Lexington, Ky. – October 29, 2022 – Junior riders were welcomed back to the Alltech Arena Saturday to finish competition in their respective equitation divisions, presented by Cindi Pérez and Anne Bennett. In the end, five riders etched their name in National Horse Show history as they exited the arena with a tri-color on the bridle.
Bobby Murphy (USA) set a technical track asking riders to demonstrate the equitation skills they developed throughout the year. The course was reflective of the riders’ ability to adjust their horse’s canter starting with an open five-stride line away from the gate, to a quick, collected roll-back turn and related bending line. Murphy’s track was set to prepare the young, promising riders for Sunday’s coveted Hamel Family Foundation 3’3” Equitation Championship.
In the Pérez & Bennett Open Equitation 14 and Under division, Ruby Calger held onto the lead throughout the weekend. Laying down a picturesque equitation round on day two, she secured championship honors. Elizabeth Rinehart topped the final over fences round of the section to move up the leaderboard and earn the reserve championship.
Morgan Mcarthy was crowned champion of section A of the Pérez & Bennett Open Equitation 14-15 division aboard Dimacho, after winning first in the over fences round early Saturday morning. In reserve was Lillian Muzzy and MZ Farms LLC’s Baldeur. In section B, Londyn Samalska secured top honors after riding to a first and second in both over fences classes. Lillian Soroken took reserve champion with DiCaprio 3, after winning first in the over fences phase.
The final age group of the day, the 16-17 Pérez & Bennett Open Equitation section A, ended with Olivia Pileggi and Olivia Roure-Singh in a tie for the champion ribbon. Pileggi piloted Heather Acker’s Keynote to the blue ribbon in the first round of over fences Friday, while Roure-Singh rode Emil Spadone’s Dillem to the win in the second round over fences, ultimately securing their tie in the winner’s circle.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here. It feels like a dream come true,” commented Pileggi. “When I first started riding, all I wanted to do was compete at big shows like these.”
In the B section, Natalie Groulx claimed top honors aboard Lambada, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood Gelding owned by Kate Abajian, after winning the second over fences class and accumulating 12 points for the tri-color. Juliette Earley was named reserve champion of the division with Doris Leventhal’s Swedish Warmblood gelding, Nils On.
Competition will resume Sunday, October 30th at 7:00 AM (EST) in the Alltech Arena with the Hamel Family Foundation 3’3” Equitation Championship.
Results
Open Equitation Under 14 Over Fences
(rider/horse/owner)
1. Elizabeth Rinehart / Chablis 162 / Luke Rinehart
2. Payton Baker / Lightly Frosted / Payton Baker
3. Cecilia Chatterjee / C-L’artiste Z / Riverbrook Sporthorses LLC
4. Baylee Rowan / RL Monte Marano / Pablo Mejia
5. Ruby Calger / Opening Bell / Donald Stewart
6. Emma Mechlin / 21 Questions / Brookside Pine Farms, LLC
Open Equitation 14-15 Over Fences Section A
(rider/horse/owner)
1. Morgan McCarthy / Dimacho / A. Brooke Farr
2. Greenley Achuck / Son House / Greenley Achuck
3. Anna Markcrow / The Diplomat / Daphne Markcrow
4. Rosemary Rail / Reagan 85 / Maria Kneipp
5. Harper Phipps / C’est Blue / Emily Lucibello
6. Cashman / Olivia Galley / Carly Hoft
Open Equitation 14-15 Over Fences Section B
(rider/horse/owner)
1. Lillian Soroken / Dicaprio 3 / Lillian Soroken
2. Londyn Samlaska / Edesa’s Revel / Londyn Samlaska
3. Maxine Boeding / Jalabert / Nicole Adams
4. Anngelina Morton / Jamiro / Joanna Seaver
5. Tara Govindarajan / Parc Monceau / Arvind Govindarajan
6. Paris Levy / Closeau / Oakland Ventures LLC
Open Equitation 16-17 Over Fences Section A
(rider/horse/owner)
1. Olivia Roure-Singh / Dillem / Emil Spadone
2. Malya Hersha / When In Rome / R&R Stables LLC
3. Julia Slade / Love Dreamer 2 / Hubbard Horses LLC
4. Anna Leighton / Karakter C / Anna Leighton
5. Caroline Bambo / Treasure Orange Z / Caroline Bambo
6. Jordyn Scelsa / Any Given Sunday / Donald Stewart
Open Equitation 16-17 Over Fences Section B
(rider/horse/owner)
1. Natalie Groulx / Lambada / Kate Abajian
2. Camilla Murray / Calvorno WP Z / Madeline Papitto
3. Alyssa J. Bauer / Dark Deal / Redfield Farm
4. Isa Jensen / Happy Boy / Isa Jensen
5. Emma Wright / Hustler / Emma Wright
6. Grace Anna D’anza / Capitino / Grace Anne D’anza