Author: Vixter

Christina Schlusemeyer (from left), USEF’s Lauren Fahey and her trainer Emily Smith

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 7, 2008) – After three days of exciting competition, a new champion was crowned when Jennifer Waxman rode her mount Red Panda to the Grand Championship at the 2008 East Coast USEF Junior Hunter Championship on Wednesday afternoon at HITS Saugerties.
The Ohio native used an overall score of 87.63 aboard Red Panda, who is owned by John Ingram, in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Division to win the title. “Jen rose to the occasion,” said trainer Emily Smith. “It was a new venue for Red Panda and that horse put its entire heart into it.”
“I started riding him a few months ago,” said Waxman. “It has really worked out well. The courses were really hard for the finals. But I thought that was good because it divided the people competing easily.”
Taking the honors of Reserve Grand Champion was North Country, piloted by Johanna Hyyppa. Hyyppa, who is trained by Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farms, had an overall score of 85.63 in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 Division. Other division winners include Caprice, with Genevieve Zock in the irons, who won the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Division and The War Dress Memorial Trophy for the Leading Mare. Taking the top honors in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Division was Corvette Z, who was owned and ridden by Samantha Schaefer, while Christina Gellos and Sirius Black earned the Reserve Champion in that division.
Other Reserve Champions included Caitlin Hope and Lyle in the Small Junior 16-17 Division, Adrienne Sternlicht and Mimosa in the Large Junior 15 & Under Division and Taylor Brown and Bering C in the Large Junior 16-17 Division.
“It was very competitive,” said Smith, who operates Ashland Farm with her husband Ken. “I thought it was wonderful. Everyone here was very accommodating and friendly. It was a job well done by everyone involved.”
“This year’s competition not only had an increased number of riders, but also had high caliber riders,” said Marion Maybank, USEF’s Director of Hunter Divisions and coordinator for the Finals. “Jerry Dougherty’s fantastic courses were flowing and really gave the kids a chance to be sharp and demonstrate to the judges the skills that got them here.”
“My trainers, Ken and Emily Smith, are amazing,” said Waxman. “I also want to give special thanks to John Ingram. Winning this title was certainly a team effort.”

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Lexington, KY – May 10, 2008 – The sun shined down on the Kentucky Horse Park during the fourth day of competition at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Two previous days of rained forced the 15 and Under Junior Hunter divisions and the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters out of the Stonelea Arena and into the Indoor Arena yesterday. However, today the juniors competed outside over an exciting course of natural obstacles in the Stonelea Arena.

Jennifer Waxman brought home not one, not two, but three tricolor ribbons today. Starting in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters with Golden Point Farm’s Cento, Waxman executed stunning rounds, earning herself three blue ribbons and the championship. Waxman resides in Chagrin Falls, OH. Vanessa Mavec of Pepper Pike, OH, rode her horse Pacemaker to the reserve championship.

Cento’s impressive trips came after a long break. “He’s had a month off since Florida so we’re just getting back into the hang of it,” explained Waxman. “I actually haven’t ridden him for a month. I just got on him yesterday and showed.”

Waxman is excited to have the opportunity to ride Cento. “Jan and Bruce Agerty own him. Jan cannot ride anymore, so she’s letting me ride him until he gets sold. It’s so fun and I’m very thankful to have the ride,” she beamed. “They come and watch every show, and they’re really supportive.”

After the large division was complete, Waxman rode her mount Red Panda to the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Championship and earned the reserve championship award aboard Zoom.

Champion Red Panda reacquainted with the junior divisions this week. “He hasn’t done the juniors in awhile, so he’s still getting used to the handys,” said Waxman. “I just started riding him at the end of WEF, and we really started to click. He’s so awesome to ride.”

Waxman’s other horse Zoom is new to the junior divisions, but proved he is up to the task. “Zoom is getting so handy and I’m so excited. We tried some extra tight turns that I didn’t do with any of my other horses today, and he was perfect so I’m very happy,” she smiled. Zoom’s handy hunter course earned a score of 89, the highest of the day.

Gracious as always, Waxman thanked Tom Wright and John Ingram for letting her ride Panda and said she owes much of her success to her trainers, Ken and Emily Smith.

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