Kit McClorey and High Tide Rise to Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Finish at National Horse Show

Hunter competition at the 2020 National Horse Show continued Thursday with the crowning of champions in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter divisions. As one of the most prestigious horse shows in America, the National Horse Show featured Amateur-Owner riders and their top mounts, who showed their best over the course of two days, all hoping to claim the coveted Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter tricolor ribbon at the conclusion. Rising to the top of the competitive 30 horse-and-rider combinations across the Younger and Older cards, it was Kit McClorey and Indian Rock Farms, LLC’s High Tide who were awarded the “Susanne Stroh” Perpetual Trophy and the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Grand Champion title.

Kit McClorey with High Tide in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Georgie Hammond/Phelps Media Group.

Taking back-to-back blues for their stellar efforts in Wednesday’s Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter over fences and handy rounds, McClorey and High Tide continued their winning streak with yet another first-place finish in the under saddle class. In the final class of the division, the Oare & Adikes-Hill Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 Stake, High Tide jumped to an impressive score of 84 to finish in the second-place position out of the field of entries. The pair’s 36-point total score led them straight to the winner’s circle to be crowned Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Over 36 Champion. McClorey and High Tide were then invited back to the arena one last time to receive their second gold medal of the day, this time for the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Grand Champion.

Kit McClorey on High Tide. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

McClorey and the 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding have been partnered together for four years. High Tide, who was found in a field by McClorey’s trainer Amanda Thomas, has found great success in the hunter ranks, most recently winning the Reserve Champion title of the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter at the 2020 Captial Challenge Horse Show. McClorey was thrilled with the performances of “Boden,” praising him for his faithful attitude throughout the two days of the division.

Competition at the 137th National Horse Show will continue Friday, October 30, with the Junior Hunter divisions coming to a pinnacle. Following the crowning of their respective champions, jumper riders will take to the Alltech Arena for the EquiJet $10,000 Junior Jumper, $10,000 Amateur Jumper and the T&R Development $36,600 International Speed class. Scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. that night, hunter horses and riders will reclaim the spotlight for the highlight class of the evening, the National Horse Show $50,000 Hunter Classic.

From the Winner’s Circle: Kit McClorey
On High Tide:
“His barn name is Boden and his show name is High Tide. He is 10 years old now and this is his second year at The National. It is super exciting to be here and to have done so well! He is awesome and my trainer, Amanda Thomas, is awesome. She brought him along after finding him in a field and she took him to his first show. It has been a really fun process and a really fun experience. We love him to death!”
On her trips:
“He was a little nervous when we got here so Amanda did a lot of flat work with him. Then going in yesterday for the first trip he was definitely a little wide eyed but he rose to the occasion. I thought the courses rode nicely. I love the ring and I love the footing, it looks beautiful! They do such a nice job with the jumps. We had a couple of spots that it could have been a tricky lead change, but I am glad that all worked out. It was very fun and I think the show does a really nice job.”
On being Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter:
“To be honest, I am about to burst into tears! I can hardly believe it! This was never in my wildest dreams.”
On competing at the 2020 National Horse Show:
“It has been really nice. I have another AO horse that I did the 3’3” division on a few years ago and we came twice. This is Boden’s second year so I have been here four times and every year it has been really remarkable and beautifully run. I even like watching them change the course when there are like 75 people out there to strip the course down and rebuild! There are tractors flying around and they do such a nice job in making it efficient, pretty and so well run. I am excited to be here and excited with how today went.”