By Sue Smithson: Equestrian Correspondent

Nina Hatcher and her 12-year-old thoroughbred-Connemara cross gelding Limerick won high score honors at the third annual Dressage at the Park Nov. 12-13 at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford.

Hatcher and Limerick enjoyed a clean, solid Prix St. Georges test on Saturday for a 69.8-percent score from judge Barbara Marks.

“He was such a good boy!” Hatcher exclaimed, and made a big fuss over her horse in his first season at FEI competition.

Limerick started off as an event horse for owner/breeder Amy Coffin of Vass, who piloted him to the 1997 Sandhills Novice Series Championship. A career change to the white rectangle has proved successful at every level, as the pair won the inaugural Sylvia Miller Memorial trophy at third level two years ago.

Dressage at the Park was only the horse’s second start at PSG, and the pair came back on Sunday to an equally fluid and relaxed but not quite mistake-free test (62 percent) for judge Gretchen Verbonic of Tryon.

Stablemates Nan Pieroni and her fancy gelding Juneau made their intermediate debut over the weekend, also scoring in the 60s with solid rides.

In the event tests, Lefreda Williams and Andrew Diemer swapped wins, each aboard new horses. It was a productive show for new partnerships and new levels, as everyone enjoyed the excellent footing and facilities at the Carolina Horse Park.

SATURDAY RESULTS

NOVICE C: Piper Cub (26, 2) Lefreda Williams, 2. Moment’s Notice (32) Andrew Diemer, 3. Cebastian’s Hat (36.5) Abbey Dondanville, 4. Rebel’s Last Yell (36.5) Kathy Gurley, 5. Stark Naked (37) Sandy Huberth, 6. Princess Cappuccino (46.5) Brittany Bridges.

NOVICE D: 1. Moment’s Notice (29.5), 2. Piper Cub (32), 3. Cebastian’s Hat (33.5), Chance (41.5) Elizabeth Hart.

INTRO A: 1. Cookies ’N Cream (64) Rebecca Mahaffey, 2. Andy (62.5) Michele Lobsinger, 3. Cane (58) Amanda King, 4. Princess Cappuccino (56.5).

INTRO B: 1. Andy (67.1), 2. Cane (62.9), 3. Tarbelle (62.4) Diana Hoberecht.

ADS DRIVING TEST C: 1. Wonder Bred (43) Marcie Quist.

TRAINING C: 1. Ben (35) Brittany Siler, 2. Cebastian’s Hat (39.5).

PRELIM C: 1 Running Rebel (31.5) Nanci Lindroth.

TRAINING 1: 1 Stanley (67.7) Nanci Lindroth, 2. Tarbelle (67.3), 3. Chance (62.3), 4. Ballyteague Prince (59.5) Cindy Kuder, 5. Sweet Dreams (57.3) Mikaela Kantorowski, 6. Double Down Jet (54.1) Karen McPherson.

TRAINING 2: 1. Ballyteague Prince (62.3), 2. Brassy (62.3) Jennifer Cessa, 3. Sweet Dreams (61.9).

TRAINING 3: 1. Aly’s Abram (68.7) Alyson Resh, 2. Madison (63.3) Diana Hoberecht.

TRAINING 4: 1. Aly’s Abram (67.3), 2. Moments Notice (66.2), 3. Brassy (60), 4. Madison (59.2).

FIRST 1: 1. Time Alone (67.4) Jamie Banner, 2. On Parade (61.5) Diana Hoberecht, 3. Chevalier (53.7) Kylie Lyman.

SECOND 1: 1. Adelante (38.1) Nanci Lindroth.

FIRST 2: 1. On Parade (68.8), 2. Chevalier (66.5), 3. Time Alone (63.5).

FOURTH 1: 1. Bromont’s Candidate (59.5) Bobbie Mudge.

PRIX ST GEORGES: 1. Limerick (69.8) Nina Hatcher.

INTERMEDIARE 1: 1. Juneau (63.3) Nan Pieroni.

SUNDAY RESULTS

INTRO A, B: Cane (78, 76.2).

ADS TEST C: Wonder Bred (60).

TRAINING 3: 1. Buster (56.3) Pamela DiCenso.

TRAINING 4: 1. Flyer (65.8) Alex Martone.

FIRST 1: 1. Beccara (66.7) Lorie Kinney, 2. Arizona Corona (61.5) Yve Reed.

FIRST 2: 1. Beccara (60.1).

FIRST 3: Private Pilot (62.6) Fred McCashin.

FIRST 4: Private Pilot (56.1).

FOURTH 1: 1. Bromont’s Candidate (59.1), 2. Hawkeye Hurricane (58.8), 3. Croquet (58.1) Meredith Whaley.

INTERMEDIATE 1: 1. Juneau (61.5) Nan Pieroni.