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121st National Horse Show Hunter Championship to Berkley. Kelly leads Victor Hugo-Vidal Equitation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Good Point with rider, Ken Berkley. Photo By Flashpoint Photography
National Horse Show Open Hunter Championship Goes To Ken Berkley And Good Point
Carolyn Kelly Leads After Two Rounds of the Victor Hugo-Vidal Equitation Championship
Wellington, Fl, December 4 – Ken Berkley and Good Point outlasted a field of ten top show hunters to win the National Horse Show Open Hunter Championship on Saturday at the 121st National Horse Show in Wellington, Florida.
This was scheduled as a battle of the top twelve horses from the five rated divisions but because of the overlap of professional and junior and amateur classes, two of the top twelve elected not to compete today. They will compete instead in the National Horse Show Junior-A/O Championship on Sunday.
In Disguise scheduled to compete with Shachine Belle, will instead go with Amateur Owner, Ellen Toon. Cool Blue, originally a ride of Ken Berkley, will be shown by junior rider, Carolyn Kelly, in the Sunday Championship.
Today’s two rounds of the National Horse Show Open Hunter Championship finished out the demanding five round championship.
A panel of five judges scored the entries and the two rounds were added together to determine the winner.
The five First Year Green Working Hunters jumping at 3’6” got the late afternoon competition underway with top qualifier, Holly Shepherd and Tobasco emerging as the front runner after the first five had gone. They posted a score of 85 to lead the way.
Close behind Shepherd was Ken Smith with Noir at 84 and Rob Bielefeld aboard CC Bloom posting an 83.33. Ken Berkley and Marvel scored 74.66 and then Berkley again, this time with Truly, scoring an 81 to finish up the First Year section.
Three horses qualified as Second Year Green Working Hunters. Attache with Shachine Belle clocked in with an average of 78. Tammy Provost riding King De Coquere scored 71 and then Ken Berkley and Good Point dazzled the crowd with a score of 89.33. That score would top all the competitors in the first round.
The Regular Working Hunters, wrapping up the first round, were led by Joie Gatlin with Mandarin scoring a 78 and Ken Smith with Westcliffe registering a 75.66.
The two Regular Working Hunters turned right around and were first to return to start out the final round. The demand of five rounds of grueling competition became apparent as both Mandarin and Gatlin and Smith with Westcliffe faded to scores of 45 and 40, respectively.
The Second Year horses returned next and the attrition continued as Attache and Shachine Belle succumbed to the long day with a score of 40.
Tammy Provost with King De Coquere bucked the trend and improved on her first round score by posting an 80.33 for a two round total of 151.30.
First round leader, Ken Berkley and Good Point dropped to an 82 in round two but took over the top spot on the leader board with a total score of 171.33.
From the First Year section, Ken Berkley with Truly listed an 80.66 over the second course and totaled 161.66 for two rounds. Then, Noir and Ken Smith came up with an 82.16 to move into second place with a total of 166.16. Rob Bielefeld with CC Bloom scored an 82 for a 165.33, overall.
Berkley’s score of 82 gave him a two round total of 171.33 and left the door open for Holly Shepherd and Tobasco, who had been lighting up the scoreboard all week with scores in the high 80s and low 90s. Coming back with a score of 85 from round one, the duo would need a score of 86.4 to win.
When the five judges had posted their scores, Shepherd fell just short of the mark scoring an 85.16 and a two round scoring total of 170.16 to finish up with the red ribbon for second.
A exhausted Ken Berkley was pleased with Good Point’s effort today. “That’s a lot of jumping,” Berkley said. “He went well today considering all the jumps he’s jumped. His first round was brilliant. He really came up with it in round one. He’s really getting tired, though,” said Berkley. Good Point competes with owner Glen Senk in the Amateur Owner hunter section, as well. “He’s been fabulous for both of us,” Berkley stated. “I couldn’t ask for a nicer horse. He’s a pleasure for me to ride and he’s wonderful for his owner too,” said Berkley.
The National Horse Show Open Hunter Championship Results
1 – Good Point, Fashion Farm, Ken Berkley – 89.33 - 82 = 171.33
2 – Tobasco, Ann Marie Walker, Holly Shepherd – 85 – 85.16 = 170.16
3 – Noir, Mrs. Quentin Alexander, Ken Smith – 84 – 82 = 166.16
4 – CC Bloom, Samantha Hallman, Rob Bielefeld – 83.33 – 82 = 165.33
5 – Truly, Molly Ohrstrom, Ken Berkley – 81 – 81.66 = 161.66
6 – Marvel, Mimi Tashjian, Ken Berkley – 74.66 – 79.33 = 153.90
7 – King De Coquerie, Deborah Ball, Tammy Provost – 71 – 80.33 = 151.30
8 – Mandarin, Jane Fraze, Joie Gatlin – 78 – 45 = 123.00
The Victor Hugo-Vidal National Horse Show Equitation Championship
This three round test of horsemanship kicked off today with the first two rounds of the competition. The Flat Phase and Hunter Phase went today and the final Jumping Phase goes on Sunday.
In the Flat Phase, Carolyn Kelly scored a 95 to win. Phase One featured tests at the walk, trot and canter and then collected and extended versions of the trot and canter.
Megan Young, winner of the ASPCA and USEF National Medal Finals grabbed the second place with a score of 90. Third went to Haylie Jayne who posted a score of 87. Following in fourth was Maggie Macalary at 86.
Rounding out the first phase placings were Nikko Ritter (79), Cortie Wetherill (75), Virginia McNeil (65) and Megan Edrick (62).
The riders then returned for the Hunter Phase, Phase Two of the Championship.
Carolyn Kelly was once again the cream of the crop, scoring an 89.66 over the jumps.
Haylie Jayne moved up for second place at 87.83.
The balance of the hunter phase ribbon winners were Nikko Ritter (85.33), fourth, Megan Young (79) fifth, Maggie Macalary, (76) sixth, and Cortie Wetherill (56.33) seventh.
Carolyn Kelly takes a commanding lead into the third phase on Sunday and credits herr mount for all of her success. “He’s such a great horse,” Kelly said. “He’s soft in the mouth and he responds so well to your leg; he’s almost perfect. For me, it’s easy to get a top score on a horse like Kontiki.” Kelly said that having the flat phase first was her advantage. “Flat work has always been my strongest point. I do a lot of no stirrup lessons so that helps me a lot,” Kelly laughed.
Kelly says that having a prepared horse was a big boost, as well. “He used to be a Grand Prix horse, so he’s been out on this field before in previous years,” said Kelly. “This year we showed him in the junior hunters too, so he was pretty much ready for this class.”
Kelly takes almost a ten point lead into tomorrow’s finals.
Victor Hugo-Vidal National Horse Show Equitation Championship – Two Round Totals
1 – Carolyn Kelly – 95 – 89.66 = 184.66
2 – Haylie Jayne – 87 – 87.85 = 174.83
3 – Megan Young – 90 – 79 = 169
4 – Nikko Ritter – 79 – 85.33 = 164.33
5 - Maggie Macalary – 86 – 76 = 162
6 – Cortie Wetherill – 75 – 56.33 = 131.33
Junior, Amateur Owner and Ladies Side Saddle Hunter Champions
The Junior Hunter fifteen and under divisions wrapped up today, with some familiar names ending up with championship prizes. The younger Small Junior Hunter champion was Cool Blue, with Carolyn Kelly riding. Reserve champion was Tobasco, who continued his winning streak with owner Ann Marie Walker. The 15 and under Large Junior Hunter champion was Clemintine and Nicoletta Von Heidegger, who traveled from California to compete. Haylie Jayne and Quidam rode to the reserve championship. Clemintine and Von Heidegger were also Grand Junior Hunter Champions, beating out tough competition for the top prize.
The 16-17 Large Junior Hunter champion also flew over from California. Owner and rider Stephanie Danhakl said Lifetime “loves the big grass field,” and that he was really fun to gallop on the field. Although they qualified for the National Horse Show Junior-Amateur/Owner Hunter Championship tomorrow, they will not be competing due to Stephanie’s flight back to California in the morning. Acarell and Jane Ehrhart received the reserve championship. Megan Young continued her end of the year winning streak by riding Jo Malone to the Small Junior 16-17 championship for owner Euri Uchiyama. The reserve champion for the week was Kindred Spirit and Alesandra Perna.
In Disguise and Ellen Toon continued their awesome ways by winning the Kilkenny Amateur-Owner 36 and over championship, as well as the Grand Amateur Championship. Toon commented after their win that “it’s hard for him not to be perfect.” This perfection was evident in the show ring today. Reserve champion in the older Amateur-Owner division went to Dee Thomas and Liberty. Thomas was happy to ride in the Internationale Arena, stating, “I think the horses move best out there and jump best out there.”
Another familiar face graced the ring for the championship presentation of the Kilkenny Amateur-Owner 18-35 division. Priceless and Clara Lindner topped a stellar field of competitors, including Lindner’s other horse, Protégé. Lindner agreed with Dee Thomas that it was a treat to ride in the Internationale Arena and explains, “There’s nothing better for the hunters. My favorite thing is to gallop loose around the course, so I think it’s great that they’ve given us the opportunity to use the Internationale Arena.” Kara Flynn and her mount, Stiletto, received the reserve championship.
A long time tradition at the National Horse Show, The Ladies Side Saddle division, wrapped up competition today in the International Arena. The Ladies Hunter Side Saddle division, sponsored by I.V. Technologies, Inc., featured the traditional dress and appointments and the ladies thrilled the crowd with their display of balance and discipline. The division champion was awarded to Southern Etiquette, who was ridden by Jocelyn McDonald for owner Davera Ackenbaum. Tango and Mary Laura Cramer were reserve champions.
The 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival runs through Sunday, December 5. More than 500 of the nation’s top horses are competing in hunters, jumpers, equitation and dressage for more than half a million dollars in total prize money. The upcoming attraction on Sunday, December 5, is the $100,000 Budweiser AGA Championship, CSI*** presented by Chesapeake Petroleum.
For more information about the 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival, write to National Horse Show, PO Box 386, Greenvale, NY 11548. E-mail: NationalHS@aol.com; Phone: (516) 484-1865; Fax: (516) 484-1982. Web: www.nhs.org.
PHOTO CREDIT: Good Point with rider, Ken Berkley. Photo By Flashpoint Photography
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