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CULPEPER, VA (August 28, 2007)—Rachel Webster of Mechanicsville, Virginia rode Master Plan to victory during the Zone III Junior Equitation Finals, presented by Tad Coffiin Saddles, at HITS Culpeper on Sunday to cap off an exciting week of show jumping at the Winston National horse show.
Coincidently, Webster had just started her hunt for a new saddle and thanks to her victory, her search is over! She received a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle valued at more than $4,000 for her triumph. She also won a wool cooler courtesy of Zone III President Gary Baker. "The amazing thing is that she had been borrowing someone else's saddle for the last six months," said Rachel's mother Gail Webster. "This works out perfectly for her and she couldn't be more excited."
Rachel Webster is 15 and will be entering her sophomore year at Mechanicsville, Virginia's Hanover High School in the fall. She has been under the watchful eye of her trainer Pam Baker since November, and is just finishing up her first year competing at Rated horse shows.
"It was an amazing year for Rachel," said Gail Webster. "Her win on Sunday culminates a great year that was filled with hard work and dedication. Thanks to Pam Baker she has blossomed into a great young rider."
In all, 26 riders competed for the title. Webster was one of four riders asked to come back for a final test that ultimately determined the winner. Joining Webster for the final test were Caroline Ball and Rightfully So, Grace Glover and Belvedere and JC Kennedy and Brilliant. "All four of the girls that were called back were excellent," said event coordinator Pam Freeley. "The additional test was a perfect challenge. Rachel rode it to perfection and she was a deserving winner."
When the final test was complete, Ball and Rightfully So finished in second place and won a host of prizes, including a pair of custom half chaps from Chuck Panel Leather. For third place, Glover and Belvedere won a bridal courtesy of Hidden Hollow Farm, and a bridal bag from Marissa Messina. For fourth place, Kennedy and Brilliant won a halter from the Tack Box. The top-10 finishers each received a monogrammed saddle pad from Pleasant Grove Farm, a gift certificate to Champion Saddles and a silver gift box from the Preppy Pink Pony.
The event was open to residents of Zone III who are active junior members of USEF and USHJA. Two heights were offered, 3' and 3'6". The 3' section of the finals was open to junior riders that have not competed three times or more in the 3'6" division or classes. The 3'6" section is open; however, both sections were pinned as one in the final result. The course was designed by Jerry Dougherty and after the event Freeley praised his route. "The course rode well," said Freeley. "It was challenging and technical enough and it made everyone in the class ride up to the level of the Finals." "We are thrilled with the turnout we had for the Finals," said HITS President Tom Struzzieri. "HITS was proud to have this event at HITS Culpeper and we look forward to hosting the Zone III Junior Equitation Finals again in future years."
Show jumping at HITS Culpeper continues with the Constitution Classic horse show on Wednesday, August 29 and concludes on Sunday, September 2 with the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix. The featured class offers yet another chance to get into the field for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix. The top-30 horse/rider combinations based on prize money won will be invited back to HITS Culpeper for the USGPL Finals in late September, where they will duel it out for the top prize. The only way to get into this invitational class is to be in the top-30 in prize money won at any HITS horse show throughout the show season. Six Olympians packed the star-studded field in last year's $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper with Chris Kappler coming out of the class $30,000 richer when he secured the blue-ribbon aboard VDL Orame.
The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse-sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 U.S. Cup, the grand finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park ever since. Approximately $1 million in total prize money is offered at the six HITS Culpeper events.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com
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