THE SECOND ANNUAL LEGACY CUP

THE SECOND ANNUAL LEGACY CUP

Bringing The Sport of Hunters To A New Level

It was Lainie Wimberly aboard Nobleman that was the biggest winner at the second annual Legacy Cup, which took place May 1-5, 2002 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. This innovative, high paying, exhibitor-oriented show hunter event offered new opportunities for hunter riders, and featured payouts through 20th place. Wimberly, who competed in the professional division, earned a total of $34,664 over the five days.

The classes offered included those for Professionals and Non Professionals (both Juniors and Amateurs) and a Limited Pro Division for new professionals. Each division had two go rounds with the top 20 moving on to the Finals. There were also Consolation Classes (called Invitationals) for those not making it into the Finals. Added to the above were a variety of Special Awards, an under saddle class, the Challenge of the Breed, sponsored by Stal Hendrix and Redfield Farm (for the highest placed Thoroughbred, Warmblood and Quarter Horse), and a variety of other prizes, including Paddock Prizes for grooms and a $5,000 Ashland Stables Groomís Incentive.

The Legacy Cup was created by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) with the goal of being a horse show by hunter enthusiasts for hunter enthusiasts. Their purpose was not to make money but rather to give back to the exhibitors who have made the hunter industry what it is today and who have for years been giving monetarily but have not been compensated fairly. In the Legacy Cup 50% of all entry fees are given back to the exhibitors in the form of add back prize money, something that is unheard of in the sport of hunters. Nowhere is the concept of a percentage of the entry fee been the basis for prize money at any hunter oriented show. Wimberly was one of many who benefited from this innovative concept.

THE PROFESSIONALS

PRO 3’6”

Nobleman and Wimberly were the big winners in the Pro 3í6î Finals. They also won the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy for the professional rider accumulating the most money throughout the show. Since Wimberly is her own trainer she also received the Leading Trainer Award sponsored by E.P. Bishop, Co. and a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle. Tad Coffin is the official saddle of the Legacy Cup.

Wimberly and Nobleman earned their place among the top 20 to compete in the finals by placing second in the first Go Round behind Keep the Faith (ridden by Winn Alden) and third in the second Go Round behind Red Panda and Dream Date (both ridden by Louise Serio). Overall they stood second after the two Go Rounds but entered the Finals on a clean slate. Keep the Faith also won the Working Hunter Stake later in the week.

Nobleman, whose sire is Voltaire and Dam is Juanita H, scored 341 ahead of second place finisher Signatureís 338 (ridden by Winn Alden) and third place finisher Micanopyís 328 (ridden by Sandy Ferrell). The Hat Shop Hill Farm owned horse earned $25,000 for their first place finish. Last year they stood second to Red Panda in the inaugural Legacy Cup. A fall for Louise Serio from Red Panda (when a spook created a wrong distance to one of the fences and caused her horse to refuse) ruined their chances at another victory.

Wimberly, 37, Ridgefield, CT, is no newcomer to the hunter circles. When she was nine years old she asked for riding lessons for her birthday and just two short years after that she was the youngest qualifier for the Medal and the Maclay Finals. Over the years she has been successful in both the equitation and hunter divisions. One of her favorite success stories is aboard her then Junior Hunter mare Brigadoon, on whom she won championships at Palm Beach, OxRidge and Fairfield and in 1982 was Grand Hunter Champion at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Her Brigadoon Show Stables in North Salem, NY, a 50-acre equestrian facility, was named after the mare who she says had a ìmagical spirit.î

Wimberlyís transition from junior to professional was enhanced by the fact that she was an assistant rider to 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Melanie Smith. Over the years she has schooled many successful young jumpers and has ridden many hunters to championships, among those Nobleman.

Wimberly thinks the world of her seven-year-old Nobleman, who she purchased in Holland as a three-year-old stallion and gelded before bringing him to the United States. ìAs a stallion he could not concentrate at all. He was a little of a high strung horse in the beginning but was always good to the jumps. He had incredible form. I never had to work on his style ñ only thing I ever worked on was manners and smoothness,î commented Wimberly about the 16.1 hand dark brown gelding, whose white blaze and three white socks help him to stand out in a crowd.

ìHe is a doll in the barn. He is quite a hamÖa real showman. He wants to be spoiled and doted on and we do because he always gives back to us. He is very people oriented but not very friendly to other horses. He pins his ears. I always say he wants to kill the competition. He is kind of like the King. They all defer to him,î explained Wimberly.

When Wimberly first competed Nobleman he had a tendency to rush into the ring. She solved that problem with peppermints. ìWe give him a peppermint before he goes into the ring and another when he comes out.î Her groom, Rigo Escalera, walks with him by his shoulder and gives him a peppermint just before she enters and that has solved his rushing problem.

Wimberly never jumps Nobleman at home. ìI only jump at horse shows and do good solid flat work at home. I donít drill on him. I donít over jump him. Youíll notice when he jumps around a course his ears are forward the entire time. He never puts his ears back,î which Wimberly believes is because she allows him to be fresh for his jumping.

Nobleman also won $1500 as the top placed Warmblood and an additional $500 for the top placed horse of the Challenge of the Breeds sponsored by Stal Hendrix and Redfield Farm (the other two being the Quarter Horse Frisco Kid, ridden by David Connors and the eight-year-old Thoroughbred bay gelding, Micanopy, ridden by Betty Oare and Sandy Ferrell). During the show Noblemanís groom, Escalera, won two Ashland Stables Grooms Incentive Awards and a Paddock Prize as both the groom of the winning horse and the judgeís choice for the best groomed horse.

Oare explained that Micanoby (who she calls ìMickyî) ìis a real straightforward Thoroughbred, who is very sensible about being in the ring. He sort of marches in there, he looks it over and knows his job. He is what I would call quite a brave Thoroughbred and out of a Northern Dancer mare. I was very proud of him in the Legacy Cup. He was glamourous and had a couple of brilliant goes.î

$10,000 Legacy Invitational has a Lucky Winner

The $10,000 Legacy Invitational was for those riders who did not make the top 20 cutoff for the Pro 3í6î Finals. This was another example of how the Legacy Cup truly offered something for everyone. Lucky, who is owned by Samantha Hallman and was ridden by Rob Bielefeld, won the Invitational.

ìHeís the happiest horse I know,î commented Bielefeld, who says Lucky only needs 20 minutes of warmup on the flat to be ready to go. Hallman gave a good indication of just how her horse got his name when she commented, ìIím really lucky to have him.î Sheís planning to show him in the Amateur-Owners in the future.

PRO 3’

The Pro 3í Division wasnít as clear-cut as some of the other divisions. Hadfieldís Sunfest, ridden by James Lala for Montoga, Inc., was the winner of the First Go Round (351), ahead of Stolen Moment, ridden by Sandy Ferrell (350).

ìHeís a dream to ride because he is such a talented jumper,î said Lala about the Oldenburg owned by Montoga Inc. ìNo matter what your distance he makes it look good.î

In the Second Go Round Ferrell rode Touch of Magic to the win (346) ahead of Kilona, ridden by Christina Serio (339). Hadfieldís Sunfest was third (339). Overall after the second round Hadfieldís Sunfest (690) was ahead of Stolen Moment (688.250).

In the clean slate finals Touch of Magic, ridden by Sandy Ferrell, won (348). Valentino, ridden by Maria Bishop was second (335.5). Stolen Moment was third (335) and Hadfieldís Sunfest fourth (332).

Beverly Newtonís Touch of Magic is a striking black horse with a large white spot on his hindquarter. At only three years old, he was a surprise winner. ìHe Ö has tons of scope, no spook, and automatic lead-changes,î explained Ferrell. In the Second Go Round despite a huge thunderstorm that caused many of the other horses to spook, Touch of Magic kept calm, cool and collected in his winning ride.

LIMITED PROFESSIONALS

The Limited Pro 3í and 3í6î divisions were part of the Pro Divisions. A Limited Pro Rider is either a new professional or one who has not consistently won at upper levels of hunter riding.

LIMITED PRO 3’6”

Canterbury, ridden by Callan Solem, was the eventual winner of the Limited Pro 3í6î division. They placed second behind Keeper of the Stars (ridden by Don Sheehan) in the First Go Round. They won the Second Go Round, led overall and then won the Finals round. Canterbury, who is owned by Rosemary Salow, scored 325 ahead of Keep the Change (311) in the Finals and received a check for $2,500.

Salowís apple grey, eight-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding was purchased as a Pre-Green Horse three years ago. ìHe has really gotten to be a lot of fun to ride. He was quite green when we first got him. One day I got on him and all of a sudden I realized, heís great, you can depend on himÖyou can trust him. He doesnít do silly green horse things anymore,î commented Solem.

Solem felt his consistency and the fact that ìheís got a really good gallop and heís nice to watch,î helped earn him the win. ìHe had won the class in the morning and he was equally good in the afternoon,î she explained.

Solem, has been working for Carol Thompson since she was 18. (She is now 23). She met Carol when her equitation horse went lame and she heard that Thompson might have a horse to lease. The next year she was a working student for her as a Junior. She had planned to go to college but has decided to pursue her riding for now. ìOpportunities like these arenít easy to come by,î she commented. ìI feel lucky.î

LIMITED PRO 3í

While Kilona, ridden by Christina Serio, was the winner of First and Second Go Rounds, they elected not to compete in the Finalís round. While both she and Kilona are new to the professional hunter ranks, they have competed very successfully in the juniors over the past two years. Earlier this year she became a professional to help her mom, Louis Serio, run her Derbydown show barn.

Quattro, who placed third behind Westerly in the First Go Round, was ninth in the Second Go Round and was fourth overall, was the big winner. Quattro scored 336 and earned a check for $1500 for rider Kelly Marriner and owner Natalie Visconsi. Second place went to Valentino (330) and third to Westerly (318).

NON PROFESSIONALS

The Non Professionals were organized in two sections. First came the overall Non Pro 3í and 3í6î sections. Each class was first pinned as a whole, and then pinned to recognize the top Juniors and Amateur riders.

NON PRO 3í

Suzanne Mayo won the 3í Non-Pro Finals on her horse, Cumberland County (340), a 13-year-old Oldenburg sheís owned for four years. Her victory secured her position as the Leading 3í Non-Pro Rider. Betty Oareís Stolen Moment (340) - whose tie for first place was broken by the judges - was second and Polly Cooleyís Sandstorm third (325).

Oare speaks highly of the seven-year-old, 16 hand, chestnut, registered Dutchbred mare.

ìShe is lovely to ride. She has a cute personality. She tries to do her best and she is like a little ladyÖI just call her the Princess. ì

In the First Non Pro 3í Go Round, Wendy Kraus was the overall winner as well as the Amateur Non Pro winner aboard Forget Paris with a score of 346. Polly Cooleyís Sandstorm stood second (342) and Cumberland County was third (339). Sandstorm was the leader in the Non Pro 3í Second Go Round (354) ahead of Stolen Moment, ridden by Betty Oare (335). When the first and second rounds were combined, Sandstorm was in the lead (696) ahead of Cumberland County (650.5)

Melissa Clanton and Canít Deny Me won the Junior Non Pro 3í division. They led the Junior Non Pro 3í First Go Round (324.50), ahead of Carlin Vickeryís Galen with Julia Capalino aboard. Canít Deny Me was also first in the Second Go Round (313), this time ahead of Icee Waters (312.25).

Cumberlandís victory was particularly appropriate. Since hunters are considered to be horses that could carry a rider safely over fences if out hunting, Cumberlandís experience with some foxhunting before competing in hunters paved the way for him.

NON PRO 3í6î

Mimi Edwards and Kindred Spirit won the Non Pro 3í6î Finals (340) and led the Amateurs as well. In the Finals they were ahead of Renaissance, owned and ridden by Laura Sexon (336). In third was Bucky Dent, owned and ridden by Christina Mangano (331.5).

In the First Go Round Betty Oareís Estrella took the blue ribbon (346). In the Second Go Round it was Kindred Spirit (351). The Invitational was won by Signature, owned and ridden by Kacy Jenkins.

Edwards got "Oreo,î a brown, 15.3 hand, 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Zeoliet who is by Ramiro Z) in the fall of 1999. ìHe was a worrier about the jumps, but now he is comfortable and very confident with his job,î she explained. ìHe only jumps at shows and is the easiest horse I have ever ridden. He is never strong, never pulls to the jumps. He just keeps the same canter until you tell him to change.î

Edwards canít say enough about her horse. ìHe always tries hard,î she continued. ìHe has an amazing jump; It is very round, yet he rarely jumps me loose.î

Kindred Spirit is also very sensitive. ìHe wants you to be pleased with him. He is always looking for your approval; to him approval equals food. He will softly nicker for a mint while you are on or near him. He eats everything...mints, carrots, peanuts and french fries. He eats them so carefully, as to savor every bite.î

Oareís 16 Ω hand, bay, mare Estrella also loves treats, especially carrots. ìShe wonít eat peppermints,î explains Oare. The Warmblood Cross was having a great trip in the Finals but for some reason when she came by the ingate she broke into a trot, something that is very rare for the mare.

Oare says that Estrella ìis very lovely to ride. She is so light on her feet. Itís almost like she has wings.î The mare goes into the ring, puts her ears up, and gets into a rhythm. ìIt is so easy for her to jump,î continued Oare. ìShe sets herself in her own rhythm and she likes you to be very light with the reins.î

Bucky Dent won the Junior Non Pro 3’6” Finals.

THE LEGACY CUP HAS HIT THE MARK

Frank Perla, Woodgate Farm, Inc., West Boylston, MA, competed on a number of horses at the Legacy Cup and echoed the praise of many. "If I could, I would only ever come to the Legacy Cup. The horses and my clients have gotten so much out of the relaxed pace, concentrated efforts, ring time and skillfully built courses."

Perlaís wife, Michele, is the Executive Director of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, the organization which is the inspiration behind the Legacy Cup. Michele noted after the event, ìThis is the second year with our efforts at Legacy Cup. For the last four months I have lived and breathed this event. Usually, after that kind of concentrated effort, I feel burnt out and overwhelmed. But, interestingly enough, the experience of the Legacy Cup is energizing. It reminds me why each of us came to the business--to enjoy the animals in a competitive, yet friendly environment. I am honored to be part of the team that has conceptualized and produced such a premier event."

Edwards was among the many who love the event. ìIt is great to do something different besides four jump classes and an under saddle at every show. The pressure is different. Because of the amount of prize money, there is an added pressure to win, but everyone is so supportive of each other. Good or bad, everyone claps for everyone else. The awards, ribbons, and hospitality are wonderful. The event really does try to please the exhibitor.î

Oare was equally as complimentary. ìThis is our second year to do it. We have enjoyed it thoroughly. I think that the people that put it on should be congratulated. The leaders of the AHJF should be commended for putting on an event that showcases the hunters.î

For Solem it was her first year. She liked the fact that it is only a one-ring horse show. ìWith just the one ring going you could really concentrate and have your horse prepared. A lot of the times because of multiple rings the horses go not as prepared. I was really able to focus. I show jumpers as well. With this being an all hunter show it was good for me to be able to concentrate on that division. Trying to be smooth. Plus they were so friendly, the organizers. They made you feel welcome and a part of it.î

And the big winner, Wimberly, back for her second year was obviously pleased, ìI love the concept of the Legacy Cup and the fact that we are able to ride for so much money. I liked that the course had a little error of difficulty. I like when the courses are a little testy. (The Legacy Cup staff brought in well-known international course designer Richard Jeffery to design the courses.) For the young professionals it is a nice place for them to be recognized not up against the seasoned professionals. Itís just a great show.î

Lala feels it is ìthe best event because it is for the horses and for the riders. Thereís tons of money, lots of prizes and sponsor support.î

Louise Serio noted, ìIt is wonderful because you can school your horse as you please; It is not a timed thing. Itís always nice to train in a casual atmosphere in the ring you are going to go in, spend as much time as you want and not rush.î

Jessie Baker, who assisted show manager Oliver Kennedy noted, ìFrom an exhibitors standpoint it is a streamlined horse show. You go, you show, you are done and there is not a lot of stress. You have time to go in and see the other competitors. Itís more of a stress free horse show.î

Youíd be hard pressed to find anyone who was at this yearís Legacy Cup to offer anything but a glowing review of the event because the event showcases the hunters, uses a paired judging system to ensure the best combination wins, is different, fun, welcoming and there are numerous opportunities to win money. It also took place in a fabulous facility, with a huge indoor arena and lots of schoolings rings. What more could any rider or horse or owner ask for.