Bridgehampton, NY - Samantha Schaefer captured top honors in the $10,000 Sam Edelman Equitation Championship at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on Thursday. The 17-year-old student from Westminster, MD, received the highest score of 182 points riding Pioneer, owned by Heritage Farm.
"It's a big deal to win here," said Schaefer. "I rode in the class last year on a young horse and made it into the Top 10, but this is really great."
Schaefer has only shown Pioneer three times at the suggestion of her trainer, Andre Dignelli, who has won the trainer award for this event several times.
"Pioneer is really awesome and I am really lucky to ride him," said Schaefer. "It's so nice to have one that you know that is going to do everything right. He's so honest and brave."
Normally the Equitation Championship is held over two days, with the Top 10 returning for Round II on Saturday, but due to the impending inclement weather, the horse show thought it best to hold both rounds on Thursday. This was good news to Schaefer. "I am really glad that they decided to hold both rounds today and now it's done and the horses can go home."
Schaefer had the second highest score of 90 points in the first round and captured the top score of 92 points in Round II for a total of 182. Hayley Barnhill, 16, of Collierville, TN, was rewarded with her two consistent scores of 89 points for second place with a total of 178 points on Dynasty, owned by Lionshare Farm and North Run Farm. Third place went to Amber Henter with a total score of 177 points riding Skara Glen's Pentagon, owned by Skara Glen Stables.
Judges Leo Conroy and Jack Towell judged the Championship and both thought the caliber was the best at the Classic.
"I've done this three times and this time the first round was the best I have ever seen," said Conroy of the 38 entries. "The bank posed a problem in the second round, but everyone knew the bank was going to be included in one of the phases. Clearly the ones that came out on top were prepared."
Kels Bonham was one who encountered a problem at the bank. Bonham finished on top following the first round, scoring 92, vastly different than the second round score of 22, moving her way down to eighth in the final standings.
In the $7,500 Prudential Douglas Elliman Open Jumper Class, Sloane Coles found a home in the winner's circle on Thursday morning. The 22-year-old student from The Plains, VA, won the class riding Annie 66, owned by Ri-Arm Farm.
The field of 42 yielded 19 for the jump-off with nine eventual double clears. Reed Kessler and Onisha had already posted a quick clear round in a time of 42.092 seconds. By the time it was Coles's turn to ride, but she and Annie 66 were able to shave off nearly two seconds and stopped the clock at 40.135 seconds. The quick score gave them the lead, with thirteen left to jump. Olympic Gold medalist Joe Fargis went clear on Sandron Farm's Lariat in a time of 42.278 for third. Kessler and Onisha ended up in second place.
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is one of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation and features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic veterans. The Classic continues through Sunday when it culminates with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier.
For those who can't make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.
Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation. It benefits Southampton Hospital and has contributed more than $1.5 million to the hospital since it began.
For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.
ENDS