Maggie Jayne and Bugsy Malone Win Regular Conformation Hunter Championship.

Wayne, IL – June 5, 2014 – Day two of the professional hunter divisions at Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular I belonged to Pony Lane Farm’s hunters.  Coming off of yesterday’s multiple wins in each division, Maggie Jayne and Haylie Rolfe were hard to beat today. Beautiful skies and gorgeous derby-like hunter courses designed by Skip Bailey, set the stage for the day’s competition.

Haylie Rolfe of Elgin, IL, had all the right answers in the $2,500 First Year Green Hunter Division aboard Pony Lane Farm’s bay warmblood, The Answer. Winning both over fences classes put them at the head of the class for the championship.  Debbie McIntyre’s Cavalli with Russell Frey aboard, had two wins yesterday to clinch the reserve championship in the division.

Rolfe continued her winning streak into the $2,500 Second Year Green Division where she and Maggie Jayne shared the wins today.  Starina B and Rolfe won the first over fences class today and Jayne and A Million Reasons followed in the jog for the second place. Sharing the blues, Jayne and A Million Reasons won the second class with Starina B right behind. Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, Utah, owns both mounts. Tina Judge and Rouge E’Cureull, owned by Caitlin Anderson of Stillwater, MN, stayed in the hunt today for the third place in both classes. Starina B took the championship with A Million Reasons close behind for the reserve.

Adding two more blue ribbons and the championship to their collection this week, Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Bugsy Malone lead the way in the $2,000 Regular Conformation Hunter Division. Taking a close second in both classes, Hillary Johnson and Tundra, owned by Kendall Meijer of Ada, MI, took the reserve championship.

Continuing the battle of the grays in the $4,000 High Performance Hunter Division, it was Rolfe once again who took the top tricolor ribbon with Pony Lane’s Summer Place, adding a first and second to their two blues from yesterday. Reserve champion in the High Performance Hunters went to another gray, Presently, owned by Mark Senn of Chicago, IL, and ridden by Freddie Vazquez. Vazquez piloted the horse to a first and a second place jog today, as well.

Rolfe has not only been busy showing but recently took on a herd of young horses to break. She and her husband Nate even made a website to document their journey on the project, www.tamingtheherd.com. The 11 youngsters take up plenty of time for the Rolfes.

“We figured volume would better our chances for a good outcome,” commented Haylie Rolfe. “We’re taking our time with them to see what we really have. Many of them are from the Grand Prix horse, On Line. I already have my eye on one to make into a hunter.”

“Having the young horses really puts things into perspective,” continued Rolfe. “We are so lucky to show some of the best horses in the country for Pony Lane Farm. When you start working with the babies, you really see the odds of finding the good horses and the really great horses like Pony Lane’s.”

Maggie Jayne also helps with the young horses her father, Alex, has bred to some of their Grand Prix horses like Wawa and Carlotta.

“I have my eye on Carlotta’s baby,” smiled Jayne. “The hard part is waiting for them to grow up!”

The girls both agreed that showing at Showplace is great for many reasons from the great jumps, rings and courses to being close to home, sleeping in their own beds and being able to work with the young horses. Fitting it all into a day is always a challenge they take on together.

Continuing into the afternoon with more hunters, champion in the $2,500 Performance 3’6” Working Hunters was Caroline Weeden of Antioch, IL, aboard Nairobi News owned by Amanda Williamson.  Reserve champion was To The Nines, owned by Didi Mackenzie and ridden by Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, TX.

In the $2,500 Performance 3’3” Working Hunters, the championship went to Starr Meijer’s Eclipse with Hillary Johnson in the irons and Sam Pegg rode Rintoo, owned by Christine Lies to the reserve championship in the division.

The $1,000 Open Hunter Classic was held today with Maggie Jayne and A Million Reasons taking the top spot with scores of 87 and 88.  Pagani, owned by Micaela Kennedy of Chesterfield, MO, and ridden by Sam Pegg were second.

In ring four, the $1,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic took place with Game Plan, owned by Beth Bailey and ridden by Tammy Provost, taking home the blue ribbon and Douglas Boyd with his Clandestine, finishing in second place.

The Equitation and Junior Hunters begin tomorrow as the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series continues. Showplace has added another week to its popular Spring Spectacular event from June 17-22. This new week will allow competitors to attend their regular summer circuits and have a taste of what Showplace and Chicago have to offer on a week when they might be off or traveling. Showplace Productions has added new classes and over-the-top hospitality to make your showing experience even more enjoyable at beautiful Lamplight Equestrian Center. 

During Week III, Showplace Productions will hold a USHJA $10,000 National Hunter Derby and a USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby in the Grand Prix Ring, plus compete to earn WCHR points. More prize monies have been added to the Open Jumpers, Welcomes and Junior/Amateurs Owners. A new and exciting Accumulator class has been added to the Junior/Amateur Owner division. For professionals, Showplace is offering the opportunity to show young jumpers in some classes at no cost. There will also be some no cost Tuesday schooling opportunities for the pros. For Juniors, an all-new Equitation Championship will be held on Sunday of Week III. Juniors will be asked to demonstrate their horsemanship skills without the help of their trainers in this challenging class. There is something for everyone and a good reason to make your way back to Chicago for Spring Spectacular. Visit their website at www.showplaceproductions.com.