SusanJStickle.com (George Williams and Rocher)
“I think she came into the day very strong and energetic,” Williams said. “Overall, I was really pleased. Deep down, I knew (going in) that she could be the winner, but I just tried to stay focused and do the best job I could.” In reference to Rocher’s 18-month recovery from tendonitis, Williams feels the horse has come back stronger, “in a lot of ways, stronger than ever,” he said.
“George we’re all tickled,” agreed Arlene Page, who placed second in the Championship on Wild One (1996 Hanoverian gelding) with an overall score of 69.703%. “God bless you. Great job!”
Meanwhile, Page is equally pleased with her finish in the Championship, and looking forward to a promising future with Wild One. “I’m so proud of my horse,” Page said. “He’s nine. It’s amazing to get a nine-year-old horse to the Grand Prix and to the National Championships. I’m incredibly proud of my horse. He’s telling me he has the heart and mind of an international horse, which you’re always hoping for. This weekend, he proved to me he can absolutely hack it in every way.”
Michael Barisone came in third overall in the Championship, riding Neruda (1995 Dutch Warmblood gelding), with a final score of 67.323%. “I wanted to be in the top three and I got in the top three, so that’s great,” said Barisone. But even Barisone is quick to throw the spotlight back on Williams. “He earned it and he paid his dues the hard way. All our hats are off to George.”