Today was another beautiful, sunny day for riders at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. This morning the professional hunter divisions wrapped up in the Main Indoor and awarded championship honors. Jennifer Alfano, Tamara Provost, and Erynn Ballard secure championship honors with impressive performances.

Jennifer Alfano took home the championship award in the Second Year Green Hunter Division aboard Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy. Alfano and Miss Lucy earned first and second place in their over fences classes and won the under saddle class yesterday. Today the pair earned two blue ribbons and accumulated an impressive 46 points to secure the championship honors.

“Miss Lucy was great, I was really thrilled with her. Yesterday, she was a little fresh, but still jumped great. She was definitely a little up, but today she was really relaxed and she felt great,” noted Alfano. “I thought the courses were nice. I thought the handy rode really nicely and I liked the courses. This is the first time I have shown here and I love it. I love this ring it is really fun and nice to ride in and the footing is good.”

The reserve championship honors in the Second Year Green Hunter Division were presented to Erynn Ballard and Choc Mousse owned by Claire Thomas. Ballard and Choco Mousse earned a blue, three reds, and a yellow ribbon to accumulate 32 points and secure the reserve championship tricolor.

Jennifer Alfano was awarded her second championship prize in the High Performance Hunter Division with SBS Farm’s Jersey Boy. Trained by Susie Schoellkopf, Jersey Boy earned three blue ribbons and two red ribbons in this week’s division with Alfano in the irons. Alfano is looking forward to competing with both of her mounts in Saturday night’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by the Carole and Jim Looke Family Fund. Jersey Boy and Alfano have led the USHJA International Hunter Derby Program for the past two years. Alfano will compete against some tough competition this weekend to try and hold that spot. [RW1]

“Jersey Boy has been amazing this week. He was awesome today, he felt so good. He is just such a special horse. Anytime the Derby is $50,000 it is such a great thing for our sport to have big classes like that. I like to support that kind of stuff. I’m glad I’m here, we have had a great time,” commented Alfano.

The reserve championship tricolor was awarded to Jordan Siegel and CR Carolato II owned by Buddrus Equine LLC. Siegel and CR Carolato II earned a first, second, and two fourth place ribbons for their efforts.

The First Year Green Hunter Division Championship prize went to Tammy Provost and Adonis owned by Wendy Hofmeister. Provost and Adonis earned two first place ribbons and two fourth place ribbons and finished out the division with 24 points.

“Adonis is six years old and we imported him in September. He is really brave and fun to ride. He is really great, loves his job, and loves to jump.” said Provost. “I think this place is amazing and the courses are amazing the jumps are beautiful and the ring is so nice to ride in. This is our first year here and I couldn’t say enough good things about it. So far this is my favorite place to come that I have been to.”

Tracy Fenney and Exposure owned by Alexandra Zell took home the reserve championship honors in the First Year Green Hunter Division. Fenney and Exposure earned three red ribbons, and a yellow for their efforts throughout the division.

Green Conformation Hunters awarded the championship tricolor to Erynn Ballard and Timber Ridge. The pair earned blue ribbons in all but one class, in which they earned a third place ribbon. The reserve championship prize was awarded to Will Roberts and Manhattan. Roberts and Manhattan received a blue, two reds, and two yellow ribbons for their efforts throughout the division.

After another successful day at the Spring Gathering Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, riders and spectator alike are looking forward to another fun day of showing tomorrow and a very exciting weekend. Some of the upcoming highlights include Saturday night’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jim and Carole Looke, and Sunday’s $25,000 Seashore Acres Grand Prix.

Miss Lucy

Photo Credit: Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy at Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show Photo By: Heather Bellock/PMG. Photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.