Wayne, IL -- The Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show concluded this weekend at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in beautiful Wayne, IL, following a very successful week of competition. After a fantastic 2009 show season, the $60,000 Showplace Leading Rider Series wrapped up on Saturday, and the presentation of awards was held after the $25,000 Tapestry Farm Leading Rider Finals Grand Prix, the final event in the series.
The Showplace Leading Rider Series has tracked the top riders through a series of nine events throughout the year and awarded prizes to the top three riders in five different sections: $30,000 Tapestry Farm Open Jumpers, $10,000 THIS Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, $10,000 Weathertech.com Children's/Adult Jumpers, $5,000 Our Day Farm Low Children's Jumpers, and the $5,000 Ann K. Hubbard's Tack Shop Low Adult Jumpers. Riders were ranked according to the prize money won by their top placed horse in the Classic or Grand Prix for their division.
The awards ceremony for the series was on Saturday, and the top three riders in each section were awarded bonus money (first place- 50%, second place- 30%, and third place- 20%). The top ten riders received ribbons and gift bags. All Classic and Grand Prix events held at the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show were worth double point values toward the Leading Rider Series.
Kicking off the 2009 awards ceremony, rider and trainer Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH, won the $30,000 Tapestry Farm Open Jumper Leading Rider Series for the third year in a row. Genn amassed an impressive $56,700 in prize money throughout the year to earn the division's gold medal and $15,000 bonus. Following behind Genn in the series was Kelsey Thatcher of South Jordan, UT. She earned $33,600 during her first year showing at the open level to earn the silver medal. Maggie Jayne of Elgin, IL, won $33,200 for the bronze.
"This award means a lot," Genn stated following his win. "Mostly it means consistency for me and the horses. I love being competitive, I love riding at that division, and it is just another challenge. It means a lot to still be here for the third year and still be up there. The young people aren't slowing down, but I would never pull on the reins to let a young person win, they have to earn it."
"To win the bonus for the third year in a row is pretty special to me, and I think it's a great series," Genn continued. "Every year I try to set some different goals for myself. This year the Leading Rider Series was not one of my goals, but I was still planning on coming to Pat's (Boyle) shows. When I won the first two or three grand prix classes of the year, I figured that I might as well stay in it. Sales are a little slow right now, so it's definitely nice to get the extra money."
Genn added a thank you to Showplace Productions and everyone involved with the horse shows throughout the year. "I want to thank the sponsors here, and Pat, because I think he has done a great job with the horse shows. It is a very competitive show, and we are always glad to be here. Also a special thanks to the ladies in the food tent, they have been awesome! And the office staff too, they are amazing."
Genn had a great year competing with his two top horses, eleven-year-old Happy Z and ten-year-old Chantal. "Happy has had a great year, and I think maybe she is just coming into herself now that she is eleven. I think she won eleven or twelve grand prix classes this year, so she is starting to get really consistent," Genn noted. "Chantal is a year younger and he has won 21 grand prix classes by now, so he wins his share. I think he will be able to make that step into the FEI classes soon."
Next in the awards, Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, IL, won the $10,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Inc. (THIS) Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Leading Rider Series. She totaled $18,100 in earnings through the year's events. The Junior/AO silver medal was awarded to Denise Wilson of Dousman, WI, with $14,300 in prize money, and the bronze medal was presented to Hayley Banas of Lake Forest, IL, who earned $8,400 in total prize money.
Lisa Goldman was very excited to earn the leading rider award and acknowledged what a great year she has had with her horses. "I am really happy," Goldman smiled. "Denise (Wilson) and I have been neck and neck all year, and my horse Leo (Centurion B) really came through for me this year. He has been great; they are all really good, so no complaints."
The leading rider award was Goldman's main goal this year, and she was excited to earn the bonus. "I know the competition around here is really tough, and it is great prize money," she stated. "It is nine shows counting towards this, so it is a long period of time to show. It just gives you a little extra incentive and I love everyone up here, so it's fun."
Goldman explained that she plans to aim for the Leading Junior/AO award again next year. She also noted that she would like to place higher in the Open Jumper Leading Rider Series as well, which she placed sixth in this year. "I would like to win a grand prix first actually, that will be my next goal," she said. "Then, if that happens in the beginning of the year, maybe I will go for the Leading Open Rider Series. We will try; there is no reason not to try."
The $10,000 Weathertech.com Children's/Adult Jumper Leading Rider Series gold medal was presented to Madeline Thatcher of South Jordan, UT. She totaled $5,525 in earnings for the 2009 season. The silver medal was awarded to Madison Smith of Elgin, IL, with $4,175 in prize money, and the bronze medal went to Stephanie Mengarelli of Kildeer, IL, with $3,275.
"I am really excited and happy that I won because I only did the Children's Jumpers about half of the summer, so I got a lot of wins the last half of the year," said 13-year-old Madeline Thatcher. "It was a goal of mine to get within the top three and I was first, so that was exciting."
Continued:
Thatcher has set her sights on winning the Junior Jumper Series for the 2010 season since she hopes to move up a division in the next year.
For the next award, Caitlin Boyle of Hampshire, IL, won the $5,000 Our Day Farm Low Children's Jumper Leading Rider Series with $4,242.50 in prize money. Marshall Reed earned $1,855 to garner the silver medal, and Sarah Goldberg totaled $1,810 for the bronze.
"This is really exciting. This is my first year doing 'A' rated shows, so I am very happy with the gold medal" Caitlin Boyle said after her win. "It was a goal of mine throughout the year. In the beginning of the year, my goal was just to kind of get around and get better, but as the year went on I wanted to get better and better and win more."
Twelve-year-old Boyle is in seventh grade and explained that it is a requirement to get her schoolwork done if she wants to ride. "School comes first, and I have to get my homework done if I want to go to the barn. For horse shows I have to collect all of my homework before I go to the show and then do it over the week and make sure that I keep my grades up."
Next year Boyle's goal will be to win the leading rider award in the Children's Jumpers as she moves up to compete at the 3'6" level with her new horse Rochette.
The $5,000 Ann K. Hubbard's Tack Shop Low Adult Jumper Leading Rider Series was the final division to be presented during Saturday's ceremony. Dana Foremsky of Topeka, KS, held the top earnings with $2,475 and earned the gold medal. The silver medal was awarded to Audrey Symowicz with $2,025, and the bronze medal was presented to Holly Yeterian for her total $1,727.50 in prize money.
The Showplace Leading Rider Series concluded a very successful 2009 season for Showplace Productions. Showplace Productions thanks the riders, trainers, owners, and sponsors who provided their generous support throughout the year.
For further information on Showplace Productions and the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.
Showplace Leading Rider Series Final Standings
$30,000 Tapestry Farm Leading Open Jumper Rider Final Standings
1. Wilhelm Genn - $56,700.00
2. Kelsey Thatcher - $33,600.00
3. Maggie Jayne - $33,200.00
4. Steve Schaefer - $10,350.00
5. Charlie Jayne - $9,500.00
6. Lisa Goldman - $9,400.00
7. Morgan Kennedy - $9,300.00
8. Thomas Cerra - $5,250.00
9. Nick Novak - $4,750.00
10. Haylie Jayne - $4,400.00
$10,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services Leading Junior/Amateur Jumper Final Standings
1. Lisa Goldman - $18,100.00
2. Denise Wilson - $14,300.00
3. Hayley Banas - $8,400.00
4. Kelsey Thatcher - $6,900.00
5. Ellie Morris - $6,000.00
6. Shana Barnett - $5,800.00
7. Haylie Jayne - $5,200.00
8. Rachael Reid - $4,400.00
9. Catie Hope - $3,400.00
10. Samantha Oliva - $2,900.00
$10,000 Weathertech.com Leading Children's/Adult Jumper Final Standings
1. Madeline Thatcher - $5,525.00
2. Madison Smith - $4,175.00
3. Stephanie Mengarelli - $3,275.00
4. Sarah Kirson - $3,200.00
5. Ashley Reed - $3,020.00
6. Barbara Ruziska - $2,875.00
7. Alexa Malevitis - $2,855.00
8. Julia Murray - $2,850.00
9. Abbie Ross - $2,600.00
10. Sarah Korenthal - $2,500.00
$5,000 Ann K. Hubbards Leading Low Adult Rider Final Standings
1. Dana Foremsky - $2,475
2. Audrey Symowicz - $2,025.00
3. Holly Yeterian - $1,727.50
4. Aubrey Fait - $925.00
5. Gretchen Carlotti - $835.00
6. Joe Browne - $280.00
7. Matt Yeterian - $255.00
8. Margaret Macharg - $195.00
9. Brad Bartman - $180.00
10. Jessica Glavin - $175.00
$5,000 Our Day Farm Leading Low Children's Rider Final Standings
1. Caitlin Boyle - $4,242.50
2. Marshall Reed - $1,855.00
3. Sarah Goldberg - $1,810.00
4. Sarah Darbor - $700.00
5. Madison Well - $675.00
6. Madeline Thatcher - $650.00
7. Vanessa Cortino - $500.00
8. Matthew Sassmannshausen - $475.00
9. Alex Carlins - $250.00
10. Marissa Castrogiovanni - $210.00
