Milliren, Pettet, Cameron, and Geller Top 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships

Wellington, FL – September 22, 2011 – The 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships continued this past weekend with competitors for Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 vying for the top honors in their respective regional competitions. On September 18, 2011, talented horse and rider combinations began competing to place in the top 60% of their classes, earning the top combinations an invitation to the prestigious finals held in Lexington, KY for the Alltech National Horse Show. Taking home the blue ribbon prize and winning title for their regions were Sarah Milliren, Brooke Pettet, Madison Cameron and Morgan Geller.

Competing at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show in Lake St. Louis, MO, the Region 5 “Central” Championships were judged by Linda Andrisani and Alex Jayne. The “Central” Championships were one of the few finals that did not ask for additional testing from the judges. The riders were only judged on the course and the flat phase. The Central Region includes top competitors from AR, IA, KS, LA, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, and WI. It was Sarah Milliren who rode Terrapin, owned by Walstib Stables LLC of Rumson, NJ, to the top honors, claiming the championship award. Megan Bifano and Urco, owned by Gabby Slome of Riverdale, NY, claimed the reserve championship honors.

Milliren was extremely pleased with the results, especially since this was her first time showing Terrapin. “Going to Regionals, I had no idea what horse I was going to compete with,” Milliren explained. “I had a couple to choose from, but I really liked Terrapin and his ride. He’s an awesome horse, pretty straightforward, although he does get a little crabby.”

Judges Kim Dorfman and Paddy Downing-Nyegard had the difficult task of judging the Region 6 “Mountain” Championships. Riders gathered at the High Prairie Fall Classic in Parker, CO, to show against competitors from AZ, CO, NM, and UT. The regional championship was awarded to Brooke Pettet aboard Wonderwall, owned by BTP Investments LLC of Littleton, CO. Paparazzi, owned by Serenity Farm of Elizabeth, CO, ridden by Kelli Cruciotti snagged the reserve honors.

“The first round we went in, and I was little nervous actually; but my horse was being really good,” noted Pettet. “I had one jump I was a little unsure about, and then the rest was really good I thought. I was really happy that there was no additional testing.”

Region 7 “Northwest” held its championships at the North West Autumn Classic in Monroe, WA, with judges Susan Ashe and Ken Krome. Region 7 is comprised of riders from AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, and WY. Although Alexa Anthony of Washington impressed the judges, it was Madison Cameron of Portland, OR, who made her mark, riding to the top honors and championship award. Cameron also claimed the Region 7 Reserve Championship last year.

Fabricio, ridden by Morgan Geller of Manhattan Beach, CA, took home the Region 8 “West” Championship. The competition was held at the Oaks Blenheim Fall Classic in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Geller competed against the top junior riders from CA, HI, and NV, emerging victorious. Rider Olivia Esse of CA was also called back for additional testing, eventually garnering the second place prize. Region 8 judges included R. Scot Evans and Linda Hough, who evaluated riders over a meticulous course, which tested both horse and rider alike. The course consisted of thirteen obstacles, which Geller attempted first.

“The course was straightforward, more based on smooth turns and style,” described Geller. “I was nervous all day about going first, but in the end it was better because I didn’t sit around and watch everyone and get even more nervous!”

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. From each Regional Final, a percentage of all winners will advance to the year-end National Championships held in Lexington, KY at the Alltech National Horse Show from November 2-6. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, and in 2010 Hayley Barnhill was named the winner.

The Regional Championships for Region 2 will be held on September 24th in North Salem, NY, at the Old Salem Farm. The championships for Regions 1 and Region 4 will conclude on September 25th in Westbrook, CT, and Lexington, KY, respectively. For more information on the ASPCA Maclay National Championships and its qualifiers as well as the Alltech National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.

Region 5: Central Entry Results:
1st Sarah Milliren
2nd Megan Bifano
3rd Bethany Bolen
4th Geoffrey, Hesslink
5th Michael Kocher
6th Elizabeth MavWilliam
7th Nicole Walker
8th Hannah Spiegler
9th Riely Rieker
10th Natalie Liberman

Region 6: Mountain Entry Results – High Prairie, CO:
1st Brooke Pettet
2nd Kelli Cruciotti
3rd Amelia Drumm
4th Lucy Gerhart
5th Katya Schwab
6th Megan Buscema
7th Katherine Pitts
8th Tia Herrick

Region 7: Northwest Entry Results – Monroe WA:
1st Madison Cameron
2nd Alexa Anthony
3rd Sydney Tangyel
4th Natalie Hill
5th Kendall Pedigo
6th Ruth Lind
7th Paige Hamilton
8th Lauren Myers
9th Vivian Keller
10th Emily Hilton

Region 8: West Entry Results:
1st Morgan Geller
2nd Olivia Esse
3rd Alicia Gasser
4th Savannah Jenkins
5th Olivia Smith
6th Conor Perrin
7th Gabbi Langston
8th Alexis Graves
9th Hannah Von Heidegger
10th Demi Stiegler

Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition – Fast Facts

What:
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, is a weeklong championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run November 2-6, 2011, in the Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games(TM).

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $5.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Carolyn Vincent
National Horse Show
PO Box 386
Greenvale, NY 11548

Telephone:
Phone: (516) 484-1865
Fax: (516) 484-1982

Email:
NationalHS@aol.com

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 Mmorri4398@aol.com or 941 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Kiki Umla at KIKIUMLA@aol.com or 904-606-5541
Advertising – Laura Reed at reed.laura@insightbb.com or 859-321-7687
Sponsorship – Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389 or Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162

Hotels:
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

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

ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:
Susanna Elliott
Corporate PR Manager, North America
Alltech Corporate Headquarters
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky

Telephone: (859) 887-5144
Mobile: (859) 473-2696

Email: SuElliott@alltech.com
Web site: www.alltech.com

NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:
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

About Alltech:
Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 31 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.