Halifax, Ma-June 27, 2021- Week 1 of the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Horse Show concluded today. Competition began on the field this morning with 34 entries in the $1,500 2’9” Open Hunter Derby. With a first round score of 85 and a handy score of 87, Juan J. Laveri and Con Koronas rode to the top of the class over Tom Hern’s course. Following the 2’9” Derby, we saw 50 entries in the $1,500 Children’s/Adult Amatuer 2’6”-3’ Hunter Derby. In the end, it was Sara Cabot and Mariano riding to the win with scores of 86 and 85. Moving over to Ring 1 for the Grand Prix, it was Alice Cassidy, the winner of the $2,000 Welcome Stake who took the win in the $5,000 Grand Prix. With no clear rounds, Alice and her own The Irishman were the fastest four faulters. Earlier in the week, when we spoke with Alice, she told us a little bit about her 13 year old Irish Sport Horse Gelding. Alice’s Welcome Stake win was her first class back since the Venice Winter Circuit and she made sure to make it a memorable one with her back to back wins. Alice has been operating her own Hemlock Hill Farm for the last 10 years in Shelburne, Vermont.
In the ASPCA Maclay today it was Laurel Smith and Love Dreamer 2 who took the win and ultimately qualified them for the Zone 1 Regionals held at Fieldstone Show Park in September. After her win, we spoke with Laurel.
“Dreamy warmed up great, which helped me feel pretty confident going into the ring. The course was definitely technical and asked several questions, but Tommy and I had talked through a plan that we felt was best for Dreamy and me. We rode a good course over fences and had a strong flat phase which I was really happy with. I was thrilled with how Dreamy performed and it was an extra awesome win because it qualified us for regionals this fall which I’m super excited for!”
In the NHS Medal, it was Kristin Palmer and Country Road riding to the top of the class out of 19 entries. Hear how she rode to the win today:
“The NHS Medal challenged me and my horse, Country Road (Mick). Every second we were under the judges eye. Not knowing where I stood in the placings allowed for me to go back into the final ride off and continue to do my hardest to be on top. The win was an absolute surprise for me, making all of my hard work pay off. For only having this horse a year and still trying to adjust to him as well as him adjusting to me, we’ve both come a long way and it just felt so rewarding to be on top with some other riders I’ve looked up to a lot. I have always loved riding at Fieldstone. The venue is so inviting for everyone from the lead line all the way up to the Grand Prix.”
Liv Gannett and Continental won the MHJ, MHC and NEHC Junior Medal this week. With these three wins, Liv is now qualified for finals and we caught up with her to see how it feels.
“I had another great day of showing aboard my horse Continental (Lux)! Lux was nothing short of perfection taking home the blue in both the MHJ and NEHC, qualifying us for all three local finals! Qualifying so early in the season is a really great feeling and I can't wait for finals. I love showing at Fieldstone, especially in the junior equitation medals, because it’s a competitive field with filled classes, but right in our backyard.”
In the Adult Amatuer Hunter 18-35 Division, it was Victoria Bonanno and her own Denzel GGH who had a clean sweep in the division with 50 points earning them the championship as well as winning the 3’ M&S/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic.
Week 1 Champion Highlights:
Baby Green Hunter: Tibri’s Mirage & Elizabeth Naber
3’ Green Hunter: Lucaya & Rebecca St. Onge
3’3” Green Hunter: NVF Fort Knoxx & Jennifer Volandre-Ritucci
3’3” Performance Hunter: Colander & Johanna Hyyppa
Children’s Hunter Horse: Urgant Z & Jordan Prentice
3’6” Junior Hunter: Federer & Laurel Smith
3’3” Junior Hunter: Set Sail & Lily Rusis
3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter: Garsino & Alexa Bayko
3’3” Amateur Owner Hunter: Benicio & Rosalie Giordano
Adult Amateur Hunter 36 & Older: Clickbait & Heather Van Aiest
Low Child/Adult Jumper: Perfect Game & Abby Brand
High Child/Adult Jumper: High Jack & Katelyn Coveney
THIS National Children’s Medal: Triskell Ar Park & Lily Rusis
Ariat Adult Medal: Sir Theodore & Dominika Silvestri
Open Equitation 15-17: Country Road & Kristin Palmer
WIHS Equitation: Double O7 & Caroline Robelen
Dover Saddlery/U.S. Hunter Seat Medal: Casino 71 & Nicholas Lopes
Leadline Championship: Rain & Collins White
Walk Trot Equitation Championship: Pentimento Bay & Kennedy Briggs
A special Thank You to all of the staff, officials, sponsors, competitors, trainers and everyone else who makes Fieldstone so special, see you all for Week 2!