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Strike Three For Williams & Strapless In AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular

Valentine’s Day was a day late for Emily Williams and Strapless, who claimed their third victory in a row (2001, 2002, & 2003) on Saturday night, February 15, 2003 in the eighth annual American Hunter-Jumper Foundation Hunter Classic Spectacular held during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

“I just can’t believe it. I didn’t think I could win it twice and to win it three times,” said Emily. Her eyes and her smile said it all. As many classes as Williams has won with Strapless, you would think she would get used to her victories, but she claims each new win with the same enthusiasm, appreciation and joy as if it were the first time she’d ever won anything.

“The pair seems to rise to the top,” added her trainer, Tom Wright. “I just never thought it could happen again.”

There were 28 riders who qualified to compete in the first of two rounds. Williams was 24th to go when she took over the lead. Then the last competitor, McLain Ward on Monte Christo, matched her score but claimed the lead by a judge’s decision.

“Coming off her last turn she (Strapless) came off her lead for half a stride. She bobbled and went right back on it,” explained Williams about her first round. That bobble cost her getting scores over 90 from the four teams of judges, but it seemed as though Strapless realized that she’d have to show just how good she is in the second round.

“I swear that horse knows when it counts. I give 100% and she gives 110%. I was so lucky. She was right there always looking. Ready to answer,” continued Williams. “I really think she says ‘watch me.”

ROUND 2 PUTS THE HORSES TO THE TEST

In the second round when only the top eight riders returned first Charlie Jayne on In Sync went off course. Then Addison Phillips on So Be It scored 87. Phillips was third in line behind Williams and Ward in the first round (89) after having to wait a half hour to go after the lights went out on the course during her first attempt. Next came Sandy Ferrell on Marvin (85.5). Then Lyman T. Whitehead on Moulin Rouge (87.5). But it was Scott Stewart on Chopard who made Ward and Williams know they were going to have to earn this win when he put in a brilliant round and claimed the first score over 90 (90.5). Jimmy Torano followed on Just (79.5). And then it was time for Williams.

As the next to last rider to go, Williams knew she was in good shape when she entered the arena and Strapless gave a quick spin of her head. It was something that Williams had seen many times before and she knew that in the past when Strapless tossed her head she’d gone on to put in some of her best rides. And this night would be no different. Strapless continued around the course as if she owned it, with her rider going for the bold distances that Strapless was taking her to. At the last fence her energy level peaked as she jumped an aggressive and bold jump with all the confidence in the world. It was a brilliant course that earned the pair a record setting score of 95.750.

But there was still Ward to go in his first Hunter Classic. However, things were just the reverse for Ward who spends most of his time in the jumper arena. A few fences jumped too close to the based took away his chance to beat Williams and earned him a score of 79.5. That left the check for $12,000, an additional check as the top professional for $3,480, a Tad Coffin Performance saddle, the Dark Continent Perpetual Trophy, a custom jacket and a cooler for Williams and Strapless.

WHAT THE AHJF HUNTER CLASSIC IS ALL ABOUT

Clearly Williams and Strapless had earned their victory under the lights on what was considered a difficult hunter course.

“The course was a long course, longer than normal,” explained Wright. “There were a couple of extra questions and one place or another each horse didn’t always answer a question. Many thought they were done with three more questions still to go.”

Wright was referring to the fact that the horses do so many courses that they have a sense of how many lines and jumps are in each course before they are done and can leave the arena. So, when it came to what they figured was that point many horses thought they were done and were surprised when their riders took them down one more line of fences. But “that’s what a Hunter Classic is all about,” noted Wright.

“This is the best event of the year because it really showcases hunters,” explained Wright. “I think consistently the courses are challenging but very fair. Plus the fact that they are under the lights and draw a great crowd and have a qualification system that is the best. Everyone rises to the occasion.”

Those mentioned above were joined by a long list of stellar hunter riders and horses. Among those competing was Peter Pletcher, who is the 2002 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Champion Hunter Rider; Louise Serio, who won the 2002 WCHR Professional Challenge Class; and Charlie Jayne, winner of the 2002 WCHR Junior National Championship.

THANKS TO THE AMERICAN HUNTER-JUMPER FOUNDATION

The Hunter Classic, which is sponsored by the AHJF, is unique. There is no entry fee for competitors. All the champions and reserve champions in the junior, amateur and professional hunter classes who are AHJF members are eligible. The event takes place at night in a large grassy International Arena and attracts a huge spectator attendance both on the grass ledges surrounding the arena and at the tented dinner, which is the AHJF’s major annual fundraiser and is organized by party guru Mason Phelps.

The AHJF was formed in 1992 because of the need to support and reward hunter riders and horses. It is a member-supported non-profit organization. The AHJF began the idea of offering “big money” Hunter Classics and a National Championships, which culminates each year at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in early October. It is fundraisers like the Hunter Classic, which allows the AHJF to provide the hunter industry with the support and rewards it deserves.

For more information, contact the AHJF at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, 508-835-8813, FAX: 508-835-6125, email: AHJF@aol.com, or contact Press Link at 631-773.6155.

2003 AHJF HUNTER CLASSIC SPECTACULAR RESULTS
February 15, 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival, Wellington, FL

Judges – 1 - , 2 -,

3 -, 4 -

2003 QUALIFIED HORSES & RIDERS – AHJF HUNTER CLASSIC SPECTACULAR OF PALM BEACH

HORSE age, sex, color, ht., Division, ht jpg RIDER HOMETOWN OWNER/TRAINER HOMETOWN SCORE MONEY
1 Strapless 10, mare, bay, 15.1, Danish Warmblood, Reg. Wkg. , 4’ Emily Williams/21
Professional
Wellington, FL Clara Lindner & All Seasons Farm
Tom Wright

Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati

185
$12,000
+$3,480


2
Chopard
8, g., bay, 15.3, Bavarian, Reg. Conformation, 4’
Scott Stewart/38
Professional
Flemington, NJ

Krista Weisman
Gary Duffy

Sherborn, MA
Ithaca, NY

177.875
$8,352
+$2,088

3 So Be It
10, g., bl., 16.2, Lg. Jrs. 15&U, 3’9”
Addison Phillips/13
Juniors
NYC, NY

Addison Phillips
Andre Dignelli, Kate Stoffel Oliver, Patricdia Griffith, Jenny Dunion

NYC, NY
Andre/Katonah, NY

176.500
$5,220

4 Moulin Rouge
7, m., brown, 15.3 7/8, 2nd Yr. Green, 3’9” Lyman Whitehead/39
Professional
Redding, CT Natalie Johnson
Lyman Whitehead

Redding, CT

174.75
$3,480
+$696

5 Marvin 7, g., brown, 16.2, Oldenburg, 2nd Yr. Green, 3’9” Sandy Ferrell/35
Professional
Churchville, MD

Mrs. Gary B. Peterson
Jack Stedding

Sparks, MD
Jarrettsville, MD

171.125
$2,436
+$696

6 Just

9, g., bay, 16.1, Reg. Wkg. Htr., 4’

Jimmy Torano/39
Professional


Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Jeffrey & Jonathon Phillips
Jimmy Torano

Ft. Lauderdale, FL


168.125
$2,088

7 Monte Christo

8, g., chestnut, 16.2 hands, Sire-Gershwin, Rg. Wkg, 4’ McLain Ward/27
Professional
Brewster, NY M/M Don Stewart Jr.
Don Stewart

Ocala, FL

Ocala, FL

165.75
$1,740

8 In Sync

6, g, dk bay, 17.1, TB, Jr. Htr., 3’6” Charlie Jayne/16 West Palm Beach, FL o/t/Alex R. Jayne Elgin, IL

85.750
$1,392


9
Dream Date

8, g., dk brown, 15.3, Oldenburg

Louise Serio
Professional
Pro Challenge Winner

Kennett Square, PA

Rachel Geiger
Louise Serio

Malvern, PA
Kennett Square, PA

84.500
$1,044

10 John Courage


11, g., ch., 15 5/8, Dutch Warmblood, Sm. Jr. 16-17, 3’6”
Abby Carpenter/17 Greenwich, CT

Abby Carpenter
Frank & Stacia Madden

Greenwich, CT
Colts Neck, NJ

84.250
$696


11
Clemintine

7, mare, bay, 16.2, Mecklinberg, 18-35 A-O, 3’6” Maggie Jayne Elgin, IL o/t/Alex Jayne
Elgin, OH


83.625
$696

12 Rio Bravo

  Whitney Roper Rumson, NJ

WGHR Farm/Sale Johnson
William Cooney &
Susie Humes

Sale/New York, NY
Bill/Wellington, FL
Susie, LI, NY

83.625
$696

The first place finisher was guaranteed a purse of $12,000, plus there was $34,800 in Add-Back Money. Additional money was given to the top four professionals.

Tickets to the Winter Equestrian Festival are available by phone at 793-JUMP or at the gate. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Children 12 & under are free all days. Senior admission is $5 every day. Adult admission is $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. Parking is free.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dates:

(Each week runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM)

Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters – February 19 – 23
Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open – February 26 – March 2
Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 – 16



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