AHJF’s WCHR Annual Winners Named in Pro, Amateur and Children’s Divisions

Feature and Photos by Diana DeRosa

AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION

The AHJF is a member-supported non-profit organization formed to further the development of the sport of show hunter competition.  Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF Investment Plan, and the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge. 

The AHJF also sponsors other featured events throughout the year, including the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach (February 24, 2008) and the Legacy Cup at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, May 9-20, 2008. 

At the Capital Challenge the Professional Championship honors were part of an overall World Championship Hunter Rider Awards Program, which included junior, professional, amateur-owner, adult amateur, children’s and pony hunter riders.  The program was established by the AHJF to recognize and reward excellence among hunter riders.  In order to qualify, a rider’s top four WCHR shows plus their performance at the Capital Challenge determined the ultimate champions. 

A number of special awards were given out as well.  Pam Baker, Bealeton, VA, was the winner of the Old Springhouse Lifetime Achievement Award.  The Jeffery Katz Memorial Award went to Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL and owned by Molly Ohrstrom, Middleburg, VA, who won the Rox Dene Award. The China Blue Farm Working Hunter Challenge went to Truly, ridden and owned by Scott Stewart. Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA, won the Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award. 

MONEY, TROPHIES, PRIZES AND MORE

This was the 14th year that the AHJF had hosted the World Championship Hunter ider Professional finals.  The winner not only received the trophy but also $3000 for the Pletcher Pro Incentive Award and the All The Way Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan.  The Far West Farm Perpetual Trophy for the horse that earned the highest cumulative total was won by Raise The Roof.   In addition the winner received a sponsorship from Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine, which designates money to be used specifically to ensure coverage of both the championship and of Pletcher as its winner.   Press Link PR, an equine focused PR firm, handles that sponsorship. 

A special thanks also goes to Capital Challenge co-managers Oliver Kennedy, Brookville, MD and William Glass, Bokeelia, FL, who invited the AHJF to host its Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, which has been home to these classes ever since. 

For more information, the AHJF can be contacted at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, 508-835-8813, fax: 508-835-6125, or email: ahjf@earthlink.net.  For complete results and photos go to www.ahjf.org.

Results

PHOTO: Peter Pletcher takes his victory gallop aboard Aston after competing in the 2007 WCHR Pro Finals for the Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine Professional World Championship Hunter Rider title. ©Diana De Rosa Photo