January 22, 2011 – WELLINGTON, FL – The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), which runs from January 12 through April 3, awarded more championships today in the junior hunter divisions. Among the various junior hunter divisions offered at WEF, the Large Junior Hunters 16-17 finished early Saturday and awarded tricolor honors to the victor.

Shawn Casady, riding the Elm Rock LLC entry, Vida Blue, rode to the Large Junior16-17 Hunter championship in the second week of WEF. Casady, of Midtown, TN, and Vida Blue were a hard pair to beat this week. The duo received impressive scores of 92 and 95 over fences on the first day of competition.

They then went on to have a repeat the second day of competition, receiving the same two scores of 92 and 95 over fences.

Vida Blue, a thirteen-year-old, grey Holsteiner mare by Chambertin, has had an impressive show career in the junior ring. Now her success continues with Casady, who has been showing Vida Blue since November. “She is a beautiful mare to ride,” said Casady.

The pair clinched the championship by winning all four over fences classes.

Reserve champion honors went to Perfectionist. Perfectionist is shown by Heather Hooker and owned by Richard Prant. The pair was third, fourth, and fifth over fences and they won the under saddle class.

Casady, a high school student, is home-schooled in Wellington so that he can continue riding throughout the winter season, a decision that has proved very beneficial to his riding career thus far.

“I want to thank Susie Humes and Elm Rock LLC,” said Casady of getting to ride Vida
Blue.

Article by Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions