Winning the American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Classic Spectacular is important to any hunter rider, but for Louise Serio this time was especially important. Just the day before one of her young clients (Rachel Geiger) lost her mom, Jeannie, in an unexpected turn of events and Louise made a decision that she was going to try and win for Jeannie. And so on Saturday, February 19, 2005, in Wellington, FL, with sadness in her heart but determination in her ride, Serio and Costello negotiated two spectacular performances for a total two round score of 178.500, mere fractions ahead of second place finisher Take Away ridden by Havens Schatt. Pleased with her victory but still in shock, Serio felt a sense of accomplishment when Costello was announced as the winner. This was Costello’s first appearance in the tenth annual Hunter Classic, which had been dominated by Strapless for the past four years. Serio, of Kennett Square, PA, only just recently started riding Costello.

President of the AHJF Geoff Teall watched Costello’s round from the announcer’s booth and was equally impressed with Costello’s performance. “There was consistency and brilliance in both rounds. Every jump was a great jump.”

What made Costello’s performance even better was that you could see that Serio wasn’t holding back. Serio disclosed that Costello always needs you to put your foot on the gas a little to get him in gear (something that was not apparent from their ride). Costello appeared to have energy to spare despite the fact that, “He is a bit lazy," says Serio. "You have to make sure that you get a little over paced to start with."

Even second place rider Schatt knew it would be a challenge. “Louise’s horse was so accurate and so brilliant.”

When Serio and Costello were on the field claiming their ribbon and prizes, a bunch of friends and supporters dashed out on the field to share the joy of the moment, knowing how special and important this win was to Serio.

Serio competed in a field of 25 of the finest hunter horses and riders in the nation. All had to qualify throughout the weeklong hunter classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival, February 16-19. Costello was the fifth horse to go in the first round and his score of 89 put her second to 34-year-old Schatt, of Ocala, FL, riding Take Away, who scored 89.625. Their closest rival was Rio Renoir, ridden by Holly Orlando, to a score of 86.500 with Ken Smith and High Cotton’s 86.437 next in the order. The remaining four riders included Remedy (85.875) ridden by Danny Robertshaw; Without Question with Rob Bielefeld (85.500); Chopard ridden by Scott Stewart (85.437), Flemington, NJ, and Moulin Rouge (85.250) ridden by Natalie Johnson, Greenwich, CT.

After the scores for the first four riders to return were announced, it was clear that Costello was in a good position as the fifth horse to return. And when his performance over the second course was as good if not better than the first round, attention was focused on the announcer. Their 89.5 second round score and two-round tally of 178.5 put the pressure on the rest of the field and especially on their closest rival. Take Away was last to go in the order and ahead of him was High Cotton and Chopard. When Schatt and Take Away entered the ring, it was clear they were the only pair who could “take away” the victory from Costello. And while their score of 88.625 was close, it was just short a quarter of a point (178.250) and left the lead with Costello. Take Away placed a very close second.

The third place ribbon went to High Cotton (171.187), Without Question was fourth (169.750), Rio Renoir placed fifth (169.250).

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