Samantha Schaefer and Lyle Win 25k Jacksonville Hunter Classic
Jacksonville, FL—FEB. 4, 2007—When the dust cleared, it was 13-year-old Samantha Schaefer and Lyle that were left standing after some of the nation’s top hunter riders vied in the $25,000 Jacksonville Jerry Parks Insurance/“Artists” by Timothy Priano Open Hunter Classic, held Feb. 3, under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cover Springs, FL.
In all, 29 rider teams competed on the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer. The class consisted of three sections, with amateurs and juniors jumping 3’6” while professionals took 3’6”, 3’9” or 4’ fences depending on the horse’s level. Judges Teri Beck, Scott Fitton, Dacia Johnson, and Patty Anderton presided over the scoring returning only the top 12 teams for round 2.
Schaefer, a leading pony rider, and Lyle, a 14-year-old German Warmblood owned by Mrs. Susan Rinehart of Ocala, led the first round, putting forth a classic score of 88, followed by M. Scott Hofstetter and Lazy Sunday with 87, and Sunfest, also ridden by Schaefer, with a score of 83. The second round was led early by Winn Alden and the powerful Rousseau, whose total score of 170 dominated until the last two contenders took the course. Hofstetter gave a near-perfect performance aboard Sunday, finishing with a score of 175, but in the end it was not their night. Schaefer and Lyle—in their very first show appearance—bested the team by two points, finishing with a 177 and the coveted blue ribbon (Sunfest took 4th place). A national champion, Lyle also won the class in 2006 with Megan Massaro in the irons.
“He’s an awesome horse,” said trainer Don Stewart, who works with Schaefer and her full-time trainer Kimberly Stewart. “Very dependable, ultra careful. He’s a really great classic horse. He won the $30,000 National Classic in Palm Beach. And my daughter, Erin, won the Junior Hunter Finals on him 2002.”
Kim Stewart procured the horse from owner Rinehart and suggested the match-up between the seasoned vet and the young Schaefer. (“It’s nice to have a trainer who is friends with a lot of good people,” joked the young rider.) With only a few schooling rides at Don Stewart’s Ocala farm, the duo came to Jacksonville to attempt the Classic. And the trainers had absolutely no qualms about sending the 13-year-old rider in against adult amateurs and professionals, “She’s a tough, tough rider,” confirmed Don Stewart. “She’s a quick study and a very agreeable girl. She’s very witty, too.
Not to mention precocious. When asked if she was at all anxious about competing against the big guns she quickly quipped, “Nah, not with the horses I was riding.” While she’s excited about this very auspicious kickoff of a career on horses, Schafer says she will continue to show in the large pony division—at least until she’s a bit taller. “The ponies are still fun,” she noted, “especially the good ones.”
Schaefer, who hopes to compete on Lyle again when she goes to the Ocala meet later in the month, received $7,500 of the prize money for her 1st place win and the “Artists” by Timothy Priano Perpetual Trophy, which was donated and presented by class co-sponsor Timothy Priano along with North Florida Hunter Jumper Association President Tony Weight, and Ronda Mack of Jerry Park Insurance.
Also, a portion of the proceeds from this Jacksonville Hunter Classic will benefit “Horses Helping Horses,” a cause developed by show managers the Classic Company to allow horse people to give back. “Horses Helping Horses” supports Old Friends, a Thoroughbred Retirement Facility based in Georgetown, KY., which is currently home to 22 permanently retired ex-racers and is open to visitors year round.
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues with more hunter/jumper and Grand Prix action through February 11. Week IV, The Jacksonville Finale, will conclude with the thrilling $25,000 Jacksonville Finale Grand Prix next Sunday and the naming of the $10,000 Oakleaf Plantation High Point Grand Prix Rider, presented to the top rider, calculated by earned points, of the four-week series.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY., is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected] or Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected].
Photo: Samantha Schaefer and Lyle ©Flashpoint Photography
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