Hunter Riders Earn Points Toward WCHR Awards at Equifest

Wayne, IL- In the First Year Green Working Hunter division, For Adventure ridden by Rachel Johnson for Alex McNally, Wilmette, IL, took the Championship honors, placing second in all of Wednesday’s classes after winning both over fences classes on Tuesday. Johnson took the riding job with Margaret Clayton and Palladia Farm, just last week. “I started riding the horses as of last week,” said Johnson. “I’m still getting to know them and they are getting to know me. This horse is very willing and has learned a lot in the last ten days, which is impressive.”

Taking the Reserve Championship in the First Year Greens was Kelly Farmer and Symbolic, owned by Glefke & Kensel. Farmer rode to more championships as the day went on, which included the Second Year Green Working Hunters with Point Being, owned by David Glefke. It was a battle between Farmer and Buffalo New York’s Jennifer Alfano with her mount, Candid, each winning a class and placing second in the other today, with Candid winning the under saddle. In Tuesday’s over fences, Alfano won one with Farmer following in second, but in the second class, Farmer took the blue and Alfano ended up fifth, giving Candid the Reserve Championship.

“He tries so hard every time,” said Farmer of her mount, Point Being. “I had the opportunity to buy him back after Florida so I did. He’s such an over achiever.” Farmer of Keswick, VA, is getting her group of horses ready for Sunday’s Derby Day. There is planning that takes place when deciding what derbies to attend and which horses will show in the division classes. “We try to do the WCHR shows. Some of the horses are still green so they need a lot of ring time yet,” added Farmer. “Like this horse, Point Being, he’s such an over achiever, he needs time to learn he doesn’t have to try so hard all of the time.”

In the Regular Conformation Hunters, Farmer took the Championship on Tia Schurecht’s Back Story, winning every class in the division. Back Story and Farmer have had a fantastic career together with numerous national championships including the title of Devon Grand Hunter Champion and Green Conformation Hunter Champion in 2013, just to name a few. Staying in the hunt right behind Farmer, was Reserve Champion, Longstreet, owned by Barbara Risius and ridden by Holly Shepherd for trainer Patrick Bostwick, Chardon, Ohio. In the High Performance Hunters, it was Farmer again taking the Championship, this time on Dalliance, owned by Avatar Real Estate. The pair won four out of the five classes, including the under saddle for the win. Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan, earned the Reserve Championship.

Farmer ruled the Performance Working Hunters with So to Speak, Glefke & Kensel, who took home the Lamplight Championship ribbon for the 3’3” section and Taken, owned by Jessica Stitt, earned the Championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters. Tiffany Hammack rode Ducati for Cassie Berke to the Reserve Championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters and Amanda Thomas and Symphony took home the Reserve Championship title for the 3’3” Performance Hunters.

For more information visit www.lamplightequestriancenter.com.
For complete show results go to www.horseshowsonline.com.