Two in a Row- Ellen Toon and Invincible of JT Farm Win Grand Amateur Championship at Pennsylvania National Horse Show

For the second time in this year's indoor final circuit, Ellen Toon of South Salem, NY, and her horse Invincible took home the Grand Amateur Hunter Championship. This past weekend, they were champions in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter division at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and their top ribbons gave them the overall grand title as well.

Invincible jumped to second and fourth places on the first day of competition and placed second in the under saddle class. The eight-year-old gelding and Toon returned the second day to place third and then win their final stake class for the championship.

On her other horse Attache, Toon finished third, fourth, and seventh in the division.

Toon trains with her husband, Jimmy Toon, at JT Farm in South Salem, NY, and Wellington FL, and with Rodney Bross.

This was Toon's first ever championship at Harrisburg, and she gave credit to her horses and her team. "Both horses were really great," she said. "Invincible was his usual self, but he has really just risen to a higher level at indoors." Toon noted that Jimmy Toon flatted Invincible in the morning, while Bross helped at the ring. "They know me and my horse. The team is working really well," she noted.

After her top ribbons on the first day, Toon acknowledged that she would "have to work for it a little bit" to get the championship. Toon was especially happy to finish third and fourth on her two horses in the first class on the second day, after having been on top and second in the stand-by list earlier. "There were lots of nice horses there," she said. "Everyone was supportive of each other in the division and clapped for each other too. That was really nice."

"It means a lot to win at Harrisburg," said Toon. "Both of my horses were just incredible."

On Sunday in Harrisburg, Brianne Link of East Islip, NY, competed at the Zone 2 Finals. She rode Foxcroft Veronsky to second and fourth places over fences and fifth in the under saddle in the Large Children's Pony Hunters. On Asgard Mercury, Link placed third and fourth over fences in the Medium Children's Pony Hunters.

At the New England Equitation Championship weekend in Springfield, MA, two other JT Farm riders took home top prizes. Aided by assistant trainer Holly Brewster, Carolyn Lichtenberg of Pelham Manor, NY, finished third on I-Toon. Katie Galbraith of Darien, CT, finished 12th.

More than 240 junior riders vied for the top spot in the 3'3" finals. Of those, only 32 were called back for a second round, which included Lichtenberg and Galbraith. Then the top seven were called back for further testing.

Brewster noted, "The quality of riding in the final was unbelievable. It's not an easy competition, and it's a very well-run horse show."

Galbraith was called back 16th after the first round and moved up to 12th place after the second round. She rode her horse Harley in the competition.

Lichtenberg piloted I-Toon, owned by JT Farm, to sixth place in the first and second rounds. After testing, she moved up to third place. "She was thrilled," Brewster said. "She's a hard-working, sweet girl, and we're very excited for her."

Out of the 246 horses in the class, the five judges gave the Judge's Choice Award for the top horse to I-Toon. Brewster said, "The mare performed brilliantly. She and Carolyn are a really good team."

"It was a very good weekend for us," Brewster stated. "This is a great boost for Carolyn and Katie, who have qualified for the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in Syracuse in two weeks."

JT Farm will compete this week at the Washington International Horse Show and will move on to the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show in Syracuse, NY, the following week.

For the finest hunter, equitation, and jumper instruction in the South Salem, NY, and Wellington, FL, areas, look no further than JT Farm. At JT Farm, riders of all levels are welcome and are afforded the very best training by a staff of experienced, caring professionals who are committed to excellence in the show ring in equitation, hunters and jumpers. For more information on JT Farm, please visit www.jtfarm.com.