Mollie Bailey

This mare may just be the horse of a lifetime for junior rider Lucy Davis and trainer Archie Cox.

When trainer Archie Cox emphatically describes a horse as “the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” the “horse of a lifetime,” and “a dream come true” you know that he’s referring to a spectacular animal. After all, Cox has trained more than a dozen U.S. Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year winners, and he’s seen plenty of stylish hunters.

Donna Struve and her star adult amateur hunter start the year off with a win at Ledges.

When Donna Struve went looking for a new adult amateur hunter five years ago, she thought she knew exactly what she didn’t want.

“When we went to try horses and my trainer told me we were trying two chestnut mares I groaned,” she recalled. “I told him I absolutely didn’t want a chestnut mare, but as soon as I saw her I fell in love.”

After a children’s hunter title last year, this determined 13-year-old plans to make her junior hunter debut in Florida.

Even though she’s only 13, Alexandra Carlton has competed at HITS Ocala (Fla.) more than plenty of riders twice her age.

This year, the 2008 season, will mark the 10th year that Carlton treks from Madison, Conn., to Ocala. She started in the leadline division when she was 4 and has competed every year since then.

Major improvements this year at several venues will be beneficial for exhibitors and their horses.



Even before the final riders collected their ribbons at the end of the last winter show circuit, Horse Shows In the Sun management began collecting feedback from exhibitors and developing ambitious plans to improve the shows for 2008.

For thousands of winter circuit regulars, the year begins not on Jan. 1, but the day you walk onto the show grounds in California, Florida, Arizona or Mississippi. That’s the day that first year green hunters actually become second years and so many pony riders graduate to larger mounts.

Three generations have now bred and raised quality show ponies in Virginia.

Ever since Eileen Beckman can remember, she’s had a soft spot for ponies. Growing up in a decidedly non-horsey family, she never had the chance to share her joy with her family. But Beckman made up for
it by dedicating her life to raising gorgeous ponies alongside her children and grandchildren.

He’ll never win a congeniality contest, but he knows how to jump.

Gator B. Careful isn’t the kind of horse most people would want in their stable.
  
He bites—a lot—and he has to be bribed just to leave his stall.
   

Jeffery Welles rides to a one-two Young Jumper Championship finish.

The future looks bright for Jeffery Welles. He guided two young horses to the two top spots in the 5-year-old Young Jumper Championships Eastern League Finals at the Hampton Classic, Aug. 26-Sept. 2 in Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Welles rode Noel Love Gross’ Merlin (Hors La Loi II—Romilia, Emilton) to win and Triton Venture’s Scarlett (Perhaps van het Molenvondel—Morganne du Petit Vivier, Eclair des Bois) to the second spot.

Addison Phillips answers all the questions to come out on top of the equitation classic.

With fall indoor equitation finals just around the corner, some equitation riders used the Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship at the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, N.Y., Aug. 26-Sept. 2, to hone their skills.

This year’s victor, Addison Phillips, 18, hopes that her victory portends a smooth ride to the top of the upcoming national equitation championships. She had also won the Hampton Classic’s equitation championship in 2004.

The only double-clean performance of the day brings Eliza Shuford her biggest win yet.

It’s been a rough year for Larentino and Eliza Shuford.