Who's Who!
Alise Oken of Charlotte, N.C knows how to go out on a high note.
The 16-year-old equestrian, who trains with Robert Hunt at his Monroe, N.C.-based Hunters Lane Farm, bid farewell to the WEF season in Wellington, FL., this past weekend by taking top honors in the $30,000 Invitational Junior Jumper Classic with her horse Take Away. The Invitational was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
After double Reserve Championships during the meet in the Large Junior Hunters (16-17), Oken and her 12-year-old Oldenburg qualified for the classic Sunday and won by posting a high score of 174 over 13 competitors.
“Alise and Take Away were in second place for circuit
champion, so they easily qualified for the
invitational,” says trainer Hunt. “We were excited to
go, but the day was getting to be very long, and it
was our last day at the showing here. But Alise went
out and rode extremely well, as she has all winter,
and Take Away was incredible,” he adds. “We were all
very excited to end a long hard season with one of the
biggest wins here in Wellington.”
The team also posted top ribbons in the Large Junior
Hunters (16-17), including a 1st in the Handy Hunter
and 2nd place over fences.
Rounding out Oken’s top results was a 10th place in
the $10,000 Junior Jumper Classic-Medium with her
horse Pedro. “You can go really fast on Pedro,” laughs
Alise, “and he’s very careful. He really tries to
never hit a jump.”
Sister Lucille Oken, 12, also had a notable final week
at WEF. The younger Oken was 7th aboard her pony Hi
Lite in the $10,000 Small Pony Hunter Invitational
Classic. Lucille also earned a 4th place in the Small
Pony Hunters with Hi Lite and a 4th place in the
Medium Pony Hunters U/S aboard Promise.
“The whole team has worked hard and it showed on
Sunday evening,” concluded Hunt. “I’m really looking
forward to the rest of the season with Alise and
Lucille and the whole gang at Hunters Lane.”
Other top results for Hunters Lane at week 11 of the
CN Winter Equestrian Festival include:
--Haven Schatt was Champion in Green Conformation
Hunters riding the Alise Oken-owned Quintin.
--Maggie Mcalary captured 6th place in the $2,500 1.35
Timed First Round with Pedro.
--Maggie Gampfer was 4th in the Large Pony Hunter U/S
class with the Robert Hunt-owned Watch Me.
--Alise Oken earned two 4th place ribbons and a 5th
place in the Small Junior Hunter (16-17) with her mare
Alisette.
With WEF wrapped, Hunt and his team will take a
well-deserved respite--but not for long. Hunt is now
serving as Chairman of the Board for the Queen City
Classic, which kicks off in Monroe, N.C. at the “Why
Not an American Ark” Equestrian Facility on April 9.
Highlights include the $25,000 Hunter Classic.
Additional information can be found at
www.queencityclassic.com.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY,
is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing
in the equestrian sports. For additional information
contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713,
robbi@flashpointmediaservices.com or Cynthia Grisolia,
347-423 7322, cindy@flashpointmediaservices.com.
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