Prove It And Scott Stewart Return To The Winners Circle At The 121st National Horse Show In Wellington, Florida.

Prove It, owned by Alexa Weisman with Scott Stewart riding.
Photo by: Randi Muster

Wellington, Florida. December 1 - Following an opening day shut out on Tuesday, Scott Stewart shook off a case of nerves and returned to the winners circle twice on Wednesday, day two of the 121st National Horse Show, in Wellington, Florida.

In the Green Conformation Hunters, Stewart rode Krista Weisman's Tribute to the win, edging out Scott Hofstetter and Alena, owned by Annie Koch. Tribute lit up the scoreboard with an 86.16 while Alena posted an 84. Stewart said that Tribute, Grand Champion Hunter at last year's National Horse Show, showed much improvement from Tuesday to Wednesday. "He was much better today, much more focused. Yesterday he stopped paying attention in one line and we ran into a little trouble. Today he really tried hard. He's such a good boy," Stewart said, beaming.

But Stewart, a rider who has won more hunter classes than any hunter rider in history, still had something to prove and his second win today might have been one of the most important of his career. It was a chance for Stewart to regain his confidence on Prove It, the horse that turned head over heels with him at the Capital Challenge in early October, severely breaking his ankle.

Following an uneasy round on Tuesday, their first trip together since the fall, Stewart and Prove It today scored an 84.33 to win the Regular Working Hunters. Prove It, owned by Alexa Weisman, edged Stephanie Riggio's Fiddlers Bridge ridden by Sandy Ferrell, who posted an 84.00 for second place.

"Prove It was great today," said Stewart following his victory. "Actually, he was ready to be great yesterday as well, but just coming back on him I was pretty nervous in the ring. Today, I was much more relaxed and we got together nicely," said Stewart.

"I'm not really sure what happened or why we fell at Capital Challenge, so coming back it was just a matter of gaining trust again," Stewart explained. "I like him to be a little long and a little weak to the jump because that is his best jump and yesterday I found myself hesitant to do that. Yesterday I rode tentatively, but today it got better and tomorrow should be even better still," Stewart said.

Prove It was injured for a good portion of this season as well, missing all of the Florida tour, following his championship last year in the 2nd Year Green Working Hunters here at The National.

When the two are together and not battling injuries, they are nearly unstoppable.

"He was on the sidelines most of the early part of this season and began showing again at Upperville in June of this year", Stewart said. "So from then until we had the fall that sidelined me, we were champion at every show at which we competed. He's had an amazing year, considering all he's missed," said Stewart.

In the First Year Green Working Hunters, it was Holly Shepard taking home top honors on Tobasco, owned by Ann Marie Walker. Shepard's 89.33 was the highest score of the day. Scott Stewart was just a point off the pace with an 88.33 and finished second on Dynamic, owned by Carolyn Kelly.

Shepard said she enjoys showing the hunters on the big grass field at the International Arena. "Tobasco is very scopey and he has a real big stride," she said. "I love riding out there on the big field because he loves to gallop. He's a blast to ride, you just drop the reins and head him towards the jumps. He makes my job so much fun," Shepard said.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter victory went to Ken Berkley and Good Point, their second win in as many days. Good Point, owned by Fashion Farm, scored an 86.00 for the win. Shachine Belle's score of 84.00 aboard Ellen Toon's Attache was good for the red ribbon.

So far, Berkley and Good Point are the only ones to win back to back jumping classes. "He jumped great yesterday, he jumped well today," Berkley said. "Actually, all through indoors he's been good. He's a very consistent horse." Berkley went on to say that the big grass field at The National Horse Show is particularly pleasant for Good Point. "It's a nice open and airy field, it's especially good for a confident, good jumping horse like Good Point," Berkley explained.

The Regular Conformation Hunter victory went to Ken Smith and Westcliffe, owned by Elizabeth and Christy Russo. Smith's winning score was an 83.66. Ken Berkley and For the Music, owned by Krista Weisman, finished second with a 75.33.

Smith, who is just learning the ropes of hunter judging himself, said that he had great respect for those that mark the cards in the hunter divisions. "I think it just makes you a better overall exhibitor. It helps you understand," Smith said. "Really, as a professional, I think everybody should try to do a little bit of everything in the business. They should run a horse show, they should know about the in gate- how hard that is- there's so much stuff that you take for granted. I think its good for people to do a little bit of everything," said Smith.

On Wednesday the rated hunters will compete in their third over fences class, which is also Round Three of the $150,000 National Horse Show Open Hunter Championship. Only the top twelve horses, accumulating the best scores from the five rated divisions, will advance to the final two rounds on Saturday afternoon.

WHAT: 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival

WHEN: November 30 - December 5, 2004

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, Wellington, Florida

TICKETS: 866-NHS-SHOW or on the web at www.nhs.org

THE EVENT:

The 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival is one of two shows produced by The National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Palm Beach Post National Welcome Stake, CSI*** (December 1)

Lexus National Horse Show Jumper Championship, CSI-W presented by Chesapeake Petroleum (December 3)

Budweiser AGA Championship, CSI*** presented by Chesapeake Petroleum (December 5)

THE FACILITY:

The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400' x 400' grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include the Diamond Horseshoe Club VIP area.

DIRECTIONS:

Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11 miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left - Equestrian Road.