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Young Horse Nationals A Whirlwind Success
Posted: October 10, 2008
The 2008 USEF/Markel Young Horse Nationals was literally a whirlwind weekend for the Hilltop Team with trainers Michael Bragdell riding Selten HW (Sandro Hit - Hohenstein)to the Four Year-Old Grand Champion and Chris Hickey riding Cabana Boy (Contucci - Bordeaux) to successfully defend his National Champion title, this time in the Six Year Old division. Even despite the hurricane-like weather in Lexington, KY, both horse and rider combinations won all their classes, and Chris coached numerous students to awards in the Young Horse Championships and the coinciding MSEDA Championship I & II as well.
Selten HW, owned by Cadence LLC and bred in the U.S. by Irene Hoeflich-Wiederhold, secured his championship class with a score of 8.56 while winning his warm up class with a score of 8.38. Michael states "For a young horse, he handled the environment incredibly well. He has such a great work ethic and trainability." Highlights of the championship class include receiving 9's for Selten's trot and canter and an 8.8 for overall impression. "I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to ride such a fabulous young horse," Michael states, "I couldn't have done it without the support of Hilltop and Selten's owner Elizabeth Ball."
Commandingly winning their preliminary class with the score of 8.86, Chris and Cabana Boy secured their second National Championship title with an overall score of 8.644, and earned scores of scores of 9.5 for the walk and trot between the two classes with an 8.5 for general impression. Chris comments, "Under awful conditions on Sunday, Cabana showed he is great competition horse to go out and do his job so successfully."
In addition to the outstanding success of Hilltop trainers and horses, numerous students of Chris Hickey won awards as well. Chris' student Nicole Bellah took the Five Year-Old Championship on her horse Winsor (San Remo - Julia Mariner) bred in Holland by PPW Janssen with an overall score of 8.028. Jackie Beasley, who took fourth last year for the Four Year-Olds, also showed in the Five Year-Old division on her horse Winston sired by Wordly De. Taking Reserve Champion in the Four Year-Olds was Emily Gershberg and her horse Zatino H (Sir Sinclair - Equador) bred by J.A. de Haas in Holland. Faye Dunn and Cosmopolitan also made a solid showing in the Four Year-Old division.
"I am very proud at the success of our young horses with Champion and Reserve in the Four Year-Olds, Champion Five Year-Old, and Champion Six Year-Old. It means so much to me that my students have high success." Chris states.
Several of Hilltop stallion's offspring also competed and put in solid performances. For the Five Year-Olds, Calimar (Contucci - Martini) ridden by Claire Darnell took fifth and Froelich (Frestrausch - Landadel) ridden by Teresa Butta also had a good showing. Another Contucci son, Carnegie owned and ridden by Claire Darnell competed in the Developing Horse Prix St. Georges classes.
For the MSEDA Championship, Chris' student Amy Stuhr won her Prix St. Georges class with a score of 70% riding her horse Dinar, and Aless Hall and her horse Pier won their Third Level test. Additionally, Riverman's son Reminiscent ridden by Sarah Baggette had a great showing, earning scores in the mid to high sixties and placing second in his Fourth Level test.
For more information regarding Hilltop's breeding program or training services, please visit www.hilltopfarminc.com or contact Natalie at Natalie@hilltopfarminc.com or at 410-658-9898 ext. 104.
