Melissa Orlick-Zbierski and Viekie won the $20,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at Showplace Spring Spectacular III, presented by LUXMAX U.S.A (Phelps Media Group)

Wayne, Ill. - The fifth day of the Showplace Spring Spectacular III opened to blue skies and strong jumper competition as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took the limelight in the LUXMAX U.S.A Grand Prix Ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Seventeen horse and rider combinations faced off in the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by LUXMAX U.S.A., but Melissa Orlick-Zbierski galloped away victorious, breaking the beam in 43.380 seconds to capture the win with Viekie.

Alan Wade designed a technical track for the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers today, with only five riders able to master Wade's opening round. Although Laura Linback and Carmina were the first to return for the jump-off, a rail at the sixth obstacle would keep her from the first place finish. Vivian Yowan and Vornado Van Den Hoendrik, owned by Stone Hill Farm, also had four faults, falling victim to the Nutrena vertical meticulously set against the outside wall.

"I thought Alan Wade did a really good job with the first round," eventual winner Orlick-Zbierski said. "I thought it was inviting for both the horse and rider. I think he chose certain jumps to make them a little more technical. Even in the jump-off there were some tricks you had to be aware of. I think the first line, I wasn't as awake as I should have been to get down it in the six, but I thought it set you up well for the rest of the course. He put enough challenging turns in there, and it made you have to think."

Orlick-Zbierski laid down a swift round, focusing on Viekie's quick stride as she went against the clock. They had a hard rub at the wide CWD oxer, but without knowing if it had fallen, Orlick-Zbierski quickened their pace in hopes of being the fastest four-faulter. The rail stayed in its cups, and her time of 43.380 seconds set a new benchmark for the two remaining contenders to try to catch.

"I thought I had the rail down!" Orlick-Zbierski laughed. "I was definitely questioning it, but I have been taught over the years never to turn around and instead just go for the fastest four faults. It was my lucky rub, and it definitely set us up for the rest of the round."

Orlick-Zbierski spoke of her winning mount, "I have had Viekie for almost four years now, and she has a lot of spunk and spirit to her. She does her job well. She needs a confident ride, but she is quite brave herself. Mainly I just try to keep a good position and ride well."

Kelsey Thatcher and Dulf Van Den Bisschop finished just behind Orlick-Zbierski with a clear effort in 43.991 seconds, while Stephanie Novas and Zaza captured the third place in 45.490 seconds as the last of the clear rounds. Linback took the fourth place, while Yowan finished in fifth.

"I love showing here," Orlick-Zbierski concluded. "I have been coming here for almost 20 years, since the ponies. Pat [Boyle] and Showplace Productions always do a nice job. It is nice coming back again after so many years."

$7,500 NAL Children's Jumper Classic

Twenty-two child and horse combinations lined the LUXMAX U.S.A. for their shot at the top of the earnings in the $7,500 NAL Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Always Faithful Stables. Today Kenya Greenburg would ride away victorious with Orion's Isis, as the fastest of only three double clear efforts. She laid down a clean track as the first to return in the jump-off in a mere 33.078 seconds.

"She is 15 years old, and is super fast," Greenburg said. "I really liked the courses over the past three weeks, but I especially liked how they built it higher today-she jumps better like that. Over the smaller ones she jumps a little flat. The courses have been good to us."

Greenburg dreams of continuing her passion for show jumping through her training with the Cheskas, hopefully riding to the grand prix level and one day on the United States Olympic Show Jumping Team. For now, she has been working on tidiness at home, practicing in-and-out obstacles and rollbacks for efficiency in the jump-off.

"This is my first year coming to this show, but I love it here," Greenburg exclaimed. "Our coaches, the Cheskas brought us, and we can't wait to come back. I have been riding her [Orion's Isis] for four years, and riding with the Cheskas for one year. Orion's Isis is super sweet and is very careful with the jumps, it doesn't hurt that she is fast. I know that I can always count on her."

Nicole Noland and Churbusco LS, owned by Barbara Disko, tried to duplicate Greenburg's effort on the short course, but their time of 35.399 seconds would prove good enough for the second place today. Hailey Livingston and NTEC Goldrush captured the third place as the last of the double clears in the six-horse jump-off.

$7,500 NAL Adult Jumper Classic

Six riders were able to master the $7,500 NAL Adult Jumper Classic track, but Kristin Smith and the 18-year-old Ophelia, owned by Jill Donaldson, took the victory in 33.465 seconds. Smith also captured the division's championship tricolor, dominating the last two weeks of the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series with her capable mount.

"She is exhausted!" Smith laughed. "She has been great, but she has been here for two weeks and has jumped her heart out. The courses this week are more challenging, and higher. We were only here for Week Two and Three, but she was really good. She loves jumping."

Smith continued, "We call her 'Hunter Nina' in the schooling ring because you can put your rein on the buckle and just school her around, but when she gets into the show ring she turns into a jumper."

Indiana-native Smith began riding with Tammy Provost when she was 13 years old, but after taking a 15-year hiatus to have three children and work full time, Smith is thrilled to be back in the saddle.

"This ring is probably my favorite ring to show in since I have been back. It is easy to jump in, it flows well and has such open space. I love it here, and I will definitely be back. To come back out here and do so well after only being back for a year means so much to me."

Smith has been leasing Nina for six months from Donaldson, who was ringside to see Smith capture yet another victory with her beloved mare. Donaldson said, "We love Nina, she has done everything from the High Junior Jumpers to the hunter classes. She is very careful and very smart; we just love her. Kristin had not ridden in over a decade and she needed a horse that liked to jump and was a trooper, she is happy to do whatever your agenda is, it's her agenda too. It is exciting to watch a horse that I have an emotional connection with do really well, even if it is someone else in the tack."

Holly Yeterian and Zanziboy, owned by Matt Yeterian, followed close behind, earning the second place with their double clear in 34.289 seconds. Sian Walker was the fastest of the four-faulters with Victorie R, owned by Janet Walker, stopping the clock in 31.182 seconds.

$2,500 Low Children's/Adult Jumper Classic

It was Peyton Purcell and Hallowberry Knight that took the win during the $2,500 Low Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by C & E Horse Transportation. Stephanie Mengarelli and Lonestar rode to the second place, while Katelyn Smith and Carmel finished third.

$2,500 Modified Children's Jumper Classic

Robin Newquist rode her own Bon Voyage to the first place finish during the $2,500 Modified Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Freedom Woods. She beat out a field of 17 riders to take the win on the fifth day of the Spring Spectacular III. Sarah Kennedy finished in second with Ashleen Lee's Red Pepper, and Brooke with Sarah Ruff in the irons earned the third.

$2,500 Modified Adult Jumper Classic

Rounding out the wins for the day was Ali Cibon and Rodrigo's E Major in the $2,500 Modified Adult Jumper Classic. Margaret Mac Harg and Allegro finished in the second place position, while Meigan Pollack and Winstone took the third place.