Edited Press Release
Laurie Barna’s travel plans into Traverse City didn’t go as planned, but she didn’t let that discourage her from having a stellar week in the Great Lakes Golf Cars Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 division, claiming the championship after two strong days with her partner, Hundred Acre.
“My flight was canceled Thursday night so I flew in Friday morning and went straight to the ring,” Barna, of Dallas, PA, said. “My trainer, [Elizabeth Perry] had [Hundred Acre] all ready and I got on and did my two trips.”
“It feels so exciting to win during WCHR week here,” said Barna, who won two over-fences classes on her way to claiming the championship. “It’s very unexpected and very exciting. With how it went getting here I was a bit worried it was setting the bar for how the weekend was going to go, but it was a fantastic experience and I’m thrilled. I have to give props to my trainer for getting him ready for me with me showing up so last minute.”
“This is our first time in Traverse City, Barna continued. “It was a whirlwind but we’ve had a little more time to explore here today and it’s just beautiful. We really are enjoying the area, too. It’s nice to have a little town alongside the horse show for things to do. The setting of the horse show is really nice.”
“He’s such a good athlete,” Barna said of “Milo,” a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding she’s been showing in the Adult Amateur Hunters for three years. “He’s just a spectacular athlete and has so much scope. He is such a great fit for me; we get along really well and he knows his job and loves doing it. As long as I stay out of his way and let him do his thing, he shows himself off beautifully.”
Reserve championship honors in the Great Lakes Golf Cars Adult Amateur Hunters 36-50 were awarded to Elizabeth Tarumianz and Mahalo.
