Riders ranging from 7-year olds to U.S. Equestrian Team medalists enjoyed good weather (the calm before the storm), new dressage footing and a lengthy, challenging stadium course.
Winter resident Holly Hepp of Pennsylvania won the intermediate class with her veteran Lester Piggott over World Championship U.S. team gold medalist John Williams and his two international horses. Hepp was back in fourth with Roger and Mari Secrist’s homebred gelding Damien.
Local pro Mark Weissbecker dominated the preliminary and training classes with his new horses. Swayne won the preliminary with a rail in hand, and Aaron took the early lead in the training class for judge Janine Malone of Raleigh. Weissbecker has only owned Aaron, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred, for two weeks.
“He’s worked harder than most horses in a lifetime,” Weissbecker said. “He raced until 6, then steeplechased, and is rock solid sound. He has a good work ethic, so we get along fine.”
Karen Mahaffey of Sanford earned the day’s best score (29.5) on her new mount Finesse in the novice class.
Marc Donovan of Pinebluff was first and second at beginner novice with his two prospects, Skin Deep and Suki. Skin Deep’s dressage margin gave him a rail in hand that he didn’t need.
“He is a super stylish jumper, but has not been sold as a show hunter because he can be a little keen in the ring,” Donovan said. “So I decided to try him in some other disciplines.” The gelding is co-owned by Donovan and Kathy Bedford of Massachusetts.
In the straight dressage classes, Donna Andrews accounted for two blues. One with her ride on Dazzling Diva, and the other earned by Leah Whaley on Flicker of Hope, a horse Andrews bred and raised.
RESULTS
INTERMEDIATE COMBINED TEST: 1. Lester Piggott (34.5) Holly Hepp, 2. Sloopy (37.0) John Williams, 3. Carrick (41) John Williams, 4. Damien (48.5) Holly Hepp, 5. Bailey’s Rebel Rhum (59.5) Eleanor Phillips.
PRELIMINARY CT: 1. Swayne (36) Mark Weissbecker, 2. Able Sportsfield (40.5) Michele Lobsinger, 3. Friesengeist S (43.5) Mari Secrist, 4. Spencer’s Edition (43.5) Brittany Descotes, 5. Run Michael (49) Noel Clark, 6. Happy Hambone, Laura Cashion.
TRAINING CT: 1.Aaron (31.5) Mark Weissbecker, 2. Rebel Rouser (32.5) Michelle Gooch, 3. Remington (33.5) Linda Dreher, 4. Cavalier (34.5) Alison Coates, 5. Rathurtin Gent (36) Sugar Baker, 6. Goldrush (36.5) John Williams.
NOVICE CT: 1. Finesse (29.5) Karen Mahaffey, 2. Patagonia (31) Shannon Ewing, 3. Ballycanew (33.5) Lee Ann Kessler, 4. Spencer (37) Mark Weissbecker, 5. Tatham (43.5) Mark Weissbecker, 6. She’s a Showoff (45) Sandy Bley.
NOVICE CT DIVISION 2: 1. Alotawanna (30) Elaine Mangum, 2. Teddy Bear (31) Alex Martone, 3. Worth A Fortune (38.5) Carrie Leese, 4. Sheza Skippin Princess (38.5) Sarah Almond, 5. Stand Your Ground (39.5) Kerra Allen, 6. Final Judgement (41.5) Amanda Miller.
BEGINNER NOVICE CT DIV 1: 1. Skin Deep (34.5) Marc Donovan, 2. Suki (38.5) Marc Donovan, 3. Sweetpea Dean (39.5) John Williams, 4. Once Upon A Time (39.5) Arlene Bearak, 5. Whataman Sam (40.5) Susan Lehman, 6. Ice Wine (43.5) Bobby Stevenson.
BEGINNER NOVICE DIV. 2: 1. Miles To Go (39) Kim O’Callaghan, 2. Marquetry Magic (42.5) Sarah Crevar, 3. Lucy (42.5) Phillip Meadors, 4. Ivanhoe (43) Laura Shields, 5. Ibbon (43) Morgan Douglas, 6. Just Sam (44) Amy Parlett.
DRESSAGE ONLY CLASSES: NOVICE TOC: 1. Sheza Skippin Princess (66) Sarah Almond, 2. Prince Gentle Ben (56.5) Ashley Kidd, 3. Dominic (54.5) Blake Schrine.
TRAINING: 1. Dazzling Diva (53.6) Donna Andrews, 2. Phoebe (51.8) Heather Hamilton.
INTRO TOC: 1. Flicker Of Hope (64.3) Leah Whaley, 2. I’ll Take Manhatten (58.5) Savannah Fowler, 3. Sunny (58) S. Dabolt, 4. Dominic (55) Blake Schrine, 5. First Down Baby (48) Mary Murphy.
FIRST LEVEL TOC: 1. Up ‘n At Em (62.4) Megan Douglas.
