Augusta Iwasaki Sweeps Champion and Reserve in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Division
The Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division came to a close on Saturday in the Rost Ring with Augusta Iwasaki riding Heaven’s Dream to the championship. Iwasaki catch rode two horses in the division, but Heaven’s Dream came out on top.
Heaven’s Dream and Augusta Iwasaki. Photo ® by Soprtfot
Iwasaki and Heaven’s Dream won two classes on the second day of the division, and also received a second in the under saddle along with fifth and sixth places to rise to the top.
Reserve champion also went to Iwasaki, with her second mount, Coronation. Iwasaki and Coronation, owned by Sloan Lindeman-Barnett, received two first places, a third, and two fifth places to claim reserve.
“He’s always game and does whatever is asked of him,” Iwasaki said of Heaven’s Dream, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Arko III.
Isabella Griffin, Augusta Iwasaki, Heaven’s Dream, and Coronation in their champion presentation. Photo ® Sportfot
Iwasaki rode Heaven’s Dream, or “Dreamy,” for owner Isabella Griffin of Hampton Cove, AL. Dreamy was recently imported during the indoors season, so he is still fairly new to showing in the United States. “He’s really beginning to put everything together in the ring,” Iwasaki described. “He is just a cool horse and also really nice to ride.
Martha Ingram Crowned Champion and Reserve in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 to Finish Week 4
Hunter competition for Week 4 of WEF came to a close on Sunday with Martha Ingram piloting Fonteyn to champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35, presented by Adequan. Ingram, who had two rides in the division, claimed both champion and reserve titles. Ingram and Fonteyn received two firsts, two seconds, and a seventh in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.
Martha Ingram and Fonteyn. Photo ® Sportfot
Fonteyn, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, has been part of the Ingram family for six years. Ingram took over the ride from her father, John Ingram, a couple years ago to show in the amateur hunter divisions. After being out of the show ring for two years, Fonteyn returned to competition at Capital Challenge in 2019 with Ingram to claim the Grand Champion title in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35. “When it’s game time, she’s always there. She wants to win!” Ingram said of her mount.
Ingram, of Nashville, TN, and Fonteyn impressed the judges and received a high score of 88 on the second day of the division. “She has a presence about her,” Ingram described. “She’s also extremely smart and I love her personality.”
The pair is hoping to stay consistent and continue to have solid rounds in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division. Ingram, who trains with Torrey Hardison, also has a goal of qualifying for Devon this year.
Martha Ingram and Fonteyn in their champion presentation. Photo ® Sportfot
Ingram received reserve champion in the division with Airport 48, who is owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC. Airport 48 has been with the Ingrams for several years and is like the “family horse”. The gelding also originally began showing with John, but now that Airport 48 is older Ingram has taken over the reins. “Handy courses are my favorite on him; the harder the turn, the better he jumps! He’s such a confidence booster,” Ingram explained.
Ingram and Airport 48 received three first places and a fifth place to secure the reserve title.
Kelley Farmer Pilots Undaunted to the Green Hunter Conformation Championship
The Green Hunter Conformation division came to a close on Thursday in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with Kelley Farmer and Undaunted earning champion. The pair received two firsts, three seconds, and one third-place ribbon.
Kelley Farmer and Undaunted. Photo ® Sportfot
Undaunted, owned by Rock Ridge Farms, has just recently started his hunter career in the United States. He was purchased in Europe and came to the U.S. in the Fall of 2019. Farmer began showing Undaunted during the ESP Holiday Series at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. “He’s such a good horse and has been champion every time out except once,” Farmer explained.
Farmer, of Wellington, FL, and Undaunted, and eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Van Gogh, won both the model and the under saddle to put them at the top of the division. “He is one of those horses that you notice when he walks into the ring because he’s got a gorgeous way of going,” Farmer described.
The pair will continue to compete in the Green Hunter Conformation classes for the remainder of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Eventually, Undaunted will begin to show in the junior hunter divisions as well. Farmer, who is enjoying showing the gelding, also hopes to qualify for Devon with Undaunted. “He’s a blast to ride and it’s also really nice when you have one that moves that well,” Farmer commented.
Kelley Farmer and Undaunted in their champion presentation. Photo ® Sportfot
Farmer is looking forward to the rest of the circuit and is also happy to be showing at WEF for another year. “I’ve been showing here since I was a little kid! We travel to a lot of different shows but when you come back here it’s just different. They really run the horse show properly,” Farmer said.
Reserve champion in the Green Conformation Hunter division went to Julie Curtin, of Woodstock, GA, and Commentary. Curtin and Commentary, owned by Amy Perez, received two firsts, two seconds, and two thirds to earn reserve.