Scott Stewart Sweeps Hunter Championships at 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival

Wellington, FL- December 1, 2005-Championships were decided in the professional hunter divisions today, and one name completely dominated the results at the 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival. The show runs through Sunday, December 4 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club.

Scott Stewart, of Flemington, New Jersey had a spectacular day as he entered the ring for the ribbon presentations at the front of the line in nearly every class. The hunters competed today in the elegant, big, grass field of the Internationale Arena. This is a special opportunity for the hunters, and Stewart made the most of it.

“I was a little disappointed to not compete out on the field yesterday because of the weather, but the footing was super in the Rost Arena,” Stewart admitted. Since the horses do not usually have such a wide open field to compete in, there are certain preparations that need to be made before competition. “You have to make sure they’re really quiet and relaxed before they go out on the field,” Stewart explained. “You have to get the edge off of them. I start three days out, working them more a little bit each day. With the one class out there today, the horses just came up to the ring, went in, and were fantastic.”

The horses were also able to compete over a course that used the entire field, rather than confining most of the jumps to one side to save the footing. “It really was one of the first times that we got to use the whole field,” Stewart remarked. “It was such a good course.”

Horses competed in one under saddle class and one over fences class today and had two over fences classes yesterday in the “Rost Arena.” The champions will be honored in special ceremonies tomorrow night at 7 p.m. before the start of the Lexus NHS Jumper Championship, presented by Chesapeake Petroleum.

In the William Barlow Redfern Regular Working Hunters, Stewart rode a relatively new horse, Up to Date. The charming bay mare, nicknamed “Jenny” and owned by Richard Prant, made the transition from the jumper ring this spring and has adapted well to the slower, more graceful hunter classes. Up to Date was first and second over fences yesterday and came back today for the win in both classes. Reserve champion in the Regular Working Hunters were Sequel and Terry Brown of Showcase Ltd.

“I thought she jumped phenomenally,” said Stewart. Up to Date has recently been competing in the Children’s Hunters with Heather Hooker. The move up to the Regular Working Hunters, where the jumps are one foot higher, did not daunt Jenny. “She tries so hard, no matter how high the jumps are,” Stewart revealed.

Stewart also had luck in the Regular Conformation division, where he and Krista Weisman’s Chopard won four out of five classes and were second in the remaining class to pick up the championship.

Reserve champion in the Regular Conformation Hunters was Westcliffe, ridden by Ken Smith of Wellington, Florida, and owned by Christy Russo of Miami, Florida. Westcliffe was second and fourth over fences yesterday and second in the flat. He returned for the last class and needed the win for the reserve championship. The veteran Westcliffe had no problem jumping around the field for the blue ribbon.

“He’s been a great horse for us,” said Smith. “He’s big, scopey, and very reliable. He tries every class, and he’s a real winner.” Smith reiterated that it is quite an honor to win at the National Horse Show. “It’s a very prestigious show and has a lot of history, so it makes a win that much more special,” he expressed. “When you are presented with a trophy, you look at all the famous horses and riders names on the trophies. It’s neat to be a part of that.”

Westcliffe will also compete in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division with Jack Hardin Towell Jr., since his owner is sidelined with a sprained ankle. Although Towell has never ridden the horse before, trainer Ken Smith was not worried about his performance. “He doesn’t mind who is on him. He’s straightforward and easy to get a feel of,” he described. The win today was especially sweet since it is the final show of the year for Smith. “This is kind of our last hurrah for the year, so it makes this show special,” he said.

In the Green Conformation division, champion went to Granted, owned and ridden by Scott Stewart. “He’s my greenest horse,” Stewart admitted, “but that’s the best he has ever gone.” Granted won the model yesterday and was second and seventh over fences. He returned today for the blue ribbon in both classes. Reserve champion in the division was Eldridge T, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Larry Glefke of Keswick, Virginia.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter division was a sweep for Scott Stewart. He piloted True, owned by Fashion Farm, to the championship. True was second over fences yesterday and returned today to win both classes. Reserve champion went to another Fashion Farm-owned entry, Dynamic.

Once again, it was another run of the championship ribbons for Stewart. In the First Year Green Hunters, he piloted Alexa Weisman’s Music Street to the tricolor and Fellini, owned by Molly Ohrstrom, to the reserve championship. Music Street was a consistent performer, as he placed third and fourth yesterday, won the under saddle class today, and was third in the final over fences class.

Photo Credit: Up to Date and Scott Stewart, champions in the W.B. Redfern Regular Working Hunters at the 122nd National Horse Show. Photo by Randi Muster.