Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 16

The late, great writer Ernest Hemingway was notorious for his love of a good stiff drink, so the first question Sandy Ferrell had after finding out she had won the inaugural Platinum Performance USHJA 3’6″ and 3’9″ Green Hunter Incentive Championship aboard Hemingway was appropriate.

“I said, ‘Where’s the Champagne? Where’s the tequila? We’re celebrating right?’ ” Ferrell said with a laugh.

Celebrations were certainly in order—Ferrell and Hemingway topped a field of 42 horse-and-rider combinations to take the top call with scores of 93, 90 and 92 for a total of 275.

Sandy Ferrell topped the inaugural Platinum Performance USHJA 3’6″ and 3’9″ Green Hunter Incentive Championship. Photo by Ann Glavan.

“I’m shaking; I’m mostly just so happy for Karen [Caristo] my trainer and for Sandy,” said Stephanie Bulger, Hemingway’s owner. “Karen has been with me for 15 years, and Sandy has been riding for us for 14 years, so they’re like family. I’m just ecstatic for them and for the rest of our team.”

Ferrell has produced Hemingway (“Ernie,” to his friends) since he was a baby green horse, and his name is a bit of a happy accident.

“I’m a literary person and an English professor, and my family is in the book business, but he actually came with the name,” Bulger said. “We knew it was meant to be!

Owner Stephanie Bulger shared a moment with Hemingway. Photo by Ann Glavan.

“He’s just a very unique individual; he’s very mellow,” Bulger continued. “I always say he’s kind of boring, but he’s really just a very cool, laid back dude. He just wants to come in and win.”

Click here for full results. If you’re curious why Ferrell competes in a safety vest, check out the Chronicle’s story on her decision to never ride without it here.

Don’t miss all of the Chronicle’s Platinum Performance USHJA Green Incentive Championships coverage. Make sure to follow along at www.coth.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @chronofhorse.

Sandy Ferrell gave Hemingway lots of love when she heard his winning scores of 93, 90 and 92. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Kelley Farmer rode Shameless to a score of 264 for the reserve title. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Private Life was first in the ring, and he finished in a tie for third with Scott Stewart. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Scott Stewart’s other tie for third on a score of 259 came on Harvard Hall. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Liza Boyd piloted tradition to fifth for Maggie Hill. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Dandelion and Katherine Newman were second last year in the 3′ and 3’3″ version of the championship, and this year they were sixth in the 3’6″ and 3’9″ championship. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

High Society had springs in his feet as he jumped to a tie for sixth with Geoffrey Hesslink in the irons. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Havens Schatt rode the stallion Diatendro to eighth for owner Kelley Corrigan. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Jamie Taylor put in a beautiful round on Small Occasion to take ninth. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Phoebe De Mott rounded out the top 10 with Last Light. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.