Wellington, FL – March 31, 2016 – Kelly Farmer piloted the seven-year-old gelding Clever Conversation to another tricolor win in the Green Conformation Hunters, presented by Shapley’s Grooming Products. Farmer topped both over fences classes on Thursday morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with the Warmblood gelding. “Clever,” as he is called in the barn, also topped the under saddle class, placed second in the model, and earned a first and a third over fences on Wednesday.
Stephanie Danhakl’s mount First Light, who was ridden by Scott Stewart, took home the reserve title. Stewart and the seven-year-old Hanoverian stallion topped the model and one of the four over fences classes. First Light also placed third in the under saddle and earned third, seventh, and eighth over fences.
Kelley Farmer and Clever Conversation. Photo: Sportfot
Clever has had a tremendous circuit with rider Kelley Farmer, of Wellington, FL. The pair has won consistently in the Green/Regular Conformation division throughout the season, including championships during weeks one, two, four, and six. “I think he’s going to be circuit champion, which is really nice,” Farmer remarked.
Farmer began sparingly showing Clever last year. “We bought him down here last year in February and did a few shows, but not too much. I showed him a handful of times this summer and then started showing him more this circuit,” she explained.
Farmer fell in love with Clever the first time she laid eyes on him, which was inside a horse trailer on his way to another home. It is an endearing story of happenstance that Farmer tells rather affectionately. “I had another horse coming out of quarantine, and I went to meet the truck at the farm,” Farmer explained. “Clever was standing next to my horse on the truck, so I asked the driver where he was going.” The driver explained that the horse belonged to Jennifer Bieling. At which point Farmer called Jennifer and arranged for a trial the very next day. “I told Jennifer that he’s adorable and that I’ll be there tomorrow to try him,” Farmer laughed.
When Farmer informed her business partner Larry Glefke of the new horse she was going to try he was not as thrilled. “I told Larry I found a new horse at quarantine and he asked me, ‘What about the horse we already bought?’ I told Larry our horse will be nice too, but I want to go try the beautiful horse I saw on the truck.”
Farmer jumped Clever over four jumps the next day and decided to buy him. “He had such a good brain from day one. He’s a good mover, has a beautiful look, and that jump!” she exclaimed. “He walked right onto my field and from day one he was so straightforward and easy.”
“He’s a very quiet horse,” Farmed said. “He literally comes from the stall straight to the ring. He’s brave, straightforward, and simple.”
“I’m excited about Clever’s future” Farmer stated. “He’s a really good horse, and I’m not sure I’ll have him long, but as long as I do it will be great.”
Clever Conversation in his championship presentation with owner Margaret O’Meara and Sally Stith-Burdette of Shapley’s Grooming Products. Photo: Sportfot
Farmer plans to compete with Clever in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The first round will take place on Saturday afternoon in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. “I’m going to let him show this weekend in his first International Hunter Derby. It’s going to be his first real test. He was great in the International Arena during (WCHR) Hunter week, but this will be new for him,” Farmer said.
The final week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $10,000 Gut Einhaus Young Jumper Five-Year-Old Final, the $15,000 Adequan® Young Jumper Six-Year-Old Final, and the $20,000 Adequan® Young Jumper Seven-Year-Old Final featured in the International Ring. The Triple Crown Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 Section A will award championship honors in the Rost Arena. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.