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Havens Schatt Wins Walter J. Lee Trophy

May 10, 2008 - Lexington, KY - It was musical horses in the Pro 3'6" Finals. While Rio Renoir ridden by Emily Williams and owned by Brad Wolf won the Go Round, it was Glass Castle ridden by Havens Schatt that would dominate the Finals. In the Restricted Pro Go Round Skylar ridden by Loretta Mayer and owned by Kristin Montemarano was the big winner but for the Finals Jennifer Papiernik won the class aboard Motion Picture.

Schatt and Just Jack were the first to go in the Finals competition. They finished with a score of 259. That score held the lead until Schatt entered the arena again on the very last horse in the class. That last horse, Glass Castle, was the final charm for the judges, who gave them a score of 262. In the end Schatt would finish first (Glass Castle), second (Just Jack) and third (Costello).

The Go Round and Finals took place May 9th and 10th at the Legacy Cup, part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 18.

The Walter J. Lee Trophy for the professional rider accumulating the most money in the Pro divisions was presented to Havens Schatt after she totaled $12,323 in winnings. The purse for the Pro 3'6" division totaled $8,800, with $7,300 allocated to the Finals. The winning horse received $2,912.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL GLASS CASTLE IN THE PRO 3'6" FINALS
While Schatt, Ocala, FL, was delighted with her win on Glass Castle, owner Shaw Johnson Price was quick to add her enthusiasm for a well deserved victory. "She is always happy," explained Price about the nine-year-old, dark bay, 16.2H, Belgian Warmblood mare.

"When I entered that ring I knew I had already won (because she was leading on Just Jack) but every time I just try as hard as I can." In the end she duplicated her performance on Just Jack who had also finished second in 2007.

When asked what Glass Castle is like to be around a sea of voices praised her attitude. "She is pretty straightforward, really brave and direct and the sweetest horse in the whole world," commented Schatt and echoed trainer Scott Williamson, the one who found the horse in the first place.

"She loves carrots and peppermints," added Price.

While Glass Castle was at the horse show in 2007 for then owner Caroline Moran she ended up sick, they think because of a spider bite, which kept her out of commission for the rest of that year. Yet, in 2008 she was back in action.

And while she is a trooper in the arena, she also knows where the ingate and the barn are. "In the victory gallop she wanted to trot away from the gate and gallop home," said a laughing Schatt.

While Schatt seemed to dominate the winner's circle this year she knows both sides of the arena. In 2006 she was out of commission for a little over a month just around the time of the Legacy Cup. "I took a flip on a horse over a jump, separated my shoulder and had to have surgery," she explained. So for that Legacy Cup she was watching from the sidelines. But this year there was no mistaking the amazing string of talented horses she was riding.

And while Glass Castle won the Saturday night Finals that victory was a near miss. The owner was debating on whether they should give Glass Castle a rest in preparation for more showing in the days ahead, but when the vet gave them the green light then the rest was up to "Gracie."

A TRUE MOTION PICTURE VICTORY
A gleeful Jennifer Papiernik, Wellington, FL, happily claimed her championship ribbon after winning the Pro 3'6" Restricted Finals on Motion Picture, a nine-year-old, 15.3H, chestnut, Thoroughbred gelding.

"He is dead simple, very straightforward and easy to ride," explained Papiernik. "He is very shy in the barn. Most of my horses are a little obnoxious but he is very patient and polite. Very statue like."

While Schatt knew when she entered the arena that she was going to win, Papiernik on the other hand "didn't think I would win it. I knew I had a really good round but I wasn't sure until the end. There are a lot of good horses in that class."

"I am really excited. I was hoping I would win. I called the owner right away and I think she was even more excited than me."

Papiernik praised the Legacy Cup format commenting, "I love it. We came to Kentucky just for the Legacy Cup. We are not staying for next week. The Legacy Cup is different and it is very exciting for us. I really enjoy it. I've been outdoors all winter and it's nice going indoors."

Papiernik explained that it also gave her a chance to train the horses in an indoor arena for their owners; One more reason why the Legacy Cup offers the hunter riders something new and different to help benefit both them and their clients.

RIO RENOIR WINS GO ROUND
Rio Renoir, who is owned by Brad Wolf, is one of those horses that no matter who rides him he always rises to the occasion. His name has been synonymous with championship honors since he entered his first hunter arena. So it was no surprise when he dominated the Go Round with Emily Williams riding.

"He is like riding a cloud. He has the most comfortable rocking horse like canter and an incredible jump," explained Williams. "He is complete quality and a real pleasure to ride.

"I know the horse is more than capable to win because he won it last year," continued Williams. Yet, what she didn't know is if they would make a great match. "I didn't know him that well and so that was my only concern but I was hoping."

In the end the rider who set a record by taking Strapless to three consecutive wins in the annual AHJF Hunter Classic in Wellington, FL, again rose to the top of the class. Two champions were crowned.

When the topic turned to her thoughts about the Legacy Cup, Williams was quick to offer her support.

Her words were echoed by so many others throughout the week. "It's fun, something different - you get fired up and they make a big deal out of it. It's hard to get that way these days in the hunter classes when everyone is showing the same stuff week after week. We need more stuff like this. The hunters get so overshadowed. They are not the way they used to be and we need more things to make it feel special."

One of the unique things Emily pointed out was that the Legacy Cup format is based on Pros and Non Pros with none of the restrictions of the normal hunter classes. You choose your height and whether you are competing as a pro or non pro. You pay your money and you can compete. It's just that simple. "We never are allowed to do this but here we are professionals riding amateur horses. We are getting more opportunities to ride and this gives us more classes. That makes it more fun."

SKYLAR DOMINATES IN RESTRICTED PRO 3'6" GO ROUND
Loretta Mayer, Chestnut Ridge, NY, was floating after her win with Skylar in the Go Round on May 9th. Then later that day she was even more amazed when she continued that streak by winning the Restricted Pro 3' Finals.

"Skylar is really unflappable and I can trust him," explained Mayer about the 10-year-old, 16.3H, grey, Warmblood gelding. Although they haven't spent much time together she likes his style. "He is very soft, straightforward and easy to ride."

Mayer was not on the grounds when her name was announced as the winner of the Pro 3'6" Restricted Go Round but the thrill was still the same. "When the owners called me and told me I had won I was in utter shock. I wasn't expecting it but it was a pleasant surprise."

There was certainly no hiding how thrilled Mayer was. She clearly was overcome with the emotion of her victories, beaming from ear to ear. "It's hard to express all the emotions I am feeling," she added. "Competing in the Legacy Cup is a dream come true. I feel really enthusiastic about coming back and doing this next year. I feel so privileged to compete here and want to thank my trainers Joe Sorce and Leslie Ward and the owner Kristin Montemarano for all their support."

ABOUT THE LEGACY CUP
The two-week Legacy Cup was developed to benefit the show hunter sport with a unique format, unprecedented rewards and a pleasant environment to showcase the hunters. It is the brainchild of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. (AHJF).

The Legacy Cup includes two professional and two non-pro divisions; one at 3' and one at 3'6" and the Legacy Cup Pony Hunter Division. In addition the format allows for multiple awards within each class and division. Each division has a Go Round and a Finals.

Each Go Round offers a guaranteed purse of $1,500. Go Rounds rank the top 25 horses for a clean slate Final. The entry fee is $400 of which 50% goes directly to the division purse and 50% to the AHJF for the expenses associated with the event. In addition the Legacy Cup Committee committed an added purse of $13,000.

The Legacy Cup is unique in that it focuses on being different than the other typical Hunter classes. Riders receive more money and prizes thanks to an add-back format and the support of sponsors. Bryan Baldwin/Meralex Farm sponsored the Pro 3'6" Finals. Ingram Charitable Fund, Inc. & The John Ingram Family sponsored the $3,000 3'6" Restricted Pro Finals. The $1,500 Pro 3'6" Go Round sponsor was Mr. & Mrs. Rush Weeden. McQuay Stables sponsored the $500 Restricted Pro Go Round. Gifts to the horses and riders were thanks to Personalized Products, Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery. The Pro Finals jacket awarded to the winner was sponsored by Stacey Lefton Glick & Kings Crossing LLC.

For more information about the Legacy Cup and complete results and photos visit www.legacycup.com or contact the AHJF (335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369), Phone: 508-835-8813, www.ahjf.com, email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

Results of 4 PRO 3'6" FINALS - 22 Qualifiers Kentucky Spring Horse Show - May 10, 2008 Judges- George Schneider & Philip DeVita; Rachel Kennedy & Patrick Rodes; Walter J. Lee & Mark Jungherr