with Clara Lindner aboard, was the 1999 winner. In 2000, the Hanoverian chestnut gelding Most Wanted carried the youngest rider, 13-year-old Cody Baird (CT) to the win.

For Cody Baird winning the event in 2000 was a surprise. "I wasn't planning on winning a ribbon. The victory for me was just getting here." Baird's trainer, Scott Stewart, 1999 Chronicle of the Horse Professional World Championship Hunter Rider, wasn't surprised. "We knew she could do it." Most Wanted placed eighth in the 2001 Classic and was fourth in 2002. Baird also placed ninth in 2002 on Allstar.

While all the horses compete over the same course of fences, the height is changed according to the level they qualified at. Junior (such as Most Wanted), Amateur-Owner, and the Green Professional Hunters compete over a height of 3' 6". There is no entry fee and riders have to qualify in order to compete by winning Championships in a variety of hunter classes held during the February 11-15 Winter Equestrian Festival. The class is unique in that it is run in the evening under the lights and attracts an unusually large audience for a hunter competition. And there is no charge to come through the gates.

Also featured is a sponsored dinner which is the major fundraiser for the American Hunter Jumper Foundation and its programs. The AHJF was formed to further the development of the sport of show hunting by providing a national office to organize, coordinate and support hunter rider and show jumping equestrian competition. Programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF BSA Inc. 401k and Profit Sharing Plan and the Legacy Cup.

For information about purchasing tables for the fundraising dinner call the Winter Equestrian Festival Special Events Office: 561-753-3389, Fax 561-753-3386 or email SJIpressoffice@aol.com. For information about the Hunter Classic contact the AHJF at 335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369, call 508-835-8813, fax 508-835-6124 or email AHJF@aol.com. For WCHR point standings: www.ryegate.com/AHJF/2002/stand/standing.htm.v