Thursday in the Main Hunter Ring at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show (UCHS), adult amateurs concluded competition with the second and final round of the $5,000 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, where Middleburg, Virginia, local Priscilla Denegre claimed the victory aboard her own longtime partner, String of Pearls, riding to an impressive combined score of 170.5.
Priscilla Denegre and String of Pearls. Photo by Phelps Sports
Returning in reverse order, Denegre entered with an 84, and executed a flawless second round to earn a score of 86.5. Her 170.5 high-point total proved unbeatable through the final ride to secure the blue ribbon and cooler with her talented mount.
“We were in third after yesterday,” Denegre commented, “so I knew I had to step it up today. This was a very strong division with good horses and riders. Today, I watched a few go to prepare and Gavin [Moyaln] helped me strategize the round and riding it. I couldn’t have asked [String of Pearls] to do a better job.”
The Virginia native competed in the Adult Amateur 50 and Over Hunter division and has been showing at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show since she was a young child in the pony divisions. After an accident two years ago, she partnered with String of Pearls to begin jumping again, and the 2019 UCHS marked their first show together competing over 3’, showcasing their successful partnership.
Priscilla Denegre and String of Pearls. Photo by Phelps Sports
“I fell in love with her immediately,” she said of the gray mare. “I had a very bad accident two years ago while fox hunting and when I wanted to start jumping again I knew she would be the one to get me going. This is the first show where I have competed over 3’ and [the win] means so much to me.”
James Anderson and Forever delivered a second round score of 85 for a total of 170, but were just shy of the winning score for a second place finish. Third place was awarded to Catherine Wheeler aboard Czechbook with a total score of 169.
RESULTS
$5,000 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Score / R2 Score | Total Score
1. String of Pearls / Priscilla Denegre / 84 / 86.5 | 170.50
2. Forever / James Anderson / 85 / 85 / | 170
3. Czechbook / Catherine Wheeler / 83 / 86 | 169
4. Fleetwood / Lyn Pedersen / 80 / 88 | 168
5. Lalique / Lyn Pederson / 77 / 87 | 164
6. Trip to Paris / Mimi Moulton / 86 / 73 | 159
7. Santorini / Mimi Moulton / 79 / 79 | 158
8. Sastune / Tess Mahoney / 81 / 76.50 | 157.50
9. Bittersweet Symphony / Mackensie Bowles / 72 / 85 / 157
10. Aoki / Edward Harrell / 78 / 77.50 | 155.50
11. Privileged Experience / Lauren Boldt / 84 / 70 | 154
12. Daddy’s Bentley / Lauren Boldt / 73 / 80 | 153