Amber Harte and Jennifer Hannan Claim Championship Honors in the Hunter Ring at WEF Week Four

© Morgan McClelland: Hannan Best Regards

Jennifer Hannan and Best Regards claim the tricolor in the Green Conformation Hunter Division

Wellington, Fla. — Feb. 2, 2017 — Week Four of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off on Wednesday, leaving only eight more weeks of competition at the largest winter series in the United States. The Green Hunter divisions including the Green Conformation Hunter sponsored by Shapley’s Grooming Products and the 3’9” Hunter divisions sponsored by Equine Tack & Nutritionals concluded on Thursday.

© Morgan McClelland: Kodachrome KF

Kelley Farmer and Kodachrome

Jennifer Hannan and Best Regards, an 8-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Patricia Fulchino, were awarded the tricolor in the Green Conformation Hunters after taking home blue ribbons in all but one class in the division. Kelly Farmer and Kodachrome were named the reserve champions of the division. Best Regards was imported last spring and began training with Hannan in April.

“He really thinks he is big stuff,” Hannan laughed. “He really is a true gentlemen and by far the smartest horse I have ever ridden. He goes in the same every time, consistently trying to do what you ask of him.”

After a very successful 2016 in the pre-green divisions, Hannan and Best Regards won the $15,000 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive Stake in October at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

© Morgan McClelland: Hannan Best Regards tricolor

Jennifer Hannan and Best Regards

“This year we hope to have him continue in the Green Hunter division and we are planning to show Week Six,” said Hannan. “Pat is a wonderful owner and he is truly an amazing horse — they are both so deserving.”

The duo was also given the prestigious style award sponsored by Champion Equine Insurance. At each week of WEF, Laura Fetterman presents the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award to a hunter rider who has demonstrated a special presence in the show ring, a rider who exemplifies classic hunter movement and form with ease and grace.

In the 3’9” Green Hunter division, Amber Harte and Style, a young gelding, earned the championship after winning two rounds, and receiving two second place ribbons and a third place ribbon.

© Morgan McClelland: Harte Style Jump
Amber Harte and Style

“Style is a total people horse,” said Harte. “He loves people, he loves attention, he loves to be fussed over and he adores being treated like the king that he is.”

Harte is the owner and lead trainer at Brass Ring Farm, located in both Palm Beach and New Jersey. This week marked Style and Harte’s third show, while their effortless rounds made the duo seem as though they have been showing together for years.

© Morgan McClelland: Harte Style

Amber Harte and Style

“He is just a wonderful horse and we plan to keep going,” continued Harte. “This partnership is so new that I really don’t know where we are going but I hope to eventually compete in a few derbies.”

Although the pair had consistent rounds on Wednesday and Thursday, Harte is still getting a feel for Style.

“I have never ridden a hunter with such a big stride,” explained Harte. “The biggest challenge for me with him was allowing myself to just sit, be quiet and let his stride carry us to the jumps. I’m not used to that.”

Following close behind Harte and Style was Kelley Farmer riding Unexpected, and the duo claimed the Reserve Championship in the 3’9” Green Hunters.

© Morgan McClelland: Kelley Farmer and Unexpected

Kelley Farmer and Unexpected

 

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