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Ellen Toon Wins Two in a Row, Pilots Mirror Image to Top in Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35

by Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. | Mar 13, 2015, 12:56 PM

Ellen Toon and Mirror Image (Sportfot)
Ellen Toon and Mirror Image (Sportfot)
Wellington, Fla.
- Earlier this week, Ellen Toon admitted that she was feeling a little rusty in the tack, but it didn't show as she won her second division championship during Week 10. After clinching the Adult Amateur 50 and Over Section A yesterday, Toon and James Toon's Mirror Image took the top tricolor in the Hunt LTD. Amateur-Owner Over 35 Division today.

Still in her first year with the Toons at JT Farm in South Salem, New York, Mirror Image - an eight-year-old Oldenburg mare - was imported at the end of the winter season in 2014 before competing in the 3'3" Pre-Green and Amateur divisions. Toon first had a leg over Mirror Image in June and last at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show before WEF, but maintains that she just gets better and better.

"This is only my third or fourth time showing her in the Amateurs and she gets better each week - this was her best so far," said Toon. With wins in both the handy and stake after a pair of 86s, Toon was also first and third in the two remaining over fences classes and third under saddle.

"There's nothing complicated about riding her - she has the right amount of stride, the right jump, doesn't spook, and I never worry about leads," said Toon. "If I go in, keep her straight, and in the middle of the fences, she's going to take any distance and make the jump work. I really couldn't have asked more of her today. There are always parts that can be improved and I was maybe a little over the pace in places, but overall I felt terrific and she handled everything perfectly."

While still a new addition to Toon's string, Mirror Image was a sure thing from the start. She found the then seven-year-old mare in Europe and immediately noticed a resemblance to her decorated hunter mount Invincible. Matching in looks with three white legs, she caught Toon's eye and sealed the deal with similar scope, presence and straight-forward way of going. "She reminded me so much of him, that's why we named her Mirror Image," added Toon.

With plans to qualify for The Devon Horse Show, Toon has a ringer of a team helping her get here. Amanda Steege rides in the professional divisions for Toon, but while Steege competes in Ocala over the winter, Havens Schatt and Liza Towell Boyd have been trading off trips. Mirror Image was also Champion in the First Year Green Hunters this week with Schatt aboard.

"I am so lucky to have Jimmy on the ground and three of the best riders on earth riding this horse," said Toon. "Who could ask for more?"

Taking Reserve Champion honors behind Toon was Kelley Corrigan and her own 12-year-old Holsteiner stallion Macallan. They took second place in the under saddle, second in the stake and first over fences with a high score of 88.