WWU hunter/jumpers earn ribbons in Tennessee

12/10/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

William Woods University students recently showcased at the Harvest Time Charity A-rated USEF hunter/jumper horse show in Germantown Tenn., earning one championship and three reserve championships.
 
Twenty horses, 19 riders, three grooms, videographers and photographers attended.  
 
“Everyone had a great time,” Jacque Franco, a senior from San Diego, Calif., said. “The people and overall atmosphere at Germantown are wonderful, and our horses and riders all performed beautifully throughout the week.”
 
Franco and Shadow Fax earned a third, fourth and fifth in their classes.
 
Kayla Lancashire, a freshman from Fenton, Mo., commented, “The overall atmosphere is like a big beauty pageant is how I can really explain it. The girls and guys that we competed against knew what they were doing and all their horses were in pristine condition.”
 
Lancashire and Double Shot Expresso placed second, third and several other places in various classes.
 
Shelby Dorfman, a freshman from Hainesville, Ill., and WWU horse Worthwhile, aka Watuga, earned champion in the limit rider division.  They also took two firsts, a third, a fourth and several other places in various classes.
 
“I enjoyed the show, it gave me a chance to show my skills and my horse’s skills and gave me the chance to get to know my new show team members,” Dorfman said. “We had a couple of sticky moments in our ride but he did very well considering we were there for a week.”  
 
The show grounds had a trail for the participants and their horses to ride on, which Taylor Hahn, a sophomore from Ellisville, Mo., appreciated. Hahn took a second, a third and several other places in various classes.
 
“I think it was great mentally for the riders, and especially the horses, to walk on the trails,” she said.
 
Other horses and riders who helped the team included Get In Line and Hannah Podgorski, a junior from Glastonbury, Conn. They were reserve champions in the .85 Meter Jumpers.  In addition, the pair claimed a first, second and two thirds in various classes.
 
Willoux and Anna Burman, a senior from Ramona, Calif., were reserve champions in the .95 Meter Jumpers.  The horse and rider took a first, a second, a third and several other places in various classes.
 
Timeless and Brie Lehnhoff, a senior from Lees Summit, Mo., were reserve champions in the Modified Child/Adult Hunters.  They also captured two firsts and several other places in various classes.
 
Other riders capturing first place ribbons were Ellie Cole of Friendswood, Texas, and Melanie Hemstreet of Issaquah, Wash.  Second place ribbons went to Kylee Elliott of Shawnee, Kansas, and Chelsea Ziebert of Sandy, Utah. Winning third place were Caydie Bennett of Aguanga, Calif., and Grace Palmer of St. Louis, Mo.
 
“We were competitive in all divisions we entered,” Linda McClaren, WWU professor of equestrian studies/hunter-jumper, said. “Several students received job offers and as always, our wonderful horses earned interest and praise from all.”
 
Each rider was responsible for the care of their WWU horse at the show.
 
“The horses do so much for us and they deserve to be pampered all week,” Hahn said. “The ribbons don't mean as much to me as all the little things we accomplished as a pair. One of the best parts of going to these shows, is accomplishing the goals you have made for yourself, and watching others achieve the goals they have set, as well.”
 
Lancashire added, “I really enjoyed this show. I soon adjusted fairly well to the schedule, and I got to learn a lot from my very first A show. I would highly recommend that show to anyone who would like to try showing at the A circuit level against the pros.”
                                                        
 
CUTLINES:
Riders from William Woods University gather with their coach, Linda McClaren (in white) after the Harvest Time Charity A-rated USEF hunter/jumper horse show in Germantown Tenn., where they earned one championship and three reserve championships.  (Blue Ribbon Photography by Kayla Cardinal)

Shelby Dorfman and WWU horse Worthwhile, aka Watuga, earn champion in the limit rider division. They also took two firsts, a third, a fourth and several other places in various classes.  (Blue Ribbon Photography by Kayla Cardinal)
 
Anna Burman and Willoux capture the reserve champion crown in the .95 Meter Jumpers.  The horse and rider also took a first, a second, a third and several other places in various classes.  (Blue Ribbon Photography by Kayla Cardinal)