Chris Hickey and Balissa HTF Win Horse of Course High Score Award at Welcome Back to White Fences I Show

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Chris Hickey is joined by Balissa’s owner Jane MacElree (second from right) and Beth Haist (far right), owner of The Horse of Course. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phelps)

Wellington, FL (March 11, 2012) – Dressage rider and trainer Christopher Hickey, a member of the Gold Medal Pan Am team and the Director of Training at Hilltop Farms, piloted Balissa HTF, owned by Jane MacElree of Hilltop Farm, to the high score at the Welcome Back to White Fences I Show. Hickey, who is well-known in the winner’s circle at shows across the country, earned a score of 78.103% with Balissa to take home The Horse of Course High Score Award, sponsored by The Horse of Course, Inc., one of the nation’s premier tack shops specializing in dressage tack, clothing and supplies.

Hickey was thrilled that Balissa (Bugatti x EM Contesse/Contucci) won the high score for the show. The mare has been showing great form throughout the winter dressage season in south Florida, handily winning her First Level Test 1 class at the Welcome Back to White Fences show. Hickey also showed the mare at the recent Global Dressage Festival show, where she took the big show grounds in stride and also earned the high score of the day.

Hickey is well recognized in the dressage ring for competing Hilltop Farm horses, and he joined the Hilltop family in 2007. He made headlines on the Hanoverian gelding Cabana Boy, owned by Hilltop, and is an accomplished teacher; many of his students have received their USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals under his tutelage. He is also a popular and highly sought after clinician.

“Chris is a fabulous rider and I love to watch him compete. He has great harmony with his horses and it was a joy to watch him ride Balissa,” said Beth Haist, CEO of The Horse of Course, adding that as the winners of the High Score Award Hickey and Balissa were presented with a beautiful cooler from The Horse of Course. “It was an honor to present Chris and Balissa with the Horse of Course High Score Award at the White Fences show. We are pleased to add their names to our list of High Score winners.”

Haist said The Horse of Course has enjoyed being part of the show scene in Wellington throughout the winter. The premier dressage tack store is known for offering the best and latest in dressage fashion. “We are excited to introduce a new line of clothing, HV Polo. It is a unique line of stylish fun polo shirts, jackets and amazing breeches with crested embroidery, microfiber cottons in the latest fashion colors from Germany. What makes this line even more fun is the matching coordinates for your horse including blankets, coolers and saddle pads,” Haist said. “We offered a sneak preview of the spring polo tops and breeches at one of the Wellington shows in February and sold out in two days.”

Haist added that the style, comfort and attention to detail of the HV-Polo line are rivaled only by the affordability of the entire line with embroidered polo tops starting at just $62 and full seat breeches under $200. “Dressage riders from around the world rely on products and fashions from The Horse of Course and I am confident that everyone will love the HV-Polo line. We also offer top proven brands, innovative new products, complete customized saddle fitting and customized bit fitting,” she said.

To learn more about The Horse of Course, visit their website at www.thehorseofcourse.com.

For more information contact:
The Horse of Course, Inc.
Beth Haist, CEO
888-49-HORSE (46773)
www.thehorseofcourse.com
beth@thehorseofcourse.com

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