Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 2, 2018 – Equifest II saw many horse-and-athlete combinations in the main hunter ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center on Thursday afternoon. However, the spotlight turned to the junior riders as they took on the equitation divisions. In the ASPCA Maclay’, it was 16-year-old Brian Moggre who rode away with the win aboard MTM On Point.
Moggre is constantly juggling different rides each day as he goes back and forth between the jumper and hunter rings. The course walk for the ASPCA Maclay took place while Moggre was competing in the Grand Prix Arena and, as a result, he was only able to watch a few riders go before he entered the ring as the final entry to tackle the course. Although Moggre has only been paired with MTM Farm’s MTM On Point for two months, their talents in the ring prove their partnership is already strong.
During Equifest I, Moggre and MTM On Point were undefeated in the equitation divisions. The pair won the ASPCA Maclay, the M&S Dover Saddlery Junior 3’6’’ Medal and both the hunter and jumper phases of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation to win the overall title. Moggre is no stranger to the winner’s circle and he hopes to continue his winning streak with MTM On Point in the equitation divisions this week.
Second place in the ASPCA Maclay’ was awarded to Hailey Johns riding Conaro, owned by the Johns Sisters LLC. Maura Lautenbach and Indiana B, owned by Patricia Lautenbach, rounded out the top three in the class.
In the Junior 15–17 3’6’’ Equitation division on Thursday, Clair Azar and her own mount At Last found their way to the winner’s circle after winning both the over fences and flat phases of the competition. Elizabeth Lang and Aramon, owned by Alex Jayne, took home second place over fences with Charlotte Novy and Cimberly, owned by Charlotte Novy LLC, rounding out the top three. On the flat, second place was awarded to Alexis Ortiz riding her own mount Little Paul, with Novy and Cimberly again rounding out the top three. Competition in the main hunter ring will continue on Friday, Aug. 3, beginning at 8 a.m.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Brian Moggre – ASPCA Maclay winner
On MTM On Point:
“He is 6 years old. My trainers, Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney, own him and he’s a fairly new ride to me. I’ve been riding him for about two months. We’re getting to know each other and he’s just starting to do the equitation. He’s really stepping up to the plate! He was undefeated last week — he won the ASPCA Maclay, [M&S Dover Saddlery Junior 3’6’’ Medal] and the Washington.”
On Thursday’s class:
“I was the last to go because I was actually over doing the jumpers so I didn’t get to walk the course. I watched one or two go. I was a bit nervous but I really trust my horse and it was really a moment to see if he’s going to be able to step up and be a superstar and he was perfect! I thought the course rode nice and my horse was amazing!”
On Equifest II:
“It’s spectacular so far! Hopefully it keeps going well, we love it here!”