Top Young Grand Prix Rider Paige Johnson Wins in Amateur-Owner Hunters with Regall while Addison Phillips Sweeps the Juniors at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL- February 19, 2005 - Although Paige Johnson’s name is well-known this season for challenging the top grand prix riders in the nation, she is also very competitive in the hunter ring. Johnson was second in the $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup to Olympian Chris Kappler two weeks ago, but this week her focus was on qualifying for the American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Spectacular. The special hunter classic will be held under the lights, tonight at 7 p.m. Johnson and Regall improved on last week’s reserve championship and came out on top in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 division in this week, the Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular.

The Amateur-Owner 18-35 division was spread out over three days. On Thursday, Johnson and Regall were very consistent, as they placed first and second over fences and were second under saddle. Yesterday, the pair was fourth over fences, and today they had a smooth trip on the big field of the Internationale Arena for the win. Johnson was pleased with the victory, and commented, “I’m really excited to be champion this week, because I get to do the night class. Regall is fabulous under the lights, so I’m really looking forward to this evening.” Reserve champion went to Prove It and Krista Weisman.

Johnson has been focusing more on the jumpers this year, and specifically on the grand prix. It has paid off, as she has been consistently in the ribbons in some of the most challenging classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Although the grand prix and amateur-owner hunters may seem very different, Johnson believes riding hunters does help when it comes time to compete in the bigger classes. “Doing the hunters still helps you stay smooth and relaxed, and you kind of carry that into the jumper ring,” she related. Her big move into the grand prix does not seem to faze her. “I don’t get nervous for either the hunters or the jumpers,” said Johnson. “I’m really not a nervous person.”

Since her grand prix career has taken off, Johnson’s focus is no longer on the hunters. “I still like doing the hunters, and it’s still very rewarding, but I don’t plan on doing it much longer,” revealed Johnson. “It’s a little bit hard balancing the hunter ring with the jumper ring.” Her successful hunter career will at least continue through tonight, when the duo competes in the AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach.

Unlike Paige Johnson, junior rider Addison Phillips is a little nervous when she enters the show ring. “I get a little anxious, but just that I’m ready to go, and I think that helps me a lot,” Phillips expressed. “I think it’s good to be a little bit nervous.” That feeling helped Phillips today, as she swept the young junior hunter division titles.

Phillips rode Sale and Daisy Johnson’s Libre to the championship in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, and was reserve champion on Fern Walk, owned by Don Stewart. Libre won two over fences classes, while Fern Walk won the third jumping class. Fern Walk was also third under saddle.

In the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, Phillips rode another of the Johnson’s horses, Rio Bravo, to the championship. She also rode her own horse, Who’s On First, to the reserve championship. In the stake class today, Phillips went one-two with Rio Bravo and Who’s On First. The horses split the wins in the other two jumping classes, while Who’s On First was second in the under saddle class and Rio Bravo was fifth.

The four horses she rode are “all a little different,” said Phillips, but the two large junior hunters were the most alike. “Jimmy (Who’s On First) and Rio (Bravo) are kind of the same, they both like to gallop,” acknowledged Phillips. “They’re all amazing horses and they all go out there and try their best.” As does Phillips, who showed she is one of the best junior riders in the country today. Phillips was very grateful to the Johnsons and Stewart for the ride on their horses, and to Andre Dignelli and everyone at Heritage Farm for their help and support. She will compete tonight in the AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach on champions Libre and Rio Bravo.

Hunter competition tomorrow will include the Florida Children’s Hunter Classic, the Peggy Cone Adult Hunter Classic, and the Florida Pony Hunter Classic.

Photo Credit: Regall and Paige Johnson, champions in Amateur-Owner Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.