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.
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.
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.
Hunter competition will continue on Friday with the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt and Go in the International Arena beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Photo credit: Photos © Sportfot, official photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
