St. Louis, MO - The 2011 St. Louis National Horse Show's professional hunter divisions have concluded, with Kelly Farmer, Michael Morrissey and Sarah Young all adding to their cache of tricolors.
Taking place from Sept. 14-18, the Show is honored to once again host the Regional Maclay Finals, Region 5 today. The Maclay Regionals will take center stage in the spacious indoor ring this evening under the watchful eyes of judges Alex Jayne and Linda Andrisani. This year, the Show is thrilled to also feature a $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will debut in the outdoor Grand Prix ring at 2:30 on Sun., Sept. 18. Riders will take to the outdoor Grand Prix field on Sat. Sept. 17 at 2:00, for the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show $25,000 Grand Prix.
Farmer garnered the championship ribbon on Sheila Motley's Ostentacious in the Regular Conformation Hunters, as well as the reserve championship ribbon in that division on Jane Gaston's Clearly. Of Ostentacious, who was Regular Conformation Hunter circuit champion in Palm Beach, she commented, "He's such a careful horse and I can count on him to always try really hard." She also nabbed the championship in the First Year Green Hunters with Crown N Scepter and in the 3'3" Pre-Greens with A Million Reasons.
"This is the first time I've been to the Charity in many years and I'm really happy we decided to come," said Farmer. "The combination of the USHJA Derby and the opportunity to show the hunters inside in preparation for Capital Challenge and the rest of the indoor circuit was a big draw," she explained. "We’re really enjoying the show. The facility is very nice and it's such a pleasure to be at a show where everyone is so friendly and accommodating to the exhibitors."
Michael Morrissey enjoyed victories in the both the jumper and hunter rings. Not only did he capture the two top spots in the Welcome Stake, he also nabbed the top spot in the 3'3" Performance Hunters with Reeva. Vorst was his mount for the top spot in the Welcome and Crelido for the second place win. "Vorst is relatively new mount for me," said Morrissey. "He's a very competitive horse and I'm trying to get some positive experience with him."
A first timer to the Charity, Morrissey became interested in the show because of Show Manager Tom Blankenship. "I really like the combination of the indoor and outdoor venues," he explained. "It's great being able to ride the hunters inside in preparation for the Indoor shows, and, at the same time, ride the jumpers outside."
"Everyone's very friendly here," he commented. "And management does an excellent job of making sure the exhibitors are happy."
Additionally, with championships in the Green Conformation Hunters on Bel Canto and in the Second Year Green Working Hunters on Angie Porter’s Graeffin Tico, St. Louis-area native Sarah Young also had a great show in the professional divisions.
The show continues today with the $25,000 Grand Prix and the Regional Maclay Finals. Both should be exciting events, with reserved ringside seating for both events at full capacity.
For more information, visit the show's website at www.stlhorseshow.com or find them on Facebook.