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SAUGERTIES,
NY (September 17, 2010)—Katie Milton and Valerie Primavera's If You Say So had the final say when they won the Adequan Hunter Division yesterday at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, New York.
Milton (Locust Valley, New York), who is a professional rider at Long Island's Fletcher Farm, won both jumping classes to secure the Championship in the Adequan Hunter Division at the 2010 Finals. "Katie Milton has done a wonderful job bringing this horse along and we look forward to a successful year in the Amateur division with (owner) Valerie (Primavera) riding," said Nancy Fletcher, owner of Fletcher Farm.
"Fletcher Farm is very lucky to have an owner like Valerie," said Milton. "She buys young horses, lets them come along slowly with a great upbringing which leads to a successful career."
With Primavera riding, If You Say So was Reserve Circuit Champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunters 36 & Over Division earlier this season at HITS-on-the-Hudson. "He is the best horse ever!," exclaimed Milton after winning the title.
Reserve Champion honors went to Spring Fling, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo, and shown by Jenny Fischer (Montgomery, New York). Spring Fling and Fischer were second in the first over fences class and then won the under saddle class en route to being named Reserve Champion.
Action in the hunter ring continued when the ever-popular $1,500 Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic went into full swing. Forty-eight horse-and-rider combinations took to Dougherty's first-round track and the top 12 returned with the hopes of securing the title in this League-favorite 2'6" Hunter Classic.
When the final scores were tallied it was Brook Torre (Bedford, New York) riding Emily White's Heartbreaker who won over the judges and captured the title in this year's Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic. In addition to the blue and first place check, Torre takes home the beautiful Bit O' Straw Perpetual Trophy donated in 2008 by Nancy Taylor and Jessica Benoliel in memory of Keene Taylor. Keene Taylor is Amanda Bonoliel's late grandfather who passed away in 2008 just days before Amanda won the first-ever Bit O' Straw title at the National Finals. Amanda dedicated her performance that year to her beloved grandfather and the trophy was donated to keep his memory alive.
Second place in the Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic was awarded to Alex Murphy (New Canaan, Connecticut) and Ticket to Ride, owned by Leslie Kogos, while the third award went to Laura Stasi (Red Bank, New Jersey) who rode Dark Side of the Moon, owned by
Laura Burke.
Competition at the Marshall Sterling League National Finals continues today with a full slate of classes, including the presentation of the Champion and Reserve Champion in the Adult Hunter Division. Tonight at the Finals, the much anticipated Year-End Awards Party takes the stage. All qualifiers and their guests are invited to this special party which will feature live music, great food and a celebratory ceremony honoring this year's award winners and the 20th anniversary of the Marshall & Sterling League.
For complete results from the Finals, click here.
Membership for the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League is $40 and applications are available at all member horse shows, as well as online at the Marshall & Sterling League website. For more information on the Marshall & Sterling League, contact Patti Guerriero, League Coordinator, at patti@hitsshows.com.
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 20th year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, which will be held this year from September 15-19 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling has been recognized by IIABA as one of the nation's top "Best Practice Agencies." The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Mary Moeller at 800-836-3046, extension 224. |
