Johnson and Chiron S were one of three pairs to clear the first round course and continue to the jump-off. Erin Stewart and Devito jumped off first but had 12 faults in 35.948 seconds to finish in third place. Marley Goodman and U-2 jumped next and laid down a clear round in 37.660 seconds to finish in second. Johnson and Chiron S were the last to attempt the jump-off and the pair cleared the course in an impressive 35.420 seconds to earn top honors.

Following the Ambassador’s Cup class, the Amateur-Owner Jumpers awarded their division championship to Lillian Hahn and Lucky One after their successful week of competition. The pair was presented with The Foxbrook Perpetual Trophy in honor of Space Citation and donated by Joy Slater. Carneval and Susan Knoblauch earned the division’s reserve championship.

The junior jumpers also showed at Verizon Center today in a $2,500 timed first round class. The intricate course proved difficult for the horses and riders, as just two of the original 20 entries were able to jump without fault. Topping the class were Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, and her 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Flight.

The pair jumped clear in a time of 57.829 seconds to take top honors. The only other clear round was completed by Alexandra Thornton and Dunwalke LLC’s Silvana, with their time of 64.169 seconds. Hayley Barnhill and Callie Schott’s Toucan Tango had the fastest four-fault round in 53.230 seconds to earn third place. Reed Kessler and Flight were awarded the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy for their win in this afternoon’s class.

Hunters – Tuesday through Sunday

The opening day of the 2009 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) ended with an evening session for Children’s and Adult Hunters. The two divisions each had a two-round $10,000 championship. Sienna Sumavielle rode Lexington to the win in the Children’s Hunter Championship, while Ainsley Sadlo and Vermilion took first place in the Adult Hunter Championship.

In the $10,000 Children’s Hunter Championship, Sumavielle and Lexington started out the first round with a combined score from three judges of 232. They were consistent with their scores and were awarded a 237 in the second round for a total of 469 for the win. Dani DiPietro and Davenport came in second with a score of 466, while At Last and Leigh Anne Kline were third with 451 points. For their win, Sumavielle and Lexington were awarded the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Fen.

Lexington, owned by Margaret Horowitz, is a 16-year-old gelding, and Sumavielle (14), of Ridgewood, NJ, has been riding him for two years. This was Sumavielle’s first time showing at the WIHS and it was her goal to qualify for this year.

Ainsley Sadlo of Atlanta, GA, made it worth her while to take time off of work to compete at the WIHS. She and Vermilion led from the first round with a score of 252, and kept the lead in the second round with a score of 246 for a total of 498 points. They beat Keep the Faith and Katie Meagher (481.25) and Kathryn Clapp on Donnerkind (457.5).

Sadlo has been riding Vermilion, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding, for a year and a half. They worked on qualifying for the WIHS all year and this was their final goal.

The professional hunter divisions and the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions wrapped-up their second day of competition today at the Washington International Horse Show with the presentation of Grand Championship awards. Scott Stewart and Declaration led the way, earning the Green Conformation Hunter Championship, and going on to win the Grand Green Working Hunter Award, as well as the Grand Champion Hunter Award. After his excellent performance, Stewart also received the Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare.

Stewart, of Wellington, FL swept the over fences classes with Declaration, owned by Fashion Farms of New York, NY, during the Green Conformation Hunter division, sponsored by Penelope Ayers and Ravens Wood Farm. The pair took home the championship prize and The Valiant Hawk Memorial Challenge Trophy. Shelley Campf and Costar, were victorious in the under saddle class and earned this year’s reserve championship honors. Stewart’s excellent performance with Declaration won him Grand Green Working Hunter Award and the Grand Champion Hunter Rave Review Challenge Trophy.

Stewart’s winning streak continued when he was named First Year Green Working Hunter Champion for his ride aboard Way Cool. The Pryde Family sponsored the division. Stewart and Way Cool earned two first place ribbons over fences during Tuesday’s competition. The reserve championship prize was presented to John French and Small Affair, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly of Pacific Palisades, CA, who won the day’s stakes class, as well as the under saddle class.

During the Regular Conformation Hunter division, sponsored by Mrs. Stephen C. Clark, Jr., it was Maggie Jayne and Francesca, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT, who claimed The Marry Farren Perpetual Trophy and the championship ribbon after winning three blue ribbons. Stewart and Declaration scored another tricolor victory by earning the reserve championship honors.

This is the second Regular Conformation Hunter Championship win for Jayne and Francesca, who also scored the championship prize at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Hunt Tosh also had an excellent day, claiming two championship ribbons. He scored a hat trick with Lone Star, owned by Douglas Wheeler of Keswick, VA, winning the Regular Working Hunter Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and now the Washington International Horse Show. The pair were presented with The “NOT ALWAYS” Challenge Trophy for their victory. The reserve championship ribbon was awarded to Jennifer Alfano for her ride aboard Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms Inc., of Buffalo, NY.

Tosh also won today’s Second Year Green Working Hunter Championship with Rosalynn, owned by Ernest Oare of Warrenton, VA. The Wasserman Foundation sponsored the division. Tosh and Rosalynn were the winners of the today’s Stake class and had the best trip for the second year in a row to win The Windy Acres Challenge Trophy. Jack Hammond and Sanmorino, owned by Ann Lindwall of Duncan, B.C., was the winner of this year’s reserve championship prize.

The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions competed next, and there was a tie for the Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter Award. Erin Stewart was the winner of this year’s Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Championship with Confidential, while Teri Kessler and Pavarotti took home the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship. The pair had an equal number of points for their performances and tied for the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship.

Stewart, of Ocala, FL, and Confidential were the winners of the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Championship after earning the top ribbon in the under saddle and today’s first over fences class. She was also awarded the Leading Amateur-Owner Rider Award for her excellent performance. The reserve championship prize was presented to Jessica Van Brocklin, of Alexandria, VA, and Second Hand News.

Kessler, of Armonk, NY, had the win during the stake class and under saddle with Pavarotti to score the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship, as well the co-Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship. Brad Wolf, of Memphis, TN, and Andiamo also performed well and earned the reserve championship honors.

Last week Kessler and Pavarotti won the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and she could not be more thrilled with her horse’s performance. “I’m walking on air,” she smiled. “I’m really excited, and I think the world of my horse, but right now I’m a little bit in awe of him.”

For the second time this week the Grand Champion cooler was awarded to Confidential at the Washington International Horse Show. Hasbrouck Donovan and Confidential were the winners of this year’s Grand Champion Junior Hunter prize, after winning three first place ribbons and claiming the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter Championship. This was Confidential’s second Grand Championship win this week, after earning the co-Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship title with Erin Stewart in the irons.

The Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division was the first to conclude Thursday. Donovan and Confidential won Wednesday’s first over fences class, as well as Thursday’s stakes class with The Joan Robinson Hill Memorial Trophy and the under saddle class with The Rhea Gardere Robinson Memorial Perpetual Trophy. The pair was awarded the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter Championship, and Confidential was named Grand Champion Junior Hunter, winning The Ides of March Perpetual Trophy. The Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter reserve championship honors were awarded to Genuine, owned by the Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY, with Lillie Keenan in the irons.

Don Stewart of Ocala, FL, Confidential’s owner, has been watching the eight-year-old gelding by Baloubet du Rouet very closely for the last two years. Stewart chose Donovan as a rider for Confidential because her style is very similar to his daughter Erin’s, who rides Confidential in the Amateur-Owner Hunters.

The Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division was next, and the championship tricolor was presented to Samantha Schaefer and Bishonen, owned by Marianna Bishop Wade of Louisa, VA. The pair was the winner of the stakes class and under saddle class. Donovan took home the reserve championship prize for her ride aboard her second mount, Quality Time, also owned by Stewart.

The Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Championship was awarded to Lyle, owned by Stephanie Keen of Ocala, FL, for the second year in row, this time with Abby O’Mara holding the reins. O’Mara and Lyle had blue ribbon rounds during the handy class and the day’s stakes class to earn the top award. The reserve championship ribbon was presented to Kelsey Thatcher, of Bluffdale, UT and Mirasol, who won Wednesday’s first over fences class.

Lyle was recently named Grand Champion Junior Hunter at the Pennsylvania National Horse, and O’Mara was excited to continue the winning streak. Don Stewart found Lyle when he was six years old and he is thrilled to be part of such a legacy.

O’Mara will continue showing Lyle next year during her final junior year. She is excited to compete at Indoors again, and admits she will be less nervous because she’s already been successful once.

The final division to compete was the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters. The championship prize was presented to Jennifer Waxman, who was aboard Vida Blue, owned by Laura King of Irvington, NY. The pair received The Chance Step Perpetual Trophy for their excellent performance. Jacqueline Lubrano and Charade, owned by Mahala Rummell of Jacksonville, FL, were the winners of this year’s reserve championship honors.

On Saturday, the best horses and riders from the hunter divisions competed for the top prize in the $15,000 WIHS Hunter Classic Derby at the Washington International Horse Show. After two rounds of competition it was Scott Stewart, of Ocala, FL, and Way Cool that led the victory gallop after they earned a total score of 170.9. Earlier in the day the Washington Pony Equitation Classic Finals were held, with Madeyln Keck and Tango receiving the top call and earning the blue ribbon.

The champions from each of the hunter divisions were invited to compete in Saturday’s $15,000 WIHS Hunter Classic Derby. The six horse and rider combinations that received the highest scores during the first round were invited to compete during the second round over a handy course.

Following the first round, Stewart was in the lead with his second mount, Declaration, owned by Fashion Farm of New York, NY, after the pair received a score of 91.3. Stewart and Declaration had a difficult time at the trot jump during the handy round to receive a score of 78.3, for a two round total of 169.3 and drop into the second place position. Samantha Schaefer originally held the second place position after the first round, but she had a costly rub at the trot jump with Bishonen, owned by Marianna Bishop Wade of Louisa, VA, and her original score of 88.3 combined with her second round score of 70.6 created a total of 158.9 and dropped her into fifth place.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms of Buffalo, NY, had a very strong handy round. They returned to the second round in the fourth place position with a score of 84.3. Alfano and Jersey Boy easily made the inside turns during the handy round and earned a score of 82.3, for a total of 166.6, which held up for the third place honors.

After the first round Stewart and Way Cool were ranked third in the order, having received a score of 86.3. Stewart knew he would have a second chance with Declaration as the first ranked horse, so we went all out with Way Cool. The pair took all the harder options and the gamble paid off. Stewart and Way Cool earned a second round score of 84.6 for a two round total of 170.9, garnering Stewart the victory for the second year in a row.

The Washington Pony Equitation Classic Finals were also held earlier in the day, with the 25 junior pony riders from the year invited to compete. Riders began by completing an equitation course, and the 12 riders that received the highest scores returned for an under saddle portion.

This year’s top finisher was Madelyn Keck, who was aboard Tango, owned by Porter Allen of Boerne, TX. The pair returned for the under saddle with the highest score of the day, an 87. Keck and Tango were presented with The Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy for their excellent effort today. Allison Toffolon, of Bronxville, NY, earned the second place prize with Neverland after earning a score of 84. Meredith Darst and Tuscany, owned by the West End Stables of Los Angeles, CA, took home the third place honors with a score of 83.

Sunday marked the conclusion of the Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center, as the Pony Hunter divisions wrapped up their second day of competition. Meredith Darst had a banner day, claiming two of the championship tricolors, and going on to win the Grand Champion Pony Hunter trophy with Elation. She was also presented with the award for Best Child Rider on a Pony, sponsored by the Arute Family, for her excellent performance.

Darst and Elation, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, began the day dominating Small Pony Hunter division. The pair earned three first place ribbons and a second place ribbon to garner The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy and the championship title. Aleece Jarman of Pace, FL, followed with the reserve championship prize for her ride aboard Rico Suave. Darst and Elation were later awarded The Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, after they were named Grand Champion Pony Hunter.

Later in the day, Darst continued her winning streak with Tuscany, owned by the West End Stables of Los Angeles, CA, in the Medium Pony Hunter division, sponsored by Bob Foosaner and Kris Gali. The duo took home The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy and the championship prize for their outstanding performance. The reserve championship honors went to Victoria Colvin and Promise Too, owned by Scott Stewart of Ocala, FL.

The Large Pony Hunters competed next, and it was Victoria Colvin with All The Best, also owned by Stewart, took home the championship title. The pair won two blue ribbons to claim The Pegasus Stables Perpetual Trophy. Sydney Shulman and Center Field, owned by Grand Central Inc of North Salem, NY, won the under saddle class to earn the reserve championship award.

The final event of the day was the WIHS Local Hunter Finals. The WIHS Local Hunter Finals Competition for Ponies, sponsored by The Wilder Family, was held first, with the top prize going to Alexis Sicher and Seastar, owned by Harriet Notzen. The pair also took home The Liseter Clever Star Perpetual Trophy and the Local Pony Hunter Champion tricolor. The reserve championship prize went to Kirklen Petersen and Severn Foxtrot. Next was the WIHS Local Hunter Finals Competition for Horses, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Keshishian. This year’s winner was Angee Quattro-Kerns riding Gran Turismo, owned by Blaire Kinglsey & Glenn Ridge Farm. The pair was also named the Local Hunter Grand Champion, and received The Black, Starr & Frost Perpetual Trophy. The reserve championship honors went to Kirklen Petersen and Severn Foxtrot.

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