Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 3, 2021 – Professional hunter competition came to a pinnacle Wednesday, November 3 at the 2021 National Horse Show (NHS), highlighting some of the country’s top hunter horses. The Alltech Arena played host to a variety of divisions with championship honors up for grabs, including the Goshen Hill Green 3’6” Hunter, Green 3’9” Hunter, Green Conformation Hunter, High Performance Conformation Hunter and Judith Murch High Performance Hunter, presented by The Corrigan Family and Winner’s Circle Trailer Sales. Nearly 70 horse-and-rider pairs put their names forward for the five divisions, all hoping to earn their respective division’s championship tricolors and the Meralex Farm Grand Champion Professional Hunter title. Of the large field, it was Scott Stewart and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Charlemagne that earned the distinction of Grand Champion Professional Hunter. Stewart also claimed the Meralex Farm Leading Hunter Rider Award for the fourteenth time at the National Horse Show.
Stewart and Charlemagne reigned supreme throughout their efforts in the Green Conformation Hunter division. During Tuesday’s competition, the 7-year-old Selle Francais stallion earned a score of 89 in the first round to win the class out of 14 entries. Showing great consistency over fences and adjustability in scope and stride, Stewart piloted Charlemagne to a score of 88 in the handy round, adding another win to his name. Wednesday morning was no different for the duo, placing first in the under saddle for Charlemagne’s floating trot and canter. Stewart and the flashy stallion wrapped up the division with yet another win in the Stake class, putting them on a perfect 40 points to earn the championship ribbon for the Green Conformation Hunter division, and ultimately the “Baroness Of Locheil” Perpetual Trophy for their Grand Champion Professional Hunter title, presented by Bryan Baldwin.
In addition to his Grand Champion Professional Hunter win, Stewart also claimed the Meralex Farm Leading Hunter Rider Award, which is awarded to the rider accumulating the most points in the Green Hunter, Green Conformation, High Performance Conformation and High Performance Hunter divisions. A total of 124 points throughout the five divisions with his five mounts, For Always, Charlemagne, Love Note, Cabrio and True Blue, earned Stewart his name on the Meralex Farm Leading Hunter Rider Challenge Trophy, presented by Bryan Baldwin, for the fourteenth time at the National Horse Show. The coveted trophy was originally donated by Mr. and the late Mrs. Kenneth Wheeler.
The excitement will continue Thursday, November 4, at the National Horse Show with jumper athletes taking to the Alltech Arena for the $72,900 International Welcome Stake. The remainder of the week will showcase the $36,600 T&R Development International Two Phase and the $50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic, presented by Chronicle of The Horse. The weekend’s feature events will include the $10,000 NHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic, the $10,000 NHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, the $25,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Grand Prix, the $213,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lexington and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm. To learn more about the 2021 National Horse Show, click here.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Scott Stewart – Grand Champion Professional Hunter & Meralex Farm Leading Hunter Rider Award winner
On Charlemagne:
“Charlemagne we bought as a 4-year-old and he did [the Pre-Green division] a few times as a five-year-old. Last year he showed twice before we stopped showing because of COVID. This year he was champion at [the Pennsylvania National Horse Show], [the Washington International Horse Show] and the [National Horse Show] here, so he has been really consistent and just getting better and better.”
On the future with Charlemagne:
“He will do the [$50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic, presented by Chronicle of The Horse] on Friday, then he will probably have off of showing until January.”
On the courses:
“I thought the courses were great, the jumps were beautiful, and being inside, it was nice that we were still able to gallop. I think there were some really incredible rounds and the scores were awesome from the judges.”
On earning his fourteenth Meralex Farm Leading Hunter Rider Award:
“It’s great! You always aspire to do this, and it’s nice with Betsee Parker, that owns all of my horses, that she is really into this and it’s a nice reward at the end for her.”
On competing at the National Horse Show:
“It is great to be back! We missed it last year, so it is certainly nice to be back. They do a great job and it’s nice to be here.”
RESULTS
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner
Goshen Hill Green Hunter 3’6” Under Saddle:
1. Reign / Christopher Payne / Still Water Farm LLC
2. Silver Lining / Patricia Griffith / Callie Seaman
3. Traveller / Laena Romond / Catherine Cowie
Green Conformation Hunter Under Saddle:
1. Charlemagne / Scott Stewart / Dr. Betsee Parker
2. Gratitude / Christopher Payne / Still Water Farm LLC
3. Traveller / Laena Romond / Catherine Cowie
Green 3’9″ Hunter Under Saddle:
1. Braavos / Greg Crolick / Renaud Farm, LLC
2. Kuore / Greg Crolick / Renaud Farm, LLC
3. Love Note / Scott Stewart / Richard Prant
High Performance Conformation Hunter Under Saddle:
1. Braavos / Greg Crolick / Renaud Farm, LLC
2. Necofino / Caroline Willard Briles / Rein Family LLC
3. Deja Blue / Victoria Colvin / Roaring Fork Farms LLC
Judith Murch High Performance Hunter Under Saddle:
1. S & L Exxon Hedonist / Patricia Girffith / S & L Farms
2. True Blue / Scott Stewart / Jennifer Combs
3. Cascartini / Havens Schatt / Ken and Amy Wexler LLC
Goshen Hill Green 3’6″ Hunter Stake:
1. For Always / Scott Stewart / Dr. Betsee Parker
2. Kesh / Havens Schatt / Ainsley Sadlo
3. Traveller / Laena Romond / Catherine Cowie
Green Conformation Hunter Stake:
1. Charlemagne / Scott Stewart / Dr. Betsee Parker
2. Elliot / Hillary Johnson / Copper Fox LLC
3. Alajolie / Augusta Iwasaki / Alexander Miller
Green 3’9″ Hunter Stake:
1. Cabrio / Scott Stewart / Bikoff Equestrian LLC
2. Cartel / Jeffrey Ayers / Jeffrey Ayers
3. In Writing / Steven Gregorio / Sterling Malnik
High Performance Conformation Hunter Stake:
1. Gabriel / Victoria Colvin / JT Farm
2. Champs Elysees / Patricia Griffith / Hallowell Lane Farm LLC
3. Deja Blue / Victoria Colvin / Roaring Fork Farms LLC
Judith Murch High Performance Hunter Stake:
1. Private I / Michael Britt-Leon / Kelly Sims
2. S & L Exxon Hedonist / Patricia Griffith / S & L Farms
3. Handwritten / Greg Crolick / Jon Cotton
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Horse / Rider
Goshen Hill Green 3’6″ Hunter
Champion: Traveller / Laena Romond
Reserve: For Always / Scott Stewart
Green Conformation Hunter
Champion: Charlemagne / Scott Stewart
Reserve: Traveller / Laena Romond
Green 3’9″ Hunter
Champion: Cartel / Jeffrey Ayers
Reserve: Love Note / Scott Stewart
High Performance Conformation Hunter
Champion: For Always / Scott Stewart
Reserve: Gabriel / Victoria Colvin
Judith Murch High Performance Hunter
Champion: Private I / Michael Britt-Leon
Reserve: S & L Exxon Hedonist / Patricia Griffith