Scott Stewart returned to the Winter Equestrian Festival in winning form as he secured the championship in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Green Hunter 3’6” division during Week 1. Stewart piloted new mount, Bright Side, to an easy victory as the pair were awarded two firsts, a third, and a fourth over their courses.
Scott Stewart and Bright Side in their presentation. Photo Courtesy of Sportfot®
“We weren’t sure we were going to show him this week, but he was so good in the warm-ups on Tuesday that we decided to jump right in,” commented Stewart. “Since I don’t know him very well, I just had to trust him. He went right out there and handled it exceptionally well.”
Stewart, of Flemington, NJ, is new to the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ultimo x Tiara), who was purchased as an Adult Amateur 3’6” horse for his client, Stephanie Danhakl, only several weeks ago. Previously owned by Mountain View West Farm, LLC, the gelding has extensive Adult Amateur and Performance Hunter placings on the west coast.
“He’s naturally a very good jumper and very confident, so he’s a great amateur horse,” Stewart said of Bright Side.
Scott Stewart and Bright Side Photo Courtesy of Sportfot®
Hunter veteran Kelley Farmer and Larry Glefke’s six-year-old mare Me Too produced two solid rounds to secure second place in both the Handy and Stake classes. The placings were high enough to earn the duo the reserve championship during opening week.