Competition wrapped up in the Rost Arena on Saturday with the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 division returning to contest for championship honors in their final two over-fences classes. Having earned the blue ribbon in all three classes the previous day, Jef Lauwers of Magnolia, TX, sealed the victory by displaying another winning round as well as earning fifth place in the last class.
Jef Lauwers and Sutherland. Photo © Sportfot.
Lauwers piloted trainer Peter Pletcher’s 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Sir Donnerhall x Glorious Lady), Sutherland, to four out of five possible first place ribbons and was uncatchable for the champion title with over 40 points accumulated. The reserve went to Caroline Gibson with the Shadyside Farm’s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, Gia.
While he appears completely comfortable in the hunter ring, Lauwers spent most of his riding career in Europe where he lived and only began riding hunters several years ago. He now lives in Texas and trains full-time with hunter veteran, Peter Pletcher.
“Where I was raised in Belgium, we don’t have hunter style riding so this is only my third year riding in the hunters,” he explained. “I started in the jumpers when I was younger because that is the normal thing to do in Europe, but for me, personally, the hunters are more fun.”
Lauwers credits all of his success as a hunter rider to Pletcher and of course, to his equine partner Sutherland.
“Peter is the best influence I’ve had because he brings out the best in me and in Sutherland every day,” he said. “We thrive off of the teamwork and this horse has taken me from the Adult Amateur Hunters all of the way to where I am now.”
Jef Lauwers with Kathy Serio of Adequan. Photo © Sportfot.
While Lauwer has shown across the country including the prestigious Hampton Classic and the Washington International Horse Show, he says WEF is one of his favorite venues.
“WEF is incredible because it is 12 weeks of competition and the competition is just as tough as the week before,” Lauwer stated. “There is a diverse group of both younger and more experienced riders all showing together and it’s exciting to be included in that.”