Jennifer Tate and Florestan led the first day of Pre-Green Hunters at the Fieldstone Summer Showcase (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group)

Halifax, MA - Strikingly set courses greeted hunter riders for the first day of the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I. The professional hunter divisions kicked off the competition in the Main Hunter Ring, where Jennifer Tate rode Florestan to the top of the Pre-Green Hunter division. Competitors were thrilled to return to the Fieldstone Show Park, noting the new improvements to the facility, as they soaked in the sun and brisk summer breeze.

The morning began with the Pre-Green Hunter division in the Main Hunter Ring. Tate showcased the 6-year-old Westphalian gelding Florestan to the first and third place ribbons, setting the stakes high as each consecutive rider attempted to best her rounds. Jennifer Smith of Wellington, FL, and Quincento rode to the blue ribbon during the second round over fences. Jacqueline Roberts guided Olivia K, owned by Trestle Tree Farm of Downington, PA, to the second and third place over fences.

"He needs lots of leg. He is very quiet, and he likes to go very slow, so I have to keep squeezing the whole time," Tate explained. "He also is much more interested in well-decorated bright jumps, versus plain jumps. Our goal has been to get him into Harrisburg for the Pre-Greens."

Tate continued, "He has been coming along so well. The courses today were nice and flowing, and they worked out perfectly for him. I thought that they rode really well out of the turn. Fieldstone always does a nice job. I think it is a beautiful facility. I think the management, the rings and the competition are so well done, it is a pleasure to come here and show."

Rounding out the hunter divisions for the day were the Performance 3'3"-3'6" Hunters. Holly Mitten and Balou, owned by Katherine Steenberg of Westfield, NJ, rode to the first and second place ribbons over fences. Fifi Schmidt and Gotta Dance, owned by Alexis Anderson of New Canaan, CT, rode to the first place during the second over fences. 

It was Rachel Clawson and Montenegro, owned by B&B Ltd, who stayed hot on the pair's heels. Clawson competed over the 3'6" height with the bay gelding, and they captured the judges' attention with their finesse. They were awarded the second and third place ribbons over fences, as well as the second place award in the under saddle.

"He needs a soft, yet strong ride," Clawson explained. "David was giving up the ride last September, and I showed him at the Buffalo International Horse Show, and we clicked. He was champion in the Performance 3'6" Hunter division one weekend at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and I have kept him ever since."

Clawson concluded, "I am hoping to start to do some of the really big derbies with him, I will continue to move him up. I am excited to see how he does in the derbies at Fieldstone. He is has really come a long way, it will be great to see what he can do out on the grass field."