When Allison Cederberg heard the final scores of the $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, she knew she had won and threw her arms around the neck of her mount, Zero Tolerance. Cederberg, 22, hails from Fort Collins, CO, and earned a score of 168 to take the tri-color riding her own 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Roven during their first-ever appearance at WIHS.
Allison Cederberg and Zero Tolerance. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Cederberg was one of the 12 riders who qualified to return for a second round from an original starting field of 26. Coming back for the final course, she sat in first by a narrow margin, and she held on for the win, with Britta Lippert of Sea Girt, NJ, finishing a single point behind on a 167 score riding Indigo for owner Gianna Zanghi. For the win, Cederberg was presented with the Diane Wade Memorial Award.
Addie Jabin of Columbia, MD, took third with a score of 160 in the irons of her own Axtrex, while Clare Karlovec of Cleveland, OH, finished fourth riding her own Milord du Valon to a score of 159. Lydia Davidson of Fairfax, VA, rounded out the top five with her own Park Avenue on a final tally of 155.
“To win here is amazing,” said Cederberg, who trains with Ricci, Stephanie, and Michael Desiderio out of Tranquility Farm in Chester, NJ. “To be here is amazing, and Zero was incredible. He walked in [Capital One Arena] like he had been doing it his whole life. Everything came up really well, and he jumped amazing. That’s all you can really ask for.”
The win in the $10,000 Adult Hunter Championship was awarded to Allison Cederberg and Zero Tolerance. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Zero Tolerance was imported by Cederberg six years ago, a deal that was sealed by the trade of her small pony.
“We found him from his breeder, Marilyn Schmidt, in Amsterdam and bought him off a video without even trying him,” she said. “He’s been an amazing horse ever since. We have grown a lot, and he has helped me reach all my goals.
“His breeder still contacts us and follows everything he does,” continued Cederberg. “She even comes and visits him, so he definitely has a very loving family. Over the years, we have built confidence to trust each other and know that it’s always going to be alright.”
The 60th annual Washington International Horse Show continues on Wednesday, October 24, beginning at 7 a.m. with championships for the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions, as well as the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship and the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship.
$10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship Results
Rank Rider Horse Score
1 Allison Cederberg Zero Tolerance 168
2 Britta Lippert Indigo 167
3 Addie Jabin Axtrex 160
4 Clare Karlovec Milord du Valon 159
5. Lydia Davidson Park Avenue 155
6 Amy Meravi Zortago 153.5
7 Melissa Kirkpatrick Ultimatum 152
8 Laurie Barna. Fabrege 151
9 Lydia Mcclain. Iberia 147
10 Sydney Swarr Rock Star 142
11 Maria Caccamise San Pellegrino 140
12 Patti Schindler Pinch Hit 117