Press Releases

AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge Champions Visit Capital Challenge

Caitlin Miller of Haslett, Michigan and Erin Larson of Oronoco, Minnesota accept their Regional prize awards center ring at Capital Challenge from AHJF President Geoff Teall.

Winners of the 2006 AHFJ/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge, Caitlin Miller, of Haslett, Michigan and Erin Larson of Oronoco, Minnesota, enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and Dover Saddlery.

Caitlin Miller and Erin Larson have the opportunity to meet with the four professional World Championship Hunter Rider participants‹Louise Serio, Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher and winner John French‹during the press conference.

Miller and Larson arrived on Friday afternoon to enjoy a full weekend program of education and entertainment, kicked off by a presentation of awards by AHJF President Geoff Teall and Vice President Louise Serio. Miller and Larson received Dover Saddlery 5-in-1 Riding Jackets , Rider's International coolers, polo shirts and hats as awards for their win and their trainers also received Dover Saddlery 5-in-1 Riding Jackets and an autographed copy of AHJF President Geoff Teall's new book, "Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation." After the presentation the girls were invited to the AHJF Press conference in honor of the winners of the WCHR Professional Finalists. Janet Nittmann, Corporate Communications Director at Dover Saddlery met with Larson and Miller and asked about their experiences with the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge. Miller, the Eastern Conference Champion said she particularly enjoyed riding in the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge classes as she was competing with several of her friends. "It was fun to check my points online at the AHJF website" added Larson, the Western Conference Champion.

This year, for the first time, reserve Champions and third place regional winners in the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter were invited to the weekend¹s activity - Diane Chapman, Maitlyn Rakowski and Mariola Power joined Miller and Larson for the weekend of activities and a photograph with Janet Nittman, Corporate Communications Director of Dover Saddlery.

On Saturday, Miller and Larson had the honor of meeting leading hunter and jumper riders as well as other professionals from the sport. Linda Adrisani, a nationally recognized hunter judge, gave them insight on how hunter classes are judged while Mclain Ward, an Olympic show jumper rider walked the Grand Prix course with the girls explaining his riding plan. On Sunday the girls visited with farrier Jack Miller, hunter course designer Michael Reinheimer and show veterinarian Dr. Robert Barber. "I particularly enjoyed watching the Grand Prix on Saturday night," said Larson. "It was also exciting to be able to visit the FEI horses," added Miller. FEI Steward Ralph Alfano explained the special needs of the International Jumpers housed in that part of the stabling area.

This year, for the first time, reserve Champions and third place regional winners in the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter were invited to the weekend's activity - Diane Chapman, Maitlyn Rakowski and Mariola Power joined Miller and Larson for the weekend of activities. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity" said Diane Chapman, from Portage, Michigan. Vicki Holst, Larson's trainer, and Amy Hayes, Miller's trainer, were also on hand to enjoy the weekend program.

Caitlin and Erin join Janet Nittman, Corporate Communications Director of Dover Saddlery, for a photo at the AHJF Press Conference.

The AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge is for Young Riders competing at non-recognized horse shows. More information on the AJHF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge is available at www.AHJF.org. Horse shows wishing to participate should call the American Hunter Jumper Foundation at 508-835-8813.