Press Release
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GULFPORT, MS.—MAR
7, 2008—David Q Wright of Murfreesboro, TN partnered with
Renaissance have the distinct honor of winning the $10,000 USHJA
2008-2009 ASG Software Solutions International Hunter Derby presented by
Dietrich Insurance, being held for the first time at the Gulf Coast
Winter Classics.
This morning’s event saw
several first- among one of the most appreciated was all other rings
being closed so that fellow exhibitors could come and enjoy this unique
class. Shadbelly jackets, shined boots, braided manes and tails were the
fashion all about as a talented mix of 30 professional and amateurs
jogged before the panel of four judges-Penny Walher, Wayne Eubank, John
Roper, and Meg Skaffgaard as well as veterinarian Juan Gamboa. Once
soundness was established, the top of the order prepared to take on the
first round course of 10 obstacles [12 efforts] comprised mostly of
natural materials such as logs, brush, and gate planks all from the
creative mind of designer Allen Rheinheimer. Within the track riders
encountered 3 options of height choice, 3’6 or 4’ as well as bending and
broken lines throughout. Only the top 12 scores would be invited back
for round two.
“I walked around it
early, got the horses in the ring this morning just to look at it,
because this is very different from what we jump in the hunter rings
today” David began of his experience with the unique course, “this was
more like what we jumped 20 years ago at Devon, but it’s so cool and the
course is so nice!” David added. Early in the first round Grand
Bay, AL favorite Holly Shepherd lead the pack riding Ashbury for owner
Mary Walker with a high score of 171. David and the coming 10 year-old
Hanoverian gelding Renaissance followed 4 rides later to land a 172 and
take over the top spot. “You got a lot of really good jumps out of the
better horses. They were impressed enough to think it [the course]
interesting, when it’s the same old hunter jumps day in –day out they
get a little bit bored.” David spoke of the first round, “It was fun to
have the option to leave out strides in a few places, it was fun to have
the option to jump the bigger jumps [4 foot], and the lines rode nice
and open.” Something much appreciated by the 18 hand big bay-gelding
trainer Daphne Thornton remarked. “He’s amazingly light going, goes like
a light Thoroughbred horse even though he’s huge.”quipped David of
“Sully” as he’s known around the barn. Daphne shared the huge horse with
an equally huge heart was dubbed “Sully” after the beloved Monsters, Inc
movie character Sully who towered over everyone but had such a soft spot
for those in his life.
Also hot on Sully’s
hooves in the first round was Andy Kocher with Elizabeth Allen’s Finding
Neverland turning in a score of 170, well above the 142 cut off to
assure their return. But as the initial round concluded it was still
David and Renaissance on top. Ribbons were awarded to the top twelve who
would in turn move one round closer to the $10,000 prize. The five
highest contenders returning included Shepherd and Ashbury bringing
their 171 score, Kocher and Finding Neverland with their 170, young
owner-rider Megan Fellows riding Corofino Gold to 167 score, and
owner-rider Lily Hahn aboard Sion returning with a score of 164.50.
Moving to round two,
where designer Rheinheimer upped the ante in the handy 10 obstacle [11
efforts] layout that included a sizable brush jump after which riders
rolled back to trot over a small log and a few inside turns. However,
the p’est de resistance came at the #9 obstacle, a gate that riders were
to open, walk through it and pick up a hand gallop to the final oxer.
Christina Gaither and Tenacious were the first pair back and executed a
flawless gate maneuver earning them a score of 154 to be added to their
first round 142 for a total of 296 and the lead. Several first round
high scoring riders fell victim to the gate. “No, I had no concerns
whatsoever about the gate.”today’s winner said then explained, “My
horses are broke on the flat, learning to leg yield and even the ones I
don’t have fulltime, Daphne works with at home.” Andy Kocher and
Finding Neverland took a more traditional approach to the gate obstacle
by dismounting, opening and leading his horse through to then remount
and pick up the canter immediately. The judges scores reflected the bold
move’s impression on them with a pair of 91’s for a second round total
of 182 and overall total of 352, giving them the lead position with 3
remaining riders.
“My theory was just
canter as late as I could, then pull up to a walk, leg yield over to
it-open up and be ready to canter out.” David shared, “And don’t do
anything stupid!” he added with a big laugh. A theory that served him
well with a textbook perfect execution through the course and the
dreaded gate earning an amazing score of 191. He later admitted his
first thought on the handy course had been “just how many risks could I
take.” Then confided what had actually transpired on the second track,
“The 8 [strides] down the first line rode great..it’s really about 8 ½
but he made it easy. And I wanted to trot very few steps to the log
[trot fence] to show handiness, and I chose to jump the higher options.
Although my plan was to turn inside and jump the high option at
the logs, which I did, but it caught him by surprise enough that my
follow-up of another inside turn to a 4’ option out was best changed to
give him a few canter strides around to enable him to get up for it.”
Quick and decisive thinking no doubt guided the pair on to cinch both
the second round and overall $10,000 victory.
Sully’s full time trainer
Daphne Thornton of South Point Farms, located in Village of Loch Lloyd,
MO, chatted about Renaissance, “He’s a fairly new purchase for us. We
only began showing him this past December.” David added, “He’s a
wonderful horse they got from Christopher Ewing in Detroit. Daphne
purchased him to do the junior hunters with Cortney Patterson and as a
side line he does the regular hunters with me!” Chuckling Daphne
continued, “It took less than two weeks for those two to fall in
love..and it’s mutual! We’re just thrilled to have David riding him.”
Almost blushing David returned the compliment. Both David and Daphne
expressed their sincere admiration to the show management, USHJA, and
the “hardest working ring crew” for what they felt was a “beautifully
done class. Everything was just perfect; footing was great. I’d even go
so far to say Gulfport has the best footing and care for exhibitors over
any other events going now.” David said very pointedly while Daphne and
others around nodded in agreement.
Presenting a host of
goodies to this morning’s winners was Melanie Fransen from the United
States Hunter Jumper Association, “This was a perfect event! Bob [Bell]
and Allen [Rheinheimer] did an amazing job. I’m just thrilled that I
could be here for it.” Along with the custom ribbons from USHJA, the top
placings also received fine leather leadlines and/or custom leather
halters with engraved plates commemorating the event, all courtesy of
Walsh Harness and Saddlery. Walking back to the barn
Daphne spoke candidly of today’s winner, “We think David is one of the
country’s finest riders and are proud to have him rider our horses. They
[David and Sully] have been champion in the regular working hunters the
past 3 weeks now and are in the top nationally.” she concluded with a
bright smile, “While we unfortunately have to head back home, Sully will
stay next week to compete with David and then we’ll catch up in a couple
of weeks.” Daphne strolled on, clutching the trophy and cooler with the
confidence of a winner and the giddiness of a fan of the sport. The Gulfport Winter Classic continues with more hunter/jumper and Grand Prix action through March 16th. Admission is free and the public is invited to enjoy the exciting competition throughout the week along with another $25,000 Grand Prix each Sunday as well as the race for the of the $10,000 Budweiser High Point Grand Prix Rider, presented to the top rider, calculated by earned points of the five-week series. |
