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HITS » Best of the Best Eq It Out and Win Big at Marshall & Sterling Insurance League Finals 2014

Best of the Best Eq It Out and Win Big at Marshall & Sterling Insurance League Finals 2014

 
 
SAUGERTIES, NY (September 21, 2014) As the 2014 Marshall & Sterling Insurance League Finals came to a close at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, onlookers had a chance to preview the future of the sport as medalists and Equitation finalists, M&S best of the best, entered the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium, and came head to head.  Poised under pressure, there were many moments of equestrian grace, horsemanship and athleticism on display.
 
If these Marshall & Sterling competitors are any indication of the future in the show ring (and sport itself) ~ it looks promising.
 

Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final
Winner: Patricia Garrett from Victor, New York, on Casper Van’t Gestelhof

Since her first lesson seven years ago, fifteen year old Patricia Garrett’s passion has been horseback riding.  No stranger to HITS, she competes on both circuits in Saugerties and Florida--and this year's Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final winner.
 
 
 
 
 
Patricia Garret & "Casper"
 

Garrett is also a dedicated student with a near perfect GPA who enjoys Chemistry--but her main concern is riding. She often begins the day doing so, and ends the same way.  She trains with Kristen Montevecchio out of Blumont Stables, without whom Garrett said, “None of this would have been possible.”The horse that carried her to victory was Casper Van't Gestelhof (or “Casper”), a twelve year old Belgian Warmblood she’s owned for year and a half. Garrett noted how Casper was, “On and prepared for the class. Every distance I asked him to move up to he opened his stride and jumped smoothly. Around the barn he's a sweetheart and favorite of everyone. He loves bananas!”
 
 
 
 
©ESI Photography  Patricia Garrett and Casper Van’t Gestelhof cool and precise on their way to winning

Her favorite aspect of Marshall & Sterling Finals? “I LOVE competing in the  Strongid® C 2X  Grand Prix Stadium at HITS, being able to gallop up to the lines in such an open space.”

Of her Medal winning round she noted, “When I saw the course I was a bit concerned about the bending five stride line off the right lead, but we pulled it off smoothly...Kristen gave me a plan I was able to execute perfectly and overall we were happy with how it went."
 
 
  ©ESI Photography Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling present Patricia Garrett, Kristen Montevecchio and Casper Van’t Gestelhof with M & S Junior Medal Final honors
 
 
Upon hearing she’d won the class Garrett admitted, “I was totally overwhelmed because it was my first Finals. I never expected to win!”Garrett’s main goal all year was to qualify for Marshall & Sterling Finals. She wants to ride in college and eventually the Olympics. She said her parents are "wonderfully supportive" and she’s grateful. They’ve taught her life lessons that carry into the show ring: “One is that trust is earned--and anything is possible.”

Second place in the class was Kennedy Knapic, of Smithtown, New York, on her own Zedulon.  Knapic rides with James Benedetto at Stonyhill Farm.  Lauren Paddock riding Camora, owned by Prosapia, Inc. took third.  Fourth was Adriana Savettiere and Lazio, owned by Redfield Farm. Caroline Berman on her own Signature was fifth.

Marshall & Sterling Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Final
Winner: Stephanie Moscove of Avon, Connecticut on El Passo, owned by Theresa Lamothe of Falls Village, Connecticut.
 
Moscove, eighteen, trains with Carolyn Mainardi and began riding at the age of three. Her mount for the M & S Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Final was El Passo, a stunning black 17.2 hand gelding she's leased from owner Theresa Lamothe for only five months. In that time the pair have worked diligently, hit their stride, shown and placed well at many horse shows--quickly rising to the top or cream of the crop among Marshall & Sterling qualifiers. 
 
 
©ESI Photography El Passo and Moscove on course during the Marshall & Sterling Junior/Amateur Medal Final

“I was winning the M&S Horsemanship Class the entire time when we tested on the flat...exciting but nerve wracking too,” Moscove said. “But Passo knows when it’s showtime and tries his heart out no matter what, wherever he is. It was exhilarating to win--and I couldn't be more proud of him.” 
 
 
©ESI Photography Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling and Kristen Vale-Mosoack of HITS present Stephanie Moscove and El Passo with Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Medal Final honors
 

Second went to Katie Gray from Essex, Vermont on her own Q Two. Gray has been riding for seven years and a student at Sacred Heart University. She rides with Tara Valade at Stonehaven Farm in Milton, Vermont.

Gray, pleased with her placing in the class said, “HITS Saugerties is one of my favorite shows and I spend a lot of time there during the summer. I started doing the jumpers this year and rode in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium before this event. That experience definitely helped prepare me for today's medal.”




“The course was a lot of fun," she added, “I like when they begin with forward lines because it sets the pace for the rest of the trip...placing second in this class was rewarding because this was my horse, Q-Two’s (or “Q’s”) first equitation final. Though he was doing Grand Prix in Europe!” (where Gray and her trainer found him).

Her favorite thing about Q is that, “He will jump anything and you can see he is really having fun.” "It’s wonderful and rare to have a horse who enjoys their job and wants to win as badly as I do.”

Going into the first round Gray’s plan was to make it as smooth as possible.  “I’ve shown at the M&S Finals a few years now but this year was a high point. Having a horse with no equitation experience walk out second place was such a satisfying moment for me."

Gray will continue riding throughout the school year. After college she wants to be a working student, show Q in the jumpers, “and return to HITS Saugerties, home to some of my best memories," she smiled.
 
 
 
Katie & Q Two At the Marshall & Sterling Finals

 
Caroline Berman of Lexington, Massachusetts placed third on Signature, fourth was Ariana Morales on Louvell, owned by Morgan Schneider and fifth Cali Ebersol of West Granby, Connecticut, on Nick of Time owned by La Luna Partners.
 
 
Sore No-More Children’s Medal Final - Horse
Winner: Nicola Boulter, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey on Lorentin, owned by Redfield Farm. Boulter is trained by Robert Beck at Hunters Crossing Farm.

Boulter, eighteen, has been riding for eleven years. She credits trainer Robert Beck for “polishing me off.”  Boulter also just began her freshman year at Villanova University and double majoring in English and Education.

She’s only owned Lorentin, a sixteen year old Holsteiner gelding since January and said, “It was surprising and gratifying to win the Final on him after not riding for a month (She was at school). “He’s fantastic and I could not ask for a better teammate.”   
 

©ESI Photography Nicola Boulter on Lorentin in the  Sore No-More Medal Final

What does she love about the Marshall & Sterling Finals?  “The courses are always beautiful in Saugerties and jumps this year very creative (!)," she noted.
 
Boulter was, “Nervous going into the second round but scored an 86--so guess it went well." "The best part was having my close friends and fellow M&S competitors congratulate me with open arms. Their love and support made my day!”

She also wanted, "To thank everyone along the way for the amazing memories. I do not know what the future holds for me as a rider but know I will never stop. This was a great way to end my junior career!"

Success was even sweeter as Boulter’s barn mate and close friend Nina Columbia, thirteen, from Kinnelon, New Jersey took second. Third went to Kendall Casaccio of Marmore, New Jersey riding Wilhelm owned by Cristyn Edwards. Fourth was Lena Rae Reeb of Weston, Connecticut riding Jamie Ringel’s Private Ryan. Alyssa DiFazio hailing from Far Hills, New Jersey, riding Eye Spy owned by Morgan Windish of Hillsborough, New Jersey took fifth.
 
 
 
 
©ESI Photography  Nicola Boulter and trainer Robert Beck receive honors from Sore No-More CEO Dr. Jay Altman,  Ezekial Altman, Vice President of Operations and HITS Kristen Vale-Mosack.


M&S Child Pony Medal Final - Sm/Med
Winner: Julia Blaney of Westport, Connecticut riding her pony Rainsox. Blaney is trained by Jenny Martin-Rudaz at Fairfield County Hunt Club.
 

©ESI Photography Julia Blaney riding her way to victory on Rainsox
 

Second went to Amanda Panaccione from Old Bridge, New Jersey on her own Cowboy, third was Lauren Reid from Martinsville, New Jersey and Kiss Me Kate, owned by Kelly Lasch of Bedminster, New Jersey.  Fourth, Lila Ouellette and Pentimento Bay owned by Mary Beth McGhee and fifth went to Eliza Kimball from New York, New York and One Hot Pepper, owned by Joe Currais also of New York.
 
 

©ESI Photography Julia Blaney and Rainsox accept Small/Med Children's Pony Medal awards from Kristen Vale-Mosack of HITS 
 
 
M&S Child Pony Medal Final - Large
Winner: Meghan Knapic of Smithtown, New York on Sunlight, owned by First Blue LLC.

Knapic, fourteen, has been riding since she was two years old and worked all year to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling Children's Working Hunter Medal~Large Pony section. She trains with Jenna Weinfurt and Lauren Gridley of First Blue LLC, whom she credits her success.    

The Marshall & Sterling Finals is one of Knapic's favorite shows all year, “Because you’re with great competitors and friends and the staff is so helpful and friendly.”
 

©ESI Photography Meghan Knapic on Sunlight tackle the sunflowers and take the Large Children's Pony Medal home
 
Her mount, Sunlight, is a 14.2 Welsh gelding owned by Weinfurt. The young rider was “excited to show Sunny in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium because it’s large and jumps this year were so cool,” she smiled.  “The best part was my second trip because the course felt great and I was happy with how I rode.”

Knapic will be moving up to horses soon, showing in the jumpers and junior hunters--and plans to return  Marshall & Sterling Finals next year.  “I love the Finals, it's a very inviting show, there are cool places to go nearby and showgrounds are beautiful.”

Second was Carlie Taurosa from Allenwood, New Jersey, on her own Scoop Me Up. Taurosa is trained by Barbara Feigus at Nevergreen Farm. Chloe Terestcheuko on  Benlea Sea Wolf came in third while Cloe Hymowitz, from New York, New York on Olivander took fourth. Angela Jean Peck riding Onstar owned by Kylie Schoelen, rounded out the top
five.
 

©ESI Photography Meghan Knapic and Sunlight accept honors from HITS Kristen Vale-Mosack

 
M&S Adult Medal Final
Winner: Britta Lippert from Sea Girt, New Jersey riding her own mount, Archie. She trains with Crystal Young at Forever
Young Show Stables.
 
 
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©ESI Photography Britta Lippert and Archie on their way to the win


 
Second was Tracie Schoelen from Toms River, New Jersey riding Redford. Schoelen is also a student of Young's and Forever Young Stables. Third was Katie Gray on Q Two (who placed second in the Jr/Am Horemanship Final, see above), Mindy Whitman on Beni took fourth and Tyler Linde on Zikomo owned by Alyse Kuprionas, fifth.
 
 


©ESI Photography Britta Lippert, trainer Crystal Young and Archie accept awards for the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal Final from Kristen Vale-Mosack of HITS
 
Best Over-all Adult Rider--went to Erin Harvill from Orlando, Florida and A Lasting Impression,  trained by Elizabeth Cloutier and Brookmore Farm.
 
Year-End Award Winners Honored  Between the weekend's heated competition and festivities The Marshall & Sterling Insurance League celebrated 24 years of shows and closed the qualifying season with its annual awards banquet. The event was held at the popular Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties, New York.
 


©ESI Photography It was a lovely evening for all Saturday at the annual Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals Year End Awards Banquet at Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern.


©ESI Photography:  Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance presents awards and honors while Emily Thompson and Ellen Hart  of Éce Equestrian give Éce shirts at the Year End Banquet (www.eceequestrian.com)

For more great shots from the banquet and M & S galleries please click here


     They Came for the competition and facilities                  
Stayed for year-end awards and festivities               
  Took home the ribbons and unforgettable memories        
 
  Marshall & Sterling Finals, Fall 2014
 
 
 ©ESI Photography (Special thanks to Chris Greer, too: )
 
About The Marshall & Sterling League Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating its 24th year, the League features 16 divisions of competition. Riders who are members have the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
 
 The Marshall & Sterling League is proudly sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864 and among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in providing exceptional service and support. The company maintains a national presence and licensed in all 50 states and U.S. Virgin Islands.