Sunday 13th July 2008

Sunday 13^th July 2008

Willow Hill Horse Show

Catherine Harrison

The morning of Sunday 13^th July saw record numbers of Poko MacCready riders descend upon Clintonville’s specialist riding camp, Willow Hill, for the first show of the season. Following a week of enthusiastic sign-ups from every section of MacCready, all ages and abilities were represented. Lodge and Farmhouse residents Cate Moore, Hannah Bagli and Kat Zimmerman all completed – successfully – in the leadline clsass at their first ever show, while CIT Isabel Zahn and ADV Blake Artuso rode with professional flair in the advanced ‘Regular Hunter’ classes.

Low Hunter was the first division of the day in the jumper field. MacCready riders were placed in all 3 classes despite a vast number of entries from Willow Hill and members of the public. Second-year camper Lucy Ripman left the ring beaming after a wonderful jumping round on her mount, Intruder. Fellow returning campers Teonna O’Leary, Samantha Terenzi, Eliza Blum and Sonja Wojcik also placed.

Due to high numbers of MacCready riders, Montana Machson, Caroline Wood and Alice Peugeot all competed in classes they do not regularly ride, but still impressed the judge enough to award the three girls six ribbons between them.

Meanwhile, in the Show Ring, our enthusiastic Senior and intermediate girls dominated the flat classes. MacCready riders took First Place in every ‘Walk-Trot’ division. One of two Poko competitors, Will Shannon, adapted well to his new ride, ‘Blaze’ and came away from the ‘Walk-Trot 12 Years’ division with three ribbons. First year Intermediate, Samantha Jesner, rode particularly well to first place in two of the three ‘Walk-Trot 11 Years and Under’ classes. CIT Abby Davis was thrilled with her results – a first, second and a third – in the ‘Walk-Trot 13 and Over’ division. Intermediate Nicole Jarck and her beloved ‘Lady Cricket’ took first place and champion in the ‘Short Stirrup’ classes.

An early start and miserable weather could not stop the Poko MacCready riders, staff and horses having a wonderful day. This coming Sunday, we host our first MacCready Horse Show of 2008.