By: Kendall Bierer

Lexington, KY -September 22, 2011 – The 2011 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships continued this past weekend with competitors for Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 vying for the top honors in their respective regional competitions. On September 18, 2011, talented horse and rider combinations began competing to place in the top 60% of their classes, earning the top combinations an invitation to the prestigious finals held in Lexington, KY for the Alltech National Horse Show. Taking home the blue ribbon prize and winning title for their regions were Sarah Milliren, Brooke Pettet, Madison Cameron and Morgan Geller.

Competing at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show in Lake St. Louis, MO, the Region 5 “Central” Championships were judged by Linda Andrisani and Alex Jayne. The “Central” Championships were one of the few finals that did not ask for additional testing from the judges. The riders were only judged on the course and the flat phase. The Central Region includes top competitors from AR, IA, KS, LA, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, and WI. It was Sarah Milliren who rode Terrapin, owned by Walstib Stables LLC of Rumson, NJ, to the top honors, claiming the championship award. Megan Bifano and Urco, owned by Gabby Slome of Riverdale, NY, claimed the reserve championship honors.

Milliren was extremely pleased with the results, especially since this was her first time showing Terrapin. “Going to Regionals, I had no idea what horse I was going to compete with,” Milliren explained. “I had a couple to choose from, but I really liked Terrapin and his ride. He’s an awesome horse, pretty straightforward, although he does get a little crabby.”

Judges Kim Dorfman and Paddy Downing-Nyegard had the difficult task of judging the Region 6 “Mountain” Championships. Riders gathered at the High Prairie Fall Classic in Parker, CO, to show against competitors from AZ, CO, NM, and UT. The regional championship was awarded to Brooke Pettet aboard Wonderwall, owned by BTP Investments LLC of Littleton, CO. Paparazzi, owned by Serenity Farm of Elizabeth, CO, ridden by Kelli Cruciotti snagged the reserve honors.

“The first round we went in, and I was little nervous actually; but my horse was being really good,” noted Pettet. “I had one jump I was a little unsure about, and then the rest was really good I thought. I was really happy that there was no additional testing.”

Region 7 “Northwest” held its championships at the North West Autumn Classic in Monroe, WA, with judges Susan Ashe and Ken Krome. Region 7 is comprised of riders from AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, and WY. Although Alexa Anthony of Washington impressed the judges, it was Madison Cameron of Portland, OR, who made her mark, riding to the top honors and championship award. Cameron also claimed the Region 7 Reserve Championship last year.

Fabricio, ridden by Morgan Geller of Manhattan Beach, CA, took home the Region 8 “West” Championship. The competition was held at the Oaks Blenheim Fall Classic in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Geller competed against the top junior riders from CA, HI, and NV, emerging victorious. Rider Olivia Esse of CA, was also called back for additional testing, eventually garnering the second place prize. Region 8 judges included R. Scot Evans and Linda Hough, who evaluated riders over a meticulous course, which tested both horse and rider alike. The course consisted of thirteen obstacles, which Geller attempted first.

“The course was straightforward, more based on smooth turns and style,” described Geller. “I was nervous all day about going first, but in the end it was better because I didn’t sit around and watch everyone and get even more nervous!”

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. From each Regional Final, a percentage of all winners will advance to the year-end National Championships held in Lexington, KY at the Alltech National Horse Show from November 2-6. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, and in 2010 Hayley Barnhill was named the winner.

The Regional Championships for Region 2 will be held on September 24th in North Salem, NY, at the Old Salem Farm. The championships for Regions 1 and Region 4 will conclude on September 25th in Westbrook, CT, and Lexington, KY, respectively. For more information on the ASPCA Maclay National Championships and its qualifiers as well as the Alltech National Horse Show.

Region 5: Central Entry Results:
1st Sarah Milliren                      
2nd Megan Bifano                    
3rd Bethany Bolen                   
4th Geoffrey, Hesslink            
5th Michael Kocher                  
6th Elizabeth MavWilliam      
7th Nicole Walker                      
8th Hannah Spiegler                
9th Emma Roberts                         
10th Natalie Liberman

Region 6: Mountain Entry Results – High Prairie, CO:
1st Brooke Pettet
2nd Kelli Cruciotti
3rd Amelia Drumm
4th Lucy Gerhart
5th Katya Schwab
6th Megan Buscema
7th Katherine Pitts
8th Tia Herrick

Region 7: Northwest Entry Results – Monroe WA:
1st Madison Cameron
2nd Alexa Anthony
3rd Sydney Tangyel
4th Natalie Hill
5th Kendall Pedigo
6th Ruth Lind
7th Paige Hamilton
8th Lauren Myers
9th Vivian Keller
10th Emily Hilton

Region 8: West Entry Results:
1st Morgan Geller
2nd Olivia Esse
3rd Alicia Gasser
4th Savannah Jenkins
5th Olivia Smith
6th Conor Perrin
7th Gabbi Langston
8th Alexis Graves
9th Hannah Von Heidegger                
10th Demi Stiegler