 |
| |
|
2005 Washington International Horse Show Concludes with Alexandra Arute and Keep Dreamin’ as Grand Pony Hunter Champions
Classes concluded today in the pony hunter divisions, which featured some of the best up-and-coming young riders in the country. One of those riders is Alexandra Arute of Avon, Connecticut and her pony, Keep Dreamin’. The pair won yesterday’s over fences class and were first and second over fences today for the tricolor. Reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters was Who’s Kidding Who and Samantha Schaefer. Keep Dreamin’ is owned by Olympic Dreams LLC and is a nine year old Warmblood pony that originally had a career in dressage. However, when Arute and trainer Scott Stewart saw the pony jump, they knew he would excel in the hunter discipline. “His jump is amazing,” Arute said. “The jumps were a little bigger and scarier here, but he used that in a positive way and it made everything just a little brighter. It’s kind of funny and embarrassing though, because he uses everything when he jumps, and he grunts before the jump!” She went on to say, “He’s very full of himself. He definitely knows he’s a show pony, but he’s the sweetest.” Keep Dreamin’ has only been jumping since last May, but his learning curve has gone straight up ever since. “He just started jumping last year. He was pretty green and was jumping small courses. He didn’t do lead changes and didn’t have much of a mouth. But, he came along pretty fast,” Arute explained. “It’s been gratifying to bring him along. It was nice to see that we were able to bring him along ourselves and the result was good. He’s a green pony, so his improvement seems like such a big step when we conquer something,” she said. Arute has not been as successful at Washington in previous years. “This is the first time I’ve ever won an over fences class at Washington. It’s sort of been my bad luck horse show! I was really happy today though,” she admitted. Although Arute and Keep Dreamin’ have had a wonderful partnership together, she is moving on to the junior divisions, and the adorable pony will compete with his new owner, Katie Dinan. “It’s sad, but that’s what I was hoping for. This is my last pony show, and it was a nice way to end.” In the Small Pony Hunter division, it was Reed Kessler of Bedford Corners, New York and Helicon Take Notice that came away with the championship. Kessler and Helicon Take Notice started yesterday with second place finishes in the over fences and under saddle class. They returned this morning to win the over fences class and finish eighth in the Stake class. Kessler won the Stake class today on her other pony, Cardiff Mardi Gras. Reserve champion in the Small Pony Hunters was Hi Lite and Schaefer Raposa, who rode for Lucille Oken and Redfield Farm. Kessler has shown at Washington twice before, but this was her first win. Kessler got more time in the ring when she rode Orlando in the Large Pony Hunters, and it helped settle any leftover nerves for the second day. “I also rode a large pony yesterday and did really well on all of my ponies, so I felt really good for the second day,” she explained. Kessler and “Lexus” have a great partnership, but the young rider is ready to move to the larger divisions. About Lexus, she commented, “Lexus has a really big stride and you can just float around the course- just pick up a little pace and go. She’s really comfy, and she’s the perfect size. She’s just like a big couch!” She also added, “She’s a sweetie in the barn and nice to all of the other ponies. My other pony Mardi thinks he’s a stallion and he bites everyone.” “It’s exciting here at Washington. There is a restaurant hanging above the ring, and the ring is bigger. It’s just a thrill,” she concluded. It was a familiar face in the awards presentation for the Medium Pony Hunters. Tuscany and Jennifer Waxman have dominated the division from Florida to Devon to Harrisburg, and Washington International was no different. Waxman and Tuscany were second over fences yesterday and sixth in the hack. They returned today and were second on the over fences and won the Stake class. Tuscany is a green pony owned by Cavallo Farms LLC, but he has performed this year like a seasoned competitor. “This was his first time here,” Waxman noted. “I was really nervous, but he wasn’t! He was trying so hard and was doing everything I asked. The first day I rode him in the ring, he seemed a teeny bit nervous, but then after one loop around he was perfect.” She also added, “He’s funny, because he gets excited for the bigger shows, not nervous.” Waxman also piloted Lands End Pony Stables’ Make My Day to the reserve championship in the Medium Pony division. “I’ve shown him twice before,” she revealed. “His owner, Ande Farish, is sick, and she’s not allowed to ride.” Although Make My Day is a somewhat unfamiliar ride for Waxman, she enjoys riding new ponies. “He’s a really good jumper,” said Waxman. “Every time I’ve ridden him, I’ve had a blast on him.” For her outstanding performances this weekend, Waxman was awarded the Best Child Rider on a Pony title, a feat she also accomplished just two weeks ago at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA. In addition to Washington and Harrisburg, Waxman was also named Best Child Rider on a Pony at the prestigious Devon Horse Show and at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Waxman gave credit to those who helped make this victory possible. “I have to thank Ken and Emily Smith for training me, Babalu for grooming, Carly Kaber for organizing everything, and to my parents for supporting me,” she said with a smile. The Washington International Horse Show Pony Equitation Classic Finals found a winner in 14 year old Taylor Brown of Palmyra, Virginia. Brown trains with Pam Freeley, and she had help from Russ Walther and Christina Schlusemeyer for the Finals. Brown rode the fancy large pony Texas, who is Devon Walther’s pony. “He’s a blast,” Brown said about Texas. “He has a lot of scope and jumps anything, no problem. I was so happy with him and how I rode.” “It took a lot of confidence,” she revealed. “I had kind of a bad time in the Larges and thought, ‘This is all just warm-up to the Washington Equitation.’ I gave it all of my heart and went for it.” This was Brown’s first time at the Washington International Horse Show, and she mentioned, “The ring’s awesome and I had a lot of fun here.” Twenty-five riders attempted the over fences phase of the Finals. Brown scored an 84 with a smooth round. She was one of a few riders to successfully negotiate a triple combination that spooked many ponies. For the second phase, the top ten riders were called in to ride on the flat. The judges then started with tenth place and called riders into the middle of the ring as the remaining participants competed on the rail. “I was getting more and more nervous, and people were getting called in,” Brown admitted. “I was just hoping my number wouldn’t be called until the end. I kept it cool and kept taking deep breaths to relax my shoulders, and it worked! I like the flat phase, because it gives you a second chance to go in and show what you can do.” Brown showed the judges what she could do with beautiful flatwork in a wonderful style. Her number was the last to be announced, and she came away with the win and the Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Washington Pony Equitation Classic Finals
Photo Credit: Keep Dreamin’ and Alexandra Arute, Grand Pony and Large Pony Hunter Champions at 2005 Washington International Horse Show. Photo by Al Cook. |
|
|
| Contact Horsesdaily HorsesDaily®, ScoreSource® and PhelpsPhotos® are registered trademarks of Phelps Hathaway Enterprises,Inc. All content under this copyright is the property of PHE, Inc. unless otherwise noted. ©1997-2005 horsesdaily.com All Rights Reserved |
Washington,
D.C.- October 30- The 2005 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS)
serves as one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive
indoor equestrian events, with prominent riders, Olympic veterans, and
superstar equines competing for top honors and fabulous prize money.
Competition has been fierce this past week at the MCI Center in downtown
Washington, D.C. 
