Wayne, IL - June 7, 2015 - It was an emotional win Sunday for Kelsey Thatcher, as she led the $10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic victory gallop aboard veteran mount Athena. The pair bested a field of 16 contenders in a five-horse jump-off to claim the lion's share of the earnings in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame event, but the triumph came with a melancholy undertone.

"She is 15 years old, and she owes me nothing," Thatcher said of the mare. "I am trying not to be too emotional with this win because I am thinking that it is time for Athena to become a brood mare. It is a tough decision, but she owes me nothing."

Thatcher and Athena, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT, are no newcomers to the winner's circle at the Spring Spectacular, with Sunday's success marking their second consecutive time winning the annual event, sponsored by Wisconsin Equine. As the pace setters of the class, Thatcher knew she had to lay down a trailblazing round to ride to the win.

Danny Foster (CAN) set a technical track for the class, but Thatcher enjoyed the opportunity to work on the short turns. Utilizing Athena's strong stride, Thatcher made up time on the landing after every vertical of the shortened track.

"Athena is great because she has a great get-away stride. So her first five or six strides after every vertical, we were flying," Thatcher said.

Kelsey Thatcher and Athena

Although Thatcher made a wider turn to the fourth fence of the jump-off, where others risked a slice, her time of 46.362 seconds held strong. "My awesome trainer Maggie [Jayne] said that if I were to make a risky turn to that wall, that it could kill the speed. We saw some of the competitors in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers do it, but we didn't want to risk slowing Athena down."

Hunter Holloway and VDL Bravo S, owned by Hays Investment Corporation of Topeka, KS, were one of the pairs to take a gamble on the turn. Instead of slicing the turn as a left rollback from the previous vertical, she made a cut between the two fences and completed a right rollback racing towards the second half of the course to finish in 46.820 seconds, only a half a second behind Thatcher.

Hunter Holloway and VDL Bravo S

Emma Sargent and No Fear were the only other combination to finish double clear. Sargent was awarded the third place for the faultless effort, as well as the fourth place as the fastest of the four faulters aboard Winchester. Paul Yanke and his own Chill Haze finished in the fifth place with a four-fault effort in 46.587 seconds. Ryan Genn and Cookie Monster, owned by Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH, rounded out the top six with two time faults during the opening course.

Emma Sargent and No Fear

Thatcher concluded, "No year is ever the same. Every year you have something new to learn from, and every year I am happy to be back here. It is a great show, from the management to the footing. They do such an excellent job making it hospitable."

Dr. Mark Baus of sponsor Wisconsin Equine Clinic was onsite for the presentation, and commented, "I only recently partnered with Wisconsin Equine and I came here to help them out during the Spring Spectacular Series. I have enjoyed this competition; it is a nice venue, challenging courses but a relaxed atmosphere. The people have been very accommodating and the horses are talented so it has been very fun. I think that Wisconsin Equine Clinic sponsors this show to not only give back to the community, but to let people know that they offer a high-quality services through a broad spectrum of equine care."

Wisconsin Equine Clinic & Hospital has a renowned medical team all under one roof with specialists in general medicine, surgery, reproduction, diagnostic imaging, MRI, dentistry, podiatry, eye care, routine care, critical care and sports medicine.  The facility boasts world-class technology and cutting edge therapies along with a complete pharmacy.

$10,000 NAL/Marshall & Sterling Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Sponsored by Weathertech

Madison Billings and Stonestreet

For 18-year-old Madison Billings, riding to the top of the leader board in the $10,000 NAL/Marshall & Sterling Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Weathertech, was the icing on top of a monumental week. Fresh off a visit to Texas Christian University for orientation, the young talent faced off against a field of 36 to clinch the victory with Stonestreet in a nail-biting jump-off.

Caelinn Leahy and Kaner 88 led the way from the beginning of the class as one of only five to jump double clear. Not only did Leahy set the time to beat at an astonishing 39.540 seconds, but she also completed the rollback to slice the time and intimidate fellow competitors. 

"I didn't think we were going to beat her--She was flying," Billings laughed. "My plan was to go clean, and the only thing I was concerned about was the Wisconsin Equine fence rollback. I know him pretty well, so to the USET Foundation oxer we were able to chip in a little bit and turn really well."

It was Billings tight turns and quick foot speed that allowed for her to sneak in towards the end of the order to duplicate Leahy's round and use her long-established partnership with Stonestreet to take the win in just the nick of time-38.441 seconds.

Billings puts all her trust in Stonestreet, the gelding she originally purchased as a hunter. After four years of a partnership, she has learned all of his nuances, and with trainer Nancy Whitehead at the helm of the operation, they have done nothing but risen in the ranks.

"I couldn't have done this without the incredible support from Nancy and the whole team," Billings commented. "I have been riding with her for three years, and she has taken us from the Modified Children's Jumpers to where we are today."

Billings took the top award, while Leahy and Kaner 88 rode to the second place finish. Phoebe Murray and Rodrigo's Athena captured the third place in 40.326 seconds. Brooke Saltzman and Nicholas claimed the fourth, and Cathy Rolfs and Coco Chanelle completed the jump-off as the last pair to put in a double clear round.

$5,000 NAL Children's Jumper Classic - Sponsored by Horse Flight 

Celia Bresch and One Direction

The $5,000 NAL Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Horse Flight saw nine horse and rider combinations tactfully clear Foster's track. Celia Bresch captured the win with One Direction, a new mount for the young rider. They were three seconds faster than Kyle Perkovitch and Everlasting Goodness, completing the short course in an untouchable 36.069 seconds. Third place was awarded to Emily Smith and Aviara for their clear time of 39.990 seconds.

Bresch also nabbed the victory during the $2,500 Low Child/Adult Classic with One Direction. She only began riding "Louie" this weekend, but together they dominated the Children's Jumper division, even capturing the championship with three out of four victories.

"He is just big and able to cover a lot of ground. It was really helpful today in the jump-offs," Bresch described. "My plan was to be clear, smart and help him out. He has a bigger step, so in the in-and-out I had to help him a lot to pick up his feet for the second jump. During the jump-off he was able to cover a lot of ground with his big strides, so we left strides out where ever we could."

$5,000 NAL Adult Jumper Classic - Sponsored by Adequan

Meredith Wegbreit and Tachman

Meredith Wegbreit and Tachman finished at the top of the ranks during the $5,000 NAL Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Adequan. The pair put in a quick short course in 40.465 seconds to seal the victory without fault. Bethany Bolen and Domino Van De Hermitage sailed to second place in 41.698 seconds, while Sarah Fisher and Casanova W closed out the classic in the third place as the last of the fault-free efforts. 

For more information on the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series, please visit: www.showplaceproductions.com. 

 

Classics and Two-time Winners Define the Final Day of Spring Spectacular I   

By: Elaine Wessel 

Rachel Boggus and Favourite captured the Adult Hunter 18-35 Championship and the $1,000 NAL Adult Hunter Classic victory.

$500 Take 2 TB Jumpers Classic 

$1,000 Littlewood Farm & The Markman Family Pony Hunter Classic (L,M,S)

$20,000 Nutrena Open Welcome Stake

$500 Take 2 TB Jumpers Classic