The 2019 National Horse Show wrapped up hunter competition Saturday ahead of its final day of riding Sunday. In its 136th year of prestige and tradition, the final divisions brought spectators to the Alltech Arena of the Kentucky Horse Park for one last look at some of the nation’s top junior hunter horses and riders. Capping off their indoor season in winning fashion, Nicole Dorwart and her own Varekai were crowned the Junior 3’3” Hunter Grand Champions as well as the tricolor winners in the Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17 division.
Nicole Dorwart and Varekai. Photo by Phelps Sports
Accruing multiple top placings throughout the Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17 division, Dorwart and Varekai earned two first-place finishes over fences as well as second position under saddle and eighth place in the handy round to accumulate an impressive number of points over the course of two days. The pair entered Saturday’s competition as the division frontrunners thanks to two superb performances Friday, and continued their winning ways over the weekend to capture the title nearly uncontested.
A fairly new partnership, Dorwart purchased Varekai in March as a 5-year-old green hunter. Dorwart originally had not planned to chase points towards any national finals, but after Varekai’s spectacular early performances, the 18-year-old decided to see what they could make of her last junior year. The now 6-year-old gelding gave Dorwart the rides of her life, ending with a Grand Champion and Champion ribbon hanging from each side of his bridle to cap off her junior career. Looking forward, the perfect pair will be competing in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter divisions.
Nicole Dorwart and Varekai. Photo by Phelps Sports
Kicking off the day’s competition, Catherine Kramer and her own Casares impressed the judges to earn first prize in the $2,500 Junior 3’3” Hunter 15 & Under stake class ahead of a talented field. Returning to the ring for the the $1,000 handy round, Mia Chimenti and Chase Hollow Equestrian Partners, LLC’s Ericsson topped the scorecard thanks to a seamless ride around designer Bobby Murphy’s natural track. Following consistent results over two days of riding, Jordan Ricker and her own Cosido were honored as the overall division champions, while Maddie Tosh and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Gotham earned the reserve championship
In the slightly older age group, the Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17 contenders also faced off in stake and handy classes to complete the division ahead of the championship crowning. Turning in the best performance in the $2,500 Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17 stake class, Dorwart and Varekai were honored as the class winners, which ultimately helped them to solidify the division championship. The pack contested the course one final time in the handy round as they displayed their horses’ responsiveness and smooth way of going, and in the end Emma Walters and Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp proved to be the most impressive duo to earn top honors.
Nicole Dorwart and Varekai. Photo by Phelps Sports