Chris Payne and Fetching Claim Performance Working Hunter 3’6” Tricolor During WEF 9

Chris Payne and Fetching

Wellington, Fla. – Mar. 8, 2018 – Chris Payne took Shadowfax Equestrian LLC’s Fetching to the win in the Performance Working Hunter 3’6” division despite windy conditions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the ninth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

The 2009 Holsteiner gelding was acquired last fall by one of Payne’s students, Isha Swani, who competes in the 3’6” Junior Hunters. Payne and Fetching rode away with the blue over-fences with a score of 86 and a second place ribbon over-fences after earning a high 87. The pair was awarded an 85 in the stake round and was second best in the under saddle.

Swani will ride Fetching this weekend in the Small Junior Hunter division and is hoping to have similar results with him. Coming in reserve champion behind Payne and Fetching was Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Occasion ridden by the talented junior rider, Augusta Iwasaki.

Chris Payne and Fetching
Chris Payne and Fetching

In the Green Conformation Hunter division, it was Scott Stewart and Harvard Hall, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, who took home the championship ribbon. The pair has campaigned six times this winter and was champion five of those times.

Scott Stewart and Harvard Hall
Scott Stewart and Harvard Hall

Payne continued his winning ways and was also reserve champion in the Green Conformation Hunters aboard Sorensen Stables’ Fibonacci.

Hunter competition will resume on Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring starting with the 3’3” 18-35 Amateur-Owner Hunters.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Performance Working Hunter 3’6” Champion – Chris Payne

On Fetching:
“We got him last fall. He’s been super. I’ve just been doing him in the 3’6” Performance Hunters and the girl who bought him, Isha Swani, just moved up to the 3’6” Juniors and just started doing him in the 3’6” Juniors.”

On Thursday’s performance:
“He felt great today. He’s a really fun horse to ride. He’s so talented and he’s so laid back about it, so he is really fun.”

On future plans:
“He will do the Small Juniors this weekend with Isha Swani. I’m done showing him here at WEF for the circuit. Now, she will show him.”

Green Conformation Hunter Champion – Scott Stewart

On Harvard Hall:
“He is seven years old. We’ve had him for two years now. Betsee [Parker] bought him at the beginning of circuit and he’s been great. This is his sixth show and he has been champion five times.”

On Thursday’s performance:
“Actually, he was really good. The wind sort of caught me off guard more than it did him. The wind was really blowing when I went around, bushes were falling down in front of the jump, and he just didn’t care. He was good about it all.”

On whether or not he will show more during WEF:
“No. I think this might be it for him. He’ll go to Kentucky for Kentucky Spring and then go to Devon.”

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