Pony Jocks and Their Four Legged Partners Star at HITS Saugerties Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 18, 2014) Pony jocks and their four legged partners descended upon the HITS show grounds and Strongid®C 2X Grand Prix Stadium during the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson last weekend. 

Jodhpurs and bows, ice cream socials, cheering friends and families and fierce competition--combined into unforgettable weekend.

For detailed results please visit:  Marshall & Sterling Finals 2014

 Pony Ring Action

Children’s Working Hunter – Small Pony

Champion: Heavenly Zechariah and Blythe Novick  

Reserve:  Short Story and Stella Propp

Blythe Novick from New Canaan, Connecticut riding Heavenly Zechariah, owned by David Bakutis of Wallingford, Connecticut, trains with Ruth Nicodemus at Serenity Show Stables (Stamford, Connecticut). Blythe is 10 years old and ridden with Nicodemus for the past three years. She began her winning ways in walk trot classes at an early age.

“The Marshall & Sterling finals was our big goal this year,” said Nicodemus, “It's a fantastic and rare opportunity for kids  to ride in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium.” “I'm a huge fan of HITS’ course designers--the hunters and Eq courses invite smooth, fluid riding and true flatwork. "They were challenging without over facing and judges top notch."

©ESI Photography Blythe and Heavenly Zechariah make an irresistible pair

 "Blythe was champion on Zechariah and took second and eighth over fences on her other pony Backstage," added Nicodemus, "Overall we're very pleased."

 "I'm so sad it's over, can we come back next year Ruth?"  Blythe asked during the interview. “You bet,” Nicodemus replied. She plans on bringing a group of qualified students to Marshall & Sterling Finals 2015 in Saugerties and thanked HITS for “A great experience and week--the staff is accommodating and warm, and really know how to run a horse show.” 

Reserve Champion was Stella Propp, from New York, New York. Propp is a Marshall & Sterling Finals pony pro, having shown at the Finals and Hits-on-the Hudson before and taken multiple championship honors home. She trains with Joe Currais and looks forward to qualifying and returning to Marshall & Sterling Finals next year. 

For detailed results on individual classes please click this link: Marshall & Sterling Finals 2014

Children’s Working Hunter – Medium Pony

Champion: Glencoe Charter Party, owned and ridden by Andrew Heim of Cape May, New Jersey.

Reserve:  One Hot Pepper,  Eliza Kimball of New York, New York, owned by Joe Currais, New York, New York.

©ESI Photography Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Kristen Vale-Mosack present Andrew Heim and the lovely Glencoe Charter Party with Championship honors.

Children’s Working Hunter – Large Pony

Champion: Romeo, Sophee Steckbeck

Reserve: Benlea Sea Wolf,  Chloe Terestcheuko

An extraordinary event happened during the Children’s Working Hunter Large pony Competition--the coveted Championship was decided with a four pony hack off!  For detailed results on individual classes click this link: Marshall & Sterling Finals 2014

Ultimately it was Romeo, beautifully ridden by Sophee Steckbeck, of Clarksburg, New Jersey and owned by Morgan Ward of Milford, New Jersey, who took top honors. 11-year-old Steckbeck  rides under the tutelage of Barbara and Brian Feigus. Steckbeck started riding at age four and a half, showing in the leadline divisions. She has leased Romeo for over a year from owner Ward.

©ESI Photography Sophee Steckbeck and Romeo in classic form during the HITS Children's Working Hunter Pony--Large division at the Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals 

Steckbeck heads to sixth grade in September and her next big event will be competing at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg in October.

Reserve went to Benlea Sea Wolf owned and ridden by Chloe Terestcheuko, of New York, New York. 

For detailed results on individual classes please click this link: Marshall & Sterling Finals 2014

Children's Working Hunter - Horse

Champion: Private Ryan and Lena Rae Reeb

Reserve: US Marshall and Rachael Hopkins

The seemingly unbeatable pair of Lena Rae Reeb, fifteen,  from Weston, Connecticut and Private Ryan, owned by Jamie Ringel of Wilton, Connecticut, were crowned Champion in the HITS Children's Working Hunter-Horse division. 

Reeb’s mother and trainer Leslie Kogos was ecstatic, “I am so proud of my daughter,” said Kogos. “She is focused and hardworking. Every day after the show she’s back in the barn, putting away horses, wrapping legs and doing whatever else needs to be done. She works just as hard in school and is a straight-A student."

©ESI Photography  Private Ryan and Lena Rae Reeb on course at the Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals.

Reeb's other trainer Michele West noted, "I’ve known her since she was six-years-old and to see how far she has come amazes me. She is a pleasure to teach and simply be around."

What does Reeb love most about the Marshall & Sterling Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson?  

“Riding in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium and jumping the beautiful jumps," she said.  Reeb also enjoys the "Family like atmosphere of seeing her friends and Marshall & Sterling qualifiers throughout the year, HITS staff and how they want all competitors to have a great experience...the beautiful presentations and awards."  “HITS and Marshall & Sterling make every win feel special--no matter how many years I’ve been coming here.”

©ESI Photography Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance present Lena Rae Reeb and Private Ryan with yet another Championship Trophy

Reserve was US Marshall, owned by Kiki Hopkins and ridden Rachael Hopkins, both from Ashland, Massachusetts. Rachel rides with Kathryn Fletcher at Grazing Field Farms. 

For detailed results on individual classes please click this link: Marshall & Sterling Finals 2014

Reeb Wins It For Her Team ~ Overall Grand Hunter Champion

Overall Hunter Champion: Private Ryan, Lena Rae Reeb, owned by Jamie Ringel

Reserve: Huckleberry Finn, owned by Susan Huyett, ridden by Sarah Tyndall

What can one possibly say that has not already about Junior rider Lena Rae Reeb (see above) and her partner in success Private Ryan~?

This was Private Ryan's 5th Grand Hunter Championship at the Marshall & Sterling Insurance Finals and Reeb's second consecutive year being honored with the title (riding Private Ryan).  Owner Jamie Ringel was previously Overall Grand Hunter Champion three times at the Marshall & Sterling Finals--with the same horse.

“Ryan is truly the horse of a lifetime,” said Leslie Kogos, Lena’s mother and trainer, of the venerable yet lovable sixteen year old chestnut Wurttenberg gelding.  Along with taking home the Marshall & Sterling Overall Championship honors, the pair captured the HITS Children’s Working Hunter Division Championship and Reeb was named Best Junior Rider on a Horse.

©ESI Photography
Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Kristen Vale-Mosack of HITS present Lena Rae Reeb, Leslie Kogos, Michele West and  Private Ryan with Overall Hunter Honors

“I had an amazing Marshall & Sterling Finals this year at HITS” said Reeb, "And am grateful to Jamie Ringel for the ride on Ryan. Also to my mother and Michele West, the best trainers and role models."  She added, “I would like to thank Tom Struzzieri (HITS Founder and CEO), his staff and Marshall & Sterling Insurance for making this event possible at all." 

Best Junior Rider--Horse: Lena Rae Reeb, Weston Connecticut, trained by Leslie Kogos and Michele West, on Jamie Ringel’s Private Ryan

©ESI Photography  Lena Rae Reeb on Private Ryan and her trainers Leslie Kogos and Michele West accept Best Junior Rider--Horse honors from HITS Kristen Vale-Mosack.

©ESI Photography Sophee Steckbeck and Romeo receiving Marshall & Sterling Finals Best Junior Rider honors from Kristen Vale-Mosack of HITS

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  

Image used with kind permission of the Thelwell Estate, All Rights Reserved

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 their 23rd year, the Marshall  & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the  League 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.