Victoria Watters and Eye Remember Rio Win Peggy Cone Adult Hunter Classic

Alexandra Skiffington Is Tops In Florida Children’s Hunter Classic at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL- February 20, 2005 - The top Adult Amateur Hunters from this week competed in the Grand Hunter Field this afternoon in the $5,000 Peggy Cone Adult Hunter Classic (NAL/WIHS). It was held in memory of Peggy Cone and is sponsored by her sister, Carol Cone. Peggy Cone was an accomplished songwriter, singer, performer, and equestrian.

Peggy passed away from liver cancer in February 2001, but her spirit lives on in the class. As Peggy’s music played in the background, 48 entries competed in the class, and the top twelve scorers returned for a second round on the last day of the Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Attache and Ellen Toon came into the second round with a score of 85.75. Their beautiful second trip scored a high score of 88.5 to lead the class with a total score of 174.25. As the final entry in the classic, Eye Remember Rio and Victoria Watters had to have a solid round to beat Toon. Watters did just that, as she flawlessly executed the course and scored an 87.5 to add to a first round score of 87.75 for a total of 175.25.

Watters has a visual disability, but it does not stop her from being one of the best adult riders on the circuit. She and “Rio” have been champions in their division for the past two weeks. Watters says she could not do it without her wonderful mount. “I can be a little long, a little short, a little off-center, and he still helps me and covers it and jumps it like a million dollars,” she said. “I have never known any horse that could be so forgiving, adjustable, and consistent. My trainer, Ken Smith, did a great match.”

The class was inspirational for Watters, because she knew Peggy Cone and is friends with Carol Cone. “If Carol didn’t win it, then I was thrilled to do it and was thinking of her sister the whole time,” Watters divulged. “I hope she was up there helping me and rooting me along.”

$5,000 Peggy Cone Adult Hunter Classic (NAL/WIHS) Results:

Eye Remember Rio, Victoria Watters- Wattership Downs
Attache, Ellen Toon
Harmony Bay, Carol Cone
Hermitage, Sandra Epstein
Fontainebleau, Jenifer Stefanik
Walden Woods, Krista Hunter- Jay Golding
Wallstreet, Carol Cone
Sincerely, Cara Walinsky
Glenheirloom, Hilary Scheer Gerhardt- Jack Schock
Semper Fi, Sarah Ingram
Rockerbar, Carolyn Anderson- Scott Stewart
Barcelona, Jack Schock

The Children’s Hunters made the move to the Grand Hunter Field this morning to compete in the Florida Children’s Hunter Classic. The classic had 42 entries, and twelve were called back for the second round.

Infamous and Jennifer Waxman had a first round score of 84.75 and a second round score of 84 to have a total average of 84.375. This score held in first place until the last horse entered the ring. North York and Alexandra Skiffington, riding for Anne Casson of Lake Forest, IL, had the best first round score of 87.5. Skffington rode the charming bay gelding to a second round score of 86.5, and had a total average of 87.

Although most riders feel the pressure of going last in a classic and having to maintain a good score to win, Skiffington was confident that her horse would go well. “You always know he’s going to be fine. It’s nice knowing you can go in and win because you have a nice horse,” said Skiffington. “It’s just up to you not to make a mistake.”

Skffington has only ridden North York for three weeks, but was happy to ride the horse for owner Anne Casson and trainer Carl Weeden. “He’s so much fun. You can just get in the two-point and gallop around. We jump two jumps in the schooling area and he’s perfect,” commented Skiffington.

She normally rides with Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL, but has also gotten to ride for Weeden since she was young. “I started helping Carl when I was twelve and did small ponies. Carl’s always kind of been there for me,” Skiffington expressed. Skiffington will continue to ride North York in the Children’s division for the remainder of the Winter Equestrian Festival, and the horse will return to Illinois to show with his owner. “I’ll ride North York anytime that Anne can’t show him. He’s a very consistent horse and he’s a lot of fun,” Skiffington said.

$2,500 Florida Children’s Hunter Classic (NAL/WIHS) Results:

North York, Alexandra Skiffington- Anne Casson
Infamous, Jennifer Waxman
Navigator, Sara Bryan- Derbydown, Inc.
Folklore, Alexandra Arute- Scott Stewart
Savion, Jennifer Waxman- Anne Emmett
Stolen Moment, Kacy Jenkins- Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare
Pienvotti, Paige Allardice- Pamela Allardice
Euro Star, Katherine Arliss
Play Me Coltrane, Kaitlin Campbell
Grancino, Hannah Stevens
Prime Time, Caroline Gibson
Bravo, Julia McNerney

$2,500 Florida Pony Hunter Classic Results:

Orlando, Schaefer Raposa- Beaver Brook Ponies and Maggie McAlary
Cardiff Mardi Gras, Reed Kessler
Buzz Light Year, Casey Green
Lovin’ Life, Katherine Newman- Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ingram
In The Game, Rachel Udelson
The Patriot, Keri Guanciale- Branson Skinner
Ingenue, Adrienne Sternlicht
Mickey La La, Kristen Lutz- Tracy Freels
Light Up The Year, Katie Dinan- Katie Dinan, LLC
Beau Rivage, Casey Green

Photo Credit: Victoria Watters and Eye Remember Rio, winners of Peggy Cone Adult Hunter Classic. Photo by Randi Muster