Nicole Hiehle and Lovely Charity. Photo © Sportfot, An Official Photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2016 –The Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division, which was sponsored by Hunt Ltd, crowned Nicole Hiehle and her own Lovely Charity champion in the E.R Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Saturday morning. The pair dominated the division this week, winning three out of four over fences classes. John Ingram and his mount Airport 48 also performed consistently. They earned three second-place ribbons over fences on their way to the reserve champion honors.
Hiehle, of Dublin, OH, and Lovely Charity are no strangers to the winner’s circle. The pair has enjoyed ample success during their two years together. In 2014 they clinched the Amateur-Owner Over 35 division championship at The National Horse Show and in 2015 the pair was awarded the prestigious USEF Horse of the Year honors for the same division.
Lovely Charity, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Charity, did not seem fazed by the heavy rains on Friday and the strong winds on Saturday. “The elements were a little bit of a challenge this week,” Hiehle remarked. Yet, “Lovey,” as she is affectionately called, still performed at her best.
“She’s just so consistent and everything I ask her to do, she does it,” Hiehle detailed. “She’s a good mare. She always gives 110%,” she added.
Hiehle was particularly excited to compete in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Saturday. It was the perfect place for “Lovey” to return to competition following a one-month hiatus before the start of WEF. “We love showing in the Grand Hunter ring because you can get a gallop going,” Hiehle explained.
Hiehle plans to continue showing Lovely Charity over the next ten weeks of WEF. “I’m just going to try and enjoy the year,” she added while speaking about her goals for the rest of the show circuit.
Nicole Hiehle and Lovely Charity in their presentation with ringmaster Christian Craig and Gretchen Hunt of Hunt, Ltd. Photo © Sportfot, An Official Photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The Winter Equestrian Festival continues on January 27 with a week of CSI 3* competition sponsored by Adequan® and highlighted by the $130,000 Adequan® Grand Prix during “Saturday Night Lights” on January 30.
Please visit www.pbiec.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information on the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Source: Meg Banks/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.