![Lisa Williams and Sanmorino score Amateur-Owner 35 and Older Hunter Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International)](/images/articles/3762/lisa.jpg)
Lisa Williams and Sanmorino score Amateur-Owner 35 and Older Hunter Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International)
The Amateur-Owner 35 and Older Hunter Stake presented by Suzanne Thoben Marquard welcomed riders to the remaining amateur-owner divisions this morning. It was eventual champion, Lisa Williams who piloted Sanmorino to the top of the pinnings, winning the blue ribbon. Williams also earned the blue ribbon during the over fences yesterday.
"Sanmorino jumped great in the first class yesterday, and must have stung himself or turned funny. We brought him out for the second class and he was lame so we had to scratch, so we decided to ice it," Williams explained. "The vet got here a little after nine this morning, and the ice worked! Louise Serio braided his tail, I rushed back to the hotel to get dressed, and then we were ready to go. It was a whole team effort-it was thrilling, very exciting."
Williams continued, "He is my horse of a lifetime. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life. We have such a close bond, and I know him so well. He's got a different personality-he likes his people and his routine-he gets rattled if things change too much. I am just so happy to have had this experience with him. It's super special."
Katie Robinson and Arico rode to the reserve championship with a streak of red ribbons in the over fences. The duo proved consistent throughout the show, and has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the fall circuit. Robinson also won the under saddle with Rock Steady.
"It was really great, I had a ball on Arico," Robinson explained. "He's so great because he's so calm, and when all the horses are spooking, he just marches right around. The courses were spooky, but they were perfect for him because he paid attention and jumped well. The spook, for me, was to my advantage, so it worked out."
During the Amateur-Owner 35 and Younger Hunter Stake, presented by R. Bruce Duchossois, Tracy Scheriff-Muser and Absolut emerged the victors. The horse and rider combination dominated the division with a first place win over fences yesterday, as well as the fourth place ribbon in the handy. Today, Scheriff-Muser guided Absolut to the first place win in the stake, and also was awarded the blue ribbon prize for their efforts in the handy.
Although Absolut is a more recent mount for Scheriff-Muser, he has recently become her "Steady Eddy" placing consistently throughout Capital Challenge and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. "He's really come into his own. He's so much fun, and I'm very lucky to have a horse like him."
Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding were awarded the reserve championship for their consistent placings throughout the division. With a first place finish in the handy, Mutschler also steered Fielding to the second place ribbon in the stake and the fifth place in the under saddle.
It was Scheriff-Muser who was called back into the arena for the Grand Championship presentation. They earned their engraving atop the Ruxton and Scot To Do Challenge Trophy as the victors.
"This win feels amazing," Scheriff-Muser smiled. "The National Horse Show is the best of the best and it's amazing to win against everyone who's here. I went into the stake and just tried my best and went for it, and he was right there for me. He tried hard, so I was very happy."
The Junior Hunters commenced this morning, with the top young riders from across the country gathering to compete for the prime awards. Tomorrow, the Junior Hunter division will come to a close with the stake classes and the championship presentations. For more information at the Alltech National Horse Show, 129th Edition, please visit www.nhs.org.