Though Sunday was the last day of riding during the second week of Nilforushan Equisport Events‘ three-part Temecula Valley National Horse Show, competition did not slow down as a multitude of talented horses and athletes took their chances in the numerous hunter classics taking place throughout the day.
With the hope of earning the top prize money in the Grand Hunter Arena, the $2,500 Adult Amateur 3′ Hunter Classic saw a collection of talented horse-and-rider combinations. Amy Brubaker of Salt Lake City, Utah, impressed the judge during her classic rounds aboard Frascati to clinch the classic championship with impressive scores of 83 and 85. She rode her 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding to multiple top placings in her division including blue ribbons in two over fences classes, the under saddle and in her classic round.
In addition to winning the $2,500 Adult Amateur 3′ Hunter Classic, Brubaker and Frascati claimed the Adult Amateur 3’ Hunter division championship with a total score of 34 points. Earning the reserve championship of the division with 21 points as well as placing second in the classic was Jill Wright on her 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Cambridge.
Brubaker shared just what makes the handsome bay so special to her: “I have had him for four years. I bought him right after I came home from an ex-pat stay in Asia. I like that he is super pleasant and super safe. I always think that if I had a little kid that this is the horse I would put my child on. He is always taking care of me and makes me feel super safe.”
Amy Brubaker and Frascati. Photo by Phelps Media Group
After topping the Children’s 3′ Hunter Classic in the first week of competition back in April, DeSimone returned to her winning ways aboard her 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Lord Livingston, to sweep their second classic championship in a row. The pair was one of the first riders to compete in the class and received top scores of 82 and 78 in their classic rounds.
“He is 7 years old. I have had him for two years and he is one of the kindest horses around,” shared DeSimone. “He loves to cuddle at home, and actually, he is known as the barn cuddler. He really knows his job and teaches me something new every day. He has a great gait and looks very elegant and he is easygoing.”
Allie DeSimone and Lord Livingston. Photo by Phelps Media Group
Though the field tried to chase down DeSimone of Temecula, California, none were able to surpass the leader’s score. Dulcie Lou Morris and Big Shot, her 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding, were the closest pair who attempted to top DeSimone’s score, but they were one point short in the overall total score after earning an 83 and 76 in their classic rounds.
Allie DeSimone and Lord Livingston. Photo by Phelps Media Group
Over two days of competitive riding, Morris and Big Shot laid down the strongest showings in the four over fences classes as well as the hack to earn the championship tricolor in the Children’s 3′ Hunter division. DeSimone and Lord Livingston increased their list of achievements for the week with the overall reserve position.
Dulcie Lou Morris and Big Shot. Photo by Phelps Media Group
Sunday’s competition concluded the second leg of the Temecula Valley National Horse Show at Galway Downs, but equestrian action will return Wednesday, May 30 for the third and final week of the circuit.