Traverse City, MI – July 15, 2011 – Clouds and a light breeze kept the temperatures cool as the Amateur Owners and Juniors took over in the R. L. Polk Family Main Hunter ring at Horse Shows by the Bay Series II. As the week continues, all points earned by riders will count toward World Champion Hunter Rider points. The points earned will give the top ten riders, those with the most points nationally at the end of the year, as well as the top six riders from each region, the chance to compete in the finals held at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. There is also the chance to win some spectacular year-end awards for professionals, emerging professionals, amateur owners, amateur adults, juniors, children and pony riders. Points can only be earned at Member Events and Horse Shows by the Bay Series II has been granted the honor of being one the only seven Member Events held in the region. The cooler weather made the Junior Hunters a bit more challenging today, with frisky horses eager to take on the challenge.

Following the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunters was the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Classic Hunter Phase, with many impressive rides over a classic hunter course. It looked to be a tough call when it came to judging the class, as there were so many riders with talent to spare. Top honors went to Hallie Miller aboard Discovery with a very smooth and composed round; it was clear that she has a great connection with this horse. Second place went to Virginia Ingram, who seems to have been picking up equitation ribbons left and right the past two weeks. Laura Baginski, on Devout has also been riding to the top of the equitation classes, as well as in the Junior Hunters, taking home third place in the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic.

Kicking off the Junior Hunters were the older Large Junior Hunters, which had a total of 15 competitors today. Each horse and rider completed two hunter rounds and an under saddle class this afternoon, their first day of classes. The brisk breezes seemed to be part of the challenge in the hunter ring today, but these young riders proved they could handle it and continued to create some beautiful trips. The first place prize in the first hunter class went to Madison Hayes and Santiago, who also took home second place in the second course. Carson Gibson guided Caden to second place in the first class and swapped positions with Hayes in the second class, eventually taking home the blue ribbon. Devout and Laura Baginski earned third place in the first class, while Lacey Gilbertson and Condanas received the yellow ribbon in the second class.

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