Wellington, Fla., Mar. 22, 2018 – Thursday’s chilly morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring began with the final day of the High Performance Hunter divisions during Week Eleven at the Winter Equestrian Festival. First up in the Grand Hunter Ring was the High Performance Working Hunters with Scott Stewart and Captivate claiming the overall championship for the division. Following the working hunters, the top title in the High Performance Conformation Hunters was awarded to Chris Payne and Truman.
Stewart and the 9-year-old Westphalian gelding laid down solid rounds the first day of competition to secure two blues. They came back for day two with the same consistency to ultimately claim the top prize. Owned by Fashion Farm, Captivate has only just made the move up the High Performance ranks. Stewart plans to continue to campaign the young hunter at this level until he is sold to a new rider.
The reserve championship in the High Performance Working Hunters went to young professional, Tori Colvin and John and Stephanie Ingram’s Cuba.
The High Performance Conformation Hunters were next to perform,and this time it was Chris Payne and Maypine Farm’s Truman who captured the division’s championship title. The pair all but swept the division, taking home three blue ribbons over the course of two days. Long-time partners, Payne plans to take Truman to the Devon Horse Show later this spring. He then hopes to try the 11-year-old Westphalian’s hand at a few smaller derbies during the summer months. Close behind Payne to take the reserve championship was Scott Stewart aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Private Life.
Competition in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring will continue Friday morning at 8 a.m. with the Adult Amateur Older Hunters.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Scott Stewart – High Performance Working Hunter champion
On Captivate:
“This is only his second time doing the High Performance. He did the second year division last year. He’s going to continue to do this for a little bit. He’s actually for sale because Glen doesn’t plan to show much anymore. He’s a really great horse to ride!”
Future plans with Captivate:
“I don’t plan on showing him again until we head to Kentucky Spring in May. After that, the plan is Devon as long as he qualifies.”
Chris Payne – High Performance Conformation Hunter champion
On Truman:
“He’s an amazing horse to have around. He has the best personality; the happiest horse! He’s the hardest trying horse I’ve ever had. He has more personality than you can imagine. We really love him!”
On day one’s performance:
“He was great! This is only the second time we’ve done the conformation division. He rode beautifully; won all three classes. Today, even though it was a little chilly, he still rode beautifully.”
On future plans with Truman:
“Devon is our next goal. After that we’ll play around and see what happens, I think we’ll try a couple of small derbies and see how what he thinks about that. Overall the end goal will be indoors in the fall”