Beth Bidgood and Uprising Rise to the Occasion in Amateur-Owner Over 35 3’6” Hunters

Beth Bidgood and Uprising
Beth Bidgood and Uprising

Devon, Pa. – June 1, 2018 – Beth Bidgood and her own Uprising started off with double blues in both over fences classes on Friday afternoon, the first day of the Amateur-Owner Over 35 3’6” Hunter division at the historic Devon Horse Show, proving they are in top form after having a successful winter season showing in Florida at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Bidgood, of Indianapolis, Indiana, took her 11-year-old Westphalian gelding in the Dixon Oval and rode to a top score of 89 to take the lead in the class and the Beeches Brook Challenge Trophy. She laid down another impressive round over fences shortly after and earned an 88 to once again come out at the top of the pack. In the undersaddle, the pair was fifth in a large group that was won by Gochman Sport Horses LLC’s Catch Me, ridden by Becky Gochman.

Bidgood trains with Chris Payne and Dave Belford at New Hope Farm, which is located in Batavia, Ohio. While Bidgood has owned the horse for a little more than three years, she was not sure if they had accumulated enough points this year to qualify for the prestigious Devon Horse Show. Although the pair had an excellent season competing in Florida, they did not show last summer and therefore had limited points to their names.

Next on the agenda for Bidgood is the Country Heir Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, where she will show her other horse, Rise Above, with whom she also rides in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunters. Uprising will also venture to the Bluegrass State but will enjoy a much-deserved break relaxing until they gear up for their next show in August.

Amateur-Owner Hunter competition will resume at the Devon Horse Show on Saturday at 8 a.m. with the handy and stake rounds, where Bidgood will look to have repeat performances with the gelding to hopefully earn the championship tricolor in their respective division.

Beth Bidgood and Uprising in the awards presentation.
Beth Bidgood and Uprising in the awards presentation.

Champion and reserve champion honors will be presented at the conclusion of both sections of the division as well as the Devon Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship and the Devon Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider. The Sambalino Award will be presented to the hunter that, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the classic hunter horse in movement, style and presence.

Beth Bidgood gives Uprising a hug.
Beth Bidgood gives Uprising a hug.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

On Uprising:
“He’s perfect. He’s 11 years old and a Westphalian. He’s the sweetest and will just do anything for you. He can take a joke and then he is always there for me. I’ve had him just a little over three years. He’s huge — he’s like 17.2 hands, which makes the jumps look smaller to me.”

On their winter season:
“I had a good season in Florida. I hadn’t shown him for a while so I was just coming back and started to show him in Florida. He didn’t show last summer so I was actually on the waitlist to get here because I didn’t have very many shows under my belt.”

On the Devon Horse Show:
“I squeezed in and I’m really happy I did. As of two weeks ago, I thought I was not going [to qualify for Devon]. I’m really happy that I got in and it’s great to be here at this show.”

On their future plans:
“We’re going to Country Heir after this and he will go but he will not show. I will show my other one and he can rest a little bit and go eat some grass. I think I’m going to take July off and then we will see what happens after that. I try not to overdo it with him because he’s a special guy.”

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