Wellington, FL- April 4- The results are in, and after nine weeks of unbelievable competition, the winners of the circuit championships for the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) have been decided. The nine week long equestrian event, the largest and longest running in the world, brought competitors from around the world to Wellington, FL, and Tampa, FL. They were honored in a special ceremony before last Saturday's Budweiser American Invitational.

One of the top names of WEF this year in the jumper divisions was Laura Chapot, of Neshanic Station, NJ. Chapot won an amazing four circuit titles with her four grey mares. One of the most admired is Sprite, a 9 year old Holsteiner mare by the famous Quidam de Revel. Sprite was circuit champion in the 1.40m Jumpers for the second year in a row, and was one of the fastest horses ever seen in the division. She was also the Acorn Hill Farm 1.40m Speed Series winner.

Chapot and Sprite have been together for three years now, and Chapot says, "She's come along with me and we've really gotten to know each other very well. It means a lot for her to win." Sprite is known for her lightning-quick jump-offs, and Chapot mentions that been a "super careful, very fast horse."

"She goes in the ring every time to win; she's really a competitor. Outside the ring, she's very relaxed, but when she gets in the ring, she knows the show is on," reveals Chapot. Although she is the ultimate competitor in the ring, Sprite is very easygoing in the barn and enjoys working with Frank Chapot, U.S. Olympic team chef d'equipe and Laura's father. "My dad rides her in between shows. She's actually not a lot of fun to ride, because she's rigid and very much set in her ways," says Chapot, "but he gets along with her very well. He knows how to ride her, because you can't really force her to do anything."

On Samantha, an 8 year old grey mare owned by the Sundance Group, Chapot also repeated a circuit championship performance. The mare won the 7/8 Year Old Jumpers last year, and moved up to win the 1.35 Jumpers this year. Chapot says she is "a very hot horse," and is "very, very fast and wants to be very careful."

Her remaining grey mares, Noteworthy and Silver Lining, were champions in the 7/8 Year Old and 6 Year Old Jumpers, respectively. Silver Lining is owned by Harold Vogel. Chapot comments, "They're both very careful horses and very fast; they just don't have as much experience yet. We just take it show by show and keep trying to move forward." Winning with Noteworthy was especially rewarding, since the mare is a homebred and owned by her mother, Mary Chapot. Her dam is a three-quarter sister to Gem Twist, the famous showjumper trained by her father.

In the hunter divisions, professional Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ, was the most successful rider at WEF. He also won four circuit championships this year. Ashton, owned by Karen Long Dwight, won the Pre-Green Level One division. Alexa Weisman's Music Street won the First Year Green Hunters and Krista Weisman's Chopard won the Regular Conformation Hunters.

A special win came with Granted in the Green Conformation Hunter division, an Equestrian Properties Series Award. Granted also won the Elizabeth Busch Burke Perpetual Trophy. Stewart has owned Granted since he was two years old. Granted has not shown much in his career, and Stewart acknowledges, "It was more than I expected him to do, really; to be this good."

Granted was originally a stallion in Europe, but "was not the best behaved stallion." Stewart made the decision to geld him and bring him to the United States, but collected from him for the future. Stewart thinks the stunning bay gelding will be beneficial to the hunter industry as a sire. "He's quiet and easygoing and has a big stride. I think conformation wise, he's pretty perfect."

Of the 3000 plus horses that competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, there was only one horse that was champion every week. That incredible feat was accomplished by Indian Summer and Holly Caristo in the Adult Amateur 51 & Over Hunters. Owned by Holly and Ralph Caristo of Happauge, NY, the flashy chestnut gelding won enough in Wellington that he did not have to show in Tampa. Caristo says, "It's just a perfect ending and now I'm done."

Their partnership is special, but Caristo gives most of the credit to her partner. "He's like a dream to ride. He just does everything you want him to do. I'm just lucky and thrilled that he's so consistent." Indian Summer and Caristo were also recipients of the Martha Baskowitz Perpetual Memorial Trophy.

While the junior divisions are packed full of talent, there was one rider that stood out from the crowd this year. Haylie Jayne, of Elgin, IL, won three circuit championships. She won the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters with Sienna, owned by Missy Clark. Jayne remarks, "In the schooling ring, he's kind of slow and dead, but then you go in the ring and he picks up a really nice pace. He is very young, so you think he'd be green, but he goes in the ring and he puts his game face on every time." Jayne also rode Rachel Spencer's Small Talk to the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division championship. "I just started riding him at the beginning of circuit. He just has a really nice rhythm. He's really slow and smooth and gorgeous."

Her third circuit championship came with Kinda Blue, who is owned by her father, Alex R. Jayne, in the Low Junior Jumpers. It is a family affair with Kinda Blue since Haylie's siblings, Maggie and Charlie, rode him to multiple championships over the past few years. Jayne acknowledges, "My sister rode him for three years and then I had him for a year, and then Charlie had him last year for his last junior year, and then I got him back again this year." She also added with a smile, "This is the anniversary of when we got him six years ago. We love him; we'll never be able to sell him."

Despite being with the Jayne family for six years and being 13 years of age, Kinda Blue is still ready to compete for years to come. "He's always ready to win. Every time he steps in the ring, he's trying his hardest to win."

Making the move up to the Junior Hunter divisions can sometimes be daunting for young riders. However, it was not the case this year for Christy Russo of Miami, FL. She started her first year in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division with a bang, winning the circuit championship with her elegant bay gelding Westcliffe. Westcliffe was reserve champion in the Children's Hunter division last year, and Russo was surprised at her quick success. "It's really unreal! This is just so amazing. I can't even believe it!"

Russo believes that she and Westcliffe have come a long way since last year. "He's just grown a lot as a horse. I've learned a lot about being softer with my hands and learned a lot about being a better rider since I've moved up to the Juniors."

Jennifer Waxman rides in many different divisions, such as Children's Hunters and Pony Hunters, but has shown the capability of a seasoned professional. Waxman, of Chagrin Falls, OH, piloted Anne Emmet's Savion to the Children's Hunter 14 & Under circuit championship and Caroline Spogli's Tuscany to the win in the Medium Pony Hunter division.

Although the ride on Tuscany was new this year, they were champions in their first week showing together. They went on to win three more championships and a reserve championship. Waxman says the ride on Tuscany is different for her other ponies, but that he made her "a better rider." Waxman regards Savion as "one of her favorites to ride this winter." She comments, "He was so consistent every weekend and I got along with him really well. I think horses are a little easier to ride than ponies. If you just keep your leg on him, he's perfect. He'll find the distance and he's so much fun."

One of the top pony riders at WEF was 11 year old Schaefer Raposa of Clinton, NY. She rode Orlando for Beaver Brook Ponies to the Large Pony Hunter circuit championship, and won the Nextel Corp Large Pony Hunter Series Award. She also rode Lanes End Pony Stables' Shine to the circuit championship in the Small/Medium Green Pony Hunters. Raposa says it "feels cool to win. I'm happy we won."

The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions are always very competitive at WEF, but this year one name stood out among the others. Due North and Avery Dimmig were the Amateur-Owner 18-35 circuit champions, the Kilkenny Insurance Agency/ICH Amateur-Owner Series Award winners and winners of the Janet Greene Perpetual Memorial Trophy. Dimmig acknowledges, "Obviously, you hope to be champion a few times. Being circuit champions is really terrific considering the competitors in the Amateur division." She also added, "It's a great feeling. I'm so honored to be champion with all those other great riders."

In the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over division, it was a late bloomer that took the circuit championship. Attache and Ellen Toon only moved up to the larger division in week six of WEF, but they were champions in the last four weeks to take the title. After winning the championship last year with Alexia, an Amateur-Owner circuit championship was not in the cards at the beginning of the season. Toon admits, "This year during circuit it never even crossed my mind, because I wasn't even doing the division."

Toon also says, "My mare last year wasn't the big winner in Palm Beach, but she was very consistent each week. She sort of chipped away at it, whereas Attache jumped right up on the board and stayed there." She did confess, however, that after her initial success, she contemplated the circuit award. "I try not to think about it, because it's just added pressure that you don't necessarily need- but of course you do think about it!" she said with a smile.

The Adult Amateur 3'3" Hunter division has been dominated for the past three years by Wendy Lewis and Forget Paris. While an injury kept them out of competition for most of WEF, they still came back in Tampa to show and end up as reserve champions.

The new leader in that division and winner of the Kilkenny Insurance Agency Adult Amateur 3'3" Series Award was Practical and Molly Ohrstrom. Originally her "practice horse," hence the name, Practical has become the horse that Ohrstrom wins consistently on. "There's no pressure on him," she says. "He's been great about improving through the whole circuit." Ohrstrom has come to depend on Practical, despite the fact that he is still a Pre-Green horse. "You can count on him. He won't spook, swap or stop. He never misses a lead change. He's like Old Reliable at five years old!"

For more information on the Winter Equestrian Festival, please visit their website at www.stadiumjumping.com .

DIVISION

HORSE OWNER RIDER TRAINER

Pre-Green Working, Level 1 CH: Ashton Karen Long Dwight Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

RE: Cosmo Sue Stanley Ken Smith Ken Smith

Pre-Green Working Level 2

CH: Marshall Merelex Farm Louise Serio/Amanda Lyerly Louise Serio

RE: Honored Karen Long Dwight Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

Pre-Green Working, 3-4 yr.

CH: Daria Anne rinaldi Louise Serio/Amanda Lyerly Louise Serio

RE: Paradiso Timothy Hooker Louise Serio/Scott Stewart Louise Serio/Scott Stewart

First Year Green Hunter

CH: Music Street Alexa Weisman Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

RE: Island Heart Betsy Fauntleroy Danny Robertshaw Ron Danta

Second Year Green Hunter

CH: Suduced Lee Kellogg Jennifer Baursachs Jennifer Baursachs

RE: High Cotton Christy Russo Ken Smith Ken & Emily Smith Regular Working Hunter

First Savings Mortage Corp. Regular Working Hunter Award

CH: Take Away Cortie Wetherill Havens Schatt Jeff Wirthman

RE: Coast to Coast Fashion Farm Louise Serio/Amanda Lyerly Louise Serio

Green Conformation Hunter

Equestrian Properties Series Award

CH: Granted Scott Stewart Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

RE: Game Plan Nancy Breedlove Penny Lombardo Penny Lombardo

Regular Conformation Hunter

CH: Chopard Krista Weisman Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

RE: Popeye K Elizabeth Spencer Tommy Serio Tommy Serio

Elizabeth Busch Burke Perpetual Trophy

Granted Scott Stewart Scott Stewart Scott Stewart

Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35

CH: Due North Avery Dimming Avery Dimming Rodney Bross

RE: Regall Salamander Farm Paige Johnson Bill Marooney

Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+

CH: Attache Ellen Toon Ellen Toon James Toon

RE: Just Looking Louise Otten Louise Otten Louise Otten

Kilkenny Insurance Agency/ICH Amateur-Owner Series Award Due North Avery Dimming Avery Dimming Rodney Bross

Janet Greene Perpetual Memorial Trophy Due North Avery Dimming Avery Dimming Rodney Bross

Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35

CH: Winter Castle Vanessa Redfern Erica Keany Acres Wild

RE: Lucky Samantha Hallman Samantha Hallman Rob Bielefeld

Adult Amateur Hunter 35-50

CH: Three Wishes Ann Misenheimer Ann Meisenheimer Stacia & Frank Madden

RE: Eye Remember Rio Watership Downs Victoria Watters Ashland Farm

Adult Amateur Hunter 51+

Kenya Perpetual Trophy

CH: Indian Summer Holly Caristo Ralph Caristo Ralph Caristo

RE: Just Harry Maypine Farm Debbie Bass Debbie Bass

Adult Amateur Hunter 3'3

(Kilkenny Insurance Agency Adult Amateur Hunter 3'3" Series Award.)

CH: Practical Molly Ohrstrom Molly Ohrstrom Scott Stewart

RE: Forget Paris Mike Lewis Wendy Lewis Jeff Gogul

Martha Baskowitz Perpetual Memorial Trophy

Indian Summer M/M Ralph Caristo Holly Caristo Ralph Caristo

Children's Hunter 14 & Under

CH: Savion Anne Emmet Jennifer Waxman Ken & Emily Smith

RE: Infamous Jennifer Waxman Jennifer Waxman Ken & Emily Smith

Children's Hunter 15-17

CH: North York Ann Casson Ann Casson & Alexandra Skiffington Rush & Caroline Weeden

RE: Stolen Moment Earnest M Oare Kacey Jenkins Tim Goguen

DIVISION

HORSE OWNER RIDER TRAINER

Small Jr. Hunter 15 & Under

CH: Sierra Carly Ow-Wing Maggie McAlary Ken & Emily Smith

RE: Davis Cup Alexandra Stathis Alexandra Stathis Scott Stewart

Small Jr. Hunter 16-17

CH: Sienna Missy Clark Haylie Jayne Missy Clark

RE: Cool Blue Carolyn Kelly Carolyn Kelly Scott Stewart

Large Jr. Hunter 15 & Under

CH: Westcliffe Christy Russo Christy Russo Ken &Emily Smith

RE: Who's On First Addison Phillips Addison Phillips Andre Dignelli

Large Jr. Hunter 16-17

CH: Small Talk Rachael Spencer Haylie Jayne Alex Jayne RE: Dynamic Carolyn Kelly Carolyn Kelly Scott Stewart

Marie Speed Perpetual Trophy

Sierra Carly Ow-Wing Maggie McAlary Ken & Emily Smith

Small Pony Hunter

Gotham North Small Pony Hunter Award

CH: Helicon Take Notice Reed Kessler Reed Kessler Andre Dignelli

RE: Cardiff Mardi Gras Reed Kessler Reed Kessler Andre Dignelli

Medium Pony Hunter

CH: Tuscany Caroline Spogli Jennifer Waxman Ken & Emily Smith

RE: Make My Day Lanes End Pony Ande Farish Ken & Emily Smith

Large Pony Hunter

Nextel Corp Large Pony Hunter Series Award

CH: Orlando Beaver Brook Ponies Maggie McAlary Susan McAlary

RE Lovin Life John Ingram Christina Chapman Christina Fiore

Green Pony Hunter Section Small/Med CH: Shine Lanes End Pony Schaefer Raposa & LuLu Farish Ken & Emily Smith

RE: Kate Spade Caroline Weeden Schaefer Raposa Ken & Emily Smith

Green Pony Hunter Section Large

CH: Kappuccino Caitlin Ziegler Katherine Newman Gerard Newman

RE: Northwind's Katarina Julianna Fischer Julianna Fischer Pat Fischer

James Brundage Memorial Trophy

Kappuccino Caitlin Ziegler Katherine Newman Gerard Newman

Sm/Med Children's Pony Hunter

CH: Carolina's Small Talk Victoria Colvin Victoria Colvin Brigid Colvin

RE: Southern Belle Hugh McNeil Hugh McNeil Carolyn Desfor

Large Children's Pony Hunter

CH: Gold Mine Emma Calabrese Emma Calabrese Linda Smith

RE: Woodland's Blue Velvet Jessica Campbell Jessica Campbell Timmy Kees

Short Stirrup

CH: Highland's Pride Lauren Harris Olivia Gotwold Helen Varble

RE: Hidden Asset Victoria Griffith Victoria Griffith Elizabeth Plummer

1.45m Jumper

CH: Galant McLain Ward McLain Ward McLain Ward

RE: King Louie Rosewood Glen Ltd. Molly Ashe Molly Ashe

1.40m Jumper

CH: Sprite Laura Chapot Laura Chapot Mary & Frank Chapot

RE: Antigua RG Pasmore Stables Laura Kraut Laura Kraut

1.35m Jumper

CH: Samantha Sundance Group Laura Chapot Mary & Frank Chapot

RE: Naram Shay Whitney Griese Margie Engle Margie Engle

1.30m Jumper

CH: Outline Wyndhurst Stables Margie Engle Margie Engle

RE: Preziosos S Highlife Farm Darren Graziano Darren Graziano

5 Year Olds

CH:

Tequila Francisco Martinez Francisco Martinez Francisco Martinez

RE: Love ID Ruben Sierra Francisco Martinez Francisco Martinez

6 Year Olds

CH: Silver Lining Harold Vogel Laura Chapot Mary & Frank Chapot

RE: Hidden Creek's Olivia Hidden Creek Farm Shane Sweetnam Margie Engle

7/8 Year Olds

CH: Noteworthy Mary Chapot Laura Chapot Mary & Frank Chapot

RE: Hidden Creek's Kendall Hidden Creek Farm Margie Engle Margie Engle

DIVISION

HORSE OWNER RIDER TRAINER

Amateur-Owner Jumper High Adequan High Score Trophy

CH: La Movida Gotham Enterprizes Georgina Bloomberg Jimmy Doyle

RE: Riane Alexa Weeks Alexa Weeks Kent Farrington

Amateur-Owner Jumper Medium

CH: Anvia Sagamore Farm Sophie Coppedge Kent Farrington

RE: Cromwell Tracy Weinberg Tracy Weinberg Joe Fargis

Amateur-Owner Jumper Low

CH: Calvin Beyaert Farm David Tromp Henny Tromp

RE: Nikaia Patricia Kobble Patricia Kobble Chris Kappler

Seniors

CH: Private Reserve Gina Day Gina Day Ken Berkley

RE: All That Murray & Teri Kessler Murray Kessler Andre Dignelli

Adult Amateur Jumper 18-35

CH: Cyrus Taylor Blauweiss Taylor Blauweiss Lisa Rex

RE: Kimarilla Tim Boulton Tim Boulton Tim Boulton

Adult Amateur Jumper 36 +

CH: Woodstock Land's End Farm Wendy Ballard Jeffery Welles

RE: Zidane Thessa Navarro-Grau Thessa Navarro-Grau Carlos Quinones

Broward RV Adult Amateur

Woodstock Land's End Farm Wendy Ballard Jeffery Welles

Modified Adult Jumper

CH: Rumors Run Rampant Peabody Fox Peabody Fox Peabody Fox

RE: Nagano Margarita Vargas De Borbon Margarita Vargas De Borbon Lauren Hough

Junior Jumper High

CH: Hertel Landman Ali Wolf Ali Wolf Chris Kappler

RE: Rastella Halifax Farm Addison Phillips Andre Dignelli

Pin Oak Farm Perpetual Trophy Winner

Ali Wolff

Junior Jumper Low

Griselle Churney Jr Jumper Low Series Award

CH: Kinda Blue Alex R. Jayne Haylie Jayne Alex R. Jayne

RE: Jiffy-Pop Alex R. Jayne Haylie Jayne Alex R. Jayne

Children's Jumper 13 & Under

CH: Presto Eleanor Bright Jessica Springsteen Frank & Stacia Madden

RE: Don Juan Julianna Fischer Julianna Fischer Pat Fischer

Children's Jumper 14-17

Tradewinds Farm Children's Jumper Series Award

CH: Zeitgeist Whipstick Lillian Lee Grant Sissy Wickes

RE: Bellagio Lyn King Anna Banks Steve Schaefer

Modified Children's Jumper

CH: Lucky Four North Run Farm Nick Dello Joio Norman Dello Joio

RE: Libero Wilhelm Glenn Caroline Dunn Wilhelm Glenn

Pony Jumpers

CH Indigo Julianna Fischer Julianna Fischer Pat Fischer

RE Magic BB Ashmont Farm Kaitlin Campbell Patty Miller

Samsung Nations Cup
Ireland

The Ramblewood Perpetual Trophy
Nancy Doubleday

Acorn Hill Farm 1.40m Speed Series Winner
Sprite & Laura Chapot

Michael J. Snyder Memorial Challenge Cup Trophy
Laura Kraut

Christy Conard Perpetual Trophy for Equestrian Excellence
Blythe Marano

William R 'Bill' Fitch Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy
Sloane Coles

Herman R 'Kappy" Kaplan Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Laura Kraut & Miss Independent / Pasmore Stables

Idle Dice Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Anne Kursinski & Roxana 112 / Scott Hakim

Albert D. Hart Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Beezie Madden & Conquest II / Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Patton

Paul Schriver Perpetual Memorial Trophy
McLain Ward & Goldika 559 / Double H Farm

Bertlan Denemethy Prix d'Elegance Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Ramiro Quintana

Barry Louise Lane Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Cara Raether & News / Trelawny Farm

Village of Wellington Cup
Chris Kappler & Primeur 58 / Chris Kappler & Kathy Kamine