September 28, 2011–This weekend concluded the 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships with the final competitions held for Regions 1, 2, and 4. Championship honors were awarded to Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, and Catherine Tyree for their incredible rides in each of their respective regions. The talented riders also earned an invitation to the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, to compete for the top spot among the nation’s best junior riders with the 2011 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals presented by C.M. Hadfield’s Saddlery.
The Region 1 “Northeast” Championships were judged by Jimmy Torano and Jimmy Lee at the Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, CT. Michael Hughes of Morriston, FL, caught their attention with his smooth and precise ride aboard Co Co Pop, winning top honors without entering the ring for additional testing. Hughes showed against 60 of the top juniors in the Northeast states of CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT. Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, finished in reserve for the second consecutive year.
“This weekend really went amazing,” said Hughes. “The first round went really well, the course was straightforward, and when it came to the flat phase, I know that Co Co Pop would really excel, so we were able to stay strong.”
Region 2 “East” Championship was held on Saturday, September 24 for the states of NJ, NY, and PA at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Judged by Rita Timpanaro and Chrystine Tauber, top honors were awarded to Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, aboard Catherine Cowie’s Vidarco. Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, MD rode to the reserve honors.
“I was so grateful during this Regionals for all of the support from not only my trainers and Heritage Farm, but also from Catherine Cowie. It is not often that you have the support of the horse’s owner to the extent that I did,” said Keenan. “You could ask that horse to do any test, jump any fence, and he would do it for you.”
Keenan entered the flat phase, with the additional pressure of knowing that she was already ranked at the top. “Obviously during the flat phase they can move you up and down rank wise. Seeing myself on the top, and going into the flat and just knowing that I was on the list as first, I knew that anything could happen,” admitted Keenan.
Region 4 concluded the regional competitions in the Midwest at the Kentucky National Horse Show in Lexington, KY. Hosting the top junior riders from the states of IL, IN, KY, MI, and OH, the top award was presented to Catherine Tyree of Chicago, IL, and her horse Patrick. Michael Murphy of Apopka, FL, finished with the reserve honors.
Tyree has been riding Patrick since November, and the duo has competed in top-notch shows such as Devon, the Hamptons and spent the entire summer competing at the Kentucky Horse Shows. “I think I have developed a partnership with Patrick and I have gotten a lot more consistent being able to compete at prestigious shows. It really prepares you for the fall and finals and everything,” explained Tyree.
Region 4 judges, Mike Rosser and Geoff Teall, called the top six riders back into the ring for additional testing after the conclusion of the flat phase. Each horse and rider combination had to counter canter a fence, hand gallop an oxer, make a turn back on a trot jump, take a one-stride, halt, and then exit on a loose rein. “He’s just so great all the time,” Tyree explained of Patrick. “Counter cantering jumps are no problem for him, and after the testing I felt pretty confident, but even when it was down to the final two of us waiting for awards, I didn’t know if I had done enough to move up from second to first. It was such a great feeling!”
The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. From each Regional Final, a percentage of all winners will advance to the year-end National Championships held in Lexington, KY at the Alltech National Horse Show from November 2-6. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, and in 2010 Hayley Barnhill was named the winner.
The ASPCA Maclay Finals will commence during the Alltech National Horse Show held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, from November 2-6. For more information on the ASPCA Maclay National Championships and its qualifiers as well as the Alltech National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.
Results:
Region 1: Northeast Region Results
1. Michael Hughes
2. Charlotte Jacobs
3. Kelcie Brophy
4. Katie Tyler
5. Madison Brayman
6. Adeline Audette
7. Holly French
8. Alexandra Carlton
9. Olivia Hupy
10. Lexi Selldorff
Region 2: East Region Results
1. Lillie Keenan
2. Samantha Schaefer
3. Julia Fowler
4. Schaefer Raposa
5. Genevive Zock
6. Brittany Hurst
7. Emily Reynolds
8. Kristen Lutz
9. Kristin Mohr
10. Alexandra Desiderio
Region 4: Midwest Region Results
1. Catherine Tyree
2. Michael Murphy
3. Caitlin Boyle
4. Greer Hindle
5. Christina Kelly
6. Vivian Yowan
7. Shawn Casady
8. Ashley Foster
9. Lauren Tyree
10. Chase Boggio
Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition – Fast Facts
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2 – 6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
This year’s show, designated CSI4*-W, will feature a complete schedule of ‘AA’-rated hunter divisions, including the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunter section. Also on the agenda, a big money Open Jumper division highlighted by the Sasco Creek Farm $50,000 Welcome Speed Class, the $75,000 Double H Farms Thursday’s Jump-Off class, the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Faults Converted Speed class on Friday and of course, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, an FEI World Cup qualifying event. $100,000 will be up for grabs for the Junior and Amateur Jumper divisions, including the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Chansonette and Deeridge Farm. The final Sunday is highlighted by the signature event of the National Horse Show, the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals, presented by C.M. Hadfield’s Saddlery.
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
For more information on the National Horse Show Association of America, Limited, please visit www.nhs.org.
