In its 34th year of competition, the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival has become the ultimate destination for the best hunters in the country. Today’s classes showcased some of the best up-and-coming hunters in the country.
Ken Smith of Wellington, Florida piloted Whitecap, owned by Far Niente Equine, in the A section of First Year Green Working Hunters. Whitecap was fantastic over two days and captured the tricolor. The eight year old Trakehner placed first and second over fences yesterday, and returned today to place third under saddle and second in both over fences classes. Reserve champion in the division went to Tommy Serio and Southern Style, owned by Kiara Barnett.
“He rode like a made horse and gave a great effort,” Smith said. The First Year Hunters showed in the Rost Arena yesterday, but made the move to the main hunter ring today. Smith remarked, “I was a little nervous about it. They always get a bit spookier or cautious in this ring. For whatever reason, the jumps seem more imposing in the Grand Hunter Ring, but he was quite consistent and we’re very pleased with him.” While Whitecap will continue his career in the professional division this year, Smith sees him becoming a wonderful horse for his owner, Katherine Bellissimo. “He will probably go in the Adults with his owner in the future, but she has two daughters, so he might be able to do the junior hunters as well,” he added.
Far Niente Equine has had a very successful week so far. Their four year old Pre-Green Hunter was champion as well. In his first show ever, Portofino walked into the ring and immediately won his first two over fences classes. He returned yesterday and finished second under saddle and third in the remaining class.
Smith has only had the ride on Portofino for a month, but knew he had something special. “He’s a spectacular jumper,” he explained. “He’s very green, but we bought him with the idea of preparing him for one of the owner’s daughters. He was a good boy this week, so we’re very excited.” Smith also picked up the reserve championship in the Pre-Green 3-4 Year Old Hunters on Significant, owned by Jessica S. Coppola.
In Section B of the First Year Hunters, newcomer Tiffany Foster and Pilgrim cemented their fledgling relationship with a championship ribbon. Owned by Stephanie Ingram, Pilgrim finished first and second over fences yesterday. They added a fifth and two third places to win the tricolor over Shachine Belle and The Infinity Group’s Wrap It Up.
Showing at her first Winter Equestrian Festival, Foster, of Vancouver, Canada is excited to show in Florida. “I love it! So far, so good!” she exclaimed.
About Pilgrim, she remarked, “I started riding him a couple weeks ago before circuit started. We’ve done two shows together, and he’s very good.” While the Grand Hunter Ring may be intimidating to green horses, Foster mentioned that it only helps Pilgrim. “He jumps better when it’s a little spooky. It’s a little easy for him, so if there is something to look at, he jumps even better,” she described.
The Winter Equestrian Festival competition continues tomorrow with championships in the Amateur-Owner and Junior Hunter divisions. Classes also start tomorrow for the Pony Hunters in the first week of the circuit.
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