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AHJF
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Press Releases PETER PLETCHER AMAZES AGAIN IN WCHR PRO FINALS
AHJF's WCHR Annual Winners Named in Pro, Amateur and
Children's Divisions "The first time you are freaked out. The second time it's still unbelievable. The third time I can't believe how exciting it still is to win this class. It never gets dull. You are just as nervous every time," concluded Pletcher. Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, claimed the victory ahead of three-time winner Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and defending champion and two-time winner John French, Redwood City, CA after an initial three rounds of six riders was paired down to three. The scores of the final three was the closest margin in the history of this class. Pletcher's score of 360.99 was mere fractions ahead of 2nd place finishers John French and Scott Stewart who tied for second with a score of 359.32, but the way the class is structured the score of the tie-breaker judges broke the tie (88 for Stewart to 89 for French) to give French the 2nd place finish, just one spot lower than the previous year when he won it all. Finishing 4th was Liza Boyd (266.32), 5th was John Bragg (263.99) and 6th was Kirsten Coe (261.49). THE COMPETITION
Riders had to qualify to compete in this class by
earning points in WCHR recognized shows (of which there were 50
throughout the U.S. in eight regions: Southeast, South Central,
Central Mountain, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Midwest). AHJF tallies
the points based on each rider's top four WCHR shows. The top six
riders from each region and the top 10 riders in the standings are
then invited to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the
WCHR Challenge Class. Their top score in WCHR recognized divisions
earned at the Capital Challenge is added to that total. Those points
are then combined with the overall points to determine the final
six. The riders alternated on riding six different horses which they each provided for the class. These included Peter's mount Surella, owned by Mary Jane Stone, a 15.3h, bay, Warmblood mare. Cunningham, owned by Mary Slouka, is a 17.1h, Holsteiner stallion by Cassini 1 out of a Contender mare. Liza's choice was Sienna, owned by Annie Gardner, a 15.3h, 9-year-old, bay, Dutch Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker. Kirsten's addition was Aston, owned by Heritage Farm, a 10-year-old, 16.2h, Dutch Warmblood, bay gelding. Raise the Roof, a 15.3h, 9-year-old, grey, Warmblood gelding by Mr. Blue owned by Cloe Baumrim was French's choice. Scott chose True, owned by Glen Senk, a 10-year-old, 16.3h, Belgium Warmblood gelding. The alternate was Tripple Lutz, owned by Samantha Harrison, a 16.1h, 6-year-old, bay, Warmblood gelding. The riders were allowed to briefly warm-up on their first horse but for all subsequent rides they had to go directly to the 3'6" course in the ring. And while the fences were the same for the first three courses, the order in which they were jumped changed each time. For the fourth round, the course was changed to a demanding Handy Hunter class and only the top three competed. GOING FOR THE WIN
In the first round Boyd took the early lead (92.66) followed by Pletcher (90). In 3rd was defending champion French and Scott Stewart (both with a score of 89.66). Bragg was in 5th (89) and Coe in 6th (87.50). In the second round Boyd again dominated the class after her first and second round scores were combined (185.66). In 2nd was Stewart (180.66), 3rd Pletcher (179.33), 4th French (179.32), 5th Coe (175.83), and 6th Bragg (174.66). The third round was critical as it would determine what three riders went into the final round. While it appeared that Boyd had a very strong possibility of continuing her lead a mistake in a broken line was her demise. She got too close to the oxer and received a score of 80.66 for a three round total of 266.32. Ultimately that score would put her just outside the top three in the 4th spot. That "chip" gave the other riders the break they needed. After the third round it was Pletcher who went into the final round on the leading score of 270.99, followed by French (269.32) for 2nd, Stewart was 3rd (268.66). Afterwards Boyd jokingly commented "the six strides (which was the right distance to that fence she chipped) looked very far away so I did seven." The final results were an interesting twist because despite the fact that the class was changed to allow an additional two riders to qualify, in the end it was the three past winners who made it into the final three. They entered in reverse order and Stewart put in a strong performance which gave him a score of 90.66 for the round and with his previous scores he finished on 359.32. It was French who went next and another strong round with a slightly lower score of 90 tied his score with Stewart's but the tie-breaker put him 2nd. Now it was up to Pletcher whose final score of 90 was just enough to give him his third WCHR Professional Finals win. AHJF President Geoff Teall later commented, "This class for me was almost the nicest so far. I like the fact that it included more people and new people and yet in the end it was the veterans and past winners who won again." CAPITAL CHALLENGE IS THE HORSE SHOW FOR HUNTERS
Three of the riders who qualified this year have competed in this class multiple times while the other three were competing for the first time. Even after all these years and multiple victories the veterans were still as determined to both qualify and win this very prestigious competition, which is the only one geared specifically for professional hunter riders. "We are trying our best to stay at the top of the sport and maintain that for as long as we can. You always want to be the best and be the most competitive," explained Stewart. Pletcher agreed. "You want to stay at the top of the game and so you strive for it all year. You check those points over and over again and you email to see where you are in the standings. It's a great goal. It's just a rush and an added bonus to the sport." Thinking of all that it took to qualify against the best of the best Kirsten softly added, "The thought of trying to qualify for next year is daunting." While Boyd interjected, "You try to act as if it doesn't matter, but it does!" It's the title that matters most but along with that title come a lot of perks. "There is no other show like this. There's so much publicity that surrounds it. Just from winning it last year I got a book of all the articles throughout the year that have talked about the program and the win," explained French. The riders have the AHJF and Monarch International to thank for some of those benefits. As one sponsor of this class they in unison with the AHJF want to reward the riders not only with money but also with recognition. AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE Ursula, 11, has only been riding for 18 months and takes lessons at Full Sale Farm with trainer Wanda Rosatti. She won on Sprite, a friend's pony mare who Ursula says "likes red twizzlers. Kathryn, 12, has been riding for six years and now trains with Denna Johnson. She has four ponies that she regularly rides but it was on Pony Source (a pony who Kathryn says "licks you all the time, loves hot dogs and blows bubbles in the water trough") owned by Full Partners Farm in Newberry, FL, that she earned the honor of traveling to the Capital Challenge. While Ursula and Kathryn were thrilled with their victory it was their parents and trainers that really understood the depth of what they had won. "This is the most amazing opportunity for local kids," commented Denna. "The kids have something to shoot for. This gives them a chance, especially those on a limited budget, to have the opportunity to see the best riders, trainers, course designers, judges, and so many more top people in the nation. There isn't anything for the local kids to shoot for. This is the only opportunity they have to strive for something unique and special." Their glee was what those who qualified to compete
in the pro finals also went through before they set out on their
present path. It was a seed that was planted along the way that
helped all the qualified six riders to get into a field that gives
them the job they enjoy going to every day. AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 24, 2008) and the Legacy Cup at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, May 9-20, 2008. At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children's and pony hunter riders. The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders. In order to qualify, a rider's top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. A number of special awards were given out as well. Pam Baker, Bealeton, VA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and owned by Molly Ohrstrom, Middleburg, VA, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Truly, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart. Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA, won the Winter's Run Sportsmanship Award. MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since. For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net. For complete results and photos go to www.ahjf.org.
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American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583
ahjf@earthlink.net 508-835-8813