Harrisburg, PA – Capping off an eventful junior weekend at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals presented by Randolph College saw Schaefer Raposa of Wellington, FL, earn the coveted championship honors. Edging out some of the most skilled young riders in the nation, Raposa smoothly tackled the first two rounds aboard her talented mount Charlie Z, as well as one challenging final test. Her quiet confidence garnered the top spot by evening’s end, with Brittany Hurst of Jackson, NJ, and Allison Fithian of Monterey, CA, finishing second and third, respectively. Rounding out the top four from the final test was Katie Tyler of North Kingstown, RI.
Today’s championship event featured two demanding rounds of competition followed by a test of the top four riders. The first course featured three imposing double combinations, a skinny coop without standards, and a triple bar. The judges invited the top 25 riders to return for the second course, which began with a three fence bending line, an oxer-oxer double combination, and a difficult plank vertical.
Following the first two rounds, the judges brought back the top four for a final test. Raposa, Fithian, Hurst, and Tyler each had to complete the test in reverse order without help from their trainers. Judges Chrystine Tauber and Jimmy Torano asked the riders to canter to fence nine, canter fence four, counter canter fence six, canter fence ten, trot fence eleven, canter twelve AB, and exit from the out gate.
Raposa had the best round during the second course after returning the sixth place position, showcasing several smooth inside turns. She continued to shine during her test and easily cantered over the first two obstacles in perfect form. After a quick stop to pick up the counter canter for fence six, the duo had an excellent trot to fence eleven and cantered through the last combination with ease. The judges were impressed with Raposa’s incredible horsemanship, and as a result she was crowned this year’s national champion, returning for her winning prize with trainer Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farm, as well as her parents David and Kara Raposa. Her mount, Charlie Z, received his own accolades and was presented with the Best Equitation Horse Award, sponsored by Missy Clark.
“It always feels great competing here,” remarked Raposa, “Winning tonight was amazing because we’ve all worked so hard and Andre prepared us so well. Charlie Z is a great horse; he’s got it all. I knew going in every round that if there was going to be a mistake made, it would be me who made it, not him.”
Hurst held the fourth place position after the first round, and moved into third following a flowing trip during the second course. She continued to improve her standing after picking up the counter canter and taking the inside turn to fence six. Hurst’s excellent test garnered her the reserve championship award. She competed today under the tutelage of Heritage Farm and Emil Spadone.
Fithian was one of the most consistent riders of the day, entering the ring for the second round in the second place position, and maintaining her position for the test. She was able to successfully pick up the counter canter with the outside turn, as well as trot fence 11 to earn the third place honors. Fithian shows with Stacia Madden of Beacon Hill Show Stables.
Tyler also had an elegant second round, demonstrating the excellent horsemanship needed to move up from eighth to fourth. She chose the outside turn to pick up her counter canter, and also had a light rub at the first portion of the double combination. Her effort during the day scored the fourth place award. Tyler, who hails from North Kingstown, RI, competed with Shachinne Belle.
“I’ve been riding with Andre for years and he’s awesome,” noted Raposa after leading the victory gallop. “At home, he replicated a lot of the courses that were used: the bending lines, forward, back, and the ride-ability and everything and I think that really helped. I think we didn’t realize right away how difficult the course was, and then watching some of the other riders, it was like ‘wow.'”
Prior to the second round, Raposa’s horse pulled a shoe, resulting in some nerves before the big event. “Everyone from Heritage was like, ‘stay calm, don’t worry about it, and they just ran him over to the blacksmith,” she said. “Before I knew it he was back, and he jumped a jump and just went right over. Once you go in and start the course, the nerves do go away a little bit, but walking in I was nervous.”
Raposa continued, “During my final test, I left the in-gate thinking be bold, don’t be boring, and I kind of thought maybe I was a little too bold, and I had to slow down for a second. After I jumped the first jump I was like, ‘OK, just calm down and ride the rest,’ and then the rest kind of felt like it fell into place.”
“The first part of the course was really a test,” added reserve champion Hurst. “I feel like Andre prepped us really well. I think the judges definitely tested you and tested your horse, regarding how capable you are of doing it all: the shortening, the lengthening, and I think it was a good course. It’s just as hard, if not harder, to test your ability during the second round because you get scared, nervous, but it was just a great course altogether and I think all of the riders did well.”
Remarking on tonight’s courses, judge Chrystine Tauber said, “The first course was interesting in that when we were putting it together what we wanted to focus on was adjustability, that the riders could lengthen, shorten, keep the balance, keep the rhythm. What we were looking for was the evening-off of adjusting strides and that the rider could stay with the horse over a little bit wider spread. We wanted to see the strength of base of support and position.”
“When I judge these classes and I build the courses I build the maximum width, I like square oxers,” added Torano. “When you get here, you know you’re going to jump for real. On the flip side of it, I always try to be fair to the horses and to the riders. I don’t use shallow cups, I use deep cups. It’s a lot to get to today for these horses; they’ve been jumping for a couple of days, so I like maximum effort but I also reward them. I don’t want to lose the winner with a rub and a rail fall, so if a rail falls they’ve really hit it.”
“She had a heck of a first round,” Torano observed of Raposa’s initial turn in the ring. “When she came in the ring and she nailed it the way she did, I was really impressed. She came into the final round several points ahead; she held it together because she knew the horse lost a shoe, they’re rushed, they’re waiting for her, and so on. To get on the horse, come in, and put it all together the way she did was outstanding!”
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show continues tomorrow with hunter teams and the Hunter Night Championship. Later in the week, a full roster of hunter/jumper events will accompany other highlight events, including invitational barrel racing and pole bending, a dressage exhibition, and an exhibition by Guy McLean. For full results and live scoring please visit www.ryegate.com. For more information about the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, please visit www.panational.org.
For full coverage of the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals presented by Randolph College – including video on demand – please visit USEFNetwork.com.