Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare's Rhythm won the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Final Chase Horse Show. Photo By: Morgan German

Katy, TX – November 20, 2012 – Topping off a successful 2012 show season for Nordic Lights Farm, Peter Pletcher claimed another Derby victory during the Final Chase Horse Show with NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm. Pletcher took home the winning prize during the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby after piloting NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm to the lead during both rounds of competition. The pair also claimed the championship honors in the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division earlier in the week after winning two over fences classes.

“NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm was awesome this weekend,” expressed Pletcher. “He was jumping very crisp, and as always, he was very brave in the ring. The Derby had a nice course with some really big option jumps and he’s really good at the high jumps. In the handy round there were strides going away from the gate to the first jump and you could go either direction, but I decided to go straight at it.  He was super, had a beautiful jump this weekend and rode amazing.”

Nordic Lights Farm also had success during the two weeks of competition at the Atlanta Fall Classic held in Conyers, GA. Amateur rider Eirin Bruheim competed with three mounts during the prestigious event under the tutelage of Olympian Chris Kappler. NLF Valhall was in top form for the Training Jumper classes, winning all six classes that he competed in and never touching a single rail.

During the first week of competition, Tackeray and Bruheim showcased their skill during the $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic to capture the second place award. Bruheim and her second mount Cicero 75 were also very successful during the class and earned the fifth place honors. In the 1.30m Open Jumpers, Cicero 75 picked up the third place ribbon during the second week, while Tackeray earned a fourth place ribbon and fifth place ribbon in the 1.40m Open Jumpers.

“The horses worked really hard these past two weeks and did so well,” commented Bruheim. “The hardest worker was definitely NLF Valhall; he is loving the horse show life! The crowning moment for the first week was when Tackeray placed second in the Classic and Cicero ended up fifth. Tackeray and I also did our first class under the lights and he jumped great. Overall, these two weeks were very good for the coming together with my horses and getting ready for WEF.”

The next stop for Nordic Lights Farm will be the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Bruheim will compete in the jumper divisions with her talented mounts, and Pletcher will return to the ring with NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm later in the season.

Nordic Lights Farm is a 70-acre establishment located in Tomball, TX, that was founded in 2007 by the Bruheim family to help further the equestrian goals of 19-year-old Eirin Bruheim and 17-year-old Lene Bruheim. Both girls have worked their way up through the ranks and are currently competing at the top levels in the hunter and jumper divisions aboard their incredible string of horses.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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