When it came time for the series-end Parade of Champions at this year’s Atlanta Fall Classics, the riders of the Monroe, N.C. based Hunters Lane Farm pretty much needed their own float.

The Classic Company’s three-week Atlanta Fall series, which concluded Nov.18 at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, awarded four overall Parade of Champion Awards as well as the 2007 Adult Amateur Challenge to members of the Hunters Lane team.

CR Galileo, owned by Kim Howard and ridden by Missy Luczak, won the 2007 Adult Amateur Challenge Championship, a yearlong contest sponsored by USEF Memberperks and John Deere. This top honor is awarded to the season’s most decorated Amateur Hunter horse, based on points accrued at Classic Company events. The winners received a brand new John Deere Gator for their spectacular efforts.

Trained by Hunters Lane owner Robert Hunt, Galileo is no stranger to blue ribbons. During this Atlanta series he not only won the Challenge, but also captured the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-45 Division Championship for two consecutive weeks with Luczak in the irons.

“We only started together at the [Classic Company’s] Atlanta Spring show,” said an excited Luczak, an Interior Designer based in Charlotte, NC who also won the Adult Challenge in 2006. She adds that Steve Heinecke, Hunters Lane’s pro rider and second trainer, found “Leo,” a 14-year-old Mecklenburg gelding, in Palm Beach. “We were looking for a horse for me to show this summer since my mare, Tulip, had suffered and injury.”

Leo was a sale horse, but the former owners were willing to allow Luczak to lease him and show him while waiting for a buyer. “By the second week of Atlanta Spring we had won all four classes,” Luczak continues. “He is just so versatile and such a kind horse. We’re such a good fit. He was also champion at Biltmore the first week.”

Soon afterwards, a few potential buyers tried Leo, including Kim Howard, a former saddle seat rider whose daughter, Grace, had just begun riding with Hunt and showing in the short stirrup.

 “Kim had one lesson on him, loved him, and bought him,” said Luczak, who was then asked by the new owner to continue riding and showing the horse while she began her own hunter-jumper training. “They are a very supportive, very fun family to have in the barn,” Luczak added.

As for the Gator…well, Luczak says, it too will become part of the Hunters Lane team. “It will be used around the barn and at shows,” she says. “Everyone should be able to enjoy it.”

With Atlanta behind them, the Hunters Lane group is now preparing for the 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival in Welllington, FL. beginning December 4. “People always ask, ‘how to you do this with your career?’ and I say I just do this for fun but Robbie [Hunt] and Steve [Heinecke] do such a great job of getting the horses ready and making it fun—they allow me to just get to the ring,” said Luczak. “Everybody at the barn makes it so easy.”

The Adult Amateur Challenge Championship was the brainchild of Classic Company President Bob Bell who felt there should be “a special way to reward the Adult group.” Bell hopes to continue this award for 2008.

On the final day of week III, the Classic Company also presented it’s Year-End Awards in the Parade of Champions where several of the titles went to Hunters Lane Riders. Alise Oken, of Charlotte NC, and her horse Southern Style took home top honors for both the Green Working Hunter and Large Junior Hunter divisions. Sister Lucille Oken and her pony Hi Lite, were tops in the Small Pony Hunters. And Grace Howard, new to Hunters Lane, was Short Stirrup champion with her Palomino pony When in Rome.

“This has been one of the best years for seeing talented riders, Bell commented during the presentation, “and we just want express our appreciation of them.”

In addition to these top honors, the Okens and Howard also earned numerous division titles and blue ribbons over the three-week series (see full results below).

Congratulations to all the riders of Hunter Lane on a job well done.

ATLANTA FALL CLASSIC/HALLOWEEN FALL CLASSIC
CHAMPION Green Pony Hunter Large
Alise Oken and Watch me (owned by Robert Hunt)

CHAMPION Short/Long Stirrup Hunter
Grace Howard and When in Rome

RESERVE CHAMPION Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
Alise Oken and Southern Style

RESERVE CHAMPION Medium Pony Hunter
Lucille Oken and Promise (co-owned by Scott Stewart)

RESERVE CHAMPION Children’s Hunter 14 & Under
Lucille Oken and In Style (owned by Robert Hunt)

1st Short Stirrup Hunter Classic, Grace Howard and When in Rome
2nd in the NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter 14 & Under Classic, Katherine Eudy and Executive Decision (owned by Sandra S. Thomas)
1st NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter 14 & Under Classic Grace Howard and In Style1st NCE Small Pony Equitation, Lucille Oken and Hi Lite
1st NCE Large Pony Equitation, Alise Oken and Watch Me (owned by Robert Hunt)
1st NHJL Med/Large Pony Classic, Lucille Oken and Promise
2nd NCE Short Stirrup Equitation, Grace Howard, When in Rome

ATLANTA FALL CLASSIC/WEEK II
CHAMPION Small Pony Hunter
Lucille Oken and Hi Lite

RESERVE CHAMPION Green Working Hunter 2nd year
Alise Oken and Southern Style

RESERVE CHAMPION Junior Hunter large 15 & Under
Alise Oken and Southern Style

RESERVE CHAMPION Short Stirrup Hunter
Grace Howard, When in Rome

Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, robbi@flashpointmediaservices.com or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, cindy@flashpointmediaservices.com.

Photo: Missy Luczak and CR Galileo ©Flashpoint Photography