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Belvedere and Kimberly Seay Edge out Laura Pfeiffer for Win in Low Junior/Amateur Owner Speed Class

Written by: Chrissy Lane
Client: Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc.
Release Date: 2007-08-03

Traverse City, MI - August 3, 2007 - Competition was fierce this afternoon in the Team Elmer's Grand Prix ring at Horse Shows by the Bay III, as Kimberly Seay snatched the victory away from Laura Pfeiffer in the Low Junior/Amateur Owner Speed Class.

With 20 entries in the class, Seay dominated over a fairly large field. The class was originally set to run with a jump-off, but it was changed at the last minute to a timed first round speed class. The course was designed by Tim Hott and featured 10 numbered obstacles and 13 total jumping efforts, including a triple combination. Only five horses jumped clean, including Seay's Belvedere.

The pair was the last to compete in the class and clocked in at just 59.185 seconds, which was more than a second faster than Laura Pfeiffer and Jordy at 60.573, the time that had held the lead up until the end. Pfeiffer finished in second, while Erin Haas and Mir finished in third with a time of 64.132 seconds.

"Belvedere is a horse I've had for about five years," Seay explained. "We just moved him up to the Low Amateurs in the last year. My new trainer, David (Beisel), just started the Level 6's on him and was champion on him. We have just been kind of working on him and hoping to move him up again soon. He's a lot of fun - we call him the Rocket Launcher!"

She continued, "He was really great (today). I've had a lot of good luck with the trainer, David, and he's helped me. He's like a new horse and a lot of fun to ride."

Seay explained that she was at an advantage riding last in the class because she had the opportunity to watch all of the other riders try their hand at the course. Greer Gordon and Maxima were the first pair clean and set the early lead with a time of 71.045 seconds. Haas and Mir were the next pair to take the lead, riding eighth in the order and setting a relatively quick time of 64.132 seconds. While the pair was not overly fast across the ground, Haas made numerous cuts across fences and took advantage of her horse's turning abilities.

Beate Kuska Shart and Lexington, owned by the Malibu Equestrian Estates, were also clear but could not catch Haas's time. Pfeiffer and Jordy followed Kuska Shart and had a bad bobble on fence one but quickly recovered and found their rhythm to steal Haas's lead and finish on a time of 60.573 seconds.

Seay, riding last, picked up a gallop from the start, and although she didn't turn too tightly or slice many fences, she and Belvedere brought home the fastest time.

In the High Junior/Amateur Owner jumper class, Jamee Crawford and Maxim, owned by Dora Fricke, brought home the win over Kuska-Shart and another mount, Pina Colada, owned by Malibu Equestrian Estates. Alexander Sadler finished in third place with Caruso, and Haas and All of a Sudden took fourth. Lisa Goldman and Linda Radigan finished in fifth and sixth places aboard Xander and Spray Paint, respectively.

For more information, please visit www.horsesportsbythebay.com. For complete results, please visit www.horseshowing.com.