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Winner’s Circle standing L to R: Linda Langmeier, Joe Dotoli, Patti Harnois, Ed Nowak, Cathy Grady, Monica Hunt, Maggie Gampfer, Beth Wrappe, Carl Catani, and Bailey Rowan. On horse: Blake Rowan on Ironman
This year marks the 49 th anniversary of the New England Equitation Championships, in its traditional venue in the Coliseum at The Big E in West Springfield, MA, complete with candy apples (for horses and humans!), silent auction, equine vendors and exhibitors ranging in age from nine to 78 years old. This five-day event is run by the volunteer NEEC Committee and is one of the longest running and most prestigious equitation finals in the country. All five days were livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV.
This year’s seasoned panel of judges included Scott Alder, Abby Blankenship, Robin Swinderman Mitchell, Ken Smith, Tammy Provost and David Wilbur. Scott Alder was the course designer and designed technical tracks that made inventive use of the unique Coliseum arena and challenging each age group in their own skill-appropriate way.
On Wednesday, October 16 the NEHC Adult Amateur 46+ Medal kicked off the show. Molly Calhoun laid down flawless rounds and took home the Champion ribbon on Tibri’s Rain King (Trainer: Andre Dignelli, Heritage Farm), with Reserve going to Julianne Calder on Kings of Leon (Trainer: Annie Dotoli, Tibri LLC). In the 28-45 division, Sara Wytrzes made a splash aboard Kaskade winning the Open B, Older Adult Sportsmanship, High Point Rider, the Medal and the NEHC Adult Grand Champion awards. (Trainer: Kathy Fletcher, Grazing Fields Farm). Julie Hogan on Lord Grey 2 took Reserve (Trainers: Linda Evans and Kim Ferro, Orion Farm).
On Thursday, Madeline Blake aboard Darko C won Open B and was Champion in the 22-27 Medal (Trainer: Gretchen Anderson, Apple Knoll Farm). Lila Ouellette on Merando won Open A, the Younger Adult Sportsmanship Award and was Reserve Champion in the Medal (Trainer: Johanna Hyyppa, Metro Stables). In the 18-21 section, Madison Olvert secured the Champion ribbon on Green Book (Trainer: Patti Harnois, Holly Hill Farm) and Reserve went to Nicholas Lopes on L. B. Compari (Trainer: Patti Harnois, Holly Hill Farm).
All Junior Open sections ran on Friday. The 15-17 Open section winners were Sydney Raidy, Emily Jurnovoy, Chloe Fares, Blake Rowan, and Katerina Feist. The 14 and Under Open blue ribbons went to Carys Murray, Emi Richard and Lillian Valiquette. The written phase of the Horsemanship Class also took place on Friday, taken by 90 riders. Originating at the NEEC and serving as inspiration for classes like it all over the country, our Horsemanship challenge is now in its 28th year. The class combines a rider’s written test score, practicum, and first round Finals score to determine the overall top Junior Horseperson.
After the written test and open rounds, family and friends gathered at the Marriott hotel for a fun-filled dinner and the traditional video celebrating Juniors in their last year. The Juniors voted for one of their peers to win the Junior Sportsmanship Award and this year they elected Kennedy Teasdale.
Saturday marked the fifth year of hosting the USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal Final – East. 113 Juniors competed in round one. The top 25 returned for a second round and the top five were called back to test. Riley Conigliaro took home the Champion ribbon on Bulgari de Huz Z (Trainer: Kate Stoffel-Oliver, Tammy Heuman, CEO Stables) and Keira Fitzgerald on Carado earned Reserve (Trainer: Amber Viera)
John Bahret was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. John is a lifelong horseman and forged a successful career as a horse show manager, judge and announcer at shows from coast to coast – including as announcer at the NEEC for nearly 30 years. John is on the board of and holds committee positions for the USHJA and is a beloved member of the New England equine community.
Then, it was time for the most anticipated class of the weekend…the one and only, world-famous Challenge of the States! Riders with top scores in the Open competed on teams of four riders and two chefs d’equipe to represent their home states – all while dressed in Halloween costumes and no help from trainers allowed! The junior riders did an impressive job of coaching each other and riding – planning and skillfully executing inside turns and working out stride options that made all of their trainers proud. NY 1 won Gold (by just 0.88 points), MA 2 won Silver and CT 3 took home the Bronze. The individual high point winner was Kaitlyn Linck. Thanks to an anonymous donor, all teams competed for prize money to donate to a charity of their choice. Gold chose the ASPCA, Silver sponsored Paws for Purple Hearts and Bronze supported Danny and Ron’s Rescue.
Sunday’s NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final featured 194 riders. 2023 Junior winner, Grace Shipman, and esteemed horsewoman, Ellie Raidt, lent their voices and experience to the livestream commentary during the final.
Between rounds, a number of awards were presented: Eleanor Pieters was named overall winner of the Katie Battison Horsemanship Award (her second time winning the class), winning the practicum with a score of 97 and the Final first round phases. Nora and Emma Woodworth tied for the win on the written section with a score of 82. Nora’s trainers Annie Dotoli and Aster Pieters of Tibri LLC were then awarded the Cookie DeSimone Horsemanship Trainer Award.
Blake Rowan earned the High Point Junior Rider Award with a score of 90 aboard Ironman (Trainers: Missy Clark, John Brennan, Maggie Gampfer, North Run). Top scoring Juniors who never competed in a 3’6” final compete for a separate set of ribbons and award called the Challenge Cup. First place went to Eliana Klane on Danton du Houssolf (Trainer: Val Renihan, Findlay’s Ridge).
After the awards, 27 riders were called back for round two of the Junior final. The second round course offered opportunities for riders to be bold and show handiness. At the close, Blake Rowan was more than five points ahead so there was no need for further testing. Blake Rowan was named Champion of the NEHC Junior Hunt Seat Medal riding Ironman. Trainers and winners of Norman Hall Award: Missy Clark, John Brennan, Maggie Gampfer, North Run. Reserve Champion was awarded to Sarah Hirsch (Trainers: Cathy Grady, Patti Harnois, Caitlin Venezia, Kennedy Sweeny, Holly Hill Farm).
The NEEC and its tight knit community of deeply devoted horse people have a long history of generosity and giving back. Several grants and scholarships are awarded each year: Helena Timpany won the Mason Phelps “Spirit of the Sport” Grant. Mason created the New England Hunt Seat Medal class. This grant is awarded to the Junior Rider whose essay was voted among the top three by the scholarship committee, scored the highest first round score at NEEC of the three finalists and qualified to compete at the NHS 3’3” Medal or Maclay finals at The National Horse Show. The winner is awarded $750 from the NEEC and $750 from the NHS to be put towards stalls, entries and entry blank fees at each final.
Sydney Smith won the NEEC Fred Hunt Adult Grant. To Commemorate his dedication to the New England horse world and his service on the NEEC committee for over 40 years, the NEEC sponsored an Adult Grant of $1,000 in Fred’s name. This grant goes to a qualified Adult Medal rider who demonstrates a financial need to participate in the NEHC Championships.
The Joe Medico Junior Grants were awarded to Alexa Stangota and Ryleigh Orton. Joe Medico was a driver for JR Hudson Horse Transportation for over twenty years. To commemorate his dedication to the New England horse world J.R. Hudson Horse Transportation sponsors two grants of $1,250 each. These grants go to qualified NE Junior Medal riders who demonstrate a financial need to participate in the NEHC Championships.
Allison Tarter won the $2,000 Joanne C. Corsiglia Scholarship Award and Payton Lussen won the $500 NEHC Scholarship Award.
Sue Brainard Award: Kathleen Haas-Ogonowski
Groom’s Award: Alfredo Nova
Jimmy Lee Junior Judges’ Choice: Bigtalu G Z (Owner: Missy Clark)
Jimmy Lee Adult Judges’ Choice: Kaskade (Owner: Sterling Malnik)
Career Achievement “Nicholas” Award: Gilligan (Owner: Debora LaMonica)
For more information and detailed results: www.newenglandequitation.com and https://www.showmanagementsystem.com/
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