Caroline Moran Sweeps Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunter Division with In Return and Pave

Wellington, FL- February 12, 2005 - Only one hunter championship was awarded today in the Kilkenny/ICH Internationale at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The Amateur-Owner 36 & Over division was dominated by Caroline Moran and her two stunning bay horses, In Return and Pave.

In the two over fences classes yesterday, Moran won both classes, splitting the wins between her two horses. Pave, the typey light bay, won the first class and was second behind In Return in the second class. Both received ribbons in the under saddle class, while In Return won the next over fences class and finished third in the over fences stakes class. In Return finished with the tricolor, while Pave was the reserve champion.

Moran and trainer Scott Williamson had a strategic game plan for the horses and their show schedule. “We try not to start too early, and don’t do any pre-circuit shows. So we came back for the first week of WEF and were a little bit rusty, but we’re very happy this week,” commented Williamson. “I think we planned it just right.” The jumpers highlighted last week at WEF, and the week off for the hunters was a “nice breather,” said Moran. “It makes them a little fresher mentally and physically.”

Moran and her two top horses are right on track for next week, the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Spectacular/Lincoln Florida Classic. The feature for hunters is the American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach, which awards $12,000 and prizes for the winner. Champions and reserve champions in the rated hunter divisions next week qualify for the class. Moran is planning on having her two horses show under the lights in the big grass field of the Internationale Arena. Trainer Williamson professed, “Next week is what we’re really aiming for.”

While Paige Johnson is making a name for herself in the grand prix ring, she is still a force to be reckoned with in the hunters. In Section A of the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters today, Johnson and Regall made their presence known by winning one over fences class and placing second in the other class. Johnson and her second horse, Skyy, also won a class in Section B of the same division. The younger Amateur-Owner Hunters finish up tomorrow with their remaining three classes.

More names were added to the list of qualifiers yesterday for the R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Classic, which will be held on March 12. In the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, two new names were at the top of the judge’s card. The Section A winner was Nikko Ritter, who topped Natalie Johnson, while Cordelia Allsopp beat out Addison Phillips in Section B.

Consistency was the key in the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic. Maggie McAlary was second to Blythe Marano in the jumper phase and Natalie Johnson in the hunter phase, but her high scores made her the overall winner.

More equitation is on the schedule tomorrow, as the top junior riders battle in the USEF Hunter Seat Medal class and the ASPCA Maclay class. The remaining hunter divisions finish up tomorrow, including the Amateur-Owner 18-35, and the older Small and Large Junior Hunters.

Photo Credit: In Return and Caroline Moran, Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Champions. Photo by Randi Muster.