In Return and Caroline Moran Return to Winner’s Circle in Amateur-Owner Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL- February 18, 2005 - It was two in a row for In Return and Caroline Moran, as they claimed the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over championship again this week at the Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

The grass field of the Internationale Arena was the site of the final classes in the Amateur-Owner division, and In Return took the move to the new location completely in stride. The gorgeous bay mare had high scores of 87.3 and 88 to win both over fences classes today. Added to her second and sixth place ribbons over fences yesterday, Moran squeaked by Pavarotti and Teri Kessler for the championship by half of a point. Pavarotti and Kessler won both over fences classes yesterday and had a second place this morning.

The American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach is at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 19. The class is the biggest event for hunters all year, and has the biggest purse. The winner of the event receives $12,000 and prizes, plus the prestige that comes along with winning. The champions and reserve champions of the rated hunter divisions will qualify for this event, along with last year’s winner, and the leading riders of the World Championship Hunter Rider organization.

After her win last week in this division, Moran stated, “We’re aiming for the Hunter Spectacular next week.” Moran achieved her goal by being champion today, and is excited about showing in the big class tomorrow evening. Last year, Moran placed eighth with her grey stallion, St. Nick.

The Amateur-Owner 18-35 division had one over fences class today, and it was dominated by Tracy Scheriff and her two horses. Private Ryan and Reagan were first and second today out on the grass. Yesterday, Paige Johnson and her mount, Regall, were first and second over fences, and were second in the under saddle class. Last year’s Hunter Spectacular winner, Clara Lindner, won the under saddle with Priceless. The younger Amateur-Owners have one class left tomorrow morning before the championship is decided.

The junior hunters started competition today, and a few horses look poised to win championships. In the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, Fern Walk and Addison Phillips, riding for Don Stewart, were victorious in one over fences class and were third in the under saddle. Phillips was also impressive in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters, as she piloted Who’s On First to the win over fences and a second on the flat. She also rode Rio Bravo for Sale Johnson and won the second over fences class. Rio Bravo received a fourth in the other over fences class and was fifth on the flat.

Hunter results tomorrow will include the champions and reserve champions of all the junior hunter divisions and the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters. They will join the list of the following horse and rider combinations qualified for the Hunter Spectacular from this week:

Tribute, Scott Stewart
Chopard, Scott Stewart
Prove It, Scott Stewart
Beyond, Scott Stewart
Music Street, Scott Stewart
Cool Blue, Scott Stewart
Noir, Ken Smith
Rio Renoir, Holly Orlando
Without Question, Rob Bielefeld
Costello, Louise Serio
Heart & Soul, Shachine Belle
In Return, Caroline Moran
Pavarotti, Teri Kessler

Photo Credit: In Return and Caroline Moran, champions in Amateur-Owners at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.