David Wilbur and Reuben Himself. (© ESI Photography.)
Wilbur (Simsbury, CT) and Reuben Himself were the top horse-and-rider team out of the 20 competitors that challenged course designer Jerry Dougherty's first-round course, and the 12 pairs that returned for the handy round.
Wilbur, a professional rider at Folly Farm, and Reuben Himself emerged from the first round in seventh place after receiving a score of 79. Their pair took control of the class in the handy round when they received an impressive score of 89 from the judges for a total of 168 on the day, which was enough for the blue ribbon.
"I walked the first line in eight-and-a-half strides," said Wilbur. "It looked like everyone else did it in nine, so when we came in I knew I had to do it in eight to win. That first line was very hard, but it should have been challenging because there were some great horses in the handy round."
"The second round had lots of options to showcase the horses abilities," added Wilbur. "It was a really good course that used the entire ring."
Taking second-place honors was Amanda Starbuck (Ridgefield, Connecticut) and Stepping Stone Farm's Rio Bronco. They were the leaders in the first round after they received a score of 89; however, their score of 78 in the handy round put them just one point behind Wilbur's with a total of 167 for second place.
Third-place honors went to Snap Decision, piloted by junior rider Maria Paglieri (Clinton, NJ). Rounding out the top five were Zakerno, shown by Elizabeth Pandich (Rye, NY) and Finn McCool, shown by Hannah Isop (Pawling, NY), who were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Membership for the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League is $40 and applications are available at all member horse shows, as well as online at the Marshall & Sterling League Website. For more information on the Marshall & Sterling League, contact Patti Guerriero, League Coordinator, at [email protected].
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 20th year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, which will be held this year from September 15-19 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY.
Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling has been recognized by IIABA as one of the nation's top "Best Practice Agencies." The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Mary Moeller at (800) 836-3046, extension 224.
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.
Saturday's $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby
PLACING HORSE OWNER RIDER PRIZE MONEY
1 Reuben Himself t Susan Banta Lowery David Wilbur $3,000
2 Rio Bronco Stepping Stone Farm (CT) Amanda Starbuck $2,000
3 Snap Decision Maria Paglieri Maria Paglieri $1,400
4 Zackerno Chilmark Farm Elizabeth Pandich $1,000
5 Finn Mc Cool Tracy Freels Hannah Isop $800
6 Redford Tracie Schoelen Tracie Schoelen $700
7 Coscolino Kimberly Beattie Vanessa Karlewicz $600
8 Laliquie Alexandra Carlton Alexandra Carlton $500
ENDS