Shachine Belle Triumphs with Heart & Soul in First Year Green Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL - March 4, 2005 - Although the clouds were imposing for most of the day, the rain held off today at the Cosequin Wellington Open during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The First Year Green Working Hunters and Amateur Adult 51 & Over Hunters finished competition today with familiar faces in the awards presentations.

In Section B of the First Year Hunters, the tricolor was awarded to Heart & Soul and Shachine Belle, who rode for Debbie Perkins. The pair were brilliant yesterday and picked up two blue ribbons. Their streak continued today, as they went on to win the under saddle class and the two remaining over fences classes. Heart & Soul lived up to his name, putting in an honest effort in the dreary weather. Belle remarked, “We are really excited about him. He just keeps getting better as the weeks go on.” Reserve champion in the B section was Rio Renoir, ridden by Holly Orlando and owned by Thomas and Cynthia Deibert of Why Wait Farm.

Belle commented, “One of the best things about him is that he doesn’t care where you take him.” Heart & Soul was wonderful this week in the mud and surprised Belle by being consistent-- even under the lights of the Internationale Arena in the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach. “I rode him in the night class here and he was great,” remembered Belle. “It was the first time in the class for both of us.”

Perkins and Belle are aiming for the Devon Horse Show this spring. “We want to go because we’re really in a groove right now,” Belle explained. “He’s a horse that we would love to take to Devon, because I think he’d go in there and be amazing. That’s what we’re really shooting for.”

The championship with Heart & Soul today was Belle’s first of the season, which was unusual for the successful rider. She rode In Disguise to a Regular Working Hunter reserve championship in week one and although her horses have consistently been in the top ribbons, she has not received a blue ribbon since then. Belle said with a laugh, “I’ve been second, second, second, so it was great this week. I was happy because my horses have been getting better and better, and then all of a sudden, it was like, finally!”

Scott Stewart has been winning championships every week, so it was no surprise when he and Music Street picked up the tricolor. Yesterday, Music Street was first and second over fences. Stewart said the gorgeous bay gelding’s best feature is that “he’s a beautiful mover.” Music Street proved it when he won the under saddle class, a feat he has accomplished every week at WEF thus far. Stewart went on to win another over fences class for the championship over Remedy and Danny Robertshaw, who rode for Margaret Edge.

Music Street added another championship to an already stellar record. In addition to a reserve championship in week three and a championship in week four, Music Street has two successful years of showing behind him. They have won the WEF Circuit Championship in the Pre-Green 3 & 4 Year Old Hunters and the Pre-Green 3’3” Hunters. Stewart revealed that they will compete this year for the title in the First Year Green division, but face stiff competition from Belle and Heart & Soul. “I think the circuit championship will be close between Shachine and I,” Stewart said. “But we’re going to give it a go!”

Once again, it was Indian Summer and Holly Caristo in the winner’s circle for the Adult Amateur Hunters. Indian Summer won the hack and the over fences classes yesterday and returned today with a second and third over fences. Madison and Betty Oare won both of the remaining over fences classes, but had to settle for the reserve championship in Section B. The section A champion was Hyde Park with owner/rider Barbara Goldberg, while the reserve championship went to Seventh Heaven and Lora Schultz.

The junior riders had their first equitation classes of the week today, as time winds down before the WEF Equitation Championship for the R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch trophy. Brianne Goutal, the WEF Equitation Championship winner last year, finished at the top of the list in Section A of the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search over Cordelia Allsopp and Julie Welles. The section B winner was Jessica Speiser, while Blythe Marano was second and Nikko Ritter was third.

In the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic, Natalie Johnson won the hunter phase to make her the overall winner over Haylie Jayne and Blythe Marano. Second place in the hunter phase went to Sloane Coles and Maggie McAlary was third. Dominique Mungin won the jumper phase over Jessica Speiser and Blythe Marano.

Hunter competition continues tomorrow, as the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over championship is decided and the Junior Hunters begin competition. Also on the schedule are the Pony Hunters and Adult Amateur Hunters.

Photo Credit: Heart & Soul and Shachine Belle, champions in section B of First Year Green Working Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Randi Muster.