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SAUGERTIES,
NY (September 22, 2010)—Just days after some of the best show jumpers in the sport dueled it out for the world’s richest Grand Prix during the Pfizer Million the historic Strongid Stadium welcomed the top performers in the Marshall & Sterling League when the annual National Finals took the stage at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, New York.
Competition in this year’s Finals was once again highlighted by Patricia Diamond-Hennessy (Kintnersville, Pennsylvania) and Little Tom. The pair won the $7,500 Adult Jumper Classic at the Finals for the third straight year as they seem to have a stronghold in the division. Diamond-Hennessy and her talented horse also won the $2,500 Adult Jumper on Wednesday as a tune-up for the classic.
"He had a couple of owners before I bought him and I think he is so successful because I take care of him in every aspect. I am his groom. He is a one-person horse," said Diamond-Hennessy.
In the $7,500 Children's Jumper Classic, Ashley Prusak (Redding, Connecticut) rode Jamie Prusak's Vendelier to win the blue, beating out 29 starters who took to Dougherty's first-round course and then the nine pairs that competed in the jump-off. Also excelling in the jumper ring was Marissa Burgh (Holland, Pennsylvania) who rode her own horse Quiet Morning to the blue in the $2,500 Children's Jumper.
Whatever you Say!
In the hunter divisions, Katie Milton (Locust Valley, New York) piloted Valerie Primavera's If You Say So to the Grand Hunter Championship after winning both over fence classes in the Adequan Hunter. There was a tie for Reserve Grand Hunter Champion between Espero, owned by Ronny Lipitz-Mehrberg, who was Champion in the HITS 2'6" Hunter Division, and Spring Fling, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo, who was Reserve Champion in the Adequan Hunter Division. Both horses were ridden by Jenny Fischer (Montgomery, New York).
Trainer Robert Beck and the exhibitors from Hunters Crossing Farm had a wonderful showing at the Finals and their performance was highlighted when they swept the Adult Hunter Division. Winning the Championship was Rosso Rossini, owned and shown by New Jersey's Miranda Scarpone (Kinnelon, New Jersey), while Reserve Champion honors went to Lissabon, owned by Adriana Savettiere, and ridden by Melissa Feller (Lincoln Park, New Jersey).The awards continued to pile up for Hunters Crossing Farm when they won the Groom's Award, presented by Odor-No-More.
Also in hunter action, it was David Wilbur and Susan Banta Lowery's Reuben Himself that secured the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby Finals before an enthusiastic crowd that surrounded the Strongid Stadium.
Wilbur (Simsbury, Connecticut) and Reuben Himself were the top horse-and-rider team out of the 20 competitors that challenged course designer Jerry Dougherty's first-round track, and the 12 pairs that returned for the handy round as they edged out Amanda Starbuck (Ridgefield, Connecticut) and Stepping Stone Farm's Rio Bronco, who finished second.
Other winners from the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals include:
Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal : Kaelin Tully of Farmingdale, New York
Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal: Sydney Smith of Madison, Connecticut
Marshall & Sterling Children's Medal Horse: Hunter Ralston of Hebron, Connecticut
Marshall & Sterling Children's Medal Pony Small/Medium: Blythe Ruppel of New York, New York
Marshall & Sterling Children's Medal Pony Large: Savannah Hajdasz of Amston, Connecticut
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Pony: Rain Date, owned and shown by Haley Wilkinson, of Sheffield, Massachusetts.
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Horse: Dillegre, owned by John Brandow and shown by Sarah Brandow, of New York, New York.
Party Time!
The 2010 Finals provided many chances for exhibitors and their guests to let loose and have some fun! The Year-End Awards party rocked the house on Friday night as the Marshall & Sterling League celebrated its 20th year. All qualifiers and their guests enjoyed this special party that featured music, great food and a special celebration honoring all year-end award winners. On Saturday, HITS hosted a cupcake social in the afternoon where young riders could decorate their own sweet treats followed by a pizza party on Saturday night where the celebrations continued for all exhibitors and their families!
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. Riders can look forward to an all-new division next season when the Junior/Amateur Low Jumper Division is added to the schedule. The Finals will take place September 15-18 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. |
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©ESI Photography
HITS' Kristen Vale and Marshall & Sterling's Mary Moeller congratulate Katie Milton and If You Say So after they were named Grand Hunter Champion at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.
©ESI Photography
On Wednesday, Marshall & Sterling's Mary Moeller congratulated Katie Milton and If You Say So after winning the Adequan Hunter Division at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.
©ESI Photography
HITS' Kristen Vale and Marshall & Sterling's Mary Moeller congratulate Jenny Fischer and Espero after they were named Reserve Grand Hunter Champion at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.
© ESI Photography.
Maari Wilbur, Greg Sadovic, of Devoucoux and Mary Moeller of Marshall & Sterling Insurance congratulate Reuben Himself and David Wilbur after winning the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby
©ESI Photography
Marshall & Sterling's Mary Moeller enjoys a bird's-eye view of the action taking place in the Strongid Stadium.
©ESI Photography
Children's Jumper rider Caroline Carpenter learns her course.
©ESI Photography
A young exhibitor at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals enjoys a light moment at the cupcake social in the SmartPak Internet Cafe.
©ESI Photography
HITS' Kristen Vale and Marshall & Sterling's Mary Moeller congratulate Mary Mead and Ashley Smith at the Year-End Awards party.
©HITS Staff
Robert Beck and Kelly Champion accept the Groom's Award, presented by Odor-No-More.at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.
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