Meg O’Mara of Rumson, NJ, bested a field of 257 junior riders to win the prestigious Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals, presented by Randolph College, at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday. It was an emotional time for O’Mara. The announcer just finished naming Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, the Reserve Champion. When she realized that the Championship title was hers, the 18-year-old put her hand over her face to hide her tears.
Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, won the $7,500 Randolph College/USEF Junior Jumper Championship Welcome Individual Phase One class riding Monsieur Du Reverdy at the Opening Day of the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Thursday evening. The 15-year-old rider was much happier with this year’s performance. Last year she did not even complete the course.
Gladstone, NJ – The country’s top young riders were on display Sunday during the 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East. Leading an exceptional group of 92 entries, 17-year-old Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD scored an exciting victory during the prestigious event at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Pope’s scores were at the top of the leader board following the head-to-head final four jump-off where he showcased his skills on all four mounts during his debut at the event.
Jacksonville, FL – September 26, 2012 – The highly anticipated, first-ever Southeast Medal Finals delivered a home run. Exhibitors, trainers, sponsors, vendors, family and friends all agreed- the show is a winner. All had glowing accolades for managers, Bob Bell and James Lala, and the fabulous venue, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Plans are already underway for next year’s show, sure to be an expanded and even grander affair.
A group of 37 skilled riders determined to master Alan Rheinheimer’s course competed for the top prize- the ASPCA Maclay Regional title. The course tested the ability of the rider to lengthen and shorten, to be subtle with the adjustments, to land and turn and to put it all together with confidence and poise.
After the first round, the class was split in two for the under saddle portion of the competition,
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| Meg O’Mara and Vancouver won the ASPCA Maclay Regional |
followed by the announcement of a test for six riders. The riders included Meg O’Mara, Hasbrouck Donovan, Liza Finsness, Hannah Marco, Geoffrey Hesslink and Sylvia De Toledo.
The competitors were asked to perform the following test: canter fence #13, canter fence #4, canter fence #9, hand gallop fence #12 and counter canter fence #6 and finally, canter fence #2. The announcer gave the instructions for the workout course only twice.
September 25, 2012 – It was a full weekend for junior riders as the final four regions concluded their ASPCA Maclay Regionals. The anticipation was tangible as the nation’s top riders competed for the chance to attend the prestigious ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals during the Alltech National Horse Show this fall at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Michael Hughes captured the first place honors for Region 1, with Lillie Keenan riding to the top of the ranks for Region 2. Meg O’Mara took the championship in the ASPCA Maclay Regionals for Region 3, while Taylor Schmidt rode to the top of the standings for Region 4.
The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in the equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2010 ASPCA winner was Hayley Barnhill, and Sarah Milliren took the title during the 2012 Alltech National Horse Show.