Traverse City, Mich. – July 22, 2021 – Top hunter riders returned for the second day of competition in the Polk Family Main Hunter Ring during the third week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors. Thursday morning kicked off with the crowning of the champion and reserve champion for the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter Division. Over the two days, it was MTM Hay Day and Alexandra Ansteth who collected the most points and were crowned the champion of the division.
Ansteth and MTM Hay Day, a 9-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Tori Wiesner, were the first to enter the ring Thursday. The pair showcased their style over Joseph Carnicom’s eight-obstacle courses and turned in the score to beat over the first round. The Texas native and her mount also received a third in the second round over fences and a win in the under saddle class. On Wednesday, the pair claimed the win in the first round over fences and a fourth in the handy class.
Ansteth got the ride on her mount about a year ago when the owner purchased the gelding for Ansteth to develop further and eventually do the Children’s or Junior Hunter divisions with. Since then, the pair have competed successfully together in the Green Confirmation Hunter Division and the High Performance Hunter Division at shows such as Split Rock Jumping Tour, Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and now at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors.
Testify and Greg Crolick collected the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter Division reserve championship honors. Testify is a 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jon Cotton. The pair improved upon their performance on the first day and put in two smooth rounds that impressed the judges. They took home a second place in the first round over fences and a win in the second class.
Hunter competition continues Friday during Week Three with the first day of the Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Divisions kicking off. Friday will also feature the Children’s and Adult Hunter Divisions in Hunter Ring II.
From the Winner’s Circle
Alexandra Ansteth – Perfect Products High Performance Champion
On MTM Hay Day’s performance:
“My horse was wonderful — he was brilliant in the first round. In the second round, I got in his way a little bit but he was really, really good. I felt like yesterday and today I tried really hard to be consistent because I tend to get a little bit nervous sometimes — this week’s goal was to just be consistent and I think I did that.”
On her relationship with the gelding:
“I am his biggest fan, other than his owners who are his biggest fans. He is wonderful. We bought him from Mike and Tracey McCormick a year ago, maybe a little over a year ago, and he’s slowly but surely coming along. We’ve done a little bit in the [3’6” Green Hunter Division] and now he has stepped into the High Performance [Hunter division] and we’ve done some derbies and he is the most wonderful, kind, best partner.”
On being back at GLEF:
“It is so nice to be back. It’s been a few years since we’ve been here and it is beautiful and the people are great — they run such a nice horse show. The city is a lot of fun, it’s one of our favorite places to go hands down.”