Consistency is Key for Attache and Toon in Amateur-Owner Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa

Tampa, FL- April 1, 2005 - Only one day remains of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Tampa, and many are still competing for those precious ribbons that will help them win WEF circuit championships.

Another division was wrapped up today, as Attache and Ellen Toon came away with the tricolor in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters over Just Looking and Louise Otten.

Although Toon and Attache have only been partnered together at four shows, they blew away the competition for the entire circuit by being champion at every one of them.

This week in Tampa, Attache won the under saddle class and three over fences classes. Their partnership has grown the more they show and it pays off with every blue ribbon they collect. “I think we probably both got better. He’s been very consistent and I’ve probably gotten better on him,” Toon clarified.

Toon and Attache had to adjust to a more compact ring in Tampa, but it did not seem to faze the elegant black gelding. “This ring is harder for a bigger horse and everything came up quicker. The lines were easy and there’s not as much time to get yourself together,” Toon explained.

After their early success in Wellington, the decision was made to compete in Tampa. “I decided that since we did well early on, to try and possibly qualify for Devon. It’s paid off, which is even better,” said Toon.

Toon is known for riding one of the best hunters of all time, In Disguise, and the new relationship with Attache is shaping up to be just as special. She revealed, “I feel like I’ve bonded my relationship with him and it’ll be great to begin the next season with him and go for it again. To have a horse that’s this scopey and with this much talent, just to be able to get on and do it is great. I can’t say enough about him.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Attache and Ellen Toon, champions in Amateur-Owner Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa. Photo by Randi Muster.