Equitation Competition Heats Up a Steamy Day at Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show

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Haley Zimmerman and Zider zestfully capture the blue

Zionsville, IN – August 9, 2012 – Equitation took center stage Thursday in the Main Hunter Arena at the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show held at Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. After a series of thunderstorms dumped much-needed rain Wednesday night, the hunter classes were postponed until Friday but there was still plenty of action with the Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class and the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal.

Haley Zimmerman, 13, aboard her own 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood, Zider (barn name “Zac”), snagged the hotly contested Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal. “It was one of those courses where things come kind of fast,” she said. “It kind of had weird turns, but that, for me, is pretty OK. I mean, the course was great for him. He’s adjustable with a nice big jump. He just kind of goes with whatever I want to do.” Zimmerman and Zac have been a dynamic duo for a year and she bought him to get started on jumpers. “He’s great,” she smiled. “He likes to cuddle and he’s a dream horse.”

Zimmerman and her dream horse differentiated themselves from the pack to earn a ride in the test with three other riders. The finalists were verbally given the course for the final ride, read to them just twice. It included four fences, a halt and a counter-canter. Abby Maxwell riding Vedette, owned by Jennifer Maxwell of Cedar Rapids, IA, scored the reserve ribbon, Kaitlyn Alsup of Wildwood, MO, piloted her own Corrado to a third, and Piper Benjamin rode Rainmaker, owned by L. Pack of Columbus, NC, to win the fourth place ribbon.

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class had riders navigating the course one-by-one while trainers yelled directives and encouragement from the sidelines to the young riders. They were all invited back into the arena for the under saddle portion together. Riders were judged at a walk, sitting trot, posting trot and canter before walking on a long rein to line up for the pinning.

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Rachel Porter and Rio reach for the win

Rachel Porter, riding Rio, owned by Aley Russell of Spartanburg, SC, came away with the win. “It started out with a line, which is always a little more challenging,” the 17-year-old from Southlake, TX, said. “There was a line going away from the gate but his stride is huge. He just cantered up there. There were a couple rollbacks and a couple of options. You know, you could go inside or around.”

Porter said the footing was a little deep because of the rain. “Most everyone took the outside track to play it safe and it just ended up working out well,” she said.  There were a couple of puddles sporadically throughout the ring but you just kind of gotta watch out for those.” Porter began leasing Rio, a 13-year-old Hungarian Warmblood, in June for equitation classes and to ride in derbies. “He’s very sweet and a little nervous and I kind of had to hold his hand,” she explained. “He was really brave and didn’t look at anything. Got right down the lines. He has a great canter and I love him so much!”

Also in the ribbons was Piper Benjamin, who rode L. Pack’s Rainmaker to earn the second place score, while Jordyn Katz riding Can Fly, owned by Seth Vallhonrat of Edgemont, PA, scored the third place spot, and Nikki Carr riding Lightning nabbed the fourth berth.

The ground crew came out to adjust the jumps for the THIS National Children’s Medal as the sun came out to steam up the show grounds. The class featured one round over fences with a test for the top four. The finalists were called into the arena and told their course for the test. The horse and rider teams were expected to jump three fences at the canter and one at the trot and, when finished, they had to post the trot back to the line while demonstrating a lengthening of stride.

Liana Brown, 13, from Zionsville, IN, rode her own Marengo for the win. “I’ve had him for two years. He’s pretty much raised me to three foot. He’s taught me everything. He’s had his moments but he brings me through,” she explained as she patted her Argentinian Warmblood she calls “Marco.” She said she saw some other riders warily eyeing one of the jumps and it made her nervous. “That kind of freaked me out at first,” she said. “But I know he’ll trust me and I’ll trust him.  He’s a great horse and I love him to death.”

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Jordyn Katz, 15, and Can Fly check out the competition

Rounding out the top winners in the class were Jordyn Katz riding Can Fly who went home with the red, Olivia Kelly, from Zionsville, IN, riding her own Oh My Lord to a third and Whitney Bullion of Huntertown, IN, riding George Bullion’s Superfly to a fourth.

Hunter action should pick up where it left off Friday morning with the classes postponed from Thursday as well as the previously scheduled classes.

The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair is held on the beautiful 250-acre grounds of Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. The show offers top prize money with two Grand Prix events and a USHJA International Hunter Derby. Exhibitors at Traders Point enjoy fun family activities and events while participating in a competitive, high-quality show. For more information or a prize list, please visit http://www.traderspoint.org/exhibitors.html.

Traders Point Charity Horse Show Fast Facts

Event: The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair is pleased to announce their 35th benefit horse show and country fair in Zionsville, IN. The location makes for a relaxing and fun show experience. Competitors are welcome to enjoy the horse trails on the property.

Highlights: The Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show has a Jumper 5 star rating and is Hunter rated AA. And WCHR Member Event Featuring:

$60,000 PNC Bank Grand Prix
$30,000 Russell Fortune Jr. Memorial Grand Prix
$15,000 Junior Amateur Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$1,000 Adult Hunter Classic
$1,000 Children’s Hunter Classic
Paws to Applause Dog Show
Exhibitors Dog Show
Exhibitors Luncheon
Ladies Luncheon
Exhibitors Cocktail Party

Where: Zionsville, Indiana

When: August 7-12, 2012

Prize lists online at: http://www.traderspoint.org/exhibitors.html

For general inquiries please contact:
Debra Jaramillo at 317-205-5827 or TPHCHS@aol.com

For more information, please contact:
Stabling Office 317-873-5552 (During Show Dates)
Show office 317-873-3418 (During Show Dates)
Address: P.O. Box 402 Zionsville, In 46077

Patron Tables – Includes free admission to the horse show for the week, a parking pass, a bottle of champagne, a table of six for the duration of the show with great seats for $30,000. Marty and Russell Fortune Jr. Memorial Grand Prix on Friday, August 10th at 5:00 and the $60,000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis at noon on Sunday, August 12th.
Patron Tables: $500

Ladies Luncheon – Thursday, August 9th Lunch served ringside.
Tickets: $45 per person

USHJA International Hunter Derby – Saturday, Aug 11th starts at noon
Tickets: $45 per person. Includes dinner ringside plus beer and wine.

Sponsors:
Frenzel Family Charitable Lead Trust
PNC Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Fortune, III
Stone Creek Dining Company
The Sylvester Johnson, Jr., Family; BKD Wealth Advisors, LLC; Cummins Crosspoint, LLC
N. K. Hurst Company
Baumgardt Family Foundation
Indianapolis Land Rover, a Member of the Tom Wood Automotive Group
Bannockburn Farm, LLC
Burrus & Burrus. Attorneys
Ernst & Young
Fox and Hound English Pub & Grille
Jackson Oil Company
Merrill Lynch – Thomas J. Buck
Radio Disney
Sexton M & J Management
Tanners Creek Farm
Woodard Family Foundation
ALSCO Linens
Altum’s Horticultural Center & Gardens
Bill Estes Chevrolet and Ford
Fast Signs
Good Impressions Printing Company
Indianapolis Mounted Police
Reynolds Farm Equipment
The Snider Group
Zionsville Times Sentinel

Beneficiary:
By supporting the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show, you are helping to bring hope and healing to children from every county in Indiana. The Riley Children’s Foundation honors its mission – to improve the health and well-being of Indiana’s children – through Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities, and the historic James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. To learn how you can do more to help Indiana’s most seriously ill and injured children, visit RileyKids.org.

Hotels:

Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis NW-Full Service Property
6930 Intech Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Reservations: 1-317-288-6060

La Quinta Inn Indianapolis North
3880 West 92nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Reservations: 317-872-3100

Embassy Suites North-Full Service Property
3912 Vincennes Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Reservations: 1-888-875-2580

Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel-Full Service Property
11925 North Meridian Street Carmel, In 46032
Reservations: 317-816-0777

For more information: please visit www.traderspoint.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

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