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Catherine Rinehart & Primera - USHJA Hunter Derby
Photo: Catherine Rinehart & Primera; Amanda Forte & Paramount
©Flashpoint Photography
**Photos may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release
Gulf Coast Winter Classics Week IV- Honoring the Hunters
Catherine Rinehart Wins $10k Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Derby
Amanda Forte Stars in the USHJA National Hunter Classic
GULFPORT, MS.—MAR. 6, 2010—While Hollywood may be buzzing about Oscar nominees’ skills on the big screen, the fourth week of the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter was dedicated to honoring the talent and elegance of show hunters with two big events held at the Harrison County Equestrian grounds.
Friday morning began with the $10,000 Chronicle of Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich Insurance. It all started with the equivalent of a red carpet walk spotlighting Shadbelly jackets, shined boots, braided manes and tails all around as a talented mix of 45 professionals and amateurs jogged before this year’s panel of four judges-Sue Ashe, Betsy Perry, Alice Coke, and Carl Hansen. Following the soundness test, stars and starlets began with a first round course of 12 obstacles from the imagination of designer Paul Jewel, comprised mostly of natural materials such as logs, brush, and gate planks. Within the track riders encountered 6 options with height choices of 3’6 or 4’ as well as bending and broken lines throughout. Only the top 12 scores would be invited back for the handy round two.
“Primera handled everything really well. There were some difficult spots, but he [Primera] was so solid.” Catherine Rinehart of Indianapolis, IN who captured the first round and onto the overall victory began, “I was just a little worried about the last line because there were two options in and two options out. I did the low to the high options and if you did that it was about 7 ½ [strides] and I decided to do the 8, so I waited, going slow and he did the last jump really well. ” Early in the first round Pamela Deslauriers lead the pack riding Bruce for owners Twin Oaks Farm, LLC with a combined high score of 170. The lead role changed as Rinehart directed Primera to a 181 score for owner Helen Gilbert. “I rode Primera in maybe 3 shows as a 1st Year Green horse and that was probably 4 years ago. His regular rider couldn’t be here so I got to ride him- I was lucky!” Catherine said of her 10 year-old Holsteiner mount. Chasing Rinehart during the first round were owner-rider Brooke Kennedy with Abercrombie matching the 181 high score and Lindsey Roberts of Kingwood, TX riding Fun & Games to a score of 178 both well above the 160 cut off to assure their return. But as the initial round concluded it was still Catherine and Primera taking center stage. Ribbons were awarded to the top twelve who would in turn move one ride closer to the $10,000 prize.
Moving to scene two, where Jewel deigned a handy 11 fence layout that included 4 options, one of which came at fence #5 where riders chose between a sweeping track right to trot over a small log at #6 or a broken line with a sharper turn. However, the p’est de resistance came at the #10 obstacle, a gate to be opened while mounted, walk through it and pick up a hand gallop to the final oxer. Owner-rider Sue Takata with Dolce were the first pair in and executed an easy gate maneuver earning them a score of 170 added to their first round 160 for a total of 330. One of the toughest riders Catherine faced was Will Roberts aboard Dubari for owner Gayle Cox, the duo had a smooth approach to the gate obstacle which the judges’ scores reflected with bonus points for a 183 second round total and overall score of 350 giving them the lead position. Catherine said her script for the final curtain included going inside after the first obstacle and choosing the low to high options because “that was a nicer line, the low to low was really abrupt. The option set you up with a little more room to get to the next big oxer.” When asked if she rehearsed the gate with her mount, Catherine replied with a laugh, “No, we didn’t really practice, in the schooling area I just lean off either side and pretend that I’m reaching for something and he didn’t bat an ear so I thought oh he’ll be fine.” Confidence that paid off with a score of 181 added to their first round for a total of 362 and the victory.
Presenting a host of goodies to this morning’s winners was sponsor Shawna Dietrich of Dietrich Insurance and Lisa Slade of The Chronicle of the Horse magazine. Along with the custom USHJA ribbons, the winner received with her check a crystal trophy, commemorative cooler, special Essex shirt, Gulf Coast cooleret, and assorted goodie tote.
Official results for the Derby were:
1st Primera owned by Helen Gilbert and ridden by Catherine Rinehart
2nd Dubari owned by Gayle Cox and ridden by Will Roberts
3rd Blackstone owned by Lynn Rice and ridden by Thomas Brennan
4th Dolce owned and ridden by Sue Takata
5th Bruce owned by Twin Oaks Farm, LLC and ridden by Pamela Deslauriers
6th Apparition owned and ridden by Jordan Siegel
7th Fun & Games owned and ridden by Lindsey Roberts
8th Argentos owned by Jennifer Ruffolo and ridden by Amanda Forte
9th Rex the Wonder Horse owned and ridden by Moral Masuoka
10th Davinci owned and ridden by Lindsey Farrell
11th Daily Devotion owned by Valinda Moore and ridden by Colleen Acosta
12th Abercrombie owned and ridden by Brooke Kennedy
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