New England Equitation Championships Conclude with Division Champions Awarded

West Springfield, Mass. – Oct. 2018 – The New England Equitation Championships (NEEC) celebrated its 43rd anniversary this year. The five-day event is one of the longest running and most prestigious equitation finals in the country. All five days were produced by ShowNet and livestreamed on USEF Network. Emma Fletcher, Ellie Raidt and McKayla Langmeier gave excellent commentary on Sunday’s Junior final.

NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final Champions Katrina Tiktinsky and Augsburg with (left to right) Johanna Hyyppa, Kristen Bumpus, Kellie Monahan-Riordan, Holly Thompson, Jay Sargent, Emma Fletcher, Jenny Martin-Rudaz, Kathy Fletcher, Armand Chenelle, Cookie DeSimone, Olana Laffey, Patti Harnois, Joe Dotoli, Carl Catani and Linda Langmeier. Photo: Anne Gittins
NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final Champions Katrina Tiktinsky and Augsburg with (left to right) Johanna Hyyppa, Kristen Bumpus, Kellie Monahan-Riordan, Holly Thompson, Jay Sargent, Emma Fletcher, Jenny Martin-Rudaz, Kathy Fletcher, Armand Chenelle, Cookie DeSimone, Olana Laffey, Patti Harnois, Joe Dotoli, Carl Catani and Linda Langmeier. Photo: Anne Gittins

The renowned judging panel included course designer Ken Krome, Hope Glynn, Jenny Fischer, Lynn Forgione, Brian Lenehan and Jean Marie Dunford-Miller.

The 46+ Adult Medal kicked off the week on Wednesday, October 17. Jeanine Cash was Champion with Sarah Cabot as Reserve. The 28-45 Medal scores required testing of the top two. 2007 Junior Champion, Jenny Walters, reclaimed her Champion title while Reserve was awarded to Carolyn Lavin. On Thursday in the 22-27 group, Melissa Groher was Champion and Hannah Brown was Reserve for the second year in a row. In the 18-21 group Emelie Burgess was Champion with Clara Bechtold in Reserve.

The Adult Amateur Grand Championship Class on Thursday invited back Champion and Reserve riders from the four adult age groups to compete where Hannah Brown emerged as Grand Champion.

Junior Open sections ran Friday and Saturday. On Friday evening, 76 Juniors took the written phase of the Horsemanship Class. Originating at the NEEC, the Horsemanship Class combines a rider’s written test score, practicum, and first round Finals score to determine the overall top Junior Horseperson.

Over four hundred family members and friends then gathered for a fun-filled dinner and commemorative video celebrating junior riders in their last year. McKayla Langmeier won the Junior Sportsmanship Award. Kelley Small received the esteemed Sue Brainard Award in recognition of her years of dedication to the NEEC.

The world-famous Challenge of the States team costume class ran on Saturday and participants celebrated with as much gusto as ever. Juniors with top scores in the Open competed on teams of six to represent their home states – NO help from trainers was allowed. Connecticut 1 won Gold. Thanks to an anonymous donor, teams competed for money to donate to a charity of their choice: Danny & Ron’s Rescue.

Cookie DeSimone won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Cookie is beloved by generations of students and has been a cornerstone of the NEEC as a member and co-chair of the show committee.

Sunday’s Junior Medal Final featured 175 riders. Between rounds, Frances McGivern was named winner of the Katie Battison Horsemanship Award.

Top scoring Juniors who never competed in a 3’6” final were eligible for a separate set of ribbons. First place went to Lila Ouellette. Ellie Ferrigno earned the High Point Junior Rider Award.

NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final Champions Katrina Tiktinsky and Augsburg. Photo: Anne Gittins
NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final Champions Katrina Tiktinsky and Augsburg. Photo: Anne Gittins

After two rounds and a test of the top three, Katrina Tiktinsky’s beautifully consistent trips made her NEHC Junior Medal Champion under trainer Jenny Martin-Rudaz. Reserve was awarded to Ava Stearns with trainers Missy Clark, John Brennan and Linda Langmeier.

AWARDS

Adult Sportsmanship: Wynatte Chu and Lindsey Davitt
Groom’s Award: Juan Carlos Migueles Guzman
Adult Judge’s Choice: Casino Royale
Junior Judge’s Choice: Quantico

For more information: www.NewEnglandEquitation.com

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