Alexandra Thornton Shows Talent in Her Ride to Two Children’s Hunter Championships at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL- January 29, 2006- The Winter Equestrian Festival, the largest and longest running equestrian event in the world, wrapped up its first week of competition today for the 2006 season.

It was a fantastic day for Alexandra Thornton in the Children’s 14 and Under Hunters. Thornton showed everyone what champions are made of with a clean sweep and captured the championship ribbon in both sections of the division.

Thornton danced to the top spot aboard For The Music. To secure the championship, she took the blue ribbon over fences on both Saturday and Sunday of this week’s competition. Reserve champion in the first section went to Katherine Arliss on Super Sport.

Thornton then tackled the second division with Tobasco, a new ride for her that really paid off. Thornton won both a blue over fences and was second in the under saddle on Saturday. She returned today to triumph in both over fences classes and placed second on her brand-new horse, Agincourt. Reserve champion in the second section went to Nicole Bellissimo and Say the Word. Thornton trains with Susie Humes at Dunwalke LLC located in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Yesterday, Alexandra celebrated her thirteenth birthday. Thornton was thrilled with her performance this weekend. “I worked so hard to get here. I am so thankful for my parent’s support, my trainer Susie, and Chris Marold, who does a wonderful job preparing my horses for the ring. They are always so happy to come and do their job,” Thornton expressed.

“For The Music, known around the barn as Henry, has such a sweet disposition,” said Thornton. “He tries so hard and is so smooth. He was my first horse, and I love riding him! This was my first show with Tobasco. He’s just a great horse, and I am so excited about the future with him!” added Thornton.

Thornton hopes to show off her new equine birthday presents over the upcoming weeks. Agincourt will be her junior hunter, while Saint Exupery is a Children’s Jumper that is currently getting some show mileage in the Children’s Hunters.

When asked about how she gets ready to go in the ring for her championship rides, she happily replied, “Susie reminds me to always do my best for my horses. I don’t have any nerves. I just concentrate on the course and get in the ring to give my horses the best ride I can,” Thornton explained. Today, that strategy worked.

A tie between Ashley Burke and Schaefer Raposa would be the deciding factor in the crowning of today’s Small Pony Hunter Champion. The two competitors had to ride off to capture the title. Ashley Burke and her own Master Spy secured the championship in style with the win. Raposa was the reserve champion aboard BlackBerry for Heritage Farm.

Burke is from Salisbury, Maryland and trains with Denise Derisio at Skyland Farms. This is Ashley’s first time at the Winter Equestrian Festival. She finished first, third and seventh over fences, which tied her in points with Raposa, causing the ride off to determine today’s winner.

The chestnut pony Master Spy has been in the family for four years. “He’s a character. He takes such good care of me,” said Burke. “I am so thankful to have him, and I love showing in the warm weather,” she added.

Also new to the Winter Equestrian Festival was today’s Medium Pony Hunter Champion Alliy Moyer and Lucky Too. The veteran pony won an over fences class yesterday and returned today for ***. Reserve champion went to Allure and Heather Hooker.

Moyer trains with Tammy Provost and Wendy Newby at Meadowbrook Farm based in Zionsville, Indiana. She has only been riding Lucky for three months and was excited about her win.

“I am so happy to have the opportunity to ride Lucky. She’s really fun,” said Moyer. “Lucky helps me find the distances. It’s great to have a pony that has been there and done that. I have to thank Heather Irvine and her owner Rachel Herkowitz for helping me reach this goal,” she added.

A very familiar horse returned to the spotlight today in the Amateur-Owner 36& Over Hunter division. In Disguise and owner/rider Ellen Toon were partnered once again for amazing results after a year of rest. The phenomenal ten year old Dutch Warmblood gelding jumped in amazing form for four blue ribbons and the championship.

“I was very nervous to get in the ring the first time, because he’d been out for a year,” Toon admitted. “He just walked in the ring like he knew what his job was. He does it like no other!” Toon remarked that “Odie” had no ill effects from a year of rest, “He felt as good as ever, if not better, because he was fresh.”

While most marvel at In Disguise’s form over the jumps, Toon confided that the experience of riding such a horse is even better. “It’s cool to watch. I watched him for so many years, but it’s even cooler to sit on him. He just gives you the most amazing feeling in the air. No matter where you get at the jumps, he just does it,” she said.

In addition to In Disguise, Toon also showed last year’s circuit champion Attache and a brand new horse, My Disguise. “It’s a very tough and competitive division,” Toon explained of the older Amateur Hunter classes. She also added that having more than one horse in the division was to her advantage. “They all only help me ride better. I’m lucky to have three such nice horses.”

Hunter competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival resumes on Wednesday, February 8 in the Kilkenny/ICH Internationale- CSI 3*, ‘AA’ show.

Photo Credit: Alexandra Thornton and Tobasco, Children’s 14 & Under Hunter champions. Photo by Randi Muster.