During yesterday’s junior hunter competition a brief rain and wind storm rolled through the Lamplight Equestrian Center cancelling the final classes of the day in the Main Hunter ring. The competition continued bright and early on Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., beginning with the final rounds from yesterday.  After a short course change for Saturday’s over fences and handy hunter rounds, riding was underway at the Showplace Spring Spectacular II. Champion and reserve champion presentations were given in the Junior Hunter divisions with Kelsey Thatcher and Red Sky winning the $2,500 Junior Hunter Classic sponsored by Pony Lane Farm, and Taylor Ann Adams winning the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic sponsored by First Partners Inc., and the Small Junior hunter 16-17 division aboard Solace, owned by McLain Ward.  Adding to her tricolors, Adams secured the Large Junior Hunter division championship aboard Rio’s Splash, owned by Sarah Robin.  The last division of the day, the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under, went to Catherine Tyree and Concetto.
 
Each week Skip Bailey of Wellington, FL, has designed outstanding hunter courses in the Main Hunter Ring.  He has received many words of praise for his use of space, his unique course designs, and his ability to design courses that suit all types of horses.
 
The Junior Hunter divisions completed their rounds today with an outstanding score in the $2,500 Junior Hunter Classic sponsored by Pony Lane Farm.  Kelsey Thatcher and her mount Red Sky earned a top score of 90 in today’s classic.
 
Thatcher commented, “Red Sky was really good today.  At the Showplace Horse Shows at Lamplight they really try to incorporate the natural obstacles into the courses.  Since Red Sky is a green horse I have to be careful that he is not going to spook at the brush, or straw, or other natural obstacles. I was proud of him today and was happy that we did so well in the Hunter Classic.”

In the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic Sponsored by First Partners Inc., Taylor Ann Adams took home the championship cooler and prize money.  Adams piloted Solace, owned by McLain Ward, to the victory.
 
Mary Tyree of First Partners Inc. was present to hand the award to Taylor Ann Adams and Solace for their top performance.  She noted, ” We truly enjoy supporting this sport and we are strong believers in supporting this event.  Pat (Boyle) does a wonderful job here at this venue and he goes all out to make this a fun show for everyone.  In addition to the great show he really treats his clients very well.  We are happy to help support the Showplace Spring Spectacular.”
 
Not only did Adams win the Classic, but she rode Solace to the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division championship. The pair earned the blue ribbon in two of the three over fences classes, and Adams also earned the blue in the handy hunter class.  In the other over fences class and the under saddle class Solace and Adams earned the second place ribbon.  Their top points earned them the championship rosette.
 
Acquiring the reserve champion tricolor in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division was Kelsey Thatcher aboard Namesake.  The duo earned fourth, second, and first place ribbons in the three over fences classes, a second place in the handy hunter class, and to finish off their points the pair won the under saddle.
 
Yesterday, Adams and Solace were one of the last to get their first rounds in before the strong wind and rain came. Adams laughed, “I really dislike storms and as I made my way to the ring I was quite worried.  I looked at Solace and she sort of let me know in her own way that it was going to be fine.  She went in there and was wonderful.”
 
Adams continued, “Today Solace was perfect!  The handy hunter class was one of the more enjoyable classes I have done today. It was technical, tricky, and was definitely a test.  I was not sure what my plan was exactly when I entered the ring and when I went inside twice it worked out. I did not originally plan to take the inside turns but it worked out even better.  I really had to think about it a few times.  In this ring the turns come up quickly and Solace handled everything perfectly.”
 
Taylor Ann Adams once again had top rounds in the Large Junior Hunter division, but this time with Rio’s Splash, owned by Sarah Robin.  The pair won the blue ribbon in the handy hunter class and earned three second place ribbons in two of the over fences classes and the under saddle class.
 
The reserve champion ribbon in the Large Junior Hunter division was earned by Kelsey Thatcher and Red Sky.  The pair had a hack-off for the reserve championship because Thatcher was tied with Catherine Tyree aboard Savant.  After the very close hack-off, Thatcher took home the tricolor.
 
In the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division Concetto and Catherine Tyree won the championship rosette.  The duo earned a first place ribbon in one of the over fences classes, a first place in the handy hunter class, two second place ribbons in the two over fences classes, and a third in the under saddle class.
 
Winning the reserve champion ribbon in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division was MVP with Abigail McArdle in the irons.  McArdle won three second place ribbons in one of the three over fences classes, a second in the handy hunter class, and a second in the under saddle class. Adding to their ribbons, McArdle earned two third place ribbons in two of the three over fences classes.
 
The Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division was affected by the storm yesterday and had to do all of their classes today to complete the division.
 
Tyree noted, “Concetto was really great this morning when we began our day at 7:30 a.m.  When I brought him back later on in the day for the other two rounds Concetto acted as if he thought he was done for the day.   However, when he entered the ring he was wonderful.  The only challenge today was the fact that there were four rounds in one day. The handy course went really well for us and I enjoyed that there were a lot of turns because we got to show off a little.  Overall our trips went really well today.”
 
 When Tyree is between horse shows, she takes her hunters, her equitation, and her jumper horse home to relax.  “In terms of Concetto’s work at home, he does very light work and he goes out in turnout for a couple of hours every day.  I only ride him for about half an hour and he never surprises us.  He is always the same horse every day and he really likes doing his own thing when he is not working.”
 
The Showplace Spring Spectacular Series continues with week two running through June 20, 2010, at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.  Sunday’s hunter competition coverage includes the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions with presentations for the division champions and the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic Sponsored by Peggy Omera.  Week three of the Showplace Spring Spectacular continues with The Challenge Cup, beginning June 21, 2010, and concluding June 25, 2010.  For more information on Showplace Productions and the 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.