Tampa, FL – April 4, 2025 – The final professional divisions of the 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival wrapped up today, and Nicole Simpson and Hush earned their third tricolor of the season in the First Year Green Hunters. The pair earned three firsts and a fifth place over fences and a second place in the under saddle class for the championship. Hush is owned by Clara Lindner and All Seasons Farm.
“The Lindners bought Hush in the middle of circuit in Palm Beach, and Clara shows him in the Amateurs, and I do him in the First Years,” Simpson commented. “He’s fantastic to ride: He’s beautiful and just really simple and brave. We’ll keep doing both divisions and hopefully go to Devon and indoors.”
Simpson described Hush’s personality as quiet and brave, albeit quirky. “He’s funny. You don’t want to make him mad, but the good ones always have a little something about them. You do whatever it takes to keep him happy, and he’s really straightforward in the ring. I think he’d jump through a hoop of fire – he’ll walk right into a new venue without a problem.”
Reserve champion in the First Year Green Hunter division was James Toon riding Invincible. Aside from being reserve champion, the pair also earned the high score of the
day with a 91.
In the 3’3” Pre-Green Hunter division, Jimmy Torano took home the top prize with Country Stroll, earning two firsts and a fourth over fences. Scott Stewart and Unwritten, owned by Marilou Case, had a repeat performance from last week and brought home their second championship together in the 3’ Pre-Green Hunters.
Sandy Ferrell also had similar results in the 3 & 4 Year Old Pre-Green Hunters with It’s A Wrap, a four-year-old chestnut gelding owned by Sloan Brown and trained by Rodney Bross. Of the young horse, Ferrell said, “He’s just a good guy. I think his intent every time he goes into the ring is to do well, and he’s wonderful to ride. He goes in a rubber snaffle, never touches the bridle and never looks at the jumps.”
James Toon and Avalon finished off the day with championship honors in the Second Year Green Hunter division, besting Mary Lisa Leffler and Sam Adams, who earned the reserve championship for owner Ashley Foster.
Hunter competition will resume tomorrow morning with Amateur-Owner and Adult Amateur Hunter divisions being held in the main hunter ring. In the hunter annex, the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal class and ASPCA Maclay classes will be offered to junior equitation riders.
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