Lexington, KY -- In an exciting new format, Pikcasso (2003 Hanoverian gelding by Pikadero and out of Miss Kilkee, owned and bred by Barbara Dunning and handled by Ted Fieger) was named Best Young Horse at the 2005 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF Hunter Breeding National Championships, presented by VitaFlex. This marked the inaugural year of an East-meets-West format in the Hunter Breeding Championship.

Beginning in Del Mar, CA, on Wednesday, August 31, judges Rick Abbott and Dale Pederson judged the best the West Coast had to offer in the Yearling Colts/Geldings, Yearling Fillies, Two Year Old Colts/Geldings, Two Year Old Fillies, Three Year Old Colts/Geldings, and Three Year Old Fillies categories, naming Pikcasso the Best Young Horse and Pajama Game (2002 Warmblood gelding by Aristos B and out of Amarette, owned and bred by Robin Parsky-Buena Vista Farms and handled by Hap Hansen) the reserve Best Young Horse. Tish Quirk was awarded the Belcort Farm perpetual trophy for the high scoring handler of the day.

At the conclusion of the West Coast phase, the officials flew to Warrenton, VA, to judge the East Coast horses in the same divisions on Saturday, September 3. Last year's winner Winston, (2003 Oldenburg colt, by Welt Hit Star and out of Jardhu, owned by Nokomis Farm, bred by Diana Dodge and handled by Matt Collins) claimed victory again as Best Young Horse. Masquerade Cove (2003 Thoroughbred filly by Castle Cove and out of Bit of Masquerade, owned by Kimberly Malmoomian, bred by John Kelly) was named reserve Best Young Horse. Matt Collins was awarded the Belcort Farm perpetual trophy for the high scoring handler of the day.

At the conclusion of both events, the judges named Pikcasso as the Overall Best Young Horse. Pikcasso will be awarded the Dave Kelley Perpetual Trophy; his breeder Barbra Dunning will be awarded the J. Arthur Reynolds Perpetual Trophy. Winston was named the overall reserve Best Young Horse.
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