January 15, 2011 – WELLINGTON, FL -The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival saw a busy start to its first weekend in the 2011 season. Competitors will be awarded numerous championships throughout the season, which runs through April 3. Today, one of those championships was presented in the Illustrated Properties Small Junior 16-17 year-old Hunter division.

Shawn Casady of Midtown, TN, took the tricolor aboard Glass Castle. Elm Rock LLC owns Glass Castle, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “I’m very thankful to Susie Humes, Elm Rock LLC, and Ken and Emily Smith,” stated Casady.

Casady was more than happy with his results aboard Glass Castle, as this is only his second show on her. “She is a wonderful horse and beautiful to ride,” he beamed.

Casady secured the division championship in a field of 14 riders by placing first, second, fourth and fifth over fences, and placing second under saddle.

The points for champion and reserve were very close this week in the Illustrated Properties Small Junior 16-17 Hunters. Not far behind Glass Castle was reserve champion Caretano, owned and ridden by Hannah Goodson-Cutt. Goodson-Cutt won two classes in the division and also placed fifth and sixth over fences.

Casady stays in Wellington for the remainder of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. While here, Casady is home schooled, and said, “I am very serious about school.” Home schooling allows for more time to be devoted to riding.

Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions