Lexington, KY – Outstanding lived up to every letter in her name and demonstrated the presence and conformation for handler John Ducharme to be named best 2-year-old filly and Overall Champion at the 2009 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship West Coast Phase. The West Coast class was held at Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament in Del Mar, CA on August 29 and judged by Carleton Brooks and Richard Taylor.

The bay filly (Popeye K x Delilah) beat a tough field of young hunter prospects and took home top honors for owner Krishna Buyalos and Santa Barbara, CA breeder Leslie Nelson.

Reserve champion honors overall for the West Coast Phase went to Pop’s Panda from the 2-year-old colt/gelding class. Handled by John French (hot off his win at the 2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals the previous week), the 2-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Paparazzo x Wyvern) impressed the judges for owner and breeder Lisa Stroway.

The Leading Sire Trophy donated by Pam Stubbs was awarded to Popeye K, a Dutch Warmblood stallion, who sired two class winners.

Honors for the innaugural Ted Fieger Award for leading handler, which was given in honor of beloved Ted Fieger by ‘Friends of Ted’ was a fitting tribute to a legendary advocate and guardian for the sport. The award was given to three handlers: John Ducharme, Matt Davis and Sue Lightner tied for the honors.

The event was well attended and graciously supported by the West Coast horse show community. Sponsors included: the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association, Archie Cox, Leslie Nelson, Diane Yeager, Crooked Willow Farm, Jennifer Grubb-Reed,Aaron Read, Twinkle Gorman, Sue Lightner, China Blue Farm, Barbara Ellison, Tish Quirk, Mary’s Tack and Feed, Antares, Erin Elizabeth Seeds and Oceanpoint Tack Shop.

Fifty-Four young horses will line up on September 5 for the 2009 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF Hunter Breeding Championship East, and then one young horse will be named the Overall Best Young Horse.

The East Coast Championship will be at the historic Warrenton Horse Show Warrenton, VA. The Overall East Coast Best Young Horse class winners will be compared to Outstanding for the Overall National Sallie B Wheeler/USEF Hunter Breeding Champion.

The Luncheon will be sponsored by the Virginia Horse Show Association, the Maryland Horse Show Association and Zone 3. Class sponsors include Spy Coast Farm, Louisa Lenehan, Douglas Wheeler, Magic Hill Farm, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M Oare, Dr. Betsee Parker, Mardie Faucette, Jane Dow-Burt and Anne Misenheimer.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Marion Maybank at [email protected].