Source:  News Release

Horses Shine for Charity at Pin Oak

Peter Pletcher goes one-two in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, a USEF Heritage Show, trotted into the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas for two weeks of horse showing featuring hunters, jumpers, Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Welsh Ponies, and a few other breeds to round out the extravaganza. In addition to keen competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is a significant supporter of children’s health programs in the Houston area. Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and Candlelighters of Houston all benefit from the significant donations made by the Pin Oak Charity.

Rarely do different breeds and disciplines meet at a single show anymore, so the first week of Pin Oak (Mar 20-24) is a rare treat where spectators can whoop and holler as the Five Gaited Horses rack on, ooh and aah as the elegant hunters flow around the beautiful jumping courses, cheer for the talented Working Equitation horses and riders as they demonstrate their skills and talents, and hold their breath as fearless jumpers tackle Olympic style show jumping.

Wilhelm Genn and Cookie Monster fly to the lead in the $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix  Photo:  Shawn McMillen Photography

Texas native Peter Pletcher, who is recognized as one of the best hunter riders nationally, dominated the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Peter piloted the veteran Luck (Johnnie Martin-Carey, owner) to the victory, plus he nabbed second place honors with a horse new to him, Charlie Brown (Spruce Meadows, owner). “Luck is super brave,” recounted Peter. “He is not spooky and is super quiet. He is always a trier.” Luck does double duty in both the derbies and the older Adult Amateur Hunters with his owner, Johnnie, in the irons, and the pair won several of their classes.

“I’ve only had Charlie Brown for a month and this is my first show with him," Peter continued. "He did the 3'3" Pre-Green Hunters in California last year. Linda feels he could be a big-time derby horse so she sent him to me.” Peter was impressed with their showing the first time out. “He is super athletic and his topline is unbelievable. He buries his head in his knees. He is brave and careful. I am excited about him for the USHJA International Hunter Derby.” And during the second week of Pin Oak Peter will have a chance to step up to this bigger challenge if he feels the horse is ready.

While Peter has shown at many of the top shows around the country, Pin Oak remains one of his favorites. His parents brought him to the show as a youngster, and he was fascinated by all the horses, especially the Saddlebreds. While Peter may be one of the best hunter riders in the country, he also rode Saddleseat and drove Roadster ponies.

Lynn Walsh celebrates her win in the Amateur Owner Hunters Photo:  Shawn McMillen Photography

Lynn Walsh (Peter Pletcher, trainer) is also a huge Pin Oak fan and serves as President of Pin Oak Charity. She found some time in her busy schedule to show in the Amateur Owner Hunters where she not only claimed show champion, but also the blue in the classic aboard her own MacArthur Park. Lynn is proud of the show and all that it does for the community, especially with helping children who are battling cancer.

While style ruled in the hunter rings, speed ruled the day in the jumper classes. Theo Genn was unbeatable in the 1.45M Speed Stake aboard Janitzio (Eduardo Leon, owner). Theo inherited the ride from his father, Wilhelm, and the pair have been burning things up in speed classes and classics. “Conrad’s (Homfeld) course was beautiful as always and required a careful ride," Theo noted. "My horse is super and pretty quick. I know he is careful, so I can keep coming to the jumps. He is fast and scopey.”

Theo Genn and Janitzio are unbeatable in the 1.45M Speed Stake Photo:  Shawn McMillen Photography

Horses are a Genn family affair. Theo is following in his father’s footsteps, and the pair often battle it out in the grand prix events, but it is all smiles and hugs back at the barn. Ryan is in his freshman year at SCAD (South Carolina) where he is riding on the school’s equestrian team, but he finds time to meet his family at the shows where he rides in the Amateur Owner Jumpers. Pin Oak is a family favorite. “We love the atmosphere, the people, and the prize money,” said Theo. Pin Oak is also a favorite for Eduardo, who has owned horses in the Genn’s program for years and lives in Houston.

Hannah Houske and Cloverleaf Master & Commander command the Three Gaited Amateur Park Photo: Casey McBride Photography

Swapping power for flash, the Saddlebreds were the epitome of style and flair. Hannah Houske piloted her stunning Cloverleaf Master & Commander (Shelby Farm and Stable, owner) to the blue in the Three Gaited Amateur Park Class. The high school senior topped a competitive eleven horse field and looks forward to a winning week during Pin Oak. “It is such a classed up horse show,” said Hannah, and it doesn’t hurt that she can sleep in her own bed at night since the show is local for her.

Hannah got her start riding eleven years ago with Milo Jones. “My mom rode Saddlebreds and it just a blast. Every horse is different, and they love to show. They have a drive to be a show horse." Of Cloverleaf Master & Commander, Hannah says the eight-year-old gelding is a challenge. “I like the challenge and he is so different at home, then in the warm-up ring, and then the show ring. In the show ring, he always gives me 110%.” The pair will head to Kentucky in the summer for the World Championships in Louisville, the crown jewel for Saddlebred riders and owners. Hannah plans to attend the University of Kentucky next year and will keep showing during college.

Thirteen-year-old Abbie Lawrence is an up and coming Saddleseat rider, having just moved up from the Academy Classes. She rode Callaway’s Latest Edition (Barbe Smith, owner and trainer) to the blue in the competitive Medallion Class. After the rail work, each rider had to perform an individual test prescribed by the judge. Abbie was the most accurate in her individual work and that propelled her to the top of the class.

“I just started riding Callaway’s Latest Edition in January,” said the New Orleans-based eighth grader. “I have to work on gaining control because in the show ring he can be like a fire breathing dragon.” For Abbie, Pin Oak is the biggest show she has attended, and she enjoyed seeing the different horses. “I want to watch the jumping because it is something my mom won’t let me do!”

Elly Berman drives Albert Kaponey to the top of the Roadster Pony Amateur and Championship classes Photo: Casey McBride Photography

Pin Oak was definitely something to do for two big Saddlebred barns from California: David Blevins and David Becker, from Moorpark and Clovis respectively. “I came to Pin Oak a few years ago and my clients and I liked it,” said Becker. He and his clients wanted to return, and he talked to his friend and fellow trainer, David Blevins about going together. For 2013, their schedules worked out, and after showing in Arizona, the two barns shared a charter and headed to Texas. “We were two-fifths of the way to Texas so we decided to continue," Becker aid. "Pin Oak is a good show, and it is deep across the numbers.” Both barns did well. Blevins has a number of Three Gaited and Five Gaited horses, while Becker brought a number of Three Gaited Show Pleasure horses, a few harness horses, and a Hackney Pony. In fact, Becker piloted Unchained (Virginia Bergstrom, owner) to second in the Fine Harness Junior/Novice Horse class and third in the Fine Harness Championship. His riders did well also. “I am proud of all my gals. They gained a lot of personal growth and started to move from going in a class and getting through it, to showing. We are going home from Pin Oak having gained a lot.”

Pin Oak’s reach is broad. There is no doubt that those showing can gain from their time at Pin Oak held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, but the children’s cancer charities benefit tremendously from the fundraising derived from the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. For the past two years, Pin Oak Charity has donated $125,000 each year, and in its 68 year history, Houston area children’s focused charities have received significant donations from the show. At Pin Oak, everyone steps up and steps out for children.

Stay tuned for more stories from Pin Oak as the show continues through March 30, and there is news from the first week’s $30,000 Pin Oak Charity Grand Prix, the new and popular Working Equitation division, and much more.

Visit the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show website for more information.

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