Coming into Devon Scott thought the Leading Hunter Rider award might be out of reach as his horse Touchdown was still green and he didn't have a Second Year horse. The scenario that unfolded was the polar opposite of his fears. So much so that his green horse was undefeated over fences in the Regular Conformation division and amassed a whopping 49 points to become the Grand Hunter Champion.  Add to that the Reserve Championships on Dedication in the First Year Green, Empire in Green Conformation and Carlos Boy in the High Performance Working Hunter and you have this year's Leading Hunter Rider. The Montgomery Scott Perpetual Trophy would, for the 9th consecutive year, have Scott Stewart's name engraved on it.  Touchdown's groom Carlos Juarez also won the Leading Groom award.

"It was nice (to win the Leading Hunter Rider award) because I didn't really have horses in a couple of the other divisions, so I wasn't really thinking about it too much, but Touchdown was amazing.  He started out last week with Tori (Colvin) in the Juniors, even though he's green enough to be a Pre Green horse to be honest.  I can't believe he was so good.  Tori's rounds probably helped me. She got him ready for me, because he's really green, and doing the Junior Hunters really got him confident for doing my division this week.  He'll primarily do the Junior Hunters for the rest of the year, and I'll do him a few more times.  He's really laid back.  He's the sweetest horse we have.  He's quiet and easy to get to the ring; he just doesn't have a lot of experience."

Fashion Farm's Dedication - First Year Green Hunter Reserve Champion

Krista Weisman's Carlos Boy - High Performance Working Hunter Reserve Champion

Becky Gochman's Empire - Green Conformation Reserve Champion

Hunt piloted two out of three of his rides to Championships in their respective divisions for owners Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wheeler.  "Devon was great for me.  Cold Harbor is a new Green Conformation horse that we bought this winter and haven't shown very much but he has been champion every time.  He was fabulous. We don't get to show against Scott (Stewart), but we hear all about his horses, so when we got here it was the first time we have shown against this new group of horses."

Hunt's Second Year Horse Good Humor's barn name is Happy.  "He's a really fun horse.  He always tries to do a good job.  Of course I have to see Jen everyday in Ocala with her mare (Miss Lucy) who's been fabulous all year, so being neck and neck in the Second Year's all year made it fun because we've been doing that a lot together every time we've shown this winter."

Hunt sums up Devon 2011 "Both horses were fabulous this week, and it's a fun place for them to go well.  To be champion with two of the three was really fun."

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler's Cold Harbor - Green Conformation Hunter Champion

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler's Good Humor - Second Year Green Hunter Champion

John ended his tour of Devon in style. As the only rider to score a 90, which he did on both Day 1 and Day 2, his spectacular trip in the First Year Green Hunter Stake was the trip of the 3 days, which was rewarded with a score of 92. In addition French and his only ride, Come Monday earned the First Year Green Championship honors as well as being named the Devon High Point Mare.

"It's hard when you come and you only have one horse.  A lot of people have five or six, and you have your one.  Last night I couldn't even sleep thinking one more class.  I hope I don't blow it.  You put a lot more pressure on yourself because you're thinking about it all day."

French loves being at Devon "I grew up in Maryland so its always fun for me to come back and to get in the 90's is pretty hard and she's the only horse that made it into the 90's this week."

Davlyn Farms Come Monday - First Year Green Hunter and Leading Mare in the Hunter Division

Jen walked away with the Leading Lady Rider title for the second time in 3 years with the help of Jersey Boy and Miss Lucy.  She's not done just yet as she has her 2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby title to defend on Sunday.

"Jersey Boy was great the whole show.  The only mistake he had was mine.  In the (High Performance Working Hunter) Handy I tried to kill us. It was my hand gallop jump and I was determined to hand gallop and maybe should have pulled on the reins this time" says Jen with a laugh.   Susie Schoellkopf, Jersey Boy's owner and an R judge commented on Come Monday's chart topping scores "From the rounds I watched including my horses, John's horse was the only 90.  That's an outstanding mare, he rides great and that's what happens. I think high 80's are great scores, but I think they rewarded Come Monday because she's an outstanding horse."

Susie speaks from the heart about Jersey Boy "He will always be Jen's horse.  We were offered a lot of money for him a couple of years ago when he wasn't really ready to go on to somebody else. We've spent a lot of time and a lot of heartache with him with spinning and spooking, but you have special horses in your life, and he will be with me forever".  Jen reinforces Susie's statement "He's a funny horse.  Last year I don't think he got a ribbon in the Regular Working, and then he won the Derby.  When he's on he's hard to beat and when he's not....he's...." Hunt Tosh jumps in at this point and finishes Jen's sentence...."Easy!"

Alfano and Schoellkopf are looking forward to this year's USHJA International Hunter Derby "I think Devon is really making an effort this year.  By making the jumps right (special Hunter Derby jumps are on loan from the Chicago Hunter Derby thanks to Rush and Carl Weeden and Diane Carney), by having a special day and offering $25,000 in prize money.  I give them a lot of credit.

SBS Farms Jersey Boy - High Performance Working Hunter Champion

Helen Lenahan's Miss Lucy - Second Year Green Hunter Reserve Champion