Victoria Colvin and Inclusive, the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – East Overall Grand Champions (ESI Photography)
Lexington, KY – The best junior hunter riders on the east coast travelled to HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY to compete in the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – East, July 29-31. The judging panel consisting of Jeff Ayers (Sellersville, PA), Scott Fitton (Royal Palm Beach, FL), and Hap Hansen (Encinitas, CA) assessed the field of talented riders on the flat and over fences, with courses designed by Rian Beals (Saugerties, NY). After winning the $4,000 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Classic and $4,000 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Handy, 15-year-old Victoria Colvin (Loxahatchee, FL) and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Inclusive claimed the Overall Grand Champion title. She and the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding won the same title at last year’s east coast championship.
“I had so much fun,” said Colvin. “Inclusive is a great horse. I am grateful that Dr. Betsee Parker lets me ride him. The courses were amazing. I loved the handy. It lets me show his qualities.”
Colvin also won the Small Junior 15 & Under division with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Ovation. She and the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding won the $4,000 Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Classic and the $2,000 Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under U/S and finished second in the $4,000 Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Handy.
“I was most proud of Ovation,” remarked Colvin. “He in the past has not loved the ring at Saugerties, but this year he did. Ken [Berkley] and Scott [Stewart] told me to have fun, which I did.”
The Overall Reserve Grand Champion title went to 16-year-old Lillie Keenan (New York, NY) and Jennifer Gates’ Parkland. With the nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Keenan won the $2,000 Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Under Saddle and the $4,000 Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Handy and finished second in the $4,000 Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Classic.
The War Dress Memorial Trophy awarded to the highest scoring mare in the competition went to Danielle Stacy’s Tiffani, ridden by 14-year-old Lili Hymowitz (New York, NY). With the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, Hymowitz came in second in the $4,000 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Classic.
To find out more information about the US Junior Hunter National Championships, visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allhunter/JuniorChampionships.aspx.
By Kathleen Landwehr