Wellington, Fla. – Feb. 19, 2017 – Amateur and junior hunter riders took their last turns in the International Arena on Sunday. The classic round winners were decided by taking the highest overall score over two rounds. The top 12 combinations of the first round were invited back for a second round. A field of 64 riders vied for the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic, but it was Nancy Hooker of Wellington, Florida, who was victorious.
After receiving the second highest score in the first round, an 87, Hooker came back and earned an 89. A combined score of 176 was enough for Hooker to take the win aboard Winter Stroll, an entry of Richard Prant. Consistency was key in the class as Lynn Rogers received similar scores of 86.50 and 88 in the first and second rounds, respectively, for an overall total of 174.50 and second place. Rogers rode her own Blue Point, a 9-year-old gelding that she’s been partnered with for five years. Rounding out the top three was Samantha Karp and Zentina B, with an overall score of 169.50.
Winter Stroll is a green 6-year-old Warmblood gelding by Convento de Helle.
“Week One of WEF was his first week of showing,” Hooker explained. “I bought him from my trainers, Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart. I was riding him a little bit this fall and fell in love with him. He’s got a funny personality and can get a little sassy. We’re still learning about each other. He lives in my backyard; I have my coffee and answer emails in the morning and watch him in the paddock.”
WCHR week is a big focus for Hooker’s trainers, Berkley and Stewart.
“It’s a lot of fun because we all get behind each other and have a good time,” Hooker stated. “I love showing in the International [Arena] because they build it up, and the jumps are so fabulous. I had moments where I could take a breath out there, enjoy the jump and how pretty it all was. It’s a real treat.”
Martha Ingram of Nashville, Tennessee, captured the win in the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Classic aboard Fonteyn, an entry of John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC. The pair’s score of 88 was the highest in the first round. A second round score of 87.25 brought their total to 175.25 and clinched the win.
Speaking of her 2004 German Sport Horse mare, Ingram said, “She’s so sweet and really tries hard to do everything right. She was staring at some of the things to the side of jump one, but she jumped it really clean and beautiful. I had a great flow on her throughout both rounds.”
Ingram splits her time between competing at WEF with her family and Greenville, South Carolina, where she attends Furman University. Ingram and her father, John, both qualified and participated in the highlight event of the week, the Peter Wetherill WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, on Saturday evening.
“I’ve only been riding him the past two weeks,” Arani said of the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Argentinus. “He felt really good. It’s nice to know he can show this late [in the day] in the International Arena and be that good. He’s very sweet and playful and always kisses my hand.”
Narrowly missing out on the first place prize was Jordan Allen of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Allen and her own Empress finished just two points behind Arani with an overall score of 162. Stella Propp of New York, New York, and Morocco, an entry of Joe Currais, finished in third with a combined score of 159.
Emma Callanan rode Sir Harvey to win the Florida Large Pony Hunter Classic with first and second round scores of 80 and 88, respectively, for an overall total of 168. Zayna Rizvi guided Smallwood Mystic to the top spot in the Florida Medium Pony Hunter Classic. The winner of the Florida Small Pony Hunter Classic was Alexa Elle Lignelli aboard Rollingwoods Knee Deep.
Nicholas Lopes piloted his own Salty to win the Large Children’s Hunter Pony Classic with final score of 165. The blue ribbon in the Small/Medium Children’s Hunter Pony Classic went to Taylor Cawley of Wellington, Florida, and Ju-Ju B.
The Winter Equestrian Festival continues in its seventh week on Feb. 22–26. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.