Posted April 2, 2006

Schaefer Raposa Has Phenomenal Last Week in Pony Hunters with Nine Tricolor Ribbons at Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa

Tampa, FL – April 1, 2006 – The 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival has come to a close, but the stars of the horse show are sure to shine bright for years. One such star is 12 year old Schaefer Raposa, who rode to five championships and four reserve championships this weekend in the Tournament of Champions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.

Raposa had an amazing run of success yesterday and today. In the Small Pony Hunters, she rode Luvin It, owned by West End Stables, to the championship, while Heritage Farm’s Blackberry was reserve champion.

Her two rides in the Medium Pony Hunters were Blu Venture Rainbeau, owned by Nellie Ann Foosaner, and First Hand, owned by Ashley Toffolon. They were champion and reserve champion, respectively.

In the Large Pony Hunters, Raposa piloted Crimson Sky, another Ashley Toffolon-owned entry, to the championship. She then hopped on Sunsational for trainer Scott Stewart to capture the championship in the Large Green Pony Hunters and Show Boat for Anne Gardner for the reserve champion tricolor.

Raposa rode Unexpected for trainer Jimmy Torano to the championship in the Small/Medium Green Pony Hunters. and Another Beau, owned by Bill Schaub and the JEB Group, was reserve champion with Raposa.

Raposa commented that she loves riding lots of different ponies because they all make her a better rider. She also gave thanks to all of the owners and trainers associated with these ponies for letting her ride the talented mounts.

Reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunters was Hint of Blue, ridden by Megan Massaro for owner Katie Hogan.

In came down to a “hack-off” for the championship ribbon in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters this week and Wellington, owned by Sara Rutenberg and ridden by Sara Green, strutted his way to the tricolor ribbon. Reserve champion was The Winning Edge and Emily Gardner, who rode for Starwyn Farms LLC. Green also won the reserve championship in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters with Saxon Hill, owned by Green Hills Farm.

Wellington is adjusting well to his new life as a hunter after years of showing in the equitation with former owner Alexa Weeks. Trainer Christina Schlusemeyer commented with a laugh, “He loves doing his four Washington Equitation hunter phases per week.”

“It looks like he’s having fun,” Green added. “You just loop the reins. He’s really good in the Handy Hunter classes because he can do the rollbacks and the trot jump easily. He stays at the same pace the whole time.”

Champion in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters was Folklore, ridden by Alexandra Arute and owned by Olympic Dreams. The pair have been together for a little over a year now, and Arute has found that her move up to the junior hunters on the adorable chestnut gelding has taught her more as a rider. “At first, it was kind of hard for me because he jumped so hard,” Arute mentioned. “He’s taught me how jump the fences from a gallop and jump in forward and make the lines look like they’re easy for him. He’s always been a great horse. I wasn’t that consistent on him last year. He’s such a quality horse, and I’ve changed more than he has.”

The WEF Circuit Champions will participate tonight in the Parade of Champions in front of thousands before the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at the Raymond James Stadium.

Photo Credit: The Winning Edge and Emily Gardner, reserve champions in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters at Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa. Photo by Jennifer Wood/Phelps Sports.com.