Maggie Jayne and Bugsy Malone Win Regular Conformation Hunter Championship.

Wayne, IL – June 4, 2014 – A rain day in the windy city didn’t stop a streak of multiple wins in the hunter divisions today at Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular I at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Show manager, Patrick Boyle, had the facility dressed to impress for opening day with beautiful landscape, gorgeous jumps and the GGT Footing just added last year, was groomed and ready for today’s professional hunter divisions.

Starting off the day with two blues in the First Year Green Working Hunter Division was Chicagoan Debbie McIntyre’s Cavalli with Russell Frey aboard.  The 8-year-old Mecklenburg gelding captured the win in the first class as well as the highest scoring handy round. The hunter courses did not disappoint today with derby style jumps including a snake jump for the trot fence in the handy. Cavalli took it all in stride.

“The horse is fabulous,” remarked Frey. “Debbie (McIntyre) imported him and I got lucky enough to ride him.  The horse has such a great jump and a great personality. He tries to please every time you ride him.  He’s a little obnoxious about treats because Debbie spoils him! But he jumps the verticals as well as the oxers and his scope is amazing.”

“We’re planning to do the derby with him in two weeks,” added McIntyre. She has had the horse for about five months and also had Frey show it in the High Performance Hunters for the first time today. The big gray gelding ended up with a second and a third in the High Performance Hunters Over Fences and the second in the under saddle.

Finishing just behind Frey in the First Year Green Handy Round was Haylie Rolfe and Pony Lane Farm’s The Answer. The horse also stepped to the head of the class in the under saddle, adding another blue to the “Our Day Farm” banner.

Continuing with multiple wins in the over fences today, Rolfe won the over fences and the handy round in the Second Year Green Division on Pony Lane Farm’s Starina B.  Rolfe also took the blue back to the barn from the under saddle class.  Rolfe has ridden Starina B since she was a pre-green horse, going on three years now, and the rain and chilly temperatures didn’t faze the pair.

“She was a little frisky today,” said Rolfe.  “She was so good at Devon though I wasn’t going to worry about her if she was a little fresh today.”

Lamplight is home turf for the Jaynes. The family has been riding and showing in the area for decades with their family farm only minutes away. 

Rolfe added, “This place is gorgeous.  The jumper ring is amazing and beautiful. It’s big, it’s impressive, the jumps are nice and the ring is well maintained. Showing in a jumper ring like this one is so good for the horses. The hunter jumps are gorgeous and the courses are nice. It’s a great environment to show in.”

Maggie Jayne upheld the multiple win syndrome in the Regular Conformation Division, winning the model, the over fences, the handy and placing second in the under saddle with the beautiful bay, Bugsy Malone owned by Pony Lane Farm.

As if that weren’t enough, Jayne also rode Pony Lane’s A Million Reasons in the battle of the bays, finishing second behind Bugsy Malone in both over fences and winning the under saddle.

Perhaps the Jayne sisters had home court advantage today, finishing off the hunters with a winning streak in the High Performance Hunter Division, as well. Rolfe piloted the veteran Summer Place, owned by Pony Lane Farm, to the top call in the over fences, handy and the under saddle.

Tomorrow the bays and the grays will battle it out for the division championships as the competition continues for the professional hunters in the Wisconsin Equine Ring. The forecast calls for sunny skies, more blue ribbons and plenty of hospitality at Showplace Productions’ three-week series.

Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular is bigger and better than ever. 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.