Ellen Toon will have her name inscribed on the Legend Has It Perpetual Trophy for the fifth time as she and her 11-year-old mare, Mirror Image, were named Grand Amateur Owner Champions at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, being held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.
Mirror Image with Ellen Toon. (c) Al Cook Photo
Mirror Image and Toon, from South Salem, NY, won the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter Championship on their way to the Grand award by earning the blue ribbon in four of the five classes contested in the division.
“This is my first time back at Harrisburg in two years,” said Toon. “I had shoulder replacement, and as is typical when you are older, it takes a while to get back to where you were. But she [Mirror Image] is a rock. This is the first year we are showing her without a professional and she has just been amazing.
The 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter Championship, Riders 18-35, was awarded to Jef Lauwers and Sutherland, owned by Peter Pletcher. Lauwers, who is based in Magnolia, TX, and Sutherland, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, won the title with 34 points. Reserve Champion went to Kelly Tropin and Chablis with 32 points. The two have a very friendly rivalry. “Everyone in my division is so tough,” commented Lauwers. “Especially Kelly and Chablis. He is such a nice horse and she gives him such a nice ride, it was exciting until the last moment to see who would take the Championship because she would win a class then I would win a class. It is a good rivalry, it keeps you sharp.
Sutherland and Jef Lauwers. (c) Al Cook Photo
“Keifer is really amazing,” said Lauwers. “Every time we show he is so consistent. He is the perfect horse to take you to the next level in this sport. He wants to win and that is the fun part. He gives you such a relaxed feeling, ‘like I’ve got this’. He is teaching me about the hunters. He is my horse, the one that we are going to keep until the end of time. I am really thankful that I have a horse like him.”