Wellington, FL – February 24, 2012 – Defending 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Classic champions Louise Serio and Castle Rock returned to International Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, February 18, to compete during the 2012 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. Their flawless rounds were recognized with high marks from the judges, and at the end of the night they took home the second place prize.
Serio and Castle Rock, owned by Bryan Baldwin, have been an unstoppable duo for many years, willing not only the 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Spectacular, but also the 2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The veteran pair stepped into the ring ready to perform on Saturday, and once again Castle Rock stepped up to the plate with ease. They qualified for the second round with a score 88.12, and sealed the second place award with a score of 91.50, for a two-round total of 178.37.
“When we walked the course, it looked very simple, but it rode differently,” Serio stated. “It really did have a flow to it, especially in the second round. It seemed a bit simple when we walked it, but it wasn’t. It was a really fun course to ride, which was great considering the amount of pressure riders experience leading up to this event with all of the qualifying classes. The course was designed for the horses to perform, and they did.”
Serio added, “It’s always exciting to qualify, and it’s an important class. Castle Rock was just fantastic both rounds; I don’t think he could have been any better. He never touched a jump; he just was fantastic. He’s just so made right now, and we know each other so well, it’s really nice to have a horse like that.”
Earlier in the week, Castle Rock and Serio qualified by earning the Performance Working 3’6″ Hunter reserve championship. They took home first and second place honors during the division to claim the coveted title and qualify for the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular
Derbydown and Louise Serio hope to continue their winning ways throughout the twelve-week circuit at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
About Louise Serio and Derbydown:
Owned and operated by top hunter trainer Louise Serio, Derbydown is nationally recognized as one of the foremost show hunter barns in the country. It is a training, boarding, showing and sales business with a multi-level horse facility providing all levels of instruction to A-quality showing in Kennett Square, PA. Serio began training at Derbydown in 1975 and she consistently trains and rides champions in every division at the most prestigious shows on the East Coast. Serio also travels the country to judge at those top shows in which she is not competing. Some of her championship mounts include Gray Slipper, Rock On, Rock Star, and Phillipa. Most recently, Serio was victorious in the 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Spectacular aboard Castle Rock at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
For more information please visit www.Derbydown.com.
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