Multiple Hunter Wins for Scott Stewart on Opening Day at the Alltech National Horse Show

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Scott Stewart and Garfield won the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunter Handy Class at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

[Lexington, KY] – November 2, 2011 – It was a historic day in Lexington, KY, as the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition got underway at its new home in the Alltech Arena of the Kentucky Horse Park. The top horses and riders from around the world have gathered to take part in this exciting event. The professional hunter divisions were the first to take place, and it proved to be Scott Stewart’s day as he won over half of the blue ribbons with his talented mounts.

The 14 Hands Winery Regular Conformation Hunters kicked off the first day of competition at the Alltech Arena. The winner of the first class over fences was Sambalino, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY. Taking home the blue ribbon honors in the handy round was Elizabeth Boyd and Casallo, owned by Erin McGuire of Cornelius, NC.

“The management here did an amazing job, it feels different, and it feels like the National Horse Show,” commented Boyd. “They dressed it up and the courses are amazing. Richard Jeffery did a great job and the handy was really fun to ride. It’s exciting to have the horse show here.”

Boyd continued, “Casallo was great. I thought we might have a little more homework to do than we did at Washington, but we really didn’t. He thrives off of hanging out. Yesterday I just sat on him in the middle of the ring for 20 minutes, it’s not really a matter of wearing him down, it’s just mentally showing him everything and letting him soak everything up.”

“Sambalino was great,” added Stewart. “I was a little nervous because Ken usually rides him, so I have Ken here helping me on the ground. Ken would have only had one to ride, so he figured he’d give me one extra one.”

The Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Green Conformation Hunters were next and it was Scott Stewart receiving the top call once again. He piloted Empire to the win in the first over fences class, and followed it with third place finish in the handy class. Stewart reversed order in the handy class, claiming the blue ribbon aboard Touchdown, after placing third during the first over fences class with the talented mount. Empire and Touchdown are both owned by Gochman.

“I thought Empire and Touchdown were great as well today,” said Stewart. “The jumps are all beautiful, so even though they have done all the Indoor shows they are still crisp about the jumps because they are a little different. After doing so many weeks they get a little dull, but the environment is so beautiful I think they are a little more into it.”

“The handy course is a good one, you can make it as hard as you want or as easy as you want,” continued Stewart. “It’s nice; there are some more natural jumps at the end, which are beautiful. It’s great to have the show here; it’s been a great change.”

Stewart continued his winning ways in the First Year Green Working Hunter class. He showed Dedication, owned by Fashion Farms of New York, NY, to the first place honors during both classes, to sweep the opening day. Hunt Tosh and Triton Z, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler of Keswick, VA, claimed the red ribbon during the first class, while Tammy Provost and Libretto, owned by Alliy Moyer of Carmel, IN, placed second during the handy class.

“Dedication was great,” noted Stewart. “He was really good at Harrisburg, but at Washington he was only ok, he was a little green in the handy there. This week he rode like a made horse again, so that was fun.”

The McNeil-Oare Second Year Green Working Hunters were up in the Alltech Arena, and the first blue ribbon was presented to Haylie Jayne for her ride aboard Humor Me, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT. During the handy round, it was Holly Orlando and Sailor’s Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm of Unionville, PA. The duo also placed third during the first over fences class.

“We’re thrilled; Sailor’s Valentine was perfect,” expressed Orlando. “He felt like he jumped great, he loves the footing. He’s just bright enough; I think he’s jumping high and really getting down the lines nicely. We love winning the handy, that’s our favorite! I don’t think the show could be better, so far I really think it is great.”

The Pony Lane Farm High Performance Working Hunters wrapped up today’s hunter events. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC, and Brunello led in the first class to earn the blue ribbon prize, but in a fitting fashion it was Stewart who ended the day in the winner’s circle. An excellent score in the handy round riding Garfield, owned by Alexandra Crown of New York, NY, earned him the top call to finish the day.

“Garfield’s handy was great,” commented Stewart. “Sometimes he’s hard to turn because he jumps up so well, and I lose my balance a little bit because he tries so hard behind. I thought it was a really good class; Brunello went really nicely as well, so it could have gone either way, but I was very happy. I’m happy that my horses went and I am thrilled to have so many nice rides.”

Today’s hunter competition benefited The Shriners Hospital for Children, and tomorrow’s charity will be The Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop. The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition will continue with the start of the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions, and the professional hunter divisions will award championship and reserve championship honors to the top finishers. For more information about the event, please visit www.nhs.org.

For more information about the Alltech National Horse Show, visit www.nhs2011.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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