Edited Press Release

Basalt, owned by Heather Bamford and ridden by Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland was awarded top honors today when they were crowned the 3’6” High Performance Hunter Division Championship.

“He’s [Basalt] so perfect. He really doesn’t put a wrong foot forward most days and he just has a wonderful canter,” said Foster.
Foster andBasalt [also known asDave] won the hack today and the over fences and were second in both over fences yesterday.

“We bought him about a year and a half ago from Daniel Geitner and his owner Heather Bamford rides him in the 3’6” AOs. Marylisa [Leffler] rode him mostly last year but had a lot going on over the winter so I got to ride him a lot. I really just did the 3’ and 3’3” practice classes for Heather since she was doing a lot of the 3’6” AOs. But I will be riding him next week in the Derby,” she added.

“We love showing here in Lexington,” continued Foster. “I think WCHR week and the quality horses here make the competition really good. The show is great, and the Virginia Horse Center is a beautiful facility,” she said. Foster has been showing at the Virginia Horse Center since she rode small and medium ponies. “I remember riding ponies in the coliseum as a kid,” she said.

Ashley is the daughter of well-known horsewoman Patty Foster. “I love working with my mom. Working with family is kind of the best. Having Marylisa help me from the ring and my mom helping me from the ground perspective is great. We get along really well and they have so much wisdom to share. I really like it,” she added.