As the trailers roll away and the tents come down the Chagrin Valley is left with yet another year of great memories from the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic. For the first time in its approximately 61 years, the Classic was extended from two weeks of competition to three.

The addition of this third week follows a trend in the horse show industry. “Horse shows are extending their dates so that the competitors can have less show stops, thereby reducing their traveling expenses. By extending our show dates it allows regional competitors to spend more time in our area and local equestrians to show in their own backyard, instead of traveling to distant shows,” said Karen Schneider, co-chairman of the Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show, Inc., the non-profit organizers of the Classic.

“The show was wonderful,” said Schneider, “This third week was a great addition and this year was a good building block for future shows. Our hope is to have the Hunter competition rated “AA” for the third week next year, which will entice even more riders to stay for a higher rated competition.”

Local Equestrian Champions Dominate the Week

The local equestrians who won their events during the third week of the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic include:

•        National Childrens Medal Winner: In Style, ridden and owned by Maryann Osborne of Mentor
•        Low Childrens/Adult Jumper Champion: Vermenton, ridden by Mikalah Singer of Solon, owned by Jenna Hoy of Mentor
•        Adult Jumper Classic Winner and Adult Jumper Champion: Tucker’s Town, ridden and owned by Kathryn Fogarty of Chardon
•        Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Champion: Foul Play, ridden and owned by Mindy Blackford of Mayfield
•        Working Hunter Champion and Hunter Grand Champion: Amidala, ridden by Sergio Jimenez of Novelty, owned by Ian Lavery of Hunting Valley
•        Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion and Amateur-Owner Grand Champion: Vision Quest, ridden and owned by Kate Shaughnessy of Gates Mills
•        Adult Amateur Hunter Champion: Gold Strike, ridden and owned by Sara Guren of Gates Mills
•        Small Junior Hunter 16 to 17 Years Champion: Mein Schatz, ridden and owned by Kelly Bauernschmidt of Bratenahl
•        National Hunter Seat Medal Winner and Large Junior Hunter 15 Years & Under Champion: Playboy, ridden by Leylan Gleeson of Moreland Hills, owned by Stepping Stone Farm of Moreland Hills
•        Large Junior Hunter 16 to 17 Years Champion: Legacy, ridden by Emily Manos, owned by Margaret Lahner of Chesterland
•        Childrens Hunter Pony – Small/Medium Reserve Champion: Quicksilver Butterfly, ridden by Emma Kurtz of Hudson, owned by Melinda Zalesky of Chardon
•        Childrens Hunter Pony – Large Champion and Childrens Hunter Grand Champion: Chicago, ridden by Leylan Gleeson of Moreland Hills, owned by Stepping Stone Farm of Moreland Hills
•        Childrens Hunter 14 Years & Under Champion: Escara, ridden and owned by Paige Weisberg of Chagrin Falls
•        Green Pony Hunter Champion: Dipped in Chocolate, ridden by Payton Donnan of Hudson, owned by Wolf Creek Equestrian Centre
•        Small Pony Hunter Champion: Beaumont, ridden and owned by Caroline Kahn of Moreland Hills
•        Medium Pony Hunter Champion: Heart to Forget, ridden by Bree Zedar of Chagrin Falls, owned by Double G Stables
•        Large Pony Hunter Champion, Cabaret, ridden by Eve Gleeson of Moreland Hills, owned by Stepping Stone Farm of Moreland Hills
•        Baby Green Hunter Champion: Ledo, ridden by Megan Udelson of Russell, owned by Hallie Berson of Chagrin Falls
•        Low Adult Hunter Champion: Zephyrus, ridden by Molly Clarke of Chagrin Falls, owned by Lara Getz
•        Low Childrens Hunter Champion: Empire, ridden and owned by Katie Mandovi of Kirtland
•        Short Stirrup Hunter Champion: Milton Bradley, ridden and owned by Margot Luria of Chagrin Falls