Michael Hughes.
North Salem, NY – September 13, 2014 – Every year, junior riders from around the country strive to earn points to qualify for the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships.
On Saturday, 52 of those young, qualified riders gathered at the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W to compete in the Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships and to vie for their shot to ride at the esteemed ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championship Finals at the National Horse Show this November.
Of the riders competing at the Region 2 Maclay Regional Championships, there was one rider in particular who has stood out to the judges for two years in a row: Michael Hughes. Hughes took the top call in the class last year, and he came back to do the same on Saturday.
The 18-year-old from Allendale, NJ shot to the top of the judges’ scorecards following the over fences phase, conducted over a course of multiple bending and broken lines and in-and-out combinations in the indoor arena of Old Salem Farm. Hughes then held that lead through the flat phase that is unique to the Maclay equitation format, clinching the victory, just as he did last year.
This year however, Hughes also got to earn the win alongside longtime friend and North Run barn mate, Ailish Cunniffe who finished in second.
“Together we both owe a lot to Missy [Clark] and John [Brennan]. They have taken us so far along in the equitation,” Cunniffe said. “We’re both so thankful for all of their help and both of our parents as well. My mom and dad and his mom and dad have both been big factors.
“My parents are professionals just like Mikey’s,” Cunniffe said, in speaking of her parents, Frank and Bonnie Cunniffe, and Hughes’ parents, Eamonn and Cathy Hughes. “We’ve known each other for quite some time. It’s neat to be doing well together.”
While both Hughes and Cunniffe credit their parents and North Run for much of their success, they are also quick to recognize the horses they competed today. For Cunniffe, that meant recognizing Venice, the equitation horse that she has owned for over a year, but for Hughes, up until this morning he still had the decision to make as to what horse he would be on.
“I didn’t really know which horse I was going to do,” Hughes said. “I had to choose between a younger horse of Missy’s and an experienced horse that had already been there, Campreoll. I knew [Campreoll] was going to go in and be really good. I really have to thank Cailin McNamara, the owner, and Brian Feigus for letting me ride him.”
With their performance together today, Campreoll will most likely be the mount that Hughes rides for the Maclay Finals at the National Horse Show, but he will be deciding for sure over the next month.
“I still have a few horses to choose from that weren’t even here. I have to thank all of the people that have given me horses to ride,” Hughes said.
Choosing the right horse to allow him to ride his best at the Maclay Finals is particularly important this year, as it is Hughes’ last year competing as a junior.
“He’s a grandpa!” joked Cunniffe.
While Cunniffe still has another shot at the Maclay Finals victory after this year, it is guaranteed that they will both work equally hard for their shot at the victory and the possibility to earn their place in the record books.
“The fact also that it’s been around for so long and that it used to be at [Madison Square Garden] makes it a special class,” Cunniffe said.
“It means a lot,” Hughes added. “Doing the equitation has been so much fun. You learn so much from it, and going to finals every year and having a new experience is great whether you win or not.”
Rounding out the top three in Saturday’s class was Lucy Deslauriers riding Lucky D’etenclin. Fourth place went to Megan MacPherson and Great Expectations.
All of the top entries from today’s Regional Championship have qualified for the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Horsemanship Championship Finals at the National Horse Show, to be held Nov. 2, 2014. For more information, visit www.nhs.org.
2014 National Horse Show Fast Facts
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run October 28 – November 2, 2014, indoors in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Parking:
The Kentucky Horse Park has waived the normal parking fee during the Alltech National Horse Show. Parking is free. While dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash, no dogs are allowed in the Alltech Arena during the ANHS.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. The KHP is 8 miles northeast of Lexington at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
2245 Stone Garden Lane Lexington, KY 40513
Cindy Bozan
email: cindy@nhs.org
Phone: (859) 608-3709
Fax: (866) 285-9496
Email:
Cindy@nhs.org
Website:
www.nhs.org
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located in the Alltech Arena.
Additional Contacts:
Vendors – Matt Morrissey at matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com or call (941) 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Cindy Bozan at cindy@nhs.org Phone: (859) 608-3709
Advertising and Program Sales – Dee Thomas at jmstables@aol.com Phone: 561-310-7679
Sponsorship – Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389 or Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162
Hotels:
HILTON – DOWNTOWN – 859-231-9000 – Approximately 6 miles
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
For further information on housing in the Lexington area, we invite you to visit www.visitlex.com and www.georgetownky.com.
Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Horse Show Secretary:
Cindy Bozan
859-233-0492
Email: secretary.nhs@aol.com
NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:
Re: News and Information:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com