Paul
Rohrbach Wins $25,000 Working Hunter Classic
Parker, CO, July 19, 2003— When Paul Rohrbach rode into the
ring for the second round of the $25,000 Working Hunter Classic,
he knew he had to have a clean and expressive trip. He had won the
first round with an 88, but Shane George had taken the lead with
two consistent rounds for a 172 total. Rohrbach had to score at
least an 84.5 to beat George.
Rohrbach
didn’t let the pressure get to him and laid down a rhythmical,
elegant trip that the judges rewarded with a 90—the high score
of the day. Rohrbach’s partner was the 10-year-old German-bred
mare Carmen. “I just had a feeling she could be special,”
he said of the first time he saw the mare. Although it has taken
three years for Carmen to come into her own, she now leads the USA
Equestrian national standings for regular working hunter.
Paul
Rohrbach, trainer at Columbine Equestrian Center in Littleton, rides
Mary Dunahay’s Carmen to victory in the $25,000 Working Hunter
Classic at the Colorado Horse Park at High Prairie Farms. Photo
by Horse and Ryder Photography
“She’s
the most comfortable horse to ride and loads of fun,” said
owner Mary Dunahay. Co-trainer Corky Shaha attributes Carmen’s
success to Dunahay’s patience. “She deserves a lot of
thanks for letting us really take our time with this horse,”
Shaha said.
Shane
George and Tomas finished second. Close behind in third was World
Champion Hunter Rider Peter Pletcher and Lynn Walsh’s Ocean
Park. Pletcher scored an impressive 89 in the second round.
The
$25,000 Working Hunter Classic sponsored by Sellerie De France has
been one of the featured events on the Colorado Summer Circuit for
the last five years. The event was part of a four weeks of shows
held at the Colorado Horse Park at High Prairie Farms. More than
700 horses from the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Dominican
Republic, along with thousands of riders, trainers, and grooms descended
on Parker to try for the more than $490,000 in prize money.
Paul
Rohrbach, trainer at Columbine Equestrian Center in Littleton, rides
Mary Dunahay’s Carmen to victory in the $25,000 Working Hunter
Classic at the Colorado Horse Park at High Prairie Farms. Photo
by Horse and Ryder Photography
For
a complete schedule of upcoming events check out www.highprairiefarms.com
Results
of the $25,000 Working Hunter Classic
1.Carmen
Paul Rohrbach
2.
Tomas Shane George
3.
Ocean Park Peter Pletcher
4.
Caldera Holly Shepherd
5.
The Hud Heidi Hildebrand
6.
Piper Kate Hart
.
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