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

Feature and Photos by Diana DeRosa

SPECIAL AWARDS

AHJF OLD SPRINGHOUSE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Pam Baker, Bealeton, VA (Presented to a person who exemplifies great support and lifetime commitment to the sport of hunter and jumper competition.)

JEFFERY KATZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Ovation, ridden by Scott Stewart (owned by Molly Ohrstrom)
Total Points: 1727 (Jeffery Katz was a 38-year-old trainer from Chicago who was killed in a car accident in 1999. The award goes to the horse/rider combination that accumulates the most points in the 1st Year Green, 2nd Year Green, or Green Conformation Hunter Divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

CHINA BLUE FARM WORKING HUNTER CHALLENGE AWARD: Truly, (rider/owner/Scott Stewart). The owner, rider and trainer each receive a check for $3,500 and the groom receives a check for $500. (1299 points)
(Donated by Priscilla Tamkin and China Blue Farm, this award honors the horse and rider combination that accumulates the most points in either of the 4’ hunter divisions at their best four WCHR shows, plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE: Ursula Wise, Polson, MT and Kathryn Miller, Gainesville, FL
This annual competition provides a goal for junior riders currently competing at the non-recognized level. Horse shows which hold the Challenge class all follow the same set of class specifications and judging criteria. The winners are invited to the Capital Challenge Horse Show as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. Their agenda includes sitting with a horse show judge to learn how they mark their card, meeting the show vet and farrier and discussing their roles at the show, and spending time in the stables with barn managers to experience all that goes in to prepping horses for the show ring.

WINTER’S RUN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Jack Hammond, Sommamish, WA
(Sponsored by Tricia Bosley in memory of her mother Sylvia Hechter. The boot trophy is one of Sylvia’s treasured Vogel boots which was bronzed and mounted on a walnut base. The purpose of the award is to encourage better sportsmanship throughout the entire horse show community.)

ALABAMA CLAY CONFORMATION HUNTER AWARD: West Point (ridden by Scott Stewart) owned by Krista Weisman/Alexa Weisman), 1689 pts.
Awarded to the horse and owner of the WCHR high score conformation horse who has accumulated the most points at their best four WCHR shows plus their divisions at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Green and Regular Conformation Hunter divisions.)

ROX DENE AWARD: Molly Ohrstrom (owner of Ovation who was ridden by Scott Stewart to 1727 points) (Donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen, this award is presented to the Owner of the WCHR High Score Horse ridden by a professional, which has accumulated the most points using the four best WCHR sanctioned shows plus the divisions at the Capital Challenge.)

HEARD A RUMOR AWARD: Onyx (18 Year Old Holsteiner bred in California and now owned by Lilly Marshall, former owner/rider Robin Swindermann, former trainers Schristina Schlusemeyer, Bob Braswell and Jim Toon. (Donated by Mimi Edwards and presented to a horse that has shown exceptional ability and epitomizes the important partnership of show hunter and hunter rider.

DAVID PETERSON AWARD: Frank “Brownie” Dickerson
David took great pride in the thorough preparation and beautiful turnout of the innumerable show horses he groomed at many top farms. This award, established by Kavar Kerr and Jim Anderson, is presented to a person in the industry who best exemplifies the qualities of hard work, devotion, and commitment to the care and well-being of horses in their charge.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE WCHR NATIONAL PROGRAM

PROFESSIONAL: 2007 PROFESSIONAL WCHR: 1. Peter Pletcher (90, 89.33, 91.66, 90 = 360.99), 2. John French (89.66, 89.66, 90, 90 = 359.32), 3. Scott Stewart (89.66, 91, 88, 90 = 359.32); 4. Liza Boyd (92.66, 93, 80.66 = 266.32); 5. John Bragg (89, 85.66, 89.33 = 263.99); 6. Kirsten Coe (87.50, 88.33, 85.66 = 261.49)..
JUNIOR: 1. Lucy Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1938 pts.; 2. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1783 pts.; 3. Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1724 pts.; 4. Stephanie Vijan, Westerville, OH, 1466 pts.
PONY: 1. Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1655 pts.; 2. Victoria Colvin, Loxahatchee, FL, 1389 pts.; 3. Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1379 pts.; 4. Shawn Casady, Harriman, TN, 1352 pts.
AMATEUR-OWNER: 1. Krista Weisman, Sherborne, MA, 1485 pts.; 2. Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1380 pts.; 3. Stephanie Barnes, Seattle, WA, 1325 pts.; 4. Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 1309 pts.
ADULT AMATEUR: 1. Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 1538 pts.; 2. Heidi Kim, Newport Beach, CA, 1299; 3. Abigail (Abby) Converse, Austin, TX, 1219 pts.; 4. Glen T. Senk, Philadelphia, PA, 1208 pts.

FINAL RESULTS FOR REGIONAL STANDINGS

SOUTHWEST: Professional: John French, Redwood City, CA, 1439 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Tracy Sully, Aldergrove, BC, 1261 pts.; Junior: Lucy Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1451 pts.; Pony: Hannah Von Heidegger, Chatsworth, CA, 1264 pts.; Children’s: Halston Schrage, Los Angeles , CA, 1105 pts.; Adult Amateur: Heidi Kim, Newport Beach, CA, 1054 pts.
MIDWEST: Professional: Abigail Blankenship, Carmel, IN, 808 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Beth Bidgood, Westfield, IN, 481 pts.; Junior: Stephanie Vijan, Westerville, OH , 1257 pts.; Pony: Meredith Darst, Lebanon, OH, 1266 pts.; Children’s: Kalvin Dobbs, Carmel, IN, 748 pts.; Adult Amateur: Wendy Kraus Lewis, Willoughby Hills, OH, 726 pts.
SOUTH CENTRAL: Professional: Peter Pletcher, Magnolia, TX, 1238 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Becky Gochman, Houston, TX, 1148 pts.; Junior: Bailey Anderson, Dallas, TX, 930 pts.; Pony: Emma Roberts, Houston, TX, 516 pts.; Children’s: Maret Delf, Plano, TX, 529 pts.; Adult Amateur: Laura Beckworth, Magnolia, TX, 798 pts..
NORTH EAST: Professional: Scott Stewart, Wellington, FL, 1289 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Ellen Toon, South Salem, NY, 1057 pts.; Junior: Alexandra Thornton, Bedminster, NJ, 981 pts.; Pony: Schaefer Raposa, Wellington, FL, 1287 pts.; Children’s: Madelyn Keck, Allamuchy, NJ, 820 pts.; Adult Amateur: Visse Wedell, North Salem, NY, 780 pts.
SOUTH EAST: Professional: Eliza Towell, Camden, SC, 1182 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Caroline Morrison, Iron Station, NC, 603 pts.; Junior: Alise V. Oken, Charlotte, NC, 866 pts.; Pony: Shawn Casady, Harriman, TN, 1096 pts.; Children’s: Sophie Read, Lake Mary, FL, 1054 pts.; Adult Amateur: Neill Sites, Atlanta, GA, 219 pts.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN: Professional: Laurie Jueneman, Vail, CO, 1119 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Amelia Hershey, Boulder, CO, 1061 pts.; Junior: Olivia Chowdry, Golden, CO, 869 pts.; Children’s: Elizabeth Savoy, Parker, CO, 1429 pts.; Pony: Megan MacPherson, Niwot, CO, 1095 pts.; Adult Amateur: Jennifer Wallen, Denver , CO, 990 pts.
NORTH WEST: Professional: Jill Pierce, Kirkland, WA, 973 pts.; Amateur Owner: Stephanie Barnes, Seattle, WA, 1152 pts.; Pony: Hayley Mesojednik, Kirkland, WA, 993 pts.; Children’s: Hannah Thornton, Bellevue, WA, 1192 pts.; Junior: Kendall Bourgeois, Sherwood, OR, 1155 pts.; Adult Amateur: Sarah Rice, Eugene, OR, 1075 pts.
MID ATLANTIC: Professional: Tommy Serio, Keswick, VA, 1189 pts.; Amateur-Owner: Sheila Motley, Keswick, VA, 1153 pts.; Junior: Samantha Schaefer, Westminster, MD, 1289 pts.; Pony: Chloe Reid, Washington, DC,1222 pts.; Children’s: Meredith Harris, Middleburg, VA, 1143 pts.; Adult Amateur: Lysa Burke Horkan, Upperville, VA, 757 pts.