The 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) returns to Wellington and the best hunters in the nation will compete starting tomorrow. The nine week circuit begins on January 25 in Wellington, Florida and continues through April 1. The last two weeks of the Festival will be held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL. $410,000 in prize money will be awarded to the ‘AA’ rated hunter sections. Throughout the nine week WEF series, points are accumulated for ribbons won, leading up to the presentation of the circuit championships. The champions are honored with ceremonies before the Budweiser American Invitational CSI 4* at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, on Saturday, April 1.
Horses that compete in the hunter divisions must show the athletic qualities that are essential in the sport of Foxhunting. They must have the ability to carry the rider safely and comfortably over obstacles found in the hunting field. The sport has evolved into judging horses’ form over jumps and the way they move across the ground.
Horses are divided into sections that relate to either the experience of the horse or the status and age of the rider. Green Conformation and Regular Conformation hunters are judged on performance over fences and their “conformation”, or physical build. Green Working Hunters are divided into sections for horses in their “First Year” or “Second Year” of rated showing, and Regular Working Hunters are the most experienced show hunters. Pre-Green divisions are for rookie equines in their first year of competition.
The professional divisions at WEF will showcase many of the best hunters in the country. Leading the pack will be Scott Stewart of Flemington, New Jersey. Stewart is consistently in the winner’s circle in every division with horses such as Chopard, Beyond, Cool Blue, Dynamic, Truly, Granted, and Fellini, just to name a few. At last year’s WEF, Stewart took home four circuit championships and one reserve championship. His toughest competition will come from other professionals such as Ken Smith, Holly Orlando, Louise Serio, Shachine Belle, Tommy Serio, and Havens Schatt.
Also returning for this year’s WEF will be junior and amateur riders. Last year’s top Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter, Due North, will return with rider Avery Dimmig. Ellen Toon, who has owned some of the best hunters in recent years, will be competing as well with old favorites In Disguise and Attache, who was the circuit champion in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over division.
The junior hunters are always a very competitive division. They are split into four sections: two by the horse’s height and two by the rider’s age. Returning this year will be 2005 WEF Large Junior 15 & Under circuit champions Westcliffe and Christy Russo. While some of their mounts may change, these riders will likely be seen receiving the blue ribbon in the hunters in 2006: Alexandra Stathis, Maggie Jayne, Hardin Towell, Addison Phillips, and Kacy Jenkins.
Competition in the Adult Amateur Hunter divisions is split into three different age groups that compete at the 3 foot height. Top returning riders such as Jennifer Reid, Vanessa Redfern, Samantha Hallman, Victoria Watters, Molly Ohrstrom, and Holly Caristo will compete this year. The 3’3” division will host Ohio’s Wendy Lewis and her venerable partner Forget Paris, who have won an amazing three circuit championships in the division.
Another division split into three sections is the Pony Hunters. They compete based on the pony’s height in Small, Medium, or Large, with escalating jump heights in each division. The up-and-coming stars in these divisions are Alexandra Thornton, Jennifer Waxman, Schaefer Raposa, and Reed Kessler.
The highlight for hunters during the circuit is the Bainbridge Florida Classic week, presented by the Palm Beach Post and featuring the American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach. The top professionals, amateur-owners and juniors will battle for top honors and spectacular prizes. The event will take place under the lights in the Internationale Arena on Saturday, February 18, at 8:00 p.m.
Florida Hunter Classics are also offered during the Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Hunter Spectacular weekend for the Adult, Children, Children’s Hunter Pony, and Pony Hunters.
Many top junior hunter riders also compete in numerous equitation classes offered weekly during the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival. The USEF Hunt Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay, the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic, and the USET Talent Search are judged on the rider’s form and ability to control their horse over a challenging course of jumps. Winners of these classes qualify for the WEF Equitation Championship, won last year by successful rider Sloane Coles.
The WEF Equitation Championship for the R.W. ‘Ronnie’ Mutch Trophy will be held in the Grand Hunter Field on Saturday, March 11. The unique format of this class gives riders the responsibility of schooling and preparing their own horse and readying themselves to ride in the two rounds of competition without the benefit of their trainer’s assistance. There are also fun awards given for the Best Equitation Horse, Best Turned Out Horse, Groom’s Award and Trainer’s Award. Riders to keep an eye on are Brianne Goutal, Maria Schaub, Addison Phillips, Nikko Ritter, and Andrew Welles.
With an exceptional amount of prize money offered, the WEF Equitation Championship, several hunter classics, and the AHJF Hunter Spectacular, there is a lot to look forward to for exhibitors and spectators alike. The 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival will start the new year off right with the best competition in the nation for hunters and equitation.
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