Professional Hunters Finish with Classics on Day Two of Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular II

Wayne, IL - June 12, 2014 -  The weather was picture perfect, exactly what draws people to Chicago in the summer.  Professional hunter riders tacked up for day two of the professional hunter divisions in the Wisconsin Equine Ring at Showplace Production's Spring Spectacular II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. The hunter courses were lavishly decorated with brush, flowers and trees, making for an inviting competition.

The $2,000 Green Conformation Hunters took to the ring with Bugsy Malone earning a win in the over fences and a win in the under saddle from Wednesday and Tundra ridden by Hillary Johnson won Wednesday's handy. Jayne and Bugsy Malone continued with another win today after moving up in the conformation, and Small Enchantment ridden by Caitlyn Shiels won the other over fences. In the end, it was Pony Lane Farm's Bugsy Malone with Maggie Jayne taking the championship. Small Enchantment, owned by Michelle Durpetti of Chicago, earned the reserve championship.

Hailey Rolfe won the doubleheader in the $2,500 First Year Green Working Hunters with Pony Lane Farm's The Answer. Adding that to Wednesday's two seconds and the third gave them the division championship. Close behind was Avalon, owned by Over Fences Farm, LLC and ridden by Maria Rasmussen earning the reserve.

It was then back to Maggie Jayne in the $2,500 Second Year Green Hunter Division, winning four out of five classes with Pony Lane Farm's A Million Reasons. One of the mare's offspring was Best Young Horse last week, also shown by Jayne. The Jaynes have been breeding to some of their champions and raising the babies. Some of the youngsters are starting to show up at the shows already. Reserve in the division went to Quite Chocolate, owned by Kathleen Caya and ridden by Maria Rasmussen.

Performance Hunters
In the $4,000 High Performance Hunters it was Mark Senn's Presently, who earned the top honors with two class wins on Wednesday and two seconds today to earn the championship with Freddie Vazquez aboard. Tina Judge and Shannon Kelly's Trust Me won both classes today and were awarded the reserve championship.

Champion in the Performance 3'6" Hunters was Alliy Moyer's Lbretto with Tammy Provost in the tack. To The Nines, owned by Didi Mackenzie was reserve with Tracy Fenney riding. Champion in the Performance 3'3" Hunters was Cornerstone owned by Lindsay Ianello and ridden by Josey Gentry. Bon Vivant owned by Lauren Robishaw ridden by Ashleen Lee earned the reserve.

$1,000 Open Hunter Classic
The big winner of the day in the Wisconsin Equine Hunter ring was Hailey Rolfe and Pony Lane Farm's The Answer, winning the $1,000 Open Hunter Classic.

"Pat Boyle and Lamplight have an amazing show that prepares riders in so many ways for going into championship shows, both in terms of points and experience," remarked Rolfe. "There are classics for every level of horse and rider and some kids get their first chance to ride in the big Grand Prix Ring here because of the classics. Riders and horses can get the extra classic points to help them qualify for indoors. Not many shows have classics from the Short Stirrups on up to the 1.40m Open Jumpers."

Pre-Green Hunters
Next door in Hunter Ring 4, the Pre-Green Hunters battled for the prize in the $1,000 Pre-Green Classic.  The leader of the pack was For Adventure, owned by Alex McNally and ridden by Alexis Tantimonico. For Adventure is a 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding they have had since November.

"He has a really great brain for such a young horse," said Tantimonico. "He's an old soul. He's friendly, smart and a great athlete."

"We enjoy the classics," continued Tantimonico. "The added prize money offers a great opportunity to reward owners of quality horses and the added ceremony is fun, too!"

Tantimonico, of Volo, IL, finished by saying, "Showplace Productions always puts on a great show - professional staff, warm hospitality and top judges. The facility is beautiful and we really enjoy showing here."

At the end of the day it was Susan Schmitt's Duet with Kathleen Caya of Summit, WI, as champion in the Pre-Green 3' Hunters and reserve champion was Becky Mati's Clark Kent with Molly McAdow riding for Galway Farm of Long Grove, IL.

Champion in the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunters was MTM Frito and Tracy Fenney with Reserve to Memorable and Maria Rasmussen.

Hunter and Equitation competition continues tomorrow with the Washington Equitation class and the ASPCA Maclay Medal along with the Junior Hunters as the Showplace Spring Spectacular II continues.

For more information please visit: http://www.showplaceproductions.com.