Emily Williams & Strapless |
AHJF
Hunter Classic Spectacular Features Top Show Hunters
January
10, 2003 -- Wellington, Florida -- On February 15, 2003
the seventh annual American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF)
Hunter Classic Spectacular will be featured under the lights
in Wellington, FL. Started in 1997, the Hunter Classic has
become the class to be in for hunter riders. This event
features the amateur, junior and professional champion and
reserve champion show hunter horses and riders who have
qualified from preliminary competitions held during the
weeklong Winter Equestrian Festival, February 12-15.
The AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular is a target event for
many hunter riders. “I can tell you riders scramble
to get into this class,” explains Geoff Teall, AHJF
President.
|
The
event takes place at night in the 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. The arena is lower than where the spectators
are seated offering viewers a great chance to see the competition.
There is no charge to come through the gates. So, everyone is
welcome to come and enjoy the evening.
The
show hunters that qualify are scored by eight judges. This year
Ann Braswell, Robert Braswell, Karen Healey, Randy Henry, Mark
Jungherr, Randy Mullens, Tammy Provost, and Steve Wall will judge
the horses over a course designed by Michael Rheinheimer. The
judges will be looking for style and a horse which can carry a
rider smoothly, comfortably and safely over a course of natural
style jumps. The horses should be both elegant and agile as they
negotiate obstacles similar to those encountered on a foxhunt.
“It’s
more nerve wracking than building a jumper course,” explains
Rheinheimer. “You don’t care in the jumpers if something
is distracting. In the hunters everything needs to be symmetrical
and what they see on the backside of the fence as they are jumping
dictates how they jump. It’s all about trying to get them
to jump well.”
Up
to 26 riders will qualify to compete in this prestigious competition
as well as last year’s winner Emily Williams, who rode Strapless
to first place honors in both 2001 and 2002; Peter Pletcher, who
was the 2002 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Champion
Hunter Rider; Louise Serio, who won the 2002 WCHR Professional
Challenge Class; Kara Hofstetter, 2002 WCHR Amateur-Owner National
Champion and Charlie Jayne, winner of the 2002 WCHR Junior National
Championship. Jayne placed seventh in 2000 on Little Lion and
twelfth in 2002 aboard In Sync. Serio was second in 2002 on Dream
Date and fifth on Red Panda. She was seventh in 2001 on Red Panda,
who she also claimed top honors with in the inaugural Legacy Cup
that same year. These riders will be able to compete on any horse
they choose but must compete at the height for which the combination
is eligible in this no entry fee class. All entrants must be current
members of the AHJF.
Party
Planner guru Mason Phelps, Jr. and co-chair Beverly Lake Wilkes
will create the festivities for the evening for some 360 guests
under the all new party tent, now called “The Jockey Club.”
The goal will be to make the event enjoyable, profitable and comfortable,
with only two rows of tables (covered with blue tablecloths with
white rose centerpieces), so that everyone in the tent will have
an excellent view. A buffet dinner will be catered for the enjoyment
of the AHJF patrons. Front row tables are $3500 and second row
tables are $2500. With its new face lift (new window boxes, wainscoting
and chair railings, chandeliers, wall sconces and more), being
in “The Jockey Club” will be extra special. For table
reservations call the Winter Equestrian Festival Special Events
Office – 561-753-3389, Fax 561-753-3386 or email SJIpressoffice@aol.com.
For
the riders, this major competition gives them a chance to win
well earned money in front of a huge crowd and in a setting that
is festive, glamorous and welcoming. The winner will also be presented
with a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, the Dark Continent Perpetual
Trophy courtesy of Jim Green, a cooler and a custom jacket by
Personalized Products.
The
AHJF was formed to further the development of the sport of show
hunter competition by providing a national office to organize,
coordinate and support hunter rider and show jumping equestrian
competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship
Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational
Programs, the AHJF BSA Inc. 401k and Profit Sharing Plan and the
Legacy Cup.
For
information about the Hunter Classic contact the AHJF at 335 Lancaster
Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508-835-6125,
for point standings go to http://www.ryegate.com/AHJF/2002/stand/standing.htm,
or email AHJF@aol.com.
.
