Julie Welles of West Simsbury, CT, won the SHALANNO Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy at the 31st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. The SHALANNO Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy is presented to the junior jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation as modeled by Olympic medalists Joe Fargis, Conrad Homfeld and George Morris. The award recipient must have the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman.

Welles, 18, was selected by the jumper judges at the Hampton Classic as well as by horse show personnel (jumper ring in-gate, steward and announcer) who were in a position to observe the necessary sportsmanship qualities of the horse show’s junior jumper riders and who have the knowledge of equitation riding necessary to make this judgment.

“The Hampton Classic is proud to continue this award and can think of no better choice than Julie Welles,” said Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth. “At her young age, she has earned the respect of all who know her, and we think it’s great that her name go on this trophy.”

At the Hampton Classic, Welles placed fifth in the $10,000 Wolffer Estate Equitation Championship, which encourages younger riders to compete on jumpers by today’s international standards. The competition is held over two rounds, two different courses and on two separate days.

Welles, who trains with Missy Clark of North Run, won a Team Gold medal at this year’s CN North American Young Riders’ Championships and had a major victory when she won the $10,000 Pepsi Bottling Company High Junior Jumper Classic at the Lake Placid Horse Show which then catapulted her to the top of the pack in the junior division of the East Conference in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

In 2005, Welles earned two major wins during the show season. First, she was named the co-equitation champion at Devon with Carolyn Kelly. A few months later, she won the Kathy Scholl Equitation Championship at Lake Placid. Welles also has experience winning at major finals, with her reserve championships at the ASPCA Maclay and the WIHS Equitation Classic in 2004.

The Hampton Classic's sole beneficiary is Southampton Hospital.

Full results and further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show are available at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.


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