Hunter Action Highlights Opening Day at Metropolitan National Horse Show in New York City

New York, NY – November 3, 2004 – The Metropolitan National Horse Show returned to New York City at Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson Complex in New York City on Wednesday morning, November 3, opening to rave reviews from the stellar list of competitors on hand.

First Year Green Working Hunters kicked of the Wednesday hunter action with Louise Serio and Ken Berkley taking top honors. Louise Serio of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, rode Fashion Farm’s True to the win in the opening class of 21 competitors.

“True is a five year old Belgian bred that I bought in Florida this year from James Lala,” Serio said. “He’s been kind of a sleeper most of the year, just sort of knocking on the door all along with seconds and thirds, but he came on real strong at Washington. He won two and was second in one there and then started out here winning the first class, so I’m really happy.”

Ken Berkley, of Flemington, New Jersey, took top honors in the second First Year class with Cool Blue. Berkley was riding for his partner, Scott Stewart. Scott had been sidelined ever since breaking his ankle in a fall at the Capital Challenge just a month ago but is back in the irons at the Metropolitan for two rides. Scott said that Ken kept the Cool Blue ride for himself.

“Having Ken Berkley to take over for me was certainly convenient and he’s been doing a fantastic job. He was leading Hunter Rider at Washington last week. He rides the hunters so well, and I can’t blame him if he wants to keep the best ones for himself,” Scott Stewart said, laughing. About his recovery from the severely broken ankle, Scott related, “The doctors looked at it and told me if I don’t fall off I’ll be fine. I’m only riding two here, so I think I’ll be ok.”

Ken Berkley talked about coming back to New York. “This is so improved over last year. There’s a little bit of the feeling of the old New York horse show oming back. They’ve improved the set-up here dramatically. Everyone’s staying at the Sheraton on Times Square and it’s just like the old days with a headquarters hotel. Tavern on the Green’s food is marvelous.”

In the Second Year Green Working Hunters it was Samantha Conroy and Peter Pletcher with top finishes. Peter Pletcher, based in Magnolia, Texas, continued his amazing hot streak with a win on Lynn Walsh’s Ocean Park. The streak that started with the Grand Championship at the Capital Challenge at the end of September has extended through championships at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg and the Washington International last week in Washington, DC.

“I bought Ocean Park for my amateur rider, Lynn Walsh. I showed him Pre Green one time and we moved him right up to First Year last year and now he’s doing the Second Year. He’s been amazing. He has peaked beyond belief! He’s so good for Lynn in the Amateurs and he tries so heard for me every time in the Second Year,” Pletcher said following today’s victory.

Defending Metropolitan Horse Show champion, Southern Lights, owned by Dr. Sheila Buchbinder Befler and ridden by Samantha Conroy of Wellington, Florida, won the second 2nd Year class. Samantha Conroy was thrilled to bring Southern Lights back to the Metropolitan.

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever had the opportunity to show and I really felt e was on his game today. It’s so nice to be back at this show especially after being champion here last year. I think everyone has done a great job and it’s a major improvement. The table area is beautiful, Tavern on the Green is so special and it’s so much brighter in here as compared to last year. Last year was fun, this year is even better,” said Conroy.

The Green Conformation Hunter division featured wins by Just Jack, ridden by Cookie Beck and owned by Lisa Cudahy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Protégé, from the All Seasons Farm, Cincinnati, Ohio, and ridden by Elizabeth Towell.

The first Regular Working Hunter class was won by Mandarin, ridden by JoieGatlin and owned by Jane Fraze. Mandarin comes into the Metropolitan after being named Grand Hunter Champion at the Washington International Horse Show.

Amanda Steege won the second Regular Working class on Candlelight owned by Megan McGuire of Whitehouse, New Jersey. “Candlelight is my favorite horse ever,” Steege said. “She’s so sweet and kind. I’ve ridden her now for four years and she just tries so hard. I started with her when she was a First Year and we get along so well together.”

The rated hunters will wrap up their classes and the championships will be pinned on Thursday morning at The Metropolitan National Horse Show and then it’s kick off time for the Amateur Owner and Adult Hunters.

Many changes to this year’s event have been introduced to further enhance the overall experience of both the spectator and the exhibitor. For the exhibitors, the arena has been widened and schooling areas have been enlarged and the stabling this year is located on just one side of the vast facility. Spectator seating is now situated at both ends of the arena.

Tavern on the Green, one of New York City’s finest eateries caters the Diamond Horse Shoe Club ringside, The Metro Club in the general spectator area and at The Tavern on the Green located in a landscaped Central Park like setting convenient to both spectators and exhibitors in the vendor area.

Complete Metropolitan National Horse Show results available at:www.nhs.org

More than 80 hunter and jumper events will be contested and $310,000 in prize money is at stake. The Metropolitan National Horse Show features five days and five nights of action, November 3-7, 2004, at Pier 94 and the Show Piers on the Hudson in New York City. Tickets and passes are available in a variety of packages and can be reserved by calling 866-NHS-SHOW or on the web at www.nhs.org

Directions: Pier 94 and The Show Piers is located at Twelfth Avenue (West Side Highway) and 54th Street. Use any access point to New York City, including the Lincoln, Holland, or Queens Midtown tunnels, or the George Washington Bridge, and proceed to the West Side Highway in Manhattan at 54th Street. Ample parking is available at Ship Terminal, Pier 92.

Public Transportation:

• Subway: A, C, E, to 50th Street, Manhattan
• Bus: M31, M11, M50, Manhattan
• Livery Cars: On standby at Pier 94 Entrance during show hours

Information: For further information on the Metropolitan National Horse Show, contact the National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd., PO Box 386, Greenvale, NY 11548. E-mail: NationalHS@aol.com; Phone: (516) 484-1865; Fax: (516) 484-1982. Or on the web, visit: www.nhs.org