Written by: Sarah Harper
Client: Monmouth at the Team
Release Date: 2016-08-21
Gladstone, NJ – Aug. 21, 2016 – The inaugural Monmouth at the Team horse show concluded Sunday with jumper classics, jumper division championships and the highlight class of the show, the $10,000 1.30m Horseflight Mini-Prix. Hosted at the historic Hamilton Farm, home of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the event showcased top hunter, jumper and equitation classes throughout the week, as well as daily hospitality events.
It was Sarah Scheiring and Newtown Jumping Jack, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Thomas Welsh who topped the field of 38 starters to take home the top prize. Only five horse and rider combinations made it into the jump-off over the challenging Skip Bailey designed course. It was only the top three who were able to keep the rails up in the tiebreaker.
During the short course, Michael Desiderio and Snatch De Cordrac, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Remarkable Farms LP were the third pair to go and the first to leave up all the rails. They finished in 42.530 seconds earning the third place spot overall. Desiderio was also the recipient of the style award presented by LeFash.
Next up in the jump-off were Sarah Scheiring and Newtown Jumping Jack who broke the beam in a blazing fast 37.527 seconds to take over the lead. The final pair to go was Eleanor Kunsman and Ultimo, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Redfield Farm, who were able to surpass Desiderio and slide into second place with a time of 39.682 seconds, while Scheiring led the lap of honor.
Scheiring was thrilled with her rounds on Newtown Jumping Jack who is a relatively new mount for her. “He’s also one of my student’s horses that just went off to college,” she said. “I just picked up the ride on him two weeks ago. If you get there well he almost always jumps clean. He has an unconventional technique but a great way of going.”
In the jump-off Scheiring altered her original plan once she felt how game her mount was. “Normally, he doesn’t always turn very well,” she explained. “My plan was just to be a little efficient and go a little wide, but the second I touched the reins with my fingers he was so in it. He was in it to win it just as much as I was, which was a lot of fun.”
She was impressed with the Skip Bailey designed course. “It’s amazing to have a class of almost 40 people at a 1.30m and five clean,” she said. “I don’t think the time was exceptionally tight, it was just technical enough and didn’t go above the height. I thought Skip (Bailey) did a great job again.”
She was delighted with her experience at the inaugural year of Monmouth at the Team and is looking forward to returning next year. “I couldn’t have better things to say about the show,” she said. “It’s wonderful, it’s a boutique show, it’s like a little Hampton Classic right down the road. They put on a great show, I am excited to come back next year.”
Earlier in the day, the $2,500 Eastern Hay & Grain NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic took center stage in the main arena at Hamilton Farm. Kaitlyn Williams and her own Shaq, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding took home the blue as well as the division championship. Williams laid down the only double clear round of the class breaking the beam in the jump off with a time of 39.741 seconds. Erika Christie and her own Fantastique, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding brought home the fastest four-fault round with a time of 36.720 earning them second place. Rounding out the top three was Lauren C. Lindner and Carrara 11, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Helen Krieble.
Williams was thrilled with her ride on Shaq today. “I am very confident on him because he used to do the big jumper classes, so I felt that he could go clear and I could still go fast,” Williams said. “He’s really taken care of me. We tried him as an equitation horse, but he likes this much better.”
In the $5,000 Lindner Family M&S/NAL/WIHS High Child/Adult Jumper Classic it was Cienne Warren and her own Fabius, a 13-year-old Holseiner gelding who took home both the blue ribbon and the division championship. Warren was thrilled with her ride today as she plans to take a break from showing and this was her last outing with Fabius. “My real plan was just go out there and have fun,” she smiled. “We’ve had a bit of a rocky year. I am taking a break from riding and this is our last show, so we just wanted to do what we could, have fun, and go for it.”
Christina De Mattheis and Santa’s Rocket, a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Red Oak Farm LLC were the winners in the $2,500 Equine Billing Services Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic. The division championship went to Destanny Gencarelli and Cartier, a 10-year-old Welsh Pony Cross owned by Ponies Unlimited LLC.
Spectators on Sunday enjoyed a delicious brunch sponsored by Do Trot In Tack Shop as well as a mid-afternoon Italian menu during the $10,000 1.30m Horseflight Mini-Prix sponsored by Equine Billing Services. Throughout the week, Monmouth at the Team has offered unparalleled hospitality for exhibitors and spectators. After a successful first year plans are already underway to make 2017 even better!
For more information please visit www.MonmouthAt TheTeam.com.
