For any young person who rides and loves horses, the inaugural AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge Mentoring Weekend would qualify as a dream come true. Hosted at the prestigious Capital Challenge Horse Show outside Washington, DC, the first AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge provided two young riders an opportunity of a lifetime: to meet and learn from top professionals representing all aspects of the show hunter industry.
The regional champions, Shana O'Connor, 13, of Terryville, CT, who trains with Terry Allen, and Felicia Davis, 14, of Salt Lake City UT, who trains with Samantha Borkoski, earned the coveted spots by winning their respective regional awards in the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge. Specifically designed for riders, ages 13-18, the Junior Hunter Challenge is hosted by non-sanctioned USEF horse shows. Co-sponsored by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and Dover Saddlery, the innovative program focuses on educating and recognizing junior riders. Simultaneously, the program is designed to foster excellence and promote a better understanding of show hunters at all levels of the sport.
Arriving on Friday afternoon at the Capital Challenge, the young riders enjoyed an extensive weekend agenda of private sessions with a list of Ôwho's who' in the show hunter world. Sessions included Linda Andrisani on judging hunters, Jack Miller of Texas, farrier to numerous show horses, hunter course designer, Michael Reinheimer, show veterinarian, Dr. Robert Barber and commentary on schooling sessions by Louise Serio.
Havens Schatt, a leading hunter rider and trainer sat with the young riders during the WCHR Professional Finals and explained the details of judging the class. Alison Firestone, first alternate for the 2004 US Olympic Show Jumping Team, accompanied Davis and O'Connor on the course walk prior to the Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix, giving the young riders the opportunity to see the course from a different perspective.
A highlight of the weekend was the presentation of Leading Rider Jackets to the winners in the indoor arena, just prior to the commencement of the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Finals. The jackets were presented by Stephen Day, president of Dover Saddlery, Louise Serio, Vice President of the AHJF and Geoff Teall, President of the AHJF.
"We are honored to have these two talented young riders as our guests tonight," Steve Day commented. "Dover Saddlery is proud to have partnered with the AHJF in this innovative program and we see great potential for the future."
"The AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge had an extremely promising first year," Geoff Teall explained. "This program plays a key role in meeting the goal of the AHJF to reach out to various levels of the show hunter sport and to promote better understanding and appreciation of show hunters."
The AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge will expand in 2005. More information on the AJHF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge is available at www.ahjf.org. Horse shows wishing to participate should call the AHJF at 508- 835-8813.
About Dover Saddlery:
Founded in 1975 by US Equestrian Team Members, Dover Saddlery is the leading purveyor of quality English tack and apparel for horse and rider at any level of competition. Dover Saddlery offers its merchandise via catalogs, the Internet and through its retail stores. To order a free Dover Saddlery Catalog, please call 800-989-1500 or visit the Dover Saddlery website at www.doversaddlery.com.
