Wellington, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2017 – The Conformation Hunter and Green 3’9″ Hunter/High Performance divisions crowned a single champion in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Thursday: Havens Schatt. Schatt piloted Custom Made, a 12-year-old Mecklenburg gelding owned by Shaw Johnson Price, and Continental, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Use The Ring LLC, to victory, marking a great start for the pairs during Week Seven of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Schatt competed in the Conformation Hunter division aboard Custom Made. The pair collected a second place over fences, a third place in the handy and a first place under saddle on Wednesday, and returned on Thursday to claim back-to-back blue ribbons in the second round of over fences and stake class to secure the tri-color.
Earning the reserve title was Kelley Farmer and her new mount More Fun, a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Derby Lane, LLC. Week Seven also brought the pair a championship title in the Green 3’6″ Hunter division.
Custom Made is no stranger to the winner’s circle in the hunter ring. With owner Shaw Johnson Price in the irons last fall, the pair won championship titles in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 3’6″ division at the Washington International Horse Show and the National Horse Show.
After what most would consider a career highlight finish to the 2016 show season, Price has decided to sell the gelding.
“Shaw really enjoys getting younger horses and bringing them along,” explained Schatt. “This year she has decided to sell [Custom Made]. He is a very easy and fun horse to have around; you come to the ring knowing you have a shot.”
Yet, the journey to becoming a champion hunter wasn’t always easy for Custom Made.
“When he was a First Year horse he jumped out of the ring with me,” laughed Schatt. “By the end of that year, he was reserve champion at Devon and champion at both the Capital Challenge Horse Show and Harrisburg. He came around pretty quick and things seemed to really click for him.”
Schatt also won the championship title in the Green 3’9″ Hunter/High Performance division with Continental. The talented paired impressed the judges on Wednesday, earning first place in the first round of over fences and a second place in the handy. On Thursday, Schatt and Continental were awarded a second place in the under saddle, first place over fences and fourth place in the stake class for the championship tri-color.
Behind Schatt and Continental was Meagan Murray-Tenuta and Editorial who grabbed reserve champion honors for their efforts during WEF Week Seven’s Green 3’9″ Hunter/High Performance division.