Samantha Hall and Beyond Time captured the USEF $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic victory at Equifest I. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG.
Wayne, IL – July 27, 2013 – After dodging torrential rain and gray skies yesterday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, sun and cool weather welcomed hunter competitors to the penultimate day of Equifest I. All eyes were on the hunters today, as riders showcased their talents in their Classics. Fourteen-year-old Samantha Hall entered the USEF $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic as a newcomer with her young mount Beyond Time; however, they left as champions.
Today was the beginning of the Junior divisions, and the stakes were high as each horse and rider combination attempted to ride for the top honors in their division, as well as claim the victory in the USEF $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic. Hall and Beyond Time faced off against some of the nation’s top riders, and although her nerves were on edge, Hall did not back down from the challenge.
Madison Edwards and Last Wish rode to an impressive score of 83 in the first round of the USEF $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic. Hall was close on her heels with Beyond Time, who rode to the first round score of 81. Hall knew she would have to lay down an equally impressive trip in the second round if she wanted to outride Edwards for the win.
It was only three weeks ago that Hall moved up from the Children’s Hunter division, and she has been working diligently to make her mark during Equifest I. She has been riding Beyond Time for a little over a year and a half, and their partnership was apparent as they rode to the overall score of 161 points in today’s classic.
Hall relied on her consistency and solid relationship with Beyond Time to bring them success. Her helpful guidance in the saddle and trust in her mount’s ability to perform paid off, earning them a second round score of 80. The pressure was on Edwards, as Hall and Beyond Time had set the bar high. Unfortunately, Edwards and Last Wish could not match their first round performance. The duo received a 75 for their efforts, bringing their overall score to 158, a score good enough for second. However, Edwards and Last Wish’s first round score of 83 remained the highest of any round of the Classic. Hall and Beyond Time claimed the win.
“I think his jump made it over all,” Hall stated. “He keeps down and low. Really, it is the overall picture of how he shows in the ring that gave us that little extra. We kept a really steady pace out there and I had a longer rein, which helped me do well on the course. We have been practicing that at home.”
“I was surprised and really happy to find out that I won today. I wanted my courses to be good, and after I landed from my last jump, I knew what we had done; I couldn’t stop smiling,” she continued. “I knew he was the horse for me from the beginning. I saw him in the stall and I knew it was him; I fell in love with him. The tingle, it was weird; I didn’t know I would get that feeling.”
In the end, Amanda Paulus and Chantilly took home the third place honors in the classic with the dyad of 76 points. Lauren Duggan and Bellagio captured the fourth place finish, while Stephen Foran and Bronziet finished fifth.
Hall was on a roll today as she also was awarded the first and second place finish over fences in the Junior 3’6″ Hunter division. Edwards was awarded the third and first place over fences, respectively, while Foran claimed the third place during the first course over fences. Hall goes into tomorrow with high hopes of the championship title for the division.
“He didn’t even have a lead change when we first got him a year ago,” trainer Meghan Trilling said. “I’m so proud of Samantha; she’s done a fabulous job. She’s gone from riding a large pony to riding him, and she has made me very proud as a trainer. She’s worked hard as we transition from the Children’s to the Juniors, and, in all honesty, it was very intimidating to her.”
Hall concluded, “We have so much time ahead of us to be able to compete in the hunters and equitation. He is such a versatile horse, and my ultimate goal would be to compete on him in the ASPCA Maclay Finals at the Alltech National Horse Show. That would be so much fun, and such an honor.”
Earlier in the day, the Amateur-Owner Hunter riders were given the opportunity to compete in the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. It was Sonya Svaty’s day to shine as she guided Pick A Color to the top of the leader board with smooth rounds, riding both rounds to the high score of 86 points for an overall total of 172 points. She wore a target on her back as the other competitors attempted to best her scores; however, she proved unsurpassable.
“He is a pretty nice horse all by himself,” Svaty said. “I have to learn to stay out of his way, and today I think I did a pretty good job of that. I just kept him on a nice rhythm, and we hit all the jumps perfectly. Overall it was a really nice smooth round. He is very consistent with his jumping which makes him a very nice hunter.”
“We have been coming to Lamplight for almost 10 years,” Svaty stated. “The one thing I like about Lamplight is that they make consistent improvements every year. It only keeps getting better. It is one of the nicest facilities we show at. The footing is phenomenal, and even after a day of rain, the grounds were in perfect condition. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Svaty and Pick A Color picked up the top honors in the Classic, as well as the first and second place finishes over fences in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Modified Hunters. Shannon Kelly and Trust Me rode to the blue ribbon during the first round, and Zuber picked up the third and second place finishes.
Heather Zuber and Kalifornia also finished in the second place position with an 81 and an 85 for the cumulative score of 166 points in the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. Rounding out the top three was Madison Games and Seth, closing out with 164 points.
Margaret O’Meara swept the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Modified Hunters today, riding Casino to the top of the ranks. Alisa Comber and Turn Two rode to the second place over fences in the first round, while Madison Games was awarded the second place ribbon over fences during the second trip with Seth.
In the $500 Pony Hunter Classic, Charlotte Ruff and Clovermeade Inspiration took the top honors. Charlotte Novy and Rockefeller rode to the second place finish, while Halley Steiner and Mr. Australia finished third.
Wrapping up the fourth day of hunter competition at the Lamplight Equestrian Center’s Equifest I was the WIHS/NAL/M&S Children’s Hunter Classic. Maggie Howes and Matisse rode to the blue ribbon with their flowing courses. Jacqueline Oliva and Saracen rode to the second place finish, while Sofia Skok and Bravo rounded out the top three.
Tomorrow Equifest I will conclude with the Amateur-Owner and Junior divisions naming their championships. All of the hunter action will return to the Lamplight Equestrian Center next week when Equifest II returns for five days of competition from Wednesday July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 4.
To find out more about Lamplight Equestrian Center, go to: http://lamplightequestriancenter.com/.
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