Wayne, IL – June 21, 2014 – Another beautiful Chicago summer day set the scene for the final day of Junior Hunter competition and the beginning of the Amateur Owner Hunter Divisions. Derby like jumps and trees in the rings made for an inviting day of competition at Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular III 

The Wisconsin Equine Hunter ring started with the USEF/Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal, the final opportunity for riders to qualify for the Showplace Equitation Championships sponsored by Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital. Riders will participate in all phases of the competition without the assistance of a trainer. Equitation riders needed to qualify by placing in the top three spots in any of the major equitation classes during the three weeks of Spring Spectacular.

Already qualified for the Championship but winning today’s medal was Elizabeth Adelson of Tulsa, OK. Also already qualified are Olivia Lawton and Caitlin Creel, who placed second and third.

“I’m really excited because I’ve never done the equitation before,” said Olivia Lawton. “We’ll get to learn a lot and I’m anxious to see what I can do. It will be fun!”

Rachel Turk said, “I’m so excited and thankful I get to experience something like this! I was nervous but at the end of the day, it’s for mileage and fun. Having friends in the class takes some of the pressure off.”

“I’m very excited,” said Louisa Brackett. “This is what we’ve all been working toward through the whole Spring Spectacular. “

Rebecca Kozma is also eager for the class. “I’m really excited. There are a lot of good riders in the class and I’m just glad to have the chance to ride with them. I’ve never done everything by myself before but it gives me a chance to show what I know.”

Caitlin Boyle has done the Championship Class at WEF and is glad to have a class here at Spring Spectacular. “I’m excited because my horse feels good and I know him and trust him. I’m good doing things by myself because I help the other kids in the barn and ride other horses by myself at home. I’m looking forward to it.”

Caitlin Creel added, “I think it’s great that a class like this is being held! It’s going to allow everyone competing in it to really step up and truly use all of the skills on course and off the course that our trainers work so hard to teach us.”

The class is the first class in the LUXMAX USA Grand Prix ring Sunday.

Junior Hunters

In the Small Junior Hunters it was a repeat of Friday’s competition with Pen Name and Kirklin Peterson winning the first class again, and Ransom with Vivian Yowan winning the second class. Leading in points for the Championship was Vivian Yowan and Ransom, owned by Saddle Ridge LLC. Reserve was Pen Name, owned by Kensel LLC with Kirkland Peterson in the tack.

In the Large Junior Hunters it was Summer Place and Maddy Thatcher winning both classes. In addition, Thatcher earned the Triple Crown at Spring Spectacular, winning the $2,500 Junior Hunter Classic for the third week in a row. The Classic was sponsored by Meadowview Farm and Tammy Provost of Sheridan, IN. Thatcher clinched the win with scores of 86 and 84 and was also the section B Champion. Thatcher and Summer Place also took the honors of Leading Junior Hunter and Leading Junior Rider.

Earning the Junior Style Award was Vivian Yowan of Lexington, KY, who also earned the Best Turned Out Horse with Ransom.

The Section A Large Junior Hunter Championship was awarded to Parker and Vivian Yowan with reserve to Well Versed and Emily Ablin. Reserve in Section B was Sigfried with Emma Lena Green.

In the Junior Hunters 3’3″, winning both classes today and the Championship was Elphaba, owned by Mary Widdes and ridden by Aelin Hill. Reserve to Brego ridden by Hailey Livingston.

Amateur Owner Hunters

In the first class of the Amateur Owner Hunters it was Lovely Charity and Nicole Hiehle of Dublin, OH earning the blue ribbon with Pony Lane Farm’s Starina B and Kelsey Thatcher taking the second spot. In the handy round, Starina B took the lead and Pony Lane’s Bugsy Malone was second. Thatcher’s Starina B also won the under saddle.

In the Amateur Owner Hunters 3’3″, it was Reid Patton’s Sincere winning the first class in section A. Granted Wish and Helen Lindsay of Minneapolis, MN earned the blue in section B.

The handy round blue ribbon for section A went to Bellagio and Madison Games of Silex, MO. The section B winner was The Advocate and Silas Jaramillo of Sun Prairie, WI.

The section A under saddle winner was Sincere and Reid Patton with Granted Wish and Helen Lindsay in second. Section B under saddle winner was Gretta and Mindy Coretz of Tulsa, OK with second to Bellagio and Madison Games.

Sunday’s hunter competition continues at Spring Spectacular III with day two of the Amateur Owner Hunters and the $2,500 Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by Meadowview Farm. The show wraps up with the Showplace Equitation Championships sponsored by Wisconsin Equine Clinic and more classics including WIHS Adult Classic sponsored by Freedom Woods, the $2,500 NAL Adult Classic sponsored by Lauren Robishaw, the Short Stirrup Classic sponsored by Barrington Saddlery, the $1,000 Modified adult Classic sponsored by David Waimon and more.