Ellen Toon and Invincible Presented Automation-Model Cadet Memorial Perpetual Trophy at the
Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Featuring the 125th National Horse Show
Photo Credit: Ellen Toon and Invincible, who were presented
with the Automation-Model Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Photo (C) 2008 Jenny
Underwood/PMG.
Syracuse
Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Featuring the 125th National
Horse Show
Syracuse, NY
- October 29, 2008 - Today
kicked off the first of five days of competition for the Syracuse Invitational
Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 125th National Horse Show. The
show is held at the Oncenter Complex in downtown Syracuse
and will run through November 2.
The professional hunter and amateur owner di
visions competed
for ribbons following the National Open Jumper class. In the Amateur Owner 35
and Over division, South Salem, NY,
based Ellen Toon and her horse Invincible were awarded two first place ribbons.
Toon rides with JT Farm, led by trainer/rider Jimmy Toon. JT Farm has two
locations in South Salem, NY,
and Wellington, FL. "The course was really good today. It is a smaller ring so
the jumps come up a little bit faster, but the jumps were just beautiful," said
Toon. "He was a little up, but not bad. He is so easy to ride. I don't like to
show two weeks in a row so I flatted him all last week."
In addition to
the top prize they were also honored with The
Automation-Model Cadet Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the overall best round in
the first two classes of the amateur owners.
"He has really figured it o
ut this year; it's easy for him.
He knows what his job is and doesn't make it any harder," praised Toon.
Jennifer Alfano was on point today and took home top honors
in two divisions of the professional hunters. Riding and training for Susie Schoellkopf
and SBS Farms, Inc., Alfano piloted Jersey Boy to the win in the Green Working
Hunters.
"I went first in the class and the course rode very nic
ely.
Jersey Boy was awesome," said Alfano. "He is very comfortable here. He likes
the ring and he was really good. I prepared the same as I always do. I rode him
this morning and he was ready to go. He is pretty easy to get ready."
Ab
oard Sting, owned by Helen Lenahan, Alfano rode to her
second blue ribbon of the day in the Regular Conformation Hunters. She was also
second in the Regular Working Hunters.
"It was wonderful. The footing fe
els great and the course
rides great as well. So far everything feels really nice," said Alfano.
Keri Kampsen was the best of the Regular Working Hunters.
She was riding Exupery, who is owned by Stephen Borders.
"He is the most
beautifully broke horse I have ever gotten
the opportunity to ride. His wife is a beautiful dressage rider. They have done
all the work, and I just got the glory today," said Kampsen.
Kampsen con
tinued, "He is the lightest horse on his feet
that I have ever ridden. He always knows where he is. Last year he jumped over
the top of the standards and this year he has finally leveled out a little bit.
The horse show has been great so far. The footing has been wonderful to ride in." Moving on to the Amateur Owner 18-35 division, Stephanie
Riggio rode her horse Indian Summer to the win. Riggio picked up a second place
ribbon in the second class as well.
"It is exciting to be here for the N
ational Horse Show. I am
so excited we decided to come here. It is very glitzy and sparkly out there,"
said Riggio. "The banners and jumps are just beautiful; I feel like horses are
jumping so well because the jumps are so impressive. There is a lot for them to
look at. My horses really rose to the challenge and jumped really well today."
Scott Stewart picked up winning ribbons of his
own today as
well. He was first in the Green Conformation Hunters aboard mount
Ovation. He also won the Regular
Conformation Hunter Model class with Music Street,
owned by Krista and Alexa Weisman. Ken Berkley and Sambolino, owned by Gina
Day, were first in the Green Conformation Hunter Model.
Highlights for tomorr
ow include the conclusion of the
professional and amateur owner hunters, and the junior hunters begin showing.
Following the hunters, jumpers compete in the Amateur Owner Speed classes. In
the evening, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.,
will be the Pasmore Cup, Regular Working Hunter Stake, and the Atlas Fence
class.
This photo may be used free of charge only in relation t
o this press
release.
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