Hardin Towell Takes New Ride on Russo Horses for Grand Junior Hunter Championship at 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival

Wellington, FL- December 2, 2005- The junior hunters finished their competition today in the Internationale Arena at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club during the 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival. It was a late, but fateful, decision that led to two Grand Championships, two division championships, and a reserve championship for rider Jack “Hardin” Towell Jr. and owner Christy Russo of Miami, Florida.

Towell, of Camden, South Carolina, was contacted by trainers Ken and Emily Smith of Wellington, Florida on Monday this week and asked to ride Christy Russo’s junior hunters at this year’s National Horse Show (NHS). Russo is sidelined with a sprained ankle and was unable to ride her two Large Juniors and her Small Junior horse. Towell has ridden the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter champion High Cotton throughout the year, but yesterday was the first time he rode both Miracle and Westcliffe. “We weren’t going to come, but Ken called on Monday and said to bring High Cotton as well. So Monday after school, I was coming down,” Towell explained.

The Large Junior 16-17 Hunters started out well yesterday for Towell. He and Miracle won both over fences classes in the Rost Arena, while Westcliffe was second in both classes. The juniors moved to the big grass field of the Internationale Arena today and Miracle pulled away from the pack when she won both classes again. Westcliffe finished second in the under saddle class today, which gave him the reserve championship. By winning all four classes, Miracle was named the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter champion, the Grand Junior Hunter Champion, and the Grand Junior/Amateur Champion, which gave them the “Ruxton and Scot To Do” Challenge Trophy.

Towell spelled out exactly why he liked riding these two horses, “Both of them are great to ride and are really nice horses. They have big scope and try really hard. They’re really careful.” The successful young rider also noted that he enjoys the NHS because he gets to ride hunters on a big field. “On the field, I liked them even better. I could ride them up more and show their scope,” he said.

In the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters, Towell rode old friend High Cotton, whom he as known for years. High Cotton won one over fences class yesterday and came back today for a second over fences and the win under saddle. These points gave him the championship in the division. Reserve champions were Milan and Stephanie Danhakl, who rode for Hannah Hale of Portland, Oregon.

Today marked the first time that Towell has won a championship at the National Horse Show. “I have to thank the Russos because they got me down here to show them. It was a blast,” he concluded.

In their biggest win to date, What D’Ya Know and Lee Cesery came away with the tricolor in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over division. Cesery and “Snickers” have been together for three years, and the adorable bay gelding lives at home with Cesery in Jacksonville, Florida. Cesery trains with Keith Alaimo while at home and meets trainer Bill Schaub of Over the Hill Farm at shows.

After her championship presentation, Cesery said jokingly, “Now I can retire!” She then explained, “I’ve ridden all my life. I took some time off to have my kids and then I started riding again, so this is my first major win. It’s a big deal and I’m really happy. It’s a real honor.”

Cesery mentioned that What D’Ya Know showed in the First Year Green division a few years ago and competed on the big field. She showed at the National Horse Show when it was at the Meadowlands, but this is her first big win at the National and the first time she has shown in the Internationale Arena. “It’s so totally different from anything else that you do elsewhere.”

Cesery knew that her horse would be competitive at this year’s NHS. “His stride was nice and open, and it was a lot of fun. He’s like a big pony. You kick, let go of the reins, and go!” What D’Ya Know placed first and second over fences yesterday and was second in the jumping class today. After a third place finish in the under saddle, the championship was sealed. Reserve champion in the division was Blush, owned and ridden by Katie Jacobs Robinson of East Aurora, New York.

The titles of champion in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 division and Grand Amateur Hunter Champion went to Krista Weisman and her faithful mount Chopard. Chopard was champion yesterday with trainer Scott Stewart and won both classes in the Amateur-Owner Hunters. Chopard returned to the show ring today and finished second in the over fences and third under saddle. “He is always a good boy,” Stewart said with a smile. “He is so smart and knows exactly what is going on. He loves to win.” Reserve champion in the division was Roundabout, ridden by Morgan Trexler of Reading, Pennsylvania, and owned by Windswept, Inc.

In special ceremonies tonight, the champions of the Open Hunter divisions will be honored. Chopard, owned by Krista Weisman, and Scott Stewart will be honored as the Grand Open Hunter Champion and the Leading Hunter Rider. Chopard was chosen by the judges as the Grand Champion Hunter after he tied another Stewart mount, Up To Date, in points.

Bainbridge Farm Adult Amateur Hunters Commence at the 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival

The Bainbridge Farm Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division launched at 8 a.m. in the Rost Arena this morning at the 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival. Bainbridge Farm, located in Wellington, Fla., is owned by Richard Schechter, a member of the National Horse Show Gentleman’s Committee and president of The Bainbridge Companies LLC.

The Bainbridge Companies LLC is a Florida-based fully integrated real estate company engaged in the development, construction, management, acquisition and disposition of commercial and residential real estate. Their apartment community development and acquisition programs are centered in specific markets in Florida.

“I think the National Horse Show is a fabulous show,” commented Schechter, “and everyone is glad to have it here in Wellington. It’s great for the community and nice for the horses.”

The Adult Amateur 18-35 first round results pinned Alexandra Cherubini and Sapphire at the top of the list with an average score of 84.670. Cherubini, who owns Equifit, Inc., resides in Boston, Mass. and trains with Jimmy Toon. Her company sells a line of jumping boots that conforms and molds to all contours and bone structures of the horse’s legs. Equifit, Inc. also markets the riding posture correction garment, ShouldersBack. “My horse was super today,” commented Cherubini with a huge smile. “The course rode really nicely, and my horse felt great out there.”

Second place went to Alexandra Sirota of Syracuse, NY and her mount Primo, owned by ALR Farm. Results of the second class in the Adult Amateur 18-35 division ranked Aspen and Stephanie Riggio in first with a score of 80.670. The red ribbon was awarded to Amie Rosenthal and her chestnut mare, Blondie.

The Bainbridge Farm Adult Amateur 36 and Older section followed with 38 entries to compete. Holly Caristo and Indian Summer rode for the win in the first class with an 86.670 average. Caristo resides in Wellington, Fla. during the winter and Saugerties, NY in the summer. Finishing second was Fellini with Molly Ohrstrom in the irons, hailing from Wellington, Fla.

In the second class, My Disguise and Ellen Toon took the top spot with a final score of 86.330. The second place was awarded to Carol Cone aboard Harmony Bay. Cone resides in Wellington, Fla. as well.

The Bainbridge Farm Adult Amateur Hunter divisions will conclude tomorrow with an under saddle class at 9 a.m. in the Rost Arena and the Adult Amateur Hunter Stake. Division championships and reserve championships will be awarded in a presentation following the stake.

Hunter competition also continues with the start of the Pony Hunter classes, as well as the Children’s Hunter division.

Photo Credit: Miracle and Jack Hardin Towell Jr., Grand Junior Hunter Champions at the 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.