Wellington, FL- March 3, 2005 - On an overcast day in Wellington, FL, the first championships for the hunter divisions were awarded in the Cosequin Wellington Open at the Winter Equestrian Festival. This is the fifth week of competition for the hunters, with one week left here in Wellington. On March 23, WEF moves to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL, for two weeks. WEF Circuit Champions will be decided in Tampa and they will be awarded at a special ceremony before the Budweiser American Invitational at the Raymond James Stadium on April 2.

Hunter competition began yesterday and the Green Conformation Hunters started the day with their model class. They finished classes today and Game Plan came away with the championship over Charming and Havens Schatt, who rode for Caroline Moran, also of Wellington, FL.

Game Plan, owned by Nancy Breedlove of Wellington, FL, placed second in the model class. They went onto place third and fifth over fences and second under saddle. They were steady today, with an eye on the tricolor. Game Plan was very consistent, as rider Penny Lombardo, of Loxahatchee, FL, guided him to a first and third over fences.

Game Plan is the product of time and patience, as Breedlove and Lombardo have progressed steadily through the ranks. “We’re kind of just taking our time with him and bringing him along slowly; making sure we’re doing all the right things,” Breedlove expressed. This approach has paid off, since Game Plan has been consistently in the ribbons and was champion in week three. Breedlove also clarified, “We’ve had past horses related to him, and Penny has had great success with them. We kind of wanted to ensure that success with Game Plan.”

Game Plan is another member of the family and Breedlove believes his best quality is his demeanor at the barn. She explained, “I’m a mom. My girls ride him and I do my own shipping. He’s just an amazing horse to work around at the barn.” Game Plan and Lombardo will be back in competition next week to defend their title and have their eyes on possibly showing in Tampa, when WEF moves to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center for its final two weeks of competition.

The Regular Working Hunter division saw a familiar face at the award presentation today. Take Away and Havens Schatt, riding for Cortie Wetherill, won the tricolor over Caroline Moran’s In Return, another ride for Schatt.

The stunning bay gelding is new to the Regular Working division this year, but has already made his mark. Take Away was reserve champion in week one of WEF, champion in week three, and was brilliant under the lights in the AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach and placed second.

Take Away took away trainer Jeff Wirthman’s breath at first sight. “I saw the horse in Holland last June and just had to have him,” he exclaimed. “He was still a stallion, but he had a great, quiet attitude; even as a stallion.” The Wetherills, of Malvern, PA, loved Take Away as well and brought him to the United States. He will be Cortie Wetherill Jr.’s junior hunter horse after Devon, but will continue with Schatt in the Regular Working division at certain shows.

Take Away and Schatt were on a roll yesterday as they took first and second place over fences with scores of 88 and 86 and then were second in the under saddle class. They stayed on track today, placing first and second again over fences, this time with scores of 87 and 86. Wirthman says that what makes Take Away so exceptional is that “he loves his job” and has an “incredible jump.” He also revealed, “I love this horse. I’ve had a lot of good horses, but this one is special.”

Hunter championships will be decided tomorrow in both sections of the First Year Green Working Hunter division. The Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters will also finish tomorrow, as Indian Summer and Holly Caristo will go for their seventh straight championship. In addition, the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over hunters will begin competition.

Photo Credit: Game Plan and Penny Lombardo, Green Conformation Hunter champions at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.