Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, is well into its second day of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The sun was shinning along with strong gusts of wind as the Green Conformation Hunters made their way into the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Thursday morning.
Sandy Ferrell was aboard the new entry from Stephanie Riggio, Moshi, for the championship win in the Green Conformation Hunters. Riggio purchased Moshi, a seven-year-old Belgium Warmblood gelding by Quintus, around the fourth week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “He’s a new ride for me, so I get to be the lucky girl, which is nice,” beamed Ferrell.
Moshi and Ferrell secured the championship honor by winning the model and the under saddle classes. The duo went on to win another over fences class and receive a second and two thirds in the division’s remaining classes.
“He’s a beautiful type. His ring presence makes him attractive from the moment he walks through the in-gate, and on top of it, he moves great, and he jumps beautifully,” said Ferrell about Moshi. She went on to say, “Usually if all goes well, we’re pretty successful.”
Ferrell, who is always busy riding and training at the hunter rings, explained their plan for showing Moshi the rest of the year. “We’ll show a little bit, and I’ll just catch up with them. We kind of go to different shows most of the summer, so we are going to make plans to meet up a couple of places, at least enough to keep him going.”
Moshi’s owner from New York, Stephanie Riggio, has had much success through the years in the Amateur Adult and Amateur-Owner Hunter rings all over the country on her various horses. Riggio will aim to make a successful partnership with Moshi, like she has done with her other mounts.
“When they think he’s ready, Stephanie will be on, and we’ll be cheering them on in the Amateur-Owner Hunters,” stated Ferrell about when Riggio will begin showing Moshi.
The reserve championship honor in the Green Conformation Hunters went to Banderas, a seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Balou Du Rouet. Thomas Serio rode Banderas, who is owned by the Friday’s Farm. The pair secured the reserve championship by placing second in the model, third in the under saddle, and receiving two firsts, a second, and two thirds in the division’s remaining over fences classes.
Tomorrow, the third day of competition during week eight of the 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival, will award the winner of the Ariat Adult Medal among the many other honors to be awarded. Stay tuned for more coverage of the hunter and equitation rings at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com or for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.
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