Hasbrouck Donovan Wins the 2008 ASPCA Maclay Region 3 Championship

Green Cove Springs, FL ­ It was an exciting weekend for Hasbrouck Donovan as she and her horse Levity bested 40 of the region’s top competitors to capture the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship (Region 3, the Southeast), held during final weekend of the 2008 North Florida Hunter Jumper Association’s Labor Day Horse Show. This marks the second year the prestigious Region 3 Championship was held at the Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, Fl.

 “He’s awesome!  I just love him.” said Donovan of her mount Levity, the 10-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding she bought at Capital Challenge in 2007.  The 14-year-old rider, who makes her home in Gainesville, FL., and trains with Donald Stewart of Ocala, Fl., is quite devoted or, “obsessed” as Stewart noted, to hard work. After a full day of school at St Francis High School and completing homework of course, she rides until they kick her out the door. She rides everyday except Mondays, “but she’d ride then too if we’d let her.”a smiling Stewart said.

Donovan described the 13-fence course, designed by Lewis Pack, Joe Carnicome and assisted by Allen Rheinheimer as “fun! But there were a couple of tough spots-like the bending line from 5 to 6 and that Swedish oxer.” Several of the horses chipped or had rails off due to miscalculating their approach.

Of the 41 contenders in the first round of the Maclay, 31 were called back by judges Mark Jungherr, Scott Williamson, and Susie Schoellkopf to move into the “flat phase.” The under saddle competitors were divided into 3 sections.  Upon completion of the flat phase, the judges decided a “work off” was not necessary to make their final selections. Hasbrouck and Levity’s movement under saddle assured their top call.

Next up for this duo will be Capital Challenge in October and then on to the Maclay Finals in Syracuse. An exuberant Donovan said  “I’m excited and I’m nervous!” Proud trainer Don Stewart added, “She’ll be just fine.” as Hasbrouck blushed and smiled. Camp Donovan had plenty to smile about this evening, as Hasbrouck’s favorite college football team, the Florida Gators-with her “very favorite coach” [dad Billy] cinched a victory as well.

At the conclusion of the class awards were presented by Tony Weight, president of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association and Andrew Lustig, representing the National Horse Show Association. “It’s wonderful to be able to hold the regional at this facility,” said Weight following the presentation. “The evening was just perfect and it was a great field of competitors.”

The 2008 Maclay National Championship for the ASPCA Horsemanship Classes will be held on November 1st  at the Syracuse Invitational Horse Show

REGION 3 TOP 12 RESULTS

Hasbrouck Donovan            Levity
Molly Braswell                    The General
Paige Dekko                       Sag Harbor’s Lucky Star
Paulena Johnson                  Prosecco 24
Chase Boggio                      Graphiq
Amber Henter                     Triumph
Anders Keitz                       L Alta Vida
Lindsey Straffus                   Polaris
Lindsey Irvin                       Armani
Catherine Billings                 Figaro
Taylor Ann Adams              Amon Re
Emily Reynolds                   Grimaldi 54

Photo: Hasbrouck Donovan and Levity ©Flashpoint Photography