Competitors in the Adult Amateur Hunter Younger (Sec. B) lined up for competition on Sunday, March 10 in the Rost Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Nineteen horse-and-rider combinations later, Santa Monica, CA resident Julia McNerney was named the week’s champion aboard Crack.
The pair placed four points total ahead of the week’s reserve champions after winning three of the five division classes and ending on a total of 30 overall points.
McNerney lives full-time in California while Crack stays with Milestone Farm and trainer Havens Schatt for the duration of the year, and she says the win is especially exciting for her as she is unable to practice during the week.
“We are just getting some of our rust out still, so I’m very happy with this weekend,” she explained. “Milestone does an absolutely incredible job with their program, and this win feels hard-earned as we’ve definitely had a few ups and downs this circuit.”
“He’s just so smooth and he’s got an amazing rhythm,” she continued, describing the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding. “When I am able to stick with his rhythm he really shines, and I’m very lucky that we have been able to get into the show ring at least four or five weekends this year.”
Catherine Cowie of New York, NY, rode to 26 overall points to earn the reserve champion in the division aboard her own nine-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carenzo x Hauot Stuibuch Lanciana), Willow. She and the mare concluded the week on two first places, a third, and a fourth.
Week 10 of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival will resume with three-star level international competition as well as national hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions on Wednesday, March 13.
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