Photo by Lauren Fisher/PMG (Lisa Goldman and Morocco won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/AO Jumper Classic.)
A total of 34 competitors showed over Saturday afternoon's $30,000 Grand Prix, sponsored by Showplace Productions. The challenging course was set by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico, and just seven entries were able to complete the first round fault free to advance to the jump-off. The course featured winding turns, long gallops, vertical options, a tricky oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, as well as many other difficult questions for the horse and rider to answer. The most problematic fences were fence 2, a vertical going towards the ingate off of a tight turn, as well as the (b) element of the triple combination. Riders seemed to have rails down all over the course and it was not until 16 horses into the order that the first clear round was completed by Ryan Genn and Loredo. Several horse and rider combinations followed suit, and an exciting jump-off was held just as the skies opened up over the horse show to conclude the day.
As the first to complete a clear round, Ryan Genn and Loredo returned first to jump the shortened course, but had a disappointing eight faults in a time of 40.999 seconds to eventually finish in seventh place. Brandie Holloway was next to return riding Any Given Sunday, but brought down the back rail of the triple bar to finish with four faults in 43.058 seconds to earn the sixth place prize. Amelia McArdle and Pilot were the first pair to complete double clear rounds in a time of 41.369 seconds, securing a second-place finish.
Up next, John McConnell and Katie Riddle completed the course in 38.054 seconds, but an upsetting rail at the last fence pushed the duo into fifth place. Denise Wilson and Life is Life 15 followed, racing sharply through the turns and galloping down to the last fence to stop the timers in 38.940 seconds. That time held on to the top honors through the completion of the final two competitors to give Wilson her first ever grand prix victory.
Alex Granato attempted the course after Wilson with his mount Mad Season. The duo had the day's fastest time of 37.878 seconds, but earned four faults to finish in third place behind the two double clears. Finally, Maggie Jayne completed the class in fourth place, riding Thomas Edison to four faults in 37.950 seconds.
Excited to achieve the biggest win of her riding career, Denise Wilson accepted the Showplace Productions championship cooler and tricolor ribbon with Life is Life 15 before leading the victory gallop to a round of applause. "I can not believe that just happened; that was really exciting," Wilson smiled after her win. "That was my first grand prix win, and it was kind of a big one to start off with!"
Wilson trains with Wilhelm Genn, who helped her buy Life is Life 15 in Germany three years ago. She explained that although she has owned the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding for three years, he has been recovering from an injury for the past year and a half and just returned to training in October. Life is Life 15 showed in his first grand prix at the end of January.
Wilson shows in the Midwest all year and is a consistent face on Showplace Productions' horse show circuit. "We plan to show here all three weeks for the Spring Spectacular," she concluded. "This is a great show, I grew up showing in the Chicago area and I love to support Showplace Productions and Pat Boyle. They always do a nice job and make us feel very welcome."
Prior to the exciting action of the grand prix, the Lamplight Equestrian Center's Grand Prix Ring hosted the $1,500 Marshall and Sterling Children's and Adult Jumper Classics, with wins going to Audi's Classic Pleasure and Mary Tanner in the Children's Classic and Katie Smith riding Thursday in the Adult Classic.
Following a stormy morning, 15 entries showed in the $2,500 Modified Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vermeer Midwest. All but the final horse and rider jumped clear in the first round to jump off in the Classic, and six of those entries jumped double clear. It was then a race to the finish to complete the course in the fastest time.
Marissa Herpfer and Circe were first to jump double clear and their time of 32.935 seconds finished in fourth place. Melissa Zaley and Keepen Posted jumped off next and placed seconds with their time of 29.670 seconds. Holly Yeterian showed Mac Daddy over the shortened course next and went double clear in 33.401 seconds to end up in fifth place. Karen Ward moved into the third place position with Tiger Lily after completing the course in 31.137 seconds. Samantha Wagner and Brosius followed and moved into the lead with the fastest time of 28.594 seconds to take first place honors, while Classic Special Z and Alex Bozorgi capped off the top six with their time of 34.794 seconds.
The Modified Child/Adult Jumpers awarded championship honors at the completion of the class, concluding their division for week one. Éclair Du Beny and Nicole Wagner earned the championship tricolor and Borsius and Samantha Wagner finished in reserve.
The day's competition concluded week one of the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series. The Showplace Spring Spectacular II will get underway on Tuesday, June 15, with an exciting Derby Day. The day's competition will feature a $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, a $5,000 USHJA 3' Hunter Derby, and the always electrifying $10,000 Open Jumper Speed Derby, all held in the Lamplight Equestrian Center's Grand Prix Ring. For more information on Showplace Productions and the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.
Jumper Highlights
Wednesday was opening day at the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Week I at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Equestrians from all over the country made their way to Chicago for the first week of top competition. In the Grand Prix Ring competitors vied for the blue ribbons in the $1,500 Open Jumper 1.30m and the $1,500 Open Jumper 1.40m. Earning the first place ribbon in the 1.30m was Altius, owned by Sharon Classen, with Thomas Cerra in the irons. Winning the blue ribbon in the 1.40m was Willie Tynan and Cartier Van Schuttershoff, owned by Emily Skoggard .
The $1,500 Open Jumper 1.30m class included 28 competitors. The first rider to go double clear over the first course and the short course and maintain a lead throughout the day was Thomas Cerra riding Altius. The duo used their quick pace to earn the top time of 41.303 seconds that could not be beaten, earning them the first place ribbon.
The first duo to challenge Cerra was Casino Van De Helle, owned by North Face Farm, and Erin Haas. The pair moved fast across the ground, but their clean turns and time of 44.113 seconds would garner them the sixth place ribbon overall.
Next to attempt to break Cerra's time was Caribe and Steve Schaefer. The duo attempted the inside turn from the combination back to the vertical going away from the gate. This technique held Caribe and Schaefer's time, breaking the beam at 41.412 seconds, and earning them the third place ribbon.
The third horse-and-rider combination to challenging Cerra's time was Victoriano, owned by Liz Millikin, with rider Willie Tynan. Tynan moved fast away from the first fence and sliced the Liverpool oxer, but his time of 43.061 seconds would hold-up for the fifth place ribbon overall.
After a great first course, Sin City, owned by Windcrest Farms, ridden by Alex Granato, would attempt to top the leader's time. The duo would race across the finish line, leaving all of the rails in their cups and tripping the timers at 41.367 seconds, earning them the second place ribbon.
Tommy Feigel and Chuck Waters' horse, Bling It On were the last pair to chase the clock. Feigel's gallant efforts through the short-course stopped the clock at 42.456 seconds placing the pair in fourth place in the 1.30m.
Not one horse and rider duo could top Cerra and Altius, proving that the Lamplight Equestrian Center is the home-turf for Cerra. Cerra has been coming to the Showplace Horse Shows since he was young and enjoys having the Lamplight Equestrian Center only five minutes away from his home. Cerra noted, "This is a beautiful place to show and I look forward to showing here over the next few weeks. I love that this show feels like my home turf in my backyard. I also enjoy being able to take horses home so they can sleep in their own stalls, or I can move the horses back to their barn if the weather starts to change."
After a short drag and raising the fence heights, the $1,500 Open Jumper 1.40m class commenced. Riders navigated the same course as the 1.30m.
The first rider to attempt the short-course was Wilhelm Genn and Copyright 3. The duo bound across the course leaving all of the rails in their cups in a time of 45.819 seconds. At the end of the day their efforts would earn them the fifth place overall.
Making an exciting race across the course was Charlie Jayne riding Victor, owned by Pony Lane Farm. The duo took the inside left turn off the combination to the single verticle, then made a right turn over the Liverpool oxer. As Jayne left the oxer he glanced back because it was his foot that rubbed the top rail, but to his relief the jump stood strong. Jayne then turned on the speed and finished over the bending line, tripping the timers at 40.314 seconds. This time would be the time to beat until the last rider of the day challenged Jayne. In the end, Jayne and Victor would earn the second place ribbon.
After Charlie Jayne's exciting efforts his sister, Maggie Jayne piloted Pablis over the short-course. The duo would make their way over every obstacle leaving all of the rails in their cups prior to coming to the Liverpool oxer. The duo knocked the rail and stopped the clock at 46.417 seconds. Their time would earn them the sixth place ribbon.
Rider John McConnell and Katie Riddle, owned by Rancho Corazon LLC would be the next competitors to challenge the clock. McConnell and Katie Riddle chose to take the wider turn around the Liverpool over the single vertical. McConnell and Katie would stop the clock at 43.020 seconds earning them the fourth place ribbon.
Alex Granato and his horse Gangsta, were up for the challenge over the short-course. The duo also chose the route around the Liverpool to the vertical oxer. Their efforts would garner the pair the third place ribbon.
Last to attempt the short-course was Willie Tynan and Cartier Van Schuttershoff, owned by Emily Skoggard. Tynan navigated the tight turns, flew over every fence, and raced across the finish line with his top mount in 38.503 seconds. The pair's outstanding time would overthrow Charlie Jayne's lead and would earn them the first place ribbon overall.
The 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series continued on Thursday morning with an exciting schedule for the jumpers in the Grand Prix Ring. Competition got underway with a $1,500 Open Jumper 1.30m, in which Thomas Cerra and Altius doubled up on their win from Wednesday to earn the division's championship honors for week one. The $1,000 Young Jumper divisions followed, with wins going to For Freedom and Tommy Feigel in the Five Year-Olds and Contino 46 and Erin Haas in the Six-Year-Olds. Amigo and Mariano Bedoya Guido won the day's class in the Seven/Eight Year-Olds Young Jumpers, and the morning's competition concluded with an exciting $10,000 Welcome Stake victory for Alex Granato and Mad Season.
The Open Jumper Welcome Stake brings many of the country's top horses and riders out to Lamplight to vie for $10,000 in prize money as the highlight event of each Thursday afternoon during the three week Spring Spectacular Series. The class saw a total of 34 entries in the first round of competition with an appropriate week one course set by Puerto Rico's Hector Loyola. Of the original 34 entries, 14 horse and rider combinations went clear over the first round course, and riders were then given the option of a Table II, Sec. 2(A) format, where they were able to either jump off directly following their first round or wait until the end of the class. Ten of the riders chose option B to jump off right away, and the remaining four chose option A to jump off at the completion of the class. Just four were able to jump double clear, and all four of those riders opted to jump off immediately following their first round.
The first of the four riders to jump double clear was Wilhelm Genn, of Lebanon, OH, with his horse Copyright 3. Genn and Copyright 3 had a smooth first round and completed the short course with a solid time of 41.747 seconds, which would initially take the lead but finish in third place. Several rounds later Alex Granato, of Elizabeth, CO, entered the ring with his experienced mount Mad Season. Granato flew around the course at a blazing speed, taking every inside turn, and confidently piloting Mad Season through the obstacles. The pair raced through the timers in 38.057 seconds, taking over the lead. Two more jumped clear through the short course and tried their best to beat that time. Kathy Frame, of Oconomowoc, WI, made it through the course in 46.130 seconds to eventually earn fourth place honors with Spitfire W. Willie Tynan, of Battle Creek, MI, was closest to the mark with his time of 40.003 seconds riding Cartier Von Schuttershoff for Emily Skoggard, but the pair had to settle for second place. Although many others attempted to beat Alex Granato's time, many finished with four faults, and Granato and Mad Season held on to their lead through the remainder of the class to receive the first place prize.
Prior to the Welcome Stake, several other jumper divisions completed their first week of competition at the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular and awarded championship honors. The Open Jumper 1.30m awarded its championship tricolor to Thomas Cerra and Altius, who won both division classes while Alex Granato and his mount Sin City were presented with the reserve honors.
The Young Jumper divisions also completed their two days of competition, awarding championship honors to Tommy Feigel and For Freedom in the Five-Year-Old division, with Lisa Goldman and Rococo finishing in reserve. Erin Haas and her mount Contino 46 won classes in the Six-Year-Old division on both days of competition, earning a championship tricolor for week one. Zenith Dance and Theo Genn tied with El Dorado B and Kara Fergusson for the Six-Year- Old's reserve tricolor.
Finally, the Seven/Eight-Year-Old Young Jumpers completed their last class of the week with a win going to Amigo, owned by Coniston Farm LLC and ridden by Mariano Bedoya Guido. Megan Udelson rode Pourkoipa Fontaine to the second place honors for All Seasons Farm in Wellington, FL.
The Lamplight Equestrian Center's spacious Grand Prix Ring hosted another day of impressive show jumping talent on Friday as the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular continued its first week of competition. The afternoon's feature classes included a $1,500 WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, which was won by Alice Gale and Xena, as well as a $1,500 WIHS Children's Jumper Classic, won by Juliet De La Huerga riding Willie D'Lothian.
Capping off an exciting day of jumper competition, Alice Gale rode to a blazing fast victory in the $1,500 WIHS Adult Jumper Classic to earn a beautiful cooler and championship tricolor with her mare Xena. The class was held as a Table II, Sec 2 (C) where the horses and riders demonstrated their power and speed over a challenging course set by Puerto Rico's Hector Loyola. Gale and Xena were one of only seven pairs to jump double clear in the class of 19 entries, and had the fastest time of 31.854 seconds to take the victory.
The race was close as second place finishers Lauren Fox and D'Or V'Dor-B, owned by Lisa Goldman, completed the speed round in 32.504 seconds. Third place went to Diane Binswanger and Wilhelm and Patty Genn's horse Clarissa Z with a clear speed round in 33.788 seconds. Sarah Kirson earned fourth place honors with Salima Witt's Pasific Sun after completing the course in 34.286 seconds, and Kirson also took home the fifth place prize riding Norgan, Inc.'s Micenas through the timers in 37.108 seconds.
The course tested the ability and strength of the horses and riders, and in the end it was Alice Gale and Xena who answered all of the questions and powered through to the first place finish. Gale, from Grand Ledge, MI, was thrilled with her horse's performance and announced that she had a lot of fun showing on such a beautiful day.
Prior to the adult competition, the $,1500 WIHS Children's Jumper Classic ran in the Grand Prix Ring with 21 entries showing in the power round. Nine entries made it through the speed course double clear, and of those rounds it was Juliet De La Huerga of Milwaukee, WI, riding Willie D'Lothian who finished in the fastest time of 32.503 seconds to top the class.
Caitlin Boyle had the time in hand with her round of 32.818 seconds riding Rochette, but De La Huerga pushed her competition into second place with a slightly faster time. Lauren Tyree rode Bugatti to third place with a time of 33.076 seconds, while Naomi Bradley and Kaydin Z finished in fourth in 33.364 seconds. All completing the course within less than a second of one another, Barbara Ruziska and La Dolce Vita came in fifth in 33.608 seconds, and Colby Russey rounded out the top six, stopping the timers in 33.834 seconds riding Crouching Tiger.
Fifteen-year-old Juliet De La Huerga trains with Kyle Dewar and had a great ride with her 11-year-old gelding Willie D'Lothian. 'Willie' is an 11-year-old gelding that De La Huerga got three years ago, and she explained that she was very happy with the class because it was their first Classic win together.
The Showplace Spring Spectacular I concluded competition Sunday afternoon with a full day of jumper classics in the Grand Prix Ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Lisa Goldman and Morocco had a great victory in the afternoon's $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Nutrena, while Laura Linback and Casino earned top honors in the $7,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Hinsdale Nurseries.
The $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/AO Classic saw 30 entries with 12 clear in the first round. Riders were given an A/B option to jump-off, either completing the shortened course immediately after their first round or at the completion of the class. Of the 12 to jump off, seven were able to achieve double clear rounds, and it was the fastest time of 35.737 seconds posted by Lisa Goldman and Morocco, that won the class. Pony Lane Farm's Kelsey Thatcher and Carlotta were the closest to that time in 39.232 seconds to earn second place. Erica Garcia rode J.F. to third place with a time of 39.565 seconds, while Lisa Goldman returned with her second mount, Centurion B, to take home the fourth place prize in a time of 39.799 seconds. Erin Haas and Casino Van De Helle finished in fifth, Erin Nelson and Gabriella Z earned sixth, and Caitie Hope and Total Touch were the only other double clear combination to finish in seventh. Haylie Jayne rode Sir Sean to the fastest four fault jump-off round to take home the eighth place prize.
Class winner Morocco is a seven-year-old gelding by RocUSA. He won the Six-Year-Old Young Jumper championship in Kentucky last year and Goldman, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, has been showing him in the High Amateur Jumpers and Welcome Prix classes this year.
Earlier in the afternoon, the $7,500 NAL Low Junior/AO Classic was held with a fantastic victory for Laura Linback and her mount Casino. The class was a popular one with 45 total entries, and Loyola's challenging course narrowed the numbers down to 12 clear after the first round. Just five were able to complete the shortened course fault free and Linback and Casino beat the odds to come out on top in the fastest time of 35.694 seconds. Abigail McArdle followed in second, riding Sacha 12 to a clear jump-off round in 36.153 seconds, and Erin Haas took third in a time of 36.444 seconds with her mount Chianti 67. McArdle returned with her second horse in the jump-off, BMC Chifaira, to also take the fourth place honors with a time of 38.403 seconds. Catherine Tyree was the only other double clear with Carinthie Z's time of 38.781 seconds to finish in fifth. Madeline Thatcher had the fastest four fault jump-off round in 34.968 seconds to earn sixth, while Stephanie Mengarelli riding Lonestar and Caitie Hope riding La Paz finished out the top eight.
Several division championships were also awarded on Sunday to complete the jumper classes for the Showplace Spring Spectacular I. In the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers Triton and Catherine Tyree took home the championship tricolor with Pascal and Natalie Horween in reserve.
In the Low Junior Jumpers Rocky and Hayley Waters were champion with Madeline Thatcher and Merlin 369 in reserve. The Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers awarded the championship tricolor to Tally It Up and Natalie Horween with Lanstar Mercedes and Rebecca Young in reserve.
The morning began with a victory in the $4,000 NAL Children's Jumper Classic for Julia Murray and Lord Stanley, who were also the week's Children's Jumper champions with Juliet De La Huerga and Willie D'Lothian in reserve. Finally, Jessica Glavin and Titan earned first place honors in the $4,000 NAL Adult Jumper Classic along with championship honors in the Adult Jumpers with Katie Smith and Get Shorty in reserve.
Hunter Highlights
Only halfway through the first week of the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular I at the Lamplight Equestrian Center and riders were already making this week's hunter competition exciting. Maggie Jayne entered the ring on multiple mounts for Pony Lane Farm and came out champion of the First Year Green Hunter division and the Second Year Green Hunter division. In the First Year Green Hunters Jayne rode Red Sky to the victory and in the Second Year Green Hunter division Bella Blue and Jayne received the tricolor. Jayne and Red Sky also won the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic and were presented with a championship cooler and ribbon. Cookie Beck dominated the Green Conformation Hunter division with Goosebumps, owned by Lisa Cudahy, and in the Regular Working Hunters Beck rode Safari, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, to earn the championship rosette.
In the First Year Green Hunters, Jayne and Red Sky won the blue ribbon in Thursday's over fences and handy hunter class. Combined with a third and second place in Wednesday's over fences and a third in the under saddle class, the pair earned the championship rosette.
The First Year Green Hunters reserve championship ribbon was pinned on the bridle of Last Call with Cookie Beck in the irons. The pair earned a first and third place ribbon over fences and a first place in the under saddle class.
Jayne was also victorious in the Second Year Green Hunters with Bella Blue. The championship rosette was presented to the dapple-grey mare and Jayne because of their remarkable rounds. Bella and Jayne won three over fences classes, the handy hunter class, and received a second place in the under saddle.
Earning the Second Year Hunter division reserve championship ribbon was the eight-year-old Warmblood, Calgary with Jodi Vazquez at the reins. The duo were consistent, winning four second place ribbons and a third place in the under saddle class. Calgary is owned by Karlie Slowiak.
In the Green Conformation Hunters, Cookie Beck and the talented horse, Goosebumps garnered the championship rosette. Dominating five of the classes including the model class, three over fences, and the under saddle class, Beck earned all five of the first place ribbons.
Earning the reserve championship ribbon was Maggie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm's Francesca. The duo won the handy hunter class, received a second place over fences and in the under saddle class, and earned a third in the model and one over fences class.
The last division of the day was the Regular Working Hunters. Cookie Beck rode Safari to the victory winning three over fences classes, the under saddle, and a second place in the handy hunter class. Beck rode Safari for his owner, Caitlin Ziegler. Ziegler and Safari have won multiple junior championships throughout the beginning of the year while exhibiting at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The reserve championship rosette in the Regular Working Hunters was earned by Tina Judge and Trust Me. In the over fences classes the duo won a second place, two third place ribbons, they won the handy hunter class, and were third in the under saddle class.
As the temperature heated up so did the competition on Friday at the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular I at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. The equitation classes began in the Main Hunter Ring at 8:15 AM and continued throughout the morning. In the IHJA Junior Medal Kelsey Thatcher took home the blue for an outstanding performance on Sander. Sydney Schaefer, aboard Atlantic 32, grabbed the blue in the Central Equine Junior Medal, and Nora Laue had a flawless performance to take home the win in the ASPCA Maclay.
On Saturday Taylor Ann Adams and Catherine Tyree dominated the Junior Hunters. Adams earned the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division with Don't Think Twice, owned by Sheila Motley, and the duo also added the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic cooler and rosette to their collection of wins. Adams also had great success in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division winning the championship aboard Raquel, owned by Ann Garnett, and Friday's $1,000 Junior Hunter Championship. Adams continued her spectacular weekend collecting the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 reserve championship aboard McLain Ward's horse, Solace. Tyree also had a great weekend with an exciting win in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division aboard Artisan Farms LLC's Winterplace. The last junior hunter division was the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under where Tyree and Savant earned another championship tricolor.
In the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division Taylor Ann Adams and Don't Think Twice secured the championship with their outstanding performances in the day's over fences classes. The duo won a first place in the over fences class and a first place in the handy hunter class, adding to a third and second over fences, and a second in the under saddle class to earn the pair the division tricolor.
Red Sky and Kelsey Thatcher were not far behind with a first and third place ribbon over fences, two second place ribbons over fences, and a big blue ribbon in the under saddle class. Thatcher and her trusty gelding would gain enough points to earn the reserve championship ribbon.
Finishing the older Junior Hunters, Taylor Ann Adams monopolized the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Adams earned the championship accolade aboard Raquel with second place ribbons in three over fences classes, and one under saddle class, and a blue ribbon in the handy hunter class.
Adams would compete against her own points with McLain Ward's Solace. Adams and Solace won two over fences classes and earned two third place ribbons in the day's over fences class and under saddle class. The pair's ribbons would earn them the reserve championship in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division.
As mentioned earlier Adams also earned bot of the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic Awards yesterday, with the Brandenburg mare, Raquel, and today with Don't Think Twice.
The reserve champion to Raquel was Solace, who is a six-year-old Warmblood that has been showing with Kelley Farmer. Solace and Adams had top rounds but their scores would just miss the championship. However, during Friday's $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic, Adams and Solace took home the second place ribbon.
Adams last ride of the day was Don't Think Twice. The pair triumphed over the rainy day and came out on top to win the top junior accolades of the weekend.
In the Small Junior Hunters, Catherine Tyree could not have been happier when she took home the championship ribbon in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division aboard Artisan Farms LLC's, Winterplace. The duo were trifecta blue ribbon winners with two blue ribbons in the over fences classes and one blue ribbon in the under saddle class. In addition to their division championship, the pair earned second place in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic.
Abigail McArdle rode MVP, owned by Amelia McArdle, to the reserve championship accolade with a first place finish over fences, a third place finish over fences, a second place finish in the under saddle class, a third in the handy hunter class, and a fourth in the final over fences class. MVP and McArdle have had top performances throughout the Florida circuit and also captured top honors while at the Devon Horse Show before arriving at the Showplace Spring Spectacular I.
Tyree grabbed another championship rosette aboard Savant in the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. Tyree once again accepted three blue ribbons, winning two over fences classes, and the handy hunter class. With three blues and a second in the day's over fences class, and a third in the under saddle class, Tyree was handed the tricolor.
The Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division reserve championship ribbon went to Blue Steel with McArdle in the irons. The pair won an over fences class, earned three third place ribbons, two in each of Friday's over fences classes, and one in the handy hunter class. McArdle and Blue Steel also won the second place ribbon in the under saddle class earning them top honors.
The captivating Amateur-Owner Hunter competition earned their division championships on Sunday morning at the Showplace Spring Spectacular I. Prior to Lisa Goldman's $10,000 High Jr/Amateur Jumper Classic she earned the day's $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic with her hunter Ruben. In the Amateur-Owner Hunter division Stephanie Field Harris and Justice took home the championship rosette. The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3" division crowned Monopoly with Margaret O'Meara in the irons for the division championship. Three deserving duos won three top accolades as the first week of the 'AA' Rated Showplace Spring Spectacular Series concluded.
To start the day, Lisa Goldman was handed the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic cooler, ribbon and exciting prize money for her outstanding rounds aboard Ruben. The pair gave top performances over the two rounds of hunter competition to gain the top score of the day.
Sunday's 3'6" Amateur-Owner Hunter division championship was earned by Stephanie Field Harris and Justice. The pair garnered a blue ribbon in Saturday's over fences, a second in the handy hunter class, a third over fences, and a fourth in the under saddle and another over fences class, earning them the top tricolor.
Reserve champion of the 3'6" Amateur-Owner Hunter division went to Sheila Motley aboard Sunshine. The duo gave outstanding performances with a first in the under saddle, and two second place ribbons in each over fences classes.
Maintaining the lead after Saturday's hunter competition in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3" division was Margaret O'Meara aboard Monopoly. The outstanding pair won three blue ribbons in the two over fences classes, and the handy hunter class. Adding two second place ribbons in an over fences class and the under saddle class earned O'Meara the division championship.
Beth Harrison-Meyer and Everafter were honored as the reserve champion winner in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3" division for their accolades. The duo won second place in an over fences class, and the handy hunter class. They also gathered three fourth place ribbons in two over fences classes and one under saddle.