Patty Heuckeroth and R. Braga’s Warranty were honored with three tri-colors. They won the grand hunter championship, the green conformation hunter championship and the reserve second-year green championship. Heuckeroth and the 8-year-old warmblood gelding by Wall Street Kid have been partnered for three years now.
“When I saw him, I thought ‘What a nice amateur horse,’” said Heuckeroth. “But then when I rode him, I thought ‘No, I think I’ll keep him for myself!’”
Kathy Bennett piloted her father Marty O’Rourke’s homebred mare Winning My Way to the reserve championship in the older amateur-owner division.
In the three-foot classes, Don Sheehan and Old Guard were reserve in schooling hunters. Old Guard is co-owned by Mike Edie and Holly Carter. Christina Bishop and Greek Knight were reserve in the younger adult amateur hunter division, and ditto for Parker Minchin and her Mandrake in the older adults. Gabrielle Jones’ Elegant Distraction earned ribbons in every class, schooling and non-thoroughbred hunter, with newcomer Dale Wright in the irons.
In the jumper ring, Nick Ellis and his Gepardieu were champions in the high junior-amateur jumper division, and Jeanne Hobbs was reserve champion level five jumper aboard her Montrachet. Hannah Dallas, 17, placed fourth in the children’s jumper classic Friday night and enjoyed wins in level one and two classes with her Julia Carolina. Dallas, a senior at Union Pines, is trained by Mike Plumb.
In other hunter-jumper news, judges for the Janefest benefit schooling show Dec. 3 at Starland Farm have been announced. Sandra Brown will judge the hunter ring, and her husband Fred Brown will officiate in the jumper ring. Silent auction items are being sought, and ringside parking spaces are on sale for $25. Call Anne Thompson (245-4813) for details.
The Southern Pines Schooling Shows kick off their winter season at Kaylor Field today, Nov. 20. The flyer lists the wrong December date, the correct date is Dec. 11.
Race News
Sports Illustrated’s Nov. 7 edition includes a story about Garrett Gomez, the jockey who rode locally owned Artie Schiller to victory in the Net Jets $1.5 Million Mile at the Breeders’ Cup. Check it out on the magazine’s Web site at www.SI.com.
Idol Postponed
The American Dressage Idol television reality show, scheduled for shooting in Florida last month, has been postponed due to hurricane damage. Local trainer Rebecca Vick was picked to be a contestant, and three of the six horses slated for the show were laying over in Southern Pines when Hurricane Wilma hit, disrupting the scheduling. The production company, Broad Street Productions of New York, has re-scheduled the shoot for March 27.
Foundation Closed
The Walthour-Moss Foundation will be closed to equestrians Nov. 22-23 for game management. Call 692-1104 for information.
