Emily Williams and Andiamo Garner Grand Champion Working Hunter Award during Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival

Traverse City, MI – July 9, 2009 – Today at the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival riders competed for top honors in the professional hunter divisions at the Flintfields Horse Park. After two days of competition Emily Williams and Andiamo earned the Grand Champion Working Hunter award, sponsored by Equestrian Endeavors, while Kelley Farmer captured the Grand Champion Conformation Hunter title, also sponsored by Equestrian Endeavors.

This week was the first opportunity that Williams had to ride Andiamo and she was thrilled to receive the honor. “I was really excited to get to ride him because he’s such a great horse,” she smiled. “I haven’t shown in about four months so this win was a nice way to come back. I’m lucky to have the ride on such great horses!’

Williams and Andiamo, owned by Brad Wolf, competed in the Regular Working Hunter division, sponsored by CHFarm LLC, where they won the championship prize after earning two first place ribbons, two second place ribbons, and a fourth place ribbon. Williams also earned the Regular Working Hunter reserve championship award for her ride aboard In the Black, owned by All Seasons Farm. Williams and In The Black placed first in the under saddle and the second class over fences.

Tom Wright assisted Williams with her ride aboard Andiamo and told her to trust the horse’s scope and ability. “It’s so effortless for him, and it’s almost hard to be still sometimes because it’s so easy for him that I don’t have to do anything,” explained Williams. “I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t have to do anything; I just have to steer. He’s a pleasure to ride and I think he was even better today than he was yesterday.”

Williams enjoys showing at Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival because it has so much to offer. “I love it here,” she said. ” The weather is beautiful and the facility is great. You have the opportunity to go and do cool stuff at night and the restaurants are great. It’s fun, it’s kind of like being at camp!”

Kelley Farmer and Upshot also topped today’s hunter standings, earning the Grand Champion Conformation Hunter prize after winning the Conformation Hunter championship award. The pair earned four of the division’s blue ribbons and two red ribbons. Tammy Provost and Park Avenue followed with the reserve championship ribbon after placing first in the model and the third class over fences.

Upshot is a 9-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Jane Gaston. Most recently Farmer and Upshot earned the Grand Hunter Championship honors at the Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show in Wayne, IL.

“He’s great, he’s very simple and he jumps the four-foot very easily,” explained Farmer. “This morning I got him and walked him around, and before this show he had three weeks off. It’s very rare for a horse to be this good and this easy.”

Farmer plans to compete with Upshot during Saturday’s $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, and noted that the handy was excellent preparation for that class. “He loves the handy classes,” she said. “He’s so rideable; he never gets nervous or quick and he loves the trot jumps and the sharp turns.”

Earlier in the day Peter Pletcher and Argentum earned the Second Year Green Working Hunter championship tricolor. The pair earned two first place ribbons, a second place ribbon, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon. Following with the reserve championship award was Peridot, ridden by Kara Raposa.

Argentum is one of the nation’s top horses and is always a crowd favorite. “He’s got such a good jump,” said Pletcher. “I think people really like that about Argentum, he tries so hard over the jumps. I think that makes people want to come and watch him.”

“I love him, I can’t believe he’s mine,” added Argentum’s owner Alta Basaldua. “Peter did a great job with him today and I think he’s going really well.”

Argentum will also be competing in the $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby and will continue on to the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals in August.

Sari Clapperton and Ivory Coast earned the first championship prize of the day during the First Year Green Working Hunter division. The pair won the under saddle class, and earned two second place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon in the over fences classes. Peter Pletcher and Portofino followed with the reserve championship honors after earning a first place ribbon, two second place ribbons, and two fifth place ribbons.

The Hose Shows by the Bay Series I will continue tomorrow with equitation classes in the Polk Family Main Hunter Ring. Junior riders will compete for the top call in the ASPCA Maclay and the Pessoa/USEF Medal. On Saturday the highlight event will be the $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, beginning at 5pm in the Grand Prix Ring. The Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival will continue with exciting hunter, jumper, and dressage action through August 2.

For more information about the 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com

Photo Credit: Emily Williams and Andiamo were awarded the Hose Shows by the Bay Series I Grand Champion Working Hunter tricolor after their excellent performance in the Regular Working Hunter division. Photo C Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.