PNHS 2012 Grand Champion Hunter Exupery and Clark. (Al Cook)
The Grand Champion Hunter award was presented to the horse that accumulated the most points in the Green Conformation Hunter, Regular Conformation Hunter, Green Working Hunter, or High Performance Working Hunter divisions.
Exupery, or "Super" as he is affectionately called, lived up to his name by earning the greatest number of points in the High Performance Working Hunter division. His owner was thrilled with the title and Super's performance.
"It's very exciting, said Borders. "Super jumped beautifully all week. It was wonderful to see him perform that well the entire competition. I am very proud of Tommi and of my horse."
Clark also won the Leading Hunter Rider Award. "Winning the Leading Hunter Rider award is just amazing, beyond anything that I could have ever dreamed of," said Clark. Super is the most incredible animal that I have had the pleasure to ride."
Other Hunter Championships awarded on Thursday were: The Regular Conformation Hunter Championship, sponsored by Penelope Ayers & Ravens Wood Farm, which was presented to Cold Harbor, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, with Hunt Tosh in the saddle. The Reserve Champion was Sambalino, owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY, and ridden by Peter Pletcher.
Wingman, owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian of New York, NY, and shown by Jennifer Bauersachs, took top honors in the Green Conformation Hunter Championship. Lugano, owned by Susan Moriconi of St. Louis, MO and ridden by Chris Payne, won the Reserve Championship.
The Pre-Green Hunter 3'3" Championship was won by Kingpin, owned by JT Farm in South Salem, NY and ridden by Amanda Steege. The Reserve Champion was Serafino, owned by Elisabeth McFadden of Long Valley, NJ and shown by Melissa Feller.
Earlier in the week, the Grand Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Reinzel Kuntz Lesher, LLP was presented to Casino, owned by Bridget Hallman and Merrylegs South of Oyster Bay, NY with Louise Serio in the saddle. Casino also won the First Year Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Derbydown, Inc. /Louise Serio. The Reserve Champion in the First Year division was Frederick, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT and ridden by Maggie Jayne.
The Second Year Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lannie Lipson, was won by Empire, owned by Becky Gochman and ridden by Peter Pletcher. The Reserve Champion was Listen, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker and shown by Victoria Colvin.