Picture: Al Cook alcookphoto.com
Fun and Scott Stewart made multiple trips to center ring at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, presented by the Lindsey Maxwell Charitable Trust, picking up awards for Champion Green Conformation Hunter, Grand Champion Hunter and Leading Hunter Rider.
Fun, who is owned by David Gochman, won five of the six classes offered in the Green Conformation Hunter division, and placed third in the only class he did not win. This gave Fun a total of 49 points to take the Championship.
"Fun was a pre-green last year and he did very little," said Stewart. "He is only six and he is a little immature. I bought him in Germany when he was two, turning three, off a free jumping video and then he came over when he was four. The Gochman's bought him in Florida last year. He is a sweet horse. He looks little, but he is not really that tiny, he just looks cute. He requires some leg to get around, he has a big stride but he is a little bit of a leg ride, but in a nice way. I didn't jump the log line yesterday and went in today and he kind of looked at it, which made me a little nervous but the just jumped it, he is usually pretty great, but today he just put a little more effort in." Reserve Champion in the Green Conformation Hunter division was Patriot, ridden by Hunt Tosh for the Wheeler Family.
Stewart also traveled to the winner's circle with Lucador, who continued his domination of the Regular Confirmation Hunter division. The eight-year-old gelding won the division title last year allowing owner Dr. Betsee Parker to retire the trophy, as he was the third of Parker's horses to win it.
Lucador was nearly perfect in the division, winning five of six classes. He was called into the ring in third place, but was moved up to place second based in his conformation, in the only class he did not win.
"He went great," said Stewart. "He gave some great efforts today. He doesn't show much he is pretty brave and we just try to keep him happy." Reserve to Lucador in the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship was Jennifer Alfano's Candid with rider Kristy Herrera. Stewart also won the EMO Agency Professional High Five Award, having the highest score, 92 points, with Catch Me, another of David Gochman's horses.