Coverage and Photos by Diana DeRosa

Lexington, KY – Cool, calm and collected was the way both Havens Schatt and All the Answers handled the Pro 3’ Hunter Go Round (May 8) and Finals (May 9).  Their talent and skill was just what was needed to earn the highest marks from the judges and a double victory at the 2008 edition of the Legacy Cup.  The horse that she started in 2006 and who showed great promise but then got sidelined for a year with a quarter crack was back in action.

For Loretta Mayer it was truly a cloud nine victory after she dominated the Restricted Pro 3’ Hunter Finals aboard Mutch De Lothain owned by Sarah Porter.  Papillon Rouge, ridden by McKrell Painter and owned by Dr. & Mrs. Manrin Rains won the Go Round.  The Pre Green Incentive was a Real Magic victory for rider Rob Bielefeld and owner Gary Duffy.  The Legacy Cup is part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 18.

Havens Schatt and All the Answers Win Pro 3' Go Rounad and Finals

Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, had All the Answers needed in the Pro 3’ Go Round and Finals to win the class and for her it wasn’t a surprise.  The 11-year-old, 16.1H, black, Holsteiner had shown great promise after being imported from Europe in 2006.  “He really excelled in the Pre Greens and then the First Year Greens,” explained the 37 year old.  However, All The Answers was never able to show his full potential after a quarter crack sidelined him for an entire year.

“This horse holds a special place in my heart.  He was so good and then was sidelined by an injury and was never able to reach his potential and so it was always very frustrating.  He just tries so hard,” commented Schatt.

The talented gelding just recently started working his way back up the ladder and now their goal is to get him back to the 3’9” level.  Havens was proud.  The Go Round was their first class at this horse show and right from the start the Holsteiner certainly was true to his name and jumped with all the power and athleticism that she recalled when they first competed.  Then in the Finals “After I jumped the first line I pretty much knew he was on his game.

“He was awesome and felt super.  He is really powerful.  You have to sit pretty still and it’s hard to stay with him in the air.  He’s a bit of an over achiever and the feeling you get when he jumps is incredible.”

Havens praised the concept of this novel hunter competition.  “It is a really good class for horses like ours, especially since we don’t have other classes to do right now.”  Although extremely supportive of the concept Schatt did admit that adding more classes into an already full day was at times demanding.  “As pros we have to dig deep.  I feel the Legacy Cup is such a great thing for the sport that we need to support it.  It’s so different and specialized.”