Delight and Surprise at the Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals
Saugerties, NY (September 14, 2014) – The 2014 Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals continued to dazzle at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, as the 2’6” Children’s and Adult Medal Finals, Adult Hunters and Children’s and Adult Jumpers took stage.
The League Finalists gave onlookers a chance to preview the future of the sport as both up and coming riders and campaigners gave it their best in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix stadium.
Marshall and & Sterling 2’6” Adult and Children’s Medal Finals
Equitation champs nationwide came to compete in the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League 2’6” Children’s and Adult Medal Finals at HITS Saugerties--and the cream of the crop rose to the top.
Adult Amateurs Equ It Out in the 2'6 Adult Medal Final
Ashley V. Coppola of Spring Lake, New Jersey, has been working all year to prepare for the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals. Her diligence, practice and dedication to qualifying paid off. She rode her own lovely gray Thoroughbred Aurora Borealis to the win with scores of 81 in the first round and 79 in the second for a total of 160, topping over 40 riders who came aiming for the same.
Just a point away, Brittany Russo showed Ambition, owned by Baily Hughes, to second place honors with an 85 in the first and 74 in the second round. Suzanne Meyers placed third with scores of 78 and 77 on Melissa Fellers’ Imported. Lisa White on her own Chance of Rainbows was fourth with a 77 and 74 respectively, while Erin Brennan capped the top five on Armand Chenelle’s Day Dream Believer with scores of 76 and 70.
Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance presents top honors to Ashley V. Coppola and Aurora Borealis after they won the 2'6 Adult Medal Finals
Future Stars Fill the 2’6 Children’s Medal Final
Nearly fifty Junior contenders came to compete in this year’s Marshall & Sterling 2’6” Children’s Medal Finals. Sixteen year old Kendall Vogt of Westport, Connecticut, riding Wodan's Willie Wonka, owned by Darcie Peck, ultimately scored highest, and took home the hardware. With a score of 79 in round one and a poised and precise ride in round two for an 85 in the second, she made an impressive come back.
"I was happy with my first round and how I was going into the second round in fourth," Vogt said, adding "My second go was better but I certainly didn't expect to move from fourth place to first." “It was surprising and probably one of the most exciting moments of my life," she smiled.
Vogt trains with Michele West and Leslie Kogos at Larkspur farm in Wilton, Connecticut. “I'm so fortunate to be able to ride with them,” she said. “They have been amazing trainers and an inspiration,” she noted. “I rode on and off as a little girl but two years ago started riding at Larkspur and came up to Saugerties to watch the Marshall & Sterling League Finals. In 2013 I competed in my first rated show at HITS Ocala-- and without Leslie and Michele would not have come this far in two years. "HITS also made that dream possible,” she added.
Like many Marshall & Sterling competitors who echoed the same, Vogt “Loved being at Finals and the opportunity to show in the Grand Prix ring over the beautiful jumps. She noted how, "The course was challenging but rode very nicely and I enjoyed it a lot.”
The Marshall & Sterling 2’6” Children’s Medal Final was Vogt’s goal all year. “At every show we went to I entered the Marshall & Sterling Medal to get points towards the Final,” she said. Her goals are to keep riding and showing in the equitation, and qualify for the Marshall & Sterling Finals again--and ride in college.
©ESI Photography
Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Kristen Vale of HITS present honors to Kendall Vogt and Woden's Willie Wonka after winning the Childrens 2'6 Medal Final.
After two rounds of heated competition, Brook Stanley, riding Emma Gorham’s Galliano produced a lovely trip and placed second with scores of 85 and 77, and Amanda Fanning on Mary Savage’s Raise the Bar was Third with an 81 and 79. Alyx Podgurski rode Mary Beth McGee’s Typhoon to fourth, scoring 78 and 81 while Julia Robinson riding her own Sander, was fifth.
Jumpers Rock the Clock at Marshall & Sterling Insurance League Finals
It was all about speed and precision as jumper riders took their turn in the spotlight during the 24th annual Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson. Adult and Children’s riders alike came to claim the $10,000 purse, and pursued national titles over large and expansive courses that tested riders’ eyes and experience--and their horses’ athleticism.
$7,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic
Alissa Kinsey, of Danville, New Hampshire, riding her 17 year old Hanoverian Grisset gave spectators a lightning fast display of technical panache and talent, besting the second closest time by three seconds, finishing with no faults and a time of 31.42. Kinsey was one of three clears in the first round. Julianne Marklin, riding Follow My Heart placed second with a clear round in a time of 33.51, while Casey Millis on Secret Agent finished with eight faults and a time of 37.02. Alyssa Jackson on Baby Steps finished fourth and Kendall Casaccio riding Elevation 1147, fifth.
©ESI Photography Alissa Kinsey and Grissett fly their way to the win~and some nice prize money in the $7500 Marshall & Stering Final Adult Jumper Classic
$7,500 Marshall and & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic
Taegan Long, from Medford, New Jersey, riding Maria Long’s Pollux de Shalimar, emerged as the winner and star with a faultless first round and clean jump-off in a time of 32.14 in a race for the $7,500 Children’s Jumper Classic prize. She bested 21 competitors, six of whom returned to a hotly contested jump off. Long also returned on her own Pocohontas for the jump off, and earned third place honors with four faults in a time of 33.19
©ESI Photography Taegon Long and Pollux de Shalimar tackling the much talked about Chess Jump used in the Zoetis Million Dollar Grand Prix only a week before.
Jade Webby riding Why Not, with a clear round in a time of 32.385 was second, giving her the red ribbon. Joan Reilly riding Condor was clear all the way to the last fence, but a heartbreak rail for four faults in a time of 37.541 gave them fourth. Bridget Perier on VDL Boston captured fifth with four faults in a time of 41.307 and Jenna Buchan aboard Narka D’Auzay finished sixth with eight faults in 34.920 seconds.
©ESI Photography
Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Kristen Vale of HITS present awards to Taegon Long and Pollux de Shalimar for winning the Childrens $7500 Children's Jumper Classic
Marshall and Sterling Adult Working Hunter Championship
Linda Corvari’s Larger Than Life certainly knows how to fill a ring with consistency and style, and Corvari’s home with ribbons and trophies. Once again they entered the HITS-on-Hudson Marshall & Sterling winner’s circle, this time to pick up the Adult Working Hunter Championship at this year’s Finals. The pair took first in the $1,200 Adult Working Hunter Over fences, sixth in the $2000 Stake then returned for blue in the $750 Under Saddle.
©ESI Photography: With the Catskill Mountains as a backdrop on a beautiful early fall day, Linda Corvari on her sweet chestnut and friend Larger Than Life, winning the Adult Hunter Championship.
Earlier in the week Larger Than Life picked up the Marshall & Sterling Champion Working Hunter--Pro Division honors, with Melissa Fellers in the irons. Corvari credited the fine job Fellers does of “warming him up” for her, and Larger Than Life’s consistency and forgiving personality. “He’s always great, despite my mistakes,” Corvari said as she left the ring Friday, hands full of shining Marshall & Sterling swag.
©ESI Photography
Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance present trainer Robert Beck and Linda Corvari the honors for winning HITS Adult Hunter Championship
Reserve Champion went to Emily Miller from Leesport, Pennsylvania, and her own Bellefield. Coverage of over-all champions and events that make the Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals a special occasion will follow in the coming days. Until then please click here to review results and galleries.
For the day’s Marshall & Sterling results 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
About The Marshall & Sterling League
The 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 Marshall & Sterling League features 16 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order 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. Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is 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 is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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