©ESI Photography. Natasha Werpy and Liberty jump to a win in the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult High Jumper Classic.
SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (January 19, 2014) – All eyes were on children and adult jumpers Saturday afternoon at HITS Ocala as 43 competitors took to the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic. Ten returned for the jump-off, but it was Natasha Werpy of Gainesville, Florida who bested the field in the irons of Liberty, a striking 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, owned by Werpy’s mother Charlotte.
“He is a saint,” said Werpy of the mount she piloted to a double-clear performance. “I may make mistakes out there, but he is always there to cover for me.” Mistakes were hard to spot, however, when Werpy topped all jump-off contenders with over a second to spare. Her time of 43.82 proved to be pivotal when seven rode double clear over courses set by Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida.
Werpy only paused from praising Liberty for the win when she gave well-deserved credit to her trainer Chuck Waters. “He has a real talent for matching horses to riders,” said Werpy of Waters, who partnered the pair in 2012.
Clocking a jump-off time of 44.55 seconds, Mary McCoy of Ocala, Florida finished in second with her own Zorba. Arwen Nanson of Cowingo, Maryland was third with Melinda Cohen’s Cruisineety Z. Their jump-off time was 44.70 seconds, just fractions off McCoy.
Nicole Loochtan of Lincolnshire, Illinois was fourth aboard her own Rocos Anala with a jump-off time of 45.27 seconds and Sarah Scarnechia of Barrington Hills, Illinois rounded out the top five with her own Colonius in 45.30 seconds.
The stakes get higher next week when children’s/adult jumper riders take to Saturday’s $15,000 Marshall & Sterling High Classic in the Grand Prix Ring.
About Marshall & Sterling Insurance
Marshall & Sterling Insurance is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, the Marshall & Sterling Equisport Division has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support. For more information on Marshall & Sterling Insurance, visit marshallsterling.com/horse.
$5,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic
The $5,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic welcomed Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, Ontario to the winner’s circle today at HITS Ocala, aboard Quercus Van Generhese, owned by Double C Stables.
Steffens was one of three to advance to the jump-off after the field traversed Russell’s first track, which included 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts. The course featured a double combination at the fifth fence and a triple at the last effort of the round.
Callie Morgan Smith of Bernardsville, New Jersey set an early time to beat with a clear jump-off round in 40.94 seconds. She piloted Smithfield Farms, LLC’s Captain Krutzmann. Next to return was Alex Parrish of Midway, Kentucky in the irons of Lexander Farm, LLC’s Frisco. They were on their way to a clear trip before a rail fell at the final fence, the original b element of the double combination. Their four faults were matched with a time of 41.97 seconds.
Steffens was last to return and laid down the speed needed to bump Smith and steal the blue. Her time of 40.32 second was just fractions fast enough to secure the win. “We took the inside turn to the double in the jump-off and it made the difference,” said Steffens.
Steffens’ clutch performance landed Smith in second and Parrish in third.
Hayley Waters of Ocala, Florida finished the first round with no jumping faults, but had three time faults to keep her and Hello Kitty, owned by Chuck & Dana Waters, from the jump-off. Waters finished fourth with Hello Kitty was also fifth in the irons of Chuck & Dana Waters’ Qurint as the fastest of the four-fault rounds over the first course.
Steffens plans to pilot Quercus Van Generhese, an imported 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, to more victories throughout the circuit. “He is perfect – he does whatever I ask and has great heart,” she said.
When asked if she planned on trying to qualify for the Bayer’s Legend $250,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix, to be held during HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this fall, Steffens was enthusiastic. “It would be incredible to make it to that class,” she said. “To get the opportunity to ride for that kind of money would be amazing!”
Qualifiers for the Bayer’s Legend $250,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix will be held at HITS shows in Ocala, Thermal, Saugerties and Culpeper throughout the year.
About U-Dump
Since 1980, U-Dump has been manufacturing the finest dump trailers in the industry. Built strictly from top-grade materials, all of their trailers are made with the latest construction techniques to eliminate bending and breakage in all stress areas. U-Dump Trailers has built their reputation on manufacturing state-of-the art trailers of the highest quality and endurance. For more information on U-Dump, visit udumptrailers.com.
About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer Animal Health is amongst worldwide leaders in animal health. Bayer has attained this leadership position by continuously researching and developing products for animal health since 1919. A responsible relationship between humans, companion animals and livestock requires ensuring the health of animals. For more information on Bayer Animal Health, visit bayer.com.
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