Wayne, IL - June 15, 2014 - The final day of Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular II included the second day of the Amateur-Owner and Amateur Adult Hunter divisions at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. The reputation of Chicago as the windy city was certainly true today, but it proved to be perfect riding weather.

Kelsey Thatcher and Bugsy Malone

Amateur-Owner Hunters

Off of Saturday's competition in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, Nicole Hiehle of Dublin, OH, riding Lovely Charity and Alliy Moyer of Carmel, IN, riding Carlson, each had a win under their belt. Both blues of day two's competition went to Pony Lane Farm's Bugsy Malone with Kelsey Thatcher. Thatcher and Bugsy Malone also won the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Classic with scores of 86 and 84.

Their wins today clinched the division championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunters for Bugsy Malone and Thatcher, with Lovely Charity and Hiehle finishing in reserve.

"I just love this horse show," said Nicole Hiehle. "It's welcoming and friendly, and the courses are beautiful. I've been to Kentucky and just got back from Devon, and these are some of the best courses I've seen. They really help show off the horse and my horse has been wonderful."

Nicole Hiehle and Lovely Charity

A treat for the crowd was Thatcher's mother, Maura, jogging Bugsy for the ribbons today and accepting the coolers for Bugsy's Amateur-Owner Classic win and the Open Hunter Classic, won by Pony Lane's The Answer.

"I think all three of the amateur hunters went so well today," said Maura Thatcher of Pony Lane Farm, Bluffdale, UT. "That's thanks to Hailey [Rolfe] and Maggie [Jayne] for all the work they put into them.  It's so much fun to see them do well."

Pony Lane Farm and the Thatchers have been coming to Lamplight to show since joining up with the Jaynes about six years ago. The Jaynes have been coming to Lamplight since back in the day when Lamplight only had two rings - it now has six plus a grand prix ring. 

Maura Thatcher and Bugsy Malone

Maura Thatcher added, "This is such a lovely horse show. They've made so many improvements like the footing and the grounds; its just beautiful.  Pat [Boyle] makes it so hospitable; the party last night was nice, and it's so close to the farm."

Pony Lane Farm was the USEF Hunter Owner of the year in 2009, 2010 and 2011. They also own Chill R Z who most recently made the short list for the 2014 World Equestrian Games with Charlie Jayne. Pony Lane will continue showing with week III of Spring Spectacular then they will head off to Lake Placid next.

Amateur-Owner Hunters 3'3"

A strong Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3" division enabled the division to be split. Champion in section A was Reid Patton riding Sincere from Nantucket, MA. Patton won two over fences and the under saddle for the tricolor.  Champion in section B was Margaret O'Meara's Voice of Reason from Kirkland, WA. O'Meara is a frequent exhibitor at Lamplight and a frequent champion here as well.

Section A Reserve Champion went to Bellagio and Madison Games from Silex, MO. Reserve in section B were Cinza and Sara Gentry of West Dundee, IL. Gentry has also been an exhibitor here at Lamplight for years along with her family: brother Scott Gentry and daughter, Sally.

Sara Gentry remarked, "I have video of me showing here when I was 18 (about 30 years ago!) There was a metal pole railing around the ring, and it was dusty! Now it's so nice to have large, quality shows right in our backyard.  We've watched Lamplight grow and change through the years. It's become a destination for others now - not just for the locals." 

Sara Gentry and Cinza.


Gentry's horse, Cinza, was champion last week and reserve this week. 

"He's a young horse I purchased as a four year old and brought along so it's exciting that he's doing so well," added Gentry.

Pony Hunter Divisions

Pony hunters finished up their division in hunter ring 4. Champion in the Small Pony Hunters were Natalie Jayne and Land's End Eros owned by Isabel Ryan. The reserve champion pony was Blueberry Hill, owned and ridden by Jayne. 

 
Natalie Jayne and Blueberry Hill. 

In the medium ponies it was Hannah Bernstein and Barcelona, who won the championship with reserve going to Promise Too and Ashley Vogel. 

 
Hannah Bernstein and Barcalona. 

Champion in the Large Pony Hunters was Hidden Springs Woodstar owned and ridden by Elizabeth Woods of Lincoln, NE with the reserve awarded to Hillcrest Songbird owned by Canterbury Farm and again, ridden by Jayne.

    Hidden Springs Woodstar also won the $1,000 Pony Classic.

Additional Classics

Showplace Productions is renowned for their classics at all levels. Additional classics and winners today included the WIHS Adult Classic won by Off The Hook and Lizzie Stickney.

 
The $1,000 NAL Adult Classic winner was Just Vince and Debra Kirsch of Winnetka, IL.

The $1,000 Modified Adult Classic was won by Blueridge, owned by Donna Struve of Lake Bluff, IL, and shown by Molly Struve.

The $1,000 Modified Children's Classic went to Accidently In Love, owned by Margaret Benjamin and ridden by Mira Stephens.

Elanor and Lauren McCaulley of Fort Wayne, IN, won The Short Stirrup Hunter Classic sponsored by Barrington Saddlery.