Washington, D.C.—Oct. 26
Despite his name’s likening to a cartoon character, Garfield was all business in the high performance hunter divsions at the Washington International Horse Show (D.C.), sweeping all the over fences classes and placing third in the under saddle. His work ethic earned him not only the division championship, but also the grand hunter championship.
“He’s a blast to ride,” said Scott Stewart, who rides the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding and trains his owner, Alexandra Crown. “He’s probably the most athletic horse that I’ve had. He could probably do the grand prix [jumpers].”
Stewart and Garfield (Coriano—Love Touch) have known each other for a while, as Stewart campaigned Garfield in the first and second year green working hunter divisions in 2009 and 2010. So Stewart knew the gelding’s laidback personality would make him a great candidate for Crown’s first junior hunter.
Crown, New York, N.Y., bought Garfield from Kim Stewart in August, and the pair has enjoyed several shows together—even scoring a 90.00 in a class at the Hampton Classic (N.Y.).
Stewart also accepted the Leading Hunter Rider Award, due to great showings with all his mounts in the professional hunter divisions. And though he had a winner in at least one class in every division, he was particularly proud of Crown’s gelding.
“I think Garfield’s stake class was the best [of all his rides], but [my horses] were all so good today,” Stewart said.
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Watch Garfield’s stakes class round below.
Stewart also coached Becky Gochman to the amateur-owner hunter, 35 and older, championship with Sambalino. Gochman also took the reserve championship in the same division with Empire, was the leading amateur-owner rider, and Sambalino won the grand amateur-owner hunter championship.
Stewart will coach junior hunter riders Tori Colvin and Heather Hooker, as well as Crown and several pony riders, in the days to come.
Full results and video can be found at ShowNet.
