Wellington. Fla. – Feb. 27, 2020 – While the sun flickered in and out of the clouds Thursday afternoon for the $900 High Performance Hunter Stake, Believe and Hannah Isop shone the brightest to pin the highest out of the field. Horse and athlete duos took to the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter arena in hopes of proving themselves as the division champion. Isop and Believe, owned by Victoria Hart, concluded the division by laying down a flawless round in the High Performance Hunter Stake class to clinch the championship.
Isop and Believe led the first half of the division Wednesday, riding to a first place finish over fences and the under saddle. The pair also earned a third place in the handy portion of the class. The pair secured the tricolor after their impressive rounds during Thursday’s portion of the class. Amy Momrow and Victorino Z, owned by Monty Kelly, rose in the ranks over the two days of competition to nab reserve champion Thursday afternoon. The pair started off the class by earning a second and third place in Wednesday’s over fences portion of the class. The pair managed to best the field of riders in the handy round, clinching the reserve championship title.
Isop and Believe led the first half of the division Wednesday, riding to a first place finish over fences and the under saddle. The pair also earned a third place in the handy portion of the class. The pair secured the tricolor after their impressive rounds during Thursday’s portion of the class. Amy Momrow and Victorino Z, owned by Monty Kelly, rose in the ranks over the two days of competition to nab reserve champion Thursday afternoon. The pair started off the class by earning a second and third place in Wednesday’s over fences portion of the class. The pair managed to best the field of riders in the handy round, clinching the reserve championship title.
Hunter competition will continue Friday, Feb. 28 as the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicks off at 8:00 a.m. Over 50 of the top horse-and-rider duos will take center stage to show off their handiness and scope in the penultimate derby of the 2020 WEF season.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Hannah Isop – High Performance Hunter champion
On her round:
“I was really pleased with how he went today. It was a really nice open course so we were able to carry a little extra flow today in preparation for the derby tomorrow. That was our goal and I think that we achieved that today.”
On Believe:
“He is a horse that I have been lucky enough to have a partnership on. I have been with him for the past two to three years. He is owned by a great family, his wonderful owners, The Hart family. I have been very fortunate to develop a bond with him and show him. We definitely know each other like the back of my hand. It has been great. I am a lucky girl.”
On her plans with Believe:
“For this horse, ‘Luca,’ we are definitely going to focus on the High Performance, the derby tomorrow, and the derby during week 12.”