Paulena Johnson and Markies Save the Best for Last in Children’s Jumper Finals

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Jenny Ross for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Photo Credit: Paulena Johnson and Markies, winners of the WIHS Children’s Jumper Finals. Photo©Diana DeRosa. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

Paulena Johnson and Markies Save the Best for Last in Washington International Horse Show’s Children’s Jumper Finals

Tiny Toon and Alexandra Cherubini Lead the Way in WIHS Adult Jumper Finals

Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2006 – The Washington International Horse Show welcomed Children’s and Adult Jumpers into the Verizon Center this evening for the year-end, highly competitive finals. Horses and riders qualified for this event after accumulating points throughout the 2006 season, and the top combinations in both divisions received invitations.

In the Children’s Jumper Finals, 18 out of 31 entries qualified for the tie breaker over a course designed by Steve Stephens. The class was held under a Table 2(a) format, Time First Jump Off, with a first round Time Allowed of 59 seconds and a 42 second speed limit for the jump off. Over the short course, the first six riders amassed penalty points, and a four faulter temporarily held the lead. After Sneaky Cat and Lindsay Sample of Owings Mills, MD, jumped fault free in a time of 37.676 seconds, the competition kicked into gear. Hawkeye and Kristina Saul of Brookville, MD, followed in Sample’s footsteps and upped the ante with a clear round and time of 33.820 seconds, shaving four seconds off of the winning time. Loralinde and Emily Reynolds of Glen Ellyn, IL, also finished without fault; however, her time of 36.537 seconds was not fast enough to edge Saul’s lead.

Three rides later, The Great Façade and Greer Hindle of Ann Arbor, MI, clocked in with a time of 33.528 seconds. Soon after, Nicole Bellissimo and Coach, owned by Far Niente, tripped the timers with a clear ride and time of 34.666 seconds, which would hold up for fifth place. Bellissimo resides in Wellington, FL. Lance Williamson’s horse Rebound and Stephanie Dubois-Emond of Gurnee, IL, entered the arena after Bellissimo. Dubois-Emond took over the top spot with a blazing time of 33.393 seconds, and her fast pace and tight turns appeared to be unbeatable.

Paulena Johnson and Markies, owned by Helen Varble, trotted into the arena last in the order, with Dubois-Emond’s quick time to beat flashing on the score board. Johnson, who hails from Wellington, FL, and Markies picked up the pace and galloped around the Verizon Center Arena with confidence and a giant stride. Encouragement from the crowd and cheers of support helped guide the duo through the finish line in an unbelievable time of 31.435 seconds. The fourteen year old joined the winner’s circle after an exciting double clean ride aboard her 23 year old horse.

“Oh my gosh, my horse was awesome,” exclaimed Johnson, who participated in the Washington International Horse Show for the first time. “I went out there and did my best, and he was perfect. He did everything I asked him to do, and it was great,” she said. “I started showing him at the beginning of circuit at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I just love it.”

“At the show in Harrisburg last week, I finished up fifth in the class,” remembered Johnson. “I had the fastest time, but I had a rail in the jump-off. It was unlucky that it happened, but he was great. This is my last show on him because I’m leasing him,” she smiled. “This was a great way to end it; I’m so happy. I tried to be daring, and I tried to do my best and have fun, because that’s what it’s all about.”

Stephanie Dubois-Emond, the second place finisher, discussed her round after the awards presentation. “I almost died at the first two jumps and kind of got lucky,” she admitted with a laugh. “And then, during the rest of the course, my horse kind of saved me. After I left the ring, I thought I had it because my time was pretty fast.” Third place went to Hindle and The Great Façade.

In the WIHS Adult Jumper Finals, only six out of 26 entries jumped without fault and within the 60 second Time Allowed. Also held under a Table 2(a) format, these six riders took on the jump off course created by Stephens. A Time Allowed of 39 seconds was permitted over the short course. First to return was Tiny Toon and Alexandra Cherubini from Boston, MA. Cherubini blasted through the timers and put in a beautifully polished, prompt ride, clocking in at 31.747 seconds.

Megan Abbot and Millstream Inc.’s Pancharan followed with an eight fault performance and time of 30.101 seconds. As Abbot exited the ring, Megan McGregor returned and matched Pancharan’s score of eight faults aboard her mount, N Z Dip. McGregor, who resides in Bridewater, NJ, completed her round in 30.817 seconds. Netherland’s Star took a shot with New York, New York’s Tiffany Ann Avon in the irons. Avon was a repeat offender with an eight fault score, breaking the beam in 31.909 seconds.

Kali German of Wintersville, PA, and Canon came back with a start to finish time of 27.972 seconds and four penalties from lowering the height of one fence. Mindy Blackford and Foul Play were the last to take on Cherubini’s speedy time. Blackford, of Chagrin Falls, OH, pulled a rail at fence eight and put in a final time of 34.302 seconds. The first rider proved to set the pace, which held up for the win.

“I went first in the order for both rounds,” noted Cherubini after her victory gallop. “I think it actually ended up being better that way. I didn’t watch a lot of people go, so I didn’t have time to get nervous. The time was tight, but not unforgiving. I think what worked well was that we did the five in the first round, which ended up working out better than the four.” She added, “I thought my horse jumped great today. I haven’t ridden since Capital Challenge [Horse Show]. I didn’t know what to expect, but it definitely worked out.”

In tonight’s Amateur-Owner Jumper class, only two riders completed the first round without fault. The class was held under a Table 2(a) format, Time First Jump-Off. Katherine Miracle of Stoneville, NC, and Madonna, owned by the Overlook Farm, went second in the order and jumped fault free.

Night and Day and Jeanne Hobbs of Pinehurst, NC, also qualified for the short course. In the jump off, both riders crossed the finish line with clear rounds; however, Hobbs’ time of 28.564 seconds surpassed Miracle’s 29.928 seconds and resulted in the win.

Third place was presented to Loraine 18 and Samantha Tuerk of Wellington, FL, who finished the first round with one time fault.

Show Jumping action continues tomorrow at the Verizon Center with the Open Jumpers, Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Junior Jumpers, and Open Jumpers Gambler’s Choice. Tomorrow’s schedule also includes the Junior Hunters, Barn Night, Ladies Side Saddle, Barrel Racing, Terrier Racing, and WIHS Dressage Invitational. The Washington International Horse Show continues through Sunday, October 29th, at the Verizon Center in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Results of Class 188 – Children’s Jumper Championships – Washington International Horse Show – October 25, 2006

Results of Class 189 – Adult Amateur Jumper Championships – Washington International Horse Show – October 25, 2006

Results of Class 206 – AO Jumper – Washington International Horse Show – October 25, 2006

Photo Credit: Paulena Johnson and Markies, winners of the WIHS Children’s Jumper Finals. Photo©Diana DeRosa. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.