Jordan Marmul and Borencio won both Junior Hunter over fences classes in Section B (Chicago Equestrian)

Wayne, Ill. - Junior hunters took to the Wisconsin Equine Hunter Ring at the Showplace Fall Classic Championship held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. The show is the host of the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association's (IHJA) medal final competition and the Midwest Marshall and Sterling Championships. Some junior riders were warming up for the big weekend despite the cold temperatures and fresh horses.

The junior hunters were combined then California split leaving Nicole Loochtan and Dream On at the top of section A. Loochtan of Hawthorn Woods, IL, has had a great year with her hunter and has had a chance to compete in a few hunter derbies as well. Loochtan placed third in the USHJA National Hunter Derby at Equifest II and 12th last weekend in the prestigious Chicago Hunter Derby's National Hunter Derby. She also has two jumpers she shows and trains with Lance Williamson Stables out of Gurnee, IL.

"The horses were really fresh from the cold yesterday but they were much better today," smiled Loochtan. "My horse was really good today but then, he's always good!"

Loochtan says riding the hunters and jumpers complements one another. She rides her jumpers smoother because of the hunter rides, and rides her hunter forward more because of the jumpers. Their program at home includes a lot of combinations to keep her hunter jumping in good form.

"I'm really confident with him now," said Loochtan about the 10-year-old Hanoverian. "I've had him almost a year and a half and know him pretty well."

Jordan Marmul of Empire, MI, has the opposite situation, her horse is new and today was only the second time she has shown him. Marmul, 16, won both classes in Section B on Borencio, owned by Orchard Lake Farms. Marmul rides with Melissa Hirt in Maple City, MI.

"He's perfect, " said Marmul. "He has a great personality, he's quirky, but he's really fun to ride."

Marmul will be competing in the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals and the IHJA Junior Medal Finals with her new horse this weekend.

Winning the second class in Section A was Kira Telford with her CR Moet. CR Moet was champion in the Performance 3'6" Hunters with trainer Freddie Vazquez. Telford also won the third today in the first Junior Hunter class.

In the Junior 3'3" Hunters, Alex McNally, Wilmette, IL, and her horse, For Adventure took the blue in both over fences classes today and was third in the under saddle. Taking the red ribbon in both classes was Elphaba, owned by Mary Widdes and ridden by Aelin Hill.