It was an exciting weekend for Hasbrouck Donovan as she and her horse Levity bested 40 of the region's top competitors to capture the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship for Region 3 (the Southeast), held during the final weekend of the 2008 North Florida Hunter Jumper Association's Labor Day Horse Show. This marks the second year the prestigious Region 3 Championship was held at the Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.
"He's awesome! I just love him," said Donovan of her mount Levity, the 10-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding she bought at Capital Challenge in 2007. The 14-year-old rider, who makes her home in Gainesville, FL, and trains with Donald Stewart of Ocala, FL, is quite devoted, or "obsessed" as Stewart noted, to hard work. After a full day of school at St. Francis High School and completing homework, of course, she rides until they kick her out the door. She rides every day except Mondays, "but she'd ride then too if we'd let her," a smiling Stewart said.
Donovan described the 13-fence course, designed by Lewis Pack, Joe Carnicome and assisted by Allen Rheinheimer as "fun! But there were a couple of tough spots—like the bending line from five to six and that Swedish oxer." Several of the horses chipped or had rails off due to miscalculating their approach.
Of the 41 contenders in the first round of the Maclay, 31 were called back by judges Mark Jungherr, Scott Williamson, and Susie Schoellkopf to move into the "flat phase." The under saddle competitors were divided into three sections. Upon completion of the flat phase, the judges decided a work-off was not necessary to make their final selections. Hasbrouck and Levity's movement under saddle assured their top call.
Next up for this duo will be the Capital Challenge Horse Show in October and then on to the Maclay Finals in Syracuse. An exuberant Donovan said, "I'm excited and I'm nervous!" Proud trainer Stewart added, "She'll be just fine," as Hasbrouck blushed and smiled.
At the conclusion of the class, awards were presented by Tony Weight, president of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association and Andrew Lustig, representing the National Horse Show Association. "It's wonderful to be able to hold the regional at this facility," said Weight following the presentation. "The evening was just perfect and it was a great field of competitors."
The 2008 Maclay National Championship for the ASPCA Horsemanship Classes will be held on November 1 at the Syracuse
Invitational Horse Show
Region 3 Top 12 Results
Hasbrouck Donovan and Levity
Molly Braswell and The General
Paige Dekko and Sag Harbor's Lucky Star
Paulena Johnson and Prosecco 24
Chase Boggio and Graphiq
Amber Henter and Triumph
Anders Keitz and L Alta Vida
Lindsey Straffus and Polaris
Lindsey Irvin and Armani
Catherine Billings and Figaro
Taylor Ann Adams and Amon Re
Emily Reynolds and Grimaldi 54