Kristen Chance Captures Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy and Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunter Championship at Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show

Darien, Conn. – June 12, 2019 – Hunter competition continued Wednesday morning at the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, with the awarding of championship ribbons in the Green 3’ Hunter and Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunter divisions. Juliana Starbuck and Showtime captured the Green 3’ Hunter tricolor, while Kristen Chance and Watermark walked away with the championship in the Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunters. Additionally, Chance was awarded the prestigious Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy, generously donated by his friends in honor of the late Charlie Weaver, as the best-performing professional rider over the first two days of riding.

Kristen Chance wins the Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy

Chance and Kiley Prime’s Watermark entered Wednesday’s portion of competition in the top position after taking home two blue ribbons during Tuesday’s Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunter over fences classes. Watermark, a flashy grey gelding, is also campaigned by his owner, 29-year-old Prime, in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunters. The pair can regularly be found in the winner’s circle at Old Salem Farm and Fieldstone Show Park. Prime’s trainer, Chance, maintained consistency aboard the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood during the second day of competition to accumulate a total of 46 points, earning them not only the championship title, but also the Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy.

Kristen Chance and Watermark

The Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy is awarded to the top professional hunter rider at the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show. Charlie Weaver, an icon in the hunter show ring, passed away in 2010 after a lifetime of dedication to the sport. Known for piloting famed hunters such as Ruxton, Stocking Stuffer and Super Flash, Weaver was an inspiration to many athletes, including Chance. Weaver was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2002.

Juliana Starbuck and Showtime

Earlier in the day, the Green 3’ Hunters named Starbuck and Showtime their division champions. The pair dominated Wednesday’s over fences classes by collecting two more blue ribbons, adding to their top placings during the first day of competition. The tricolor win was another special for one for Starbuck, as the 5-year-old Showtime was homebred by her family farm, Starbuck Equestrian. The young gelding began his career in the show ring during the summer of 2018 and has had great success showing across the Northeast, with consistently strong placings at Old Salem Farm’s winter series.

Hunter competition at the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show will continue Thursday with the amateur-owner athletes taking their turn in the ring. The hunter ring will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35 Hunter over fences classes.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Kristen Chance – Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunter champion and Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy winner

On Watermark:
“Watermark is a 7-year-old Warmblood that we bought last year. He is campaigned mainly by his owner, Kiley Prime, in the Amateur-Owner divisions. I’m fortunate enough to get the ride in the Greens. He is like a big pony – he is full of personality, loves treats and is always anxious to perform. He loves to be in the ring and perform, and in the barn he is like a pony.”

On winning the Charlie Weaver Memorial Trophy:
“Growing up, Charlie Weaver was such an icon of mine. I was always watching him and everyone strove to be Charlie Weaver. He was amazing and could ride anything and make it look beautiful and easy. He is the pinnacle of what every hunter rider should be.”

On competing at the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show:
“I haven’t been here for several years but we decided to come back this year because it has a new layout. The rings are beautiful and we’re quite happy to be back here.”

Juliana Starbuck – Green 3’ Hunter champion

On Showtime:
“This my homebred 5-year-old, Showtime. We have his mom and so we’ve had him his whole life since he was a little foal. I couldn’t be more happy with him and our breeding program. He is phenomenal. He has the best mind, he tries so hard and he makes it easy. I’m thrilled with him. He first started showing last summer in the Baby Green division and his first time jumping 3’ was in December. He was reserve champion at Old Salem in May and he has been champion or reserve at nearly every show he has done, so he is really awesome.”

On showing at the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show:
“I’ve been coming to Ox Ridge since I was a little girl. I’ve done the grand prix on the grass ring and a ton of hunters here. I remember when it was four or five rings across the fields. I’ve been coming here for 35 years probably. It’s a local show that I always love to support. Flavia [Callari] does a great job and makes everyone feel so welcome. It’s a wonderful group of people.”

For more information, please visit www.oxridge.com.

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