Halifax, MA – June 28, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic was held on June 21-25, 2011, at Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.
Wednesday’s highlights were the well-attended derby classes held on the scenic grass grand prix field. There were 50 entries in the $2,500 2’9″ Hunter Derby, and it was Jennifer Tate of Bourne, MA, riding Cavallino owned by Barbara Kravetz of Sharon, MA, who took home the top prize. Ericka Koscinski and Touchdown came in first place in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic.
Professional rider Jennifer Tate has ridden Cavallino, who is called “Eagle” in the barn, many times, but their win on the grass field was special. Kravetz trains with Tate and has owned Eagle, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, since he was four years old. Kravetz expressed, “This was his first derby class. He’s mostly been doing modified Adults with me over the past few years. We knew he was capable of doing it and we thought he would enjoy it. It was exhilarating and I was moved to tears. It was very exciting.”
The winner in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Derby Classic was Ericka Koscinski of Center Moriches, NY, who rode Touchdown for Salt River Farm to victory. Touchdown is a 16-year-old homebred pony from her family and she has ridden him in the pony hunters for four years. This was the first time she has competed in a derby and while she enjoyed, she also thought her pony liked it too.
“It was a lot of fun. He liked the ring a lot. I could tell by his expression, his ears were up the whole time, and he was perky, which is good,” she said.
On Thursday, the $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake was in the rolling grass of the Grand Prix Field. John Holmes of New Hope, PA, rode his horse Gideon to victory. Cory Hardy of Norwell, MA, rode Ami des Gemmes for the International Group LLC to second place. They were double clear and crossed the timers in the jump-off in 53.762 seconds. Holmes placed third with his second mount Zilano M as the only other qualifier to the jump-off.
In Ring One on Thursday afternoon, the Children’s Hunters (horse) competed in their $500 classic, which was a qualifier for the Marshall & Sterling League, the North American League, and the Washington International Horse Show. The winner was Authentic, ridden by Jacqueline Snyder for Suzanne Snyder of Chester, NH.
The $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby ran on Friday and it was Sarah Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn, owned by Susan Huyett of Concord, MA, who excelled through two rounds for the win.
Coming into the second round, Tyndall admitted that she was nervous, with all of her students from Stony Meade Farm (Acton, MA) watching and cheering her on. Tyndall said, “All of my kids were here watching me and putting the pressure on! I just wanted to go in there and have fun, and we did.”
Huckleberry Finn had a smooth round that included cantering up a bank, trotting a jump, and opening a gate. The judges rewarded them with twin scores of 83 with two bonus points each for a second round score of 170 and a total of 339. They received the blue ribbon and the Fieldstone winner’s cooler. Second place was awarded to Regalia, ridden by Grace Webster and owned by Adrienne Sternlicht.
Tyndall, who is originally from Greenville, NC, has been riding Huckleberry Finn for two years from the First Year through Second Year Green Hunters. The 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding also shows in the junior hunters with owner Huyett, who rode him to a second place finish in Wednesday’s 2’9″ hunter derby.
The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic concluded its main competition on Saturday and hosted the $25,000 Grand Prix in the lush grass of the Grand Prix Field.
Michael Nielson of Diamond Bar, CA, was the course designer of the Grand Prix which saw four horse and rider combinations jump the first round clear to advance to a thrilling jump-off. Only two of the four in the jump-off were able to go double clear, and Gideon and Holmes had the fastest time of 38.528 seconds to earn them the win in Gideon’s second career grand prix.
Holmes imported Gideon, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Hamlet, as a 6-year-old stallion. After not having much success, it was decided he would excel better as a gelding, which has proven true as Gideon primarily shows in the High Amateurs and does quite well.
D. J. Volandre of Norwell, MA, rode Tequila for Gina Volandre to second place in the jump-off with an impressive time of 40.553 seconds. Jean Sheptoff placed third with a time of 42.723 seconds on her mount Peaches, who went clear during the first round but had a rail down in the jump-off.
This is the second season that Holmes has competed at Fieldstone and he was quite pleased with the conditions of the field. “I give the Clawson family a lot of credit, for the amount of rain this week, the field was quite good. The turf had no affect from it.”
The Grand Prix concluded a fantastic week of competition at the 2011 Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic, which was in its first year as an ‘AA’ competition. The exciting Fieldstone Triple Crown Series, sponsored by SmartPak, will finish in August with the last of these great events that make up the series.
Running August 23-27, 2011, The Fieldstone Summer Showcase will feature many top classes, including a $7,500 Welcome Stake on Wednesday, August 24, the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Finals as well as the $10,000 2’9 Hunter Derby Finals on Thursday, August 25. Two Junior A/O Jumper Classics totaling $7,500 in prize money and the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final will be held on Friday, August 26, and a $5,000 Children’s Adult Jumper Classic, a $7,500 Speed Stake and the $25,000 Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, August 27. Concluding the week of competition will be the Massachusetts Hunter Jumper (MHJ) Finals on Sunday, August 28.
Conveniently located just 28 miles south of Boston in the heart of southeastern Massachusetts, The Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility is bar none in the New England region. The outstanding competitions provide a great opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers to experience something new and different from their standard horse show destinations. This beautiful, scenic facility is the perfect option for competitors looking to give their horses a breath of fresh air and compete in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Centrally located, the horse show is easily accessible from Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and anywhere in the northeast region.
The stunning show grounds offer competitors, guests and spectators beautifully manicured grounds, miles of trails and an exhibitor friendly atmosphere. The facility boasts nearly 100 acres, equipped with nine all-weather hybrid sand/felt/fiber show rings, permanent and temporary stabling, ample parking, and a beautiful all-grass Grand Prix field. Renovated in 2009, this field is a world-class venue for the facility’s premier classes. With show schedules boasting over $100,000 in cash and prizes and great exhibitor parties and events, these horse shows are not to be missed!
For more information on the Fieldstone Horse Shows, please visit www.showfieldstone.com, call 781-679-0701, or email info@showfieldstone.com.
© 2011 Jennifer Wood Media Inc.