Source: HITS News Release


SAUGERTIES, NY (September 20, 2010)--Equitation classes highlighted Sunday's competition at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals in the Strongid Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, New York.

Blythe Ruppel (New York, New York) started the day off with a blue ribbon in the Marshall & Sterling Children's Small/Medium Pony Medal Finals. Ruppel, 10, trains with Alex Talmage at Long Island's Two Trees Farm. "She is incredibly dedicated and disciplined," said Talmage. "Next year she hopes to move into the Pony Hunter Division."

Ruppel competed at the Finals aboard accomplished pony Oliver Twist, owned by Mindy Darst, who is the same pony that former Marshall & Sterling League member Brianna Goutel learned to ride on before she became a show-jumping star.

"We are privileged to have such a great pony to ride," said Talmage. "Together, they won some great ribbons in Equitation classes and in the Children's Hunters this year."

Second place went to Sydney Gever (North Caldwell, New Jersey), and the third-place ribbon was awarded to Christina Samhous(Pittstown, New Jersey).

In the Marshall & Sterling Children's Large Pony Medal Finals first place went to Savanna Hajdasz (Amston, Connecticut) who rode her own Corhil Andante.

It was not an easy ride for the blue as Hajdasz was challenged by Katherine Johnson (Holliston, Massachusetts) for the top prize. The first round had 34 riders, and Johnson took the early lead scoring a 90. Hajdasz was right on her heels, finishing with a score of 87. The second round featured the top 12 riders from first round, and Hajdasz took control of the lead after she received a score of 89 from judges Frank Willard and Mindy Minetto for a total of 176. Johnson scored an 85.5 in the second round for a total of 175.5, just a half a point behind Hajdasz to finish in second place and grab the red ribbon.

After the class, Mary Moeller of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and HITS' Kristen Vale presented Johnson with the Best Child Rider on a Pony award thanks in large part to her amazing score from her first round.

"When I scored a 90, I was so excited," said Johnson. "That was the first time that I've ever gotten a 90!

Equitation action rolled into the afternoon when 84 riders challenge Jerry Dougherty's first-round course in the Marshall & Sterling Children's Horse Medal Finals. The top 12 riders returned for the second round and it was Hunter Ralston (Hebron, Connecticut) who won the top prize aboard Holly Rebello's London Fog.

The day concluded with the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals. Sydney Smith (Madison, Connecticut) aboard Calimero outlasted the 34 riders that took to Dougherty's first-round track, and the top 12 that returned for the second round. Smith, who trains under the guidance of her mother Kristi Smith, also won this year's Best Junior Rider award at the Finals.

Earlier in the week, Kaelin Tully (Farmingdale, New York) kicked off the Medal classes with a win when she rode her own Ralph Lauren to top honors in the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal Finals on Friday afternoon. Second place went to Melissa Feller (Lincoln Park, New Jersey), and third place honors were awarded to Caroline Hughes (Brookline, Massachusetts)

"Winning this class at the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals was something I have been striving for all year," said Tully, who attends Nassau Community College. "It's such a prestigious event, and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of it.

Show jumping at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals has now concluded after another great season. For complete results from this year's National Finals, click here.