Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 2, 2022 – Hunter riders got underway early Wednesday morning, during week two of competition at the 2022 National Horse Show (NHS). After an exciting morning of professional hunter competition, amateur riders took to the Alltech Arena to showcase their style and partnerships. Concluding the Amateur-Owner competition, Concerto and Caroline Ingalls were named Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Champions while Seaside and Samantha Sommers earned the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Championship.
Course designer Bobby Murphy (USA) was back again with his stylish and traditional hunter tracks that mimicked those from the traditional hunt. Wide and colorfully designed fences allowed riders to pilot their mounts to the base of the 3’3” and 3’6” obstacles in order to showcase their athleticism and jumping style throughout the course.
First to be awarded the grand tri-color in the Amateur-Owner hunter divisions was Concerto and Ingalls at the 3’6” height. Ingalls rode her 11-year-old Westphalian gelding to two second places Tuesday in the first round and under saddle. The duo came back today to put in two winning rounds with scores of 90 points in the handy, and 89 points in the stake to not only secure the blue ribbons in the classes, but the championship of the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6” Under 35 as well. “He [Concerto] really steps up out there,” remarks Ingalls of her longtime partner. “He is almost a totally different ride indoors than he is in a show back home [in California]. He loves the environment here!”
At the end of two impressive days, Ingalls was able to accumulate enough points to top both the under 35 and 36 and over age group sections to earn the Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Championship title and The ‘Ruxton & Scot To Do’ ‘ Challenge Trophy for the third time. “I was a little nervous coming into today” laughs Ingalls. “I just wanted to put in a really good ride. [Concerto and I] have been champion here in 2019 and 2021, so doing it three times was a really big deal. I didn’t know if I could make it happen.”
Immediately following Concerto and Ingalls’ walk down victory lane, Amateur Owners in the 3’3” division contested for the coveted grand championship and rounded out the divisions with the handy and stake rounds. Seaside and Sommers walked away victorious with the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3” Grand Championship title and the “Susanne Stroh” Perpetual Trophy.
Despite her busy work schedule where she does creative marketing for Netflix, Sommers sat atop her 16-year-old Warmblood gelding to prepare for the evening’s classes after work. “Honestly, I wasn’t feeling great coming into tonight’s classes in the sense that my nerves can get to me once in a while” admits Sommers with a laugh. “But I do have a great team behind me and that helps me keep my nerves under control. I knew I had to be consistent in my rounds especially because I was neck-and-neck with Stephanie [Danhakl] and Vanessa [Mazzoli] so it felt really good to put in two solid rounds.” Sommers’ two consistent rounds with scores of 89 points and 86 points respectively, earned her second place in both the stake and the handy rounds to rack up enough points and clinch the championship at the end of the day.
Hunter competition will continue Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 a.m. with the start of the Junior Hunter divisions beginning with the Small Junior Hunter Over Fences 15 & Under. The Alltech Arena will also play host to its first jumper events of the 2022 National Horse Show with the $37,000 International Speed at 3:45 p.m.
RESULTS
Place / horse / rider / owner / score
Suzanne Thoben Marquard Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Handy
1. Idolize / Jaime Auletto / Jamie Auletto / 88.00
2. Orlon / Margot Peroni / Margot Peroni / 86.00
3. Clever / Gerald Camera / Gerald Camera / 83.00
4. Hyacinth / Clementina Brown / Clementina Brown / 82.00
5. Fandiamo / Louis Delsignore / Louis Delsignore / 81.00
6. Onboard / Gerald Camera / Gerald Camera / 79.00
Suzanne Thoben Marquard Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Stake
1. Verdict / Jean Sheptoff / Jean Sheptoff / 88.00
2. Given / Sheila Motley / Sheila Motley / 86.00
3. Idolize / Jaime Auletto / Jamie Auletto / 85.00
4. Willing / Sheila Motley / Sheila Motley / 84.75
5. Set To Music / Laura Sexton / Laura Sexton / 84.5
6. Hyacinth / Clementina Brown / Clementina Brown / 84.00
Hunt LTD Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 Handy
1. Concerto / Caroline Ingalls / Caroline Ingalls / 90.00
2. On Ice / Melissa Jacobs / Melissa Jacobs LLC / 88.00
3. Silver Lining / Callie Seaman / Callie Seaman / 86.00
4. Tycoon / Kelli Gibson / Kelli Gibson / 85.00
5. Champs Elyees / Callie Seaman / Hallowell Lane Farm LLC / 84.50
6. Wisdom / Isabelle Greenbaum / Isabelle Greenbaum / 84.00
Hunt LTD Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 Stake
1. Concerto / Caroline Ingalls / Caroline Ingalls / 89.00
2. Champs Elyees / Callie Seaman / Hallowell Lane Farm LLC / 87.00
3. Silver Lining / Callie Seaman / Callie Seaman / 86.00
4. Madewell / Madison Arani / Madison Arani / 85.00
5. Tycoon / Kelli Gibson / Kelli Gibson / 84.00
6. Walk Off / Gigi Manigault / Gigi Manigault / 83.50
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 Handy
1. Central Park / Mary Eufemia / Mary Eufemia / 85.00
2. Monarch / Clementina Brown / Clementina Brown / 84.00
3. Silent Partner / Marcy Tremblay / Marcy Tremblay / 82.00
4. Kismet / Kristin Silon / Firsthand Equine, LLC / 80.00
5. Creative / Melissa Marshall / M2 Equestrian / 79.00
6. High Tide / Kit McClorey / Indian Rock Farms, LLC / 76.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 Stake
1. High Tide / Kit McClorey /Indian Rock Farms, LLC / 89.00
2. Private I / Kelly Sims / Kelly Sims / 88.00
3. Central Park / Mary Eufemia / Mary Eufemia / 87.00
4. Roland Park / Dudley Macfarlane / Mount Fair Equine, LLC / 86.00
5. Biarritz / Laura Van Rooyen / Laura Van Rooyen / 85.00
6. Creative / Melissa Marshall / M2 Equestrian / 84.00
The Rencourt Foundation Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 Handy
1. Oh Brother / Vanessa Mazzoli / Vanessa Mazzoli / 88.00
2. Seaside / Samantha Sommers / Huckleberry Farm / 86.00
3. Folklore / Amberlea Tribble / Amberlea Tribble / 78.00
4. Little Boy Balou / Annie Walsh / Annie Walsh / 77.00
5. Bella Noche / Lily Rupinski / River Run Farm LLC / 76.00
6. Griffin / Carly Herrin / Two Jacks Farm LLC / 75.00
The Rencourt Foundation Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 Stake
1. Quest / Stephanie Danhakl / Stephanie Danhakl / 89.00
2. Seaside / Samantha Sommers / Huckleberry Farm / 88.00
3. Churchill / Jamee Crawford / Legado Farms, LLC / 87.00
4. Coldplay / Jamee Crawford / Legado Farms, LLC / 86.00
5. Oh Brother / Vanessa Mazzoli / Vanessa Mazzoli / 85.00
6. Folklore / Amberlea Tribble / Amberlea Tribble / 84.00
Summerhouse Amateur Sportsmanship Award Winner – Jessica Lohman
After two days of adult amateur hunter competition, the Summerhouse Amateur Sportsmanship Award was presented to Jessica Lohman of Poolesville, Maryland, for demonstrating a high degree of excellence and integrity by supporting her fellow competitors throughout the show.
“The Summerhouse Amateur Sportsmanship Award was generously donated by Abigail (Abby) Friedman Stellar – she started this award several years ago,” commented National Horse Show Vice President, Cindy Pérez. “Each year, the winner of the award is decided upon by the individuals who run the gates, the back ring stewards, and show officials, based on who they think exemplifies the spirit and inclusiveness of the national horse show.”
Lohman was all smiles as she entered the Alltech to accept the award, beaming from ear to ear. Her positivity was practically tangible, as fans and exhibitors across the audience stood and smiled in tandem to applaud her altruistic efforts and positive attitude.
“I always try to be a good sport,” Lohman said, flashing a friendly smile. “I’m very fortunate to play a lot of roles in the horse industry.” Lohman and her husband, Alan, are the owners and operators of Lohman Stables – a full care hunter / jumper show barn located in Poolesville, MD. Both lifelong equestrians, Lohman and her husband have played just about every role there is to play in the industry.
“Be it owner, trainer, exhibitor, braider, judge, wife to a trainer…I’ve seen a lot of parts of the horse industry. So I think it’s just important to be positive when things are good, and when things are bad. To get this award does mean a lot – when I heard who voted, it almost brought me to tears. That was very touching.”
As she exited the arena, multiple riders and professional peers ran over to celebrate with a hug, justifying that she was more than well-deserving of this honorable award.
“I don’t have to tell anyone who rides this, but horse showing and riding in general… I’m not sure there’s a mentally more taxing hobby. It takes a lot of bad trips around the ring to help get you to a show like this. To be a supportive friend — even if I don’t know someone — if they have a rough go of it, I try to say some encouraging words. And then if I see them have success later in the day, I’m going to be the first one to drop my reins, clap and woop for them. We put so much time, money, and mental and physical energy into horse showing that we all need to lift each other up. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘A rising tide lifts all ships.’ You know, there’s enough negativity out there – I really believe we need as much positivity and genuine kindness as we can get.”