Source:  News Release

Spring Gathering Gathers Top Competition to Texas

Often people seeking the top of their field are told they have to go to the epicenter of the activity. For decades in the hunter/jumper sport, that meant the East Coast. Over time the top ends of the sport have concentrated in the east and the west. However, Peter Pletcher, undoubtedly one of the best hunter riders and trainers in the country, was determined to show that excellence could reside somewhere other than the two coasts. “I started the Spring Gathering 13 years ago to show we can have some good shows in Texas,” explained Peter. And Peter has proven his point with panache.

Texas now boasts a variety of good shows in multiple locations. The crown jewel of the Texas hunter/jumper circuit is the two weeks of Pin Oak followed by the Spring Gathering. All three shows feature USHJA National Hunter Derbies, and the second and third weeks feature a USHJA International Hunter Derby. Additionally, the Spring Gathering is a World Champion Hunter Rider Show. “I think we’ve proved that we have good shows in Texas,” said Peter with his characteristic understatement.

Riding and showing her horse, Code Red, is a big part of Amy Wrozek's life Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Peter wanted to affiliate his show with a charity and chose the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “One of my nieces has diabetes and I thought this would be a good way to support her,” explained Peter. Amy Wrozek agrees with Peter’s choice. The 18-year-old was diagnosed with Diabetes Type I when she was five, and the disease is part of her daily life. Fortunately, advances in monitoring, treating, and understanding the disease have improved significantly and Amy appreciates that. “The pumps and monitoring are so discrete now and much more effective. That makes things so much easier for me,” she explained.

Horses and riding have been a big part of her life and a big motivation to learn how to manage her diabetes. “I like riding because diabetes doesn’t matter. I get to be the same as everyone else.”

Amy started riding when she was eight. “My grandparents had horses and rode Western, but they told my parents to teach me to ride English first where I would learn balance and control. I never changed saddles,” Amy said with a laugh. She started riding ponies and gradually moved up. Last year she started riding in the Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers with help from her trainer Celine Burch. “Celine had to go home this week,” said Amy, “so since Steve and Jenni McAllister sometimes come to our barn to coach, they said I could show with them this week.”

Amy especially likes the fact that the Spring Gathering benefits research for juvenile diabetes. “I realize that so many people have diabetes and it makes people more aware. There is less stigma and it kind of makes me feel important to be at this show with this cause being supported.”  This fall, Amy heads off to St. Andrews College, where she plans to ride on their Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association equestrian team and manage her diabetes all on her own.

Tammy Provost and Carlson make their bid in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Thanks to the show’s emphasis on hunters, riders had both USHJA National and International Hunter Derby to compete in. Tracy Fenney led after the first round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby when she scored 89 with To The Nines (Didi Mac Kenzie, owner). However, Tammy Provost was determined to take over. After scoring 85 with Carlson (Ally Moyer, owner) for second place, 81 with Santerno (Brenda Christenson, owner) for seventh, and 80 with Safari (Ally Moyer, owner) for ninth in the first round, she came back for the handy round with a vengeance. She put in three beautiful rounds and launched Safari to the top of that round and second overall with a score of 96, which included a nine-point handy bonus and three of the higher options. She also moved into the lead overall with Carlson with a score of 95, while Santerno settled in sixth. Unfortunately, Tracy had some trouble over the handy course, and her score of 55 for the round dropped her out of the top eight.

Peter Pletcher and Infinity top the USHJA National Hunter Derby Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Peter Pletcher also made a good showing in the international derby, placing fourth with San Angelo (Susan Pelletier, owner), and then he led the victory gallop in the USHJA National Hunter Derby after capturing first and second with Infinity and Luck, respectively. “Usually Infinity is shown by his owner, Kelsey Britton, in the Junior Hunters, but this week she couldn’t get out of school so I rode him in the USHJA National Hunter Derby.” Infinity dominated both rounds and Peter was able to guide the nine-year-old gelding to a stunning round in the Handy. “He can be a bit spooky, especially in the big derbies, but he handled this class really well.”     

Given the show’s designation as a World Champion Hunter Rider event, hunters come out in force, but the jumper rings were quite busy and top titles were on the line.

Tracy Fenney started out the three weeks of shows with a grand prix win on MTM Timon in the first grand prix of the series, and she was second and in the money throughout the three weeks, but another win eluded until her until the last jumper class on the last day. Tracy had four horses in the $25,000 Spring Gathering Grand Prix and she piloted three of them to clear rounds. Four other riders joined her in an exciting and fast jump off over Guilherme Jorge’s course.

Tracy led off with Leviticus, and they posted a fast time (43.904), but dropped a rail. “We just got him last week,” said Tracy of the handsome bay gelding. “I am really excited about seeing where we can go.” Theo Genn left all the rails and shaved more than two seconds off Tracy’s time in 41.325 seconds aboard Asirea Fortuna (Eduardo Leon, owner). “She is really fast and young. I am really excited about her,” said Theo of the agile gray mare.

Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano are unbeatable in the $25,000 Spring Gathering Grand Prix Photo:  Shawn McMillen Photography

Tracy returned, and this time she left no doubt she was going to lead the victory gallop. Aboard MTM Centano, a 13-year-old Holsteiner she and Mike McCormick have had since he was five, Tracy made a very daring roll back turn to 9b and 9c and an even more daring run down to the final fence, the tall Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation vertical. “Centano is so scopey and strong. I knew I could just turn and he could jump,” said Tracy of her risky turn.”It is amazing the way he turns for such a big horse.” Then Tracy used MTM Centano’s power in a wide open gallop to the last vertical. “The last jump was so far away,” said Tracy of their bold gallop, but the risk paid off as MTM Centano left room to spare and stopped the clock in 40.979. The rest of the field tried to catch Tracy, but she and MTM Centano were unbeatable.

Tracy was also recognized as the CWD Leading Grand Prix Rider for the three weeks of shows. “This is great,” said Tracy of her new saddle. “My saddle is six years old so I can’t wait to see the new models.” After being on the road for most of the year, Tracy is looking forward to spending some much needed time at home in Flower Mound, Texas.

Earlier in the week, Wilhelm Genn topped the $5,000 Open Jumper Classic with Cookie Monster. Amateur rider Marnye Langer and LEGIS Rock Star were only eight one hundreths of a second behind Wilhelm, and the top five all finished within a second of one another.

The Spring Gathering has achieved Peter’s goals of demonstrating that Texas can hold quality shows and attract top horses and riders while serving as a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Show Manager Philip DeVita, Jr. plans to continue to developing the show, including some additional jumper money.

The three weeks of Texas shows were attractive to Steve and Jenni McAllister of Team McAllister, based at the Flintridge Riding Club in California. “We came to Pin Oak last year,” said Jenni, “and we didn’t know about the third week. This year we wrapped up at Thermal and came straight to Texas. Our barn has had a lot of fun here and done well.” Jenni got prizes in most of the grand prix events with Columbus and LEGIS Venice. “It’s a long trip for us, but well worth it.”

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