Chelsea Kasper and Miss Mo Top $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at Vermont Summer Festival

East Dorset, VT – July 9, 2022 – Hunter competition was back in the spotlight Saturday afternoon at the Vermont Summer Festival, showcasing top horses and riders in the $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Nearly 30 combinations contested the two-round classic style class, all vying for a chance to win the top prize. Following both rounds of competition, the overall top spot went to Chelsea Kasper riding Miss Mo, leading from start to finish.

Kasper has her eyes on showing in the $50,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final [in Saugerties] in September. “We typically do derbies with her, but it has been really fun to do the finals class when you get to ride in the grand prix ring [in Saugerties]. She also does the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunters with me as well,” stated Kasper. “I grew up doing the jumpers, so I always like doing the derbies and the handy hunter rounds, but she doesn’t really care – no matter what you put this horse in she performs. Today, we just stuck to the plan and just trusted each other, and she did her job.”


Chelsea Kasper and Miss Mo

The two-round Platinum Performance Hunter Prix featured two rounds for riders to demonstrate classic hunter style. Following the first round of competition, the top 12 riders returned in reverse order for round two. Consistency was the name of the game in round two, where each horse and rider pair had to prove they could continue to showcase brilliance during the final round. In the end, it was Christina Major’s Miss Mo with Chelsea Kasper in the irons that impressed the judge the most with their classic hunter style and beautiful jump.

“We got Miss Mo four years ago, and she has the biggest heart of any horse and is so kind and so loved,” explained Kasper. “We ship into the show because we are from Keene, New Hampshire – she does really well off the trailer and loves to be turned out a lot, so if we can make it happen for her, we try to always get her home so she can get turnout.”

Starting in the middle of the pack in the first round and earning a score of 85, the pair took advantage of coming back late in the second round. The judge rewarded their strong performance again with another high score of 84 and an overall total of 169 points.


Avery Schauder and Tru Balou

Also impressing the judge throughout the competition was Tru Balou, who was the winner of the $5,000 National Hunter Derby on Thursday with Emma Schauder. This time, the Country Lane Farm entry was piloted by younger sister, Avery Schauder. After earning an 84 in round one, Schauder delivered a beautiful effort once again in round two and captured another score of 84 – for 168 total and one point behind Kasper. Rounding out the top three was Abby Kay with Vespa, who rode to a 165 overall score.


Abby Kay and Vespa

Kasper was thrilled to lead the victory gallop at the end of the day, saying, “We have come here literally every summer for as long as I can remember – years and years I grew up coming to this show. We just really love this show – it’s beautiful and everyone is always super nice, so we love to make this a stop.

Riders competing in the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix classes across the country are aiming for the $50,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship during HITS-On-The-Hudson this September. Riders who compete in five qualifying classes will have the opportunity to ride two horses in the final! For more information click here.


Chelsea Kasper and Miss Mo