The Rost Arena got to an early start this morning with the many hunter divisions it saw today. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, awarded another of its championships today, this time in the Adult Amateur 3'3" Hunters to Sheila Motley aboard Lansing.

Motley only just began riding Lansing, a Holsteiner gelding, for owner Richard Schechter. However, that did not stop the newly paired duo from taking top honors during week two at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. "He is so much fun to ride," Motley said about her mount Lansing.

Motley clinched the championship honors this week by winning two classes, placing second in one class, and fifth in another class.

Reserve champion in the Adult Amateur 3'3" Hunters went to Leah Schwendeman aboard the Woodland Way Inc. entry, Frankly Speaking.  Schwendeman and Frankly Speaking won one class, placed second in two classes, and placed third in another class.

Schechter has owned Lansing, now eight years old, since he was three. "We haven't shown him seriously for quite a long time, so this is terrific," said Schechter about Lansing's successful week.

Sheila Motley and Lansing

Lansing and Motley will continue showing throughout the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in the Amateur Adult 3'3" Hunters.

The weekend begins tomorrow, and with it comes much more action from the amateur, junior, and pony rings here at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Large Junior Hunters 16-17 will start the day off in the Rost Arena.

Tomorrow night will be the first Saturday Night Lights event of the season. The $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix will begin at 7 p.m. in the International Arena.

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com or for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.

Photo Credit: Sheila Motley and Lansing were the Amateur Adult 3'3" Hunter champions during the second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com.