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Articles: Press Release
American Idol and Sandra Conchar Win $10,000 Ladies Side Saddle Stake at
the 2006 Washington International Horse Show
Photo Credit: Sandra Conchar and American Idol, winners of the $10,000
Ladies Side Saddle Stake at the Washington International Horse Show.
Photo (c) 2006 Diana DeRosa.
Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
Jennifer Kappler of Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpsmediagroup.com
Washington, D.C. - October 26, 2006 -The traditional sport of Ladies
Side Saddle was the beginning of an exciting evening program at the 48th
annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). Competitors competed
for a large purse and championship ribbons.
The 2006 WIHS serves as one of the country's most prestigious and
competitive indoor equestrian events, with prominent riders, Olympic
veterans, and superstar equines competing for top honors and fabulous
prize money. The WIHS, held October 24 - 29, 2006, is located at the
Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., home of the Washington International
Horse Show since 2000.
The first competition in the Side Saddle Division was the Ladies Side
Saddle Under Saddle, where the competitors were judged at the walk, trot
and canter. The second class was the Ladies Side Saddle Hack, which
includes their jumping two fences measuring at 2'6" in height. Finally,
they competed in the $10,000 Ladies Side Saddle Stake.
Kit Roszko won both the Ladies Side Saddle Under Saddle and the Ladies
Side Saddle Hack on a big chestnut gelding named Count On Me. Roszko got
the ride on the Thoroughbred when her student and owner of the horse,
Danielle Buhheit, had
knee surgery 16 weeks ago.
Count On Me has been Zone 2 champion twice, champion at the Metropolitan
National Horse Show and reserve champion at Harrisburg last week.
Buhheit has owned him for four years, and this was their second trip to
WIHS. The last time was in 2003, the last time that WIHS offered Side
Saddle classes.
The $10,000 Side Saddle Stake class was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs.
Greenberg who are huge supporters of Side Saddle and also sponsor a
Stakes class at the Upperville Horse Show. Tonight's Side Saddle Stake
was a hunter class with eight fences set at 3' in height. The only
difference in Side Saddle and any other jumping class is that they are
not required to jump an in-and-out. There are eight single fences,
judged as hunters, just in a different saddle, and they are the only
hunter division that still carries appointments.
"Appointments give the sport a sense of tradition and artistry," Buhheit
explained. "The appointments include a ladies sandwich case and flask
and a stitched in bridle (bit is stitched in). The bit must be a Pelham
or Full bridle. The horses are not allowed to wear a saddle pad, so the
saddles must fit very well. Saddles are usually the most difficult to
put together because it is so important that they fit perfectly," she
added. "The rider must carry a pair of Whip Cord (Rain Gloves)
underneath the off-side of the saddle, in case your leather gloves got
wet out hunting. We also carry a traditional hunting whip with a lash
and a thong to keep the hounds in line. The riding attire has a stock
tie, plain hunting boots with a spur, and a top hat with a veil, and
garters."
"People do not give horses enough credit for their versatility. A good
egg is a good egg whether you are riding astride or aside; they ride the
same way," Buhheit noted. " If you have a rotten astride, it will be
rotten aside. I have never ridden a good horse that did not take to the
side saddle. Any well schooled horse understands," she smiled.
Results of the $10,000 Ladies Side Saddle Stake
1. AMERICAN IDOL Sandra Conchar Mary L.Cramer
2. TRILLIUM Sally Weaver Melanie McCartney
3. COUNT ON ME Kit Roszko Danielle Buchhett
4. KEEGAN Debra Taylor Debra Taylor
5. SEA SALT Susanne Clifford Sally Lamb
6. AASPEN'S BLACK DIAMOND Lisa B. Friel Amy Jo Magee
7. ROUND MIDNIGHT Erica Bocaner Rachel Howell
The $10,000 Ladies Side Saddle Stake was won by Sandra Conchar aboard
Mary L. Cramer's American Idol. "He is fabulous, and he is funny. We
have a great time together. We are best friends!" Conchar said with
excitement. "I could not ask for anything more from a horse." Conchar
and the dark brown Thoroughbred, American Idol, took home a check for
$5,000.
Grand Champion Ladies Side Saddle- Count On Me and Kit Roszko
Reserve Grand Champion Ladies Side Saddle - Sandra Conchar- American
Idol - owned by Laura Cramer
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