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Washington, D.C.- November
2- The riders of Over the Hill Farm and trainer Bill Schaub
of Sanford, Florida recently competed at the 2005 Washington
International Horse Show at the MCI Center in downtown Washington,
D.C.
Hi Lite, a six year old green pony
formerly owned by Schaub and Redfield Farms, was very successful
in his first competition at Washington. While the ring may
be imposing to many, Hi Lite took it all in stride.
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Now owned by Lucille Oken, Hi Lite was ridden
at Washington by top pony rider, Schaefer Raposa, who came to the
show just to ride the adorable chestnut pony. With help from Oken’s
trainer, Robbie Hunt, they walked into the first class on Saturday,
October 29 and came away with the blue ribbon.
On Sunday, Hi Lite and Raposa came back and
were fifth in the over fences class and then second in the over
fences Stakes class. In the Stake class, horses are given a score
out of 100 points. Hi Lite had a high score of 86, while the winner
was only .333 points ahead. This one-third of a point was the difference
between first and second place, which was the difference between
champion and reserve champion in the division.
Hi Lite’s reserve championship in the
Small Pony Hunters at the Washington International Horse Show was
a huge accomplishment for a green pony that has only been showing
for a short period of time. Before Washington, Hi Lite had been
in North Carolina taking lessons with his new owner, but the huge
change in scenery did not affect him. “He’s a great
little pony, and he’s going to be fabulous with his new owner,”
Schaub commented. “I’m glad that we were able to work
with him, and I’m so happy that he did well at Washington.”
Hi Lite was not the only Over the Hill Farm
pony in the ribbons at Washington. Also showing in the Small Pony
division was the famous pony America, ridden by Ashley Foster and
owned by Lauren Hogan of Tampa, Florida. America was third in the
first over fences class. Lady Bug, ridden and owned by Emma Butchard,
was sixth in the Small Pony under saddle class and had consistent
rounds over fences.
High Fashion is a medium pony owned by Laura
King Kaplan who was Grand Champion at Pony Finals this year. She
was ridden by Sophie Read of Lake Mary, Florida at Washington to
multiple placings. They finished fifth in the first over fences
class and were ninth in a very competitive over fences Stakes class.
Although he is definitely not a pony, Reveille
had success of his own at Washington International. The handsome
dark bay gelding competed in two divisions this past weekend. The
young horse, who is normally ridden by professional Hunt Tosh in
the First Year Green division, was piloted by Sandy Ferrell at Washington.
Tosh was with his wife, who is expecting a baby soon. Ferrell and
Reveille were in the jog for ribbons in a majority of their classes,
despite it being their first show together.
Reveille was also shown in the Amateur-Owner
35 & Over division by his owner, Roberta Previ. Previ and Reveille
have only been showing in the 3’6” division since June,
but were able to qualify for this prestigious show. Reveille was
sixth in the under saddle class and also jogged for the over fences
classes.
All in all, it was a good show and a great
learning experience for the horses and riders of Over the Hill Farm.
While most of the horses were young and learning their way, they
performed admirably at the difficult competition, and they look
forward to returning next year.
For more information on Over the Hill Farm
and trainer Bill Schaub, please visit their website at: www.othfarm.com.
Photo Credit: Hi Lite and Schaefer Raposa,
reserve champions in the Small Pony Hunters at WIHS, wait for the
award presentation. Photo by Jennifer Wood.
Press Release: