Locals Shine at the Brandywine Summer Series in Devon
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Locals Shine at the Brandywine Summer Series in Devon
August 2012

Louise and CorvineLouise Serio and Corvine won the Pre-Green Hunter Grand Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series.

For the second time this year, Louise Serio piloted the five-year-old gelding Corvine to a National Hunter Derby victory. As they did in the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Serio and Corvine led the Brandywine Valley Summer Series' $5,000 Get Real Get RAW USHJA National Hunter Derby start to finish. A final score of 179 captured the victory for the talented five year old. Kristy McCormack was only two points away, riding Sundance to a total score of 177 for second place, while Serio's second mount Black Jax, owned by Ann Nelligan of Newtown Square, PA, picked up the third place honors.

Hunter Highlights: Wednesday
Louise Serio and Aate, owned by Jennifer Burger of Buffalo, NY, were on top of their game July 4 in the First Year Green/High Performance Working Hunters, winning both over fences class. Serio's second mount Eloquence, owned by Taylor Willever of Pen Argyl, PA, followed with a win in the under saddle and a second place finish in the second over fences class.

The Pre-Green 3' Hunters first over fences victory went to Ransom, ridden by Bill Schaub and owned by Visse Wedell of North Salem, NY. Katie Cooper and Sandlot, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm of West Grove, PA, picked up the second place honors in the first class, and then stepped up to take home the win in the second class.

Louise Serio's reign continued in the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunters. She won the first class aboard Corvine. In the second class, Serio claimed the blue ribbon riding last week's champion, Bonaparte, owned by Annette Lauer of New York, NY.

In the Ariat Adult Medal, Katherine Klinicki of Phoenixville, PA, earned the top call riding Joint Investment. In the first Adult Amateur 18-35 over fences class, the victory went to Rachel Samuels and Espor, owned by Liz Durkin of Essex Fells, NJ. Hope Batchelor and Joy Ride, owned by Joanne Copeland of West Chester, PA, took home the blue ribbon in the second class.

The first class of the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters was won by Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, aboard Constellation. Megan Batty of Chester Springs, PA, picked up the first place honors in the second class with Constantine HTF. Later in the Adult Amateur 46 & Over Hunters, Clementina Brown of Loxahatchee, FL, won both over fences classes.

The NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic was won by Leanne McMenamin of Wayne, PA, and The Senator. Chrissy Ott of Newton, PA, and Tupelo claimed the second place prize.

Thursday Hunters
Showing in soaring temperatures, Clementina Brown of Loxahatchee, FL, and Isis topped the Adult Amateur 46 & Over standings, earning the division's championship title, the Circuit Championship and the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship. Following with the Reserve Championship was Elizabeth Frankel of West Chester, PA, and Utopia.

Megan Batty of Chester Springs, PA, and Constantine HTF won the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters championship with two blue ribbons. Reserve championship honors went to last week's champions, Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, and Constellation. After two weeks of solid performances they won the Circuit Championship title.

The Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters were hotly contested, requiring a hack-off for the championship honors. Rachel Samuels and Espor, owned by Liz Durkin of Essex Fells, NJ went home with the tricolor. Hope Batchelor and Joy Ride, owned by Joanne Copeland of West Chester, PA, claimed their second reserve championship, and the Circuit Championship.

Friday Hunters
The winner of the Pre-Green 3' Hunter division was Louise Serio and Willow, owned by Bryan Baldwin of Brandon, FL, who also claimed the championship honors and the Pre-Green 3' Hunter Circuit Championship. Following with the reserve championship honors was Katie Cooper and Sandlot, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm of West Grove, PA.

Serio also earned the championship in the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunters with Corvine and the reserve championship aboard Bonaparte. Corvine's performance also captured the Pre-Green Hunter Grand Championship for owner Timothy Wickes of Unionville, PA. Bonaparte, owned by Annette Lauer of New York, NY, was last week's champion, and won the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunter Circuit Championship.

With three first place ribbons, Serio and Aate, owned by Jennifer Burger of Buffalo, NY, won the First Year Green/High Performance Working Hunters championship, as well as the Circuit Championship. Serio and her second mount Eloquence, owned by Taylor Willever of Pen Argyl, PA, also picked up a win for the reserve championship.

Earning the top call in the Small Hunter under saddle was Cathleen Driscoll of Elk Mills, MD, with Color Me Blue, who also won Thursday's over fences class, the championship award and the Circuit Championship. Celine Marlin Andrews of Valley Forge, PA, followed with the reserve championship aboard Diva SCF.

Louise Serio piloted Rock Star, owned by Jennifer Burger of Buffalo, NY, to the championship honors in the hotly contested Performance 3'3" Hunter division. Reserve champion was Barbara Ann Merryman and Eastwood, owned by Steeple Chase Farm of Greenwich, CT.

Kristen Bowman of Lancaster, PA, and Noble Blue were at the top of the standings for the Children's 14 & Under Hunters, earning the championship honors, the division's Circuit Championship and the Children's Hunter Grand Championship. Reserve went to Tyler St. Bernard and Tesoro, owned by Dayna Jodzio of Pipersville, PA. The Children's 15-17 Hunters Championship and Circuit Championship was won by Maggie Pollard of Warrenton, VA, and Azuro 105. Barn mate Kathryn Maginnis of Centreville, VA, and Fargo followed with the reserve championship.

Saturday Hunters
In the Amateur-Owner Hunters, Lindsay Mutschler of Chadds Ford, PA, and Fielding took home the championship award and the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Circuit Championship. Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, and Do Tell, first week champions, earned the reserve championship and the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunter Circuit Championship.

In the Amateur-Owner 3'3" 18-35 Hunters, Jane Maguire of Ft. Washington, PA, and Nickleback took home a blue and red ribbon in the over fences classes. The winner of the second class was Katie Nelligan of Newtown Square, PA, and Black Jax.

The Amateur-Owner 3'3" 36 and Over Hunters was won by Tina Furey of New Canaan, CT, and French Kiss, winning both over fences classes. Susan Kelly of Allentown, PA, and Enticing followed with second place in the first class, while the red ribbon in the second class went to Blair Balmer of Wayne, PA, and Black Tie.

Jennifer Burger's Aate took home the Grand Champion Professional Hunter title while his rider, Louise Serio, earned the Leading Hunter Rider Award as well as the Leading Lady Rider Award. Tyler Weith followed with the Leading Gentleman Rider Award, and the Supreme Professional Hunter Circuit Championship went to Carino, owned by Terry Morrison and ridden by Paul Mathews. Finally, the Barry G. Balmer Memorial Horsemanship Award was presented to Lizzy Traband for her demonstration of sportsmanship and horsemanship.

Lillie Keenan and Avalon, an entry owned by Visse Wedell of North Salem, NY, and trained by Bill Schaub of Over the Hill won the Large 15 & Under Junior Hunter Championship, the division's Circuit Championship and the Junior Hunter Grand Championship. Reserve champions were Kendall Burdette and Wilco, owned by Caren Seidle of Wayne, PA.

Barbara Ann Merryman and Lilly, owned by Kimberly Stewart of Jefferson, MD, were named champions of the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter division, and Merryman was also named Best Child Rider on a Horse. In reserve were Kathleen Fisher of West Chester, PA, and North Shore, last week's Junior Hunter Grand Champions, who took home the division's Circuit Championship.

In the Small Junior Hunters, Taylor Willever and Symphony, owned by Alexandra Garrity of Flemington, NJ, jumped to the championship award. Lillie Keenan and Chromeo, owned by Peakewood Pharm, took home the reserve championship and the Small Junior Hunter Circuit Championship.

The Amateur-Owner 36 & Over 3'3" Hunters champion was Tina Furey of New Canaan, CT, and French Kiss. They also captured the Circuit Championship and the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Grand Championship. Blair Balmer of Wayne, PA, and Black Tie took home the division's reserve championship award.

In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3'3" Hunters, Jane Maguire of Ft. Washington, PA, and Nickleback won the division's championship award. Christiane Schuman Campbell and More Than a Lot, owned by Elizabeth Gingrich of Perkasie, PA, won the reserve championship, and the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3'3" Hunter Circuit Championship.

Barbara Ann Merryman and For the Love, owned by Alexandra Crown of New York, NY, won the Large Pony Hunter division and the Circuit Championship. Mia Latran of Newtown Square, PA piloted Major League to reserve honors.

Garnering the Medium Pony Hunter Champion and Circuit Champion honors was Sassafras Creek, a Bibby Hill entry with Daisy Farish in the irons. Farish and Sassafras Creek also won the Pony Hunter Classic. In reserve was Coco Fath and Highlands Heaven Sent, owned by Peakewood Pharm, Inc. of Marshall, VA. Coco Fath and Red Robin, a Heritage Farm, Inc. of Katonah, NY entry, were Small Ponies division champions, Circuit Champions and Grand Pony Hunter Champion. Ava Leraris rode Star Command to a reserve finish for Pretty Penny Farm.

Farish also found herself in the winner's circle with both of her Green Pony Hunter mounts. Taking championship honors was Prada, an entry owned by David Scheffenacker. Farish also piloted Charming, an entry owned by Bill Schaub of Sanford, FL, to the reserve championship and the Circuit Championship.

Leah Toscano was presented with the Equitation Style Award for her outstanding performance in the USEF Pony Medal on Saturday. Daisy Farish earned the Best Child Rider on a Pony Award.

Jumper Highlights: Wednesday
Wednesday’s Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class proved to be very challenging, with only two horse and riders advancing to the jump off. Chelsea Babcock of Endicott, NY and her own Caiza won with a clear first round and just one heartbreaking rail. Taryn Nolte of Blue Bell, PA aboard Fantastiek put in a clear effort in the first round but had two unfortunate stops at the double combination, putting them in second.

The Child/Adult Jumpers class was held as an optimum time class; competitors would be required to go clean in the first round in order to progress to the jump-off where they would attempt to jump-off close to 40.000 seconds. 2oodles, a pony owned by Leigh Berman of Bayertown, PA and shown by Madeleine Jefferson emerged victorious with a double clear stopping the clock at 39.891 seconds, an impressive .109 seconds below the optimum time. Coming in second with two clear rounds and a time of 40.516 seconds was Valkenier with rider and owner Alexis Rappaport of Berwyn, PA.

Thursday Jumpers
Molly Wolfe, Owings Mills, MD aboard her own ZZ Top had a double clear effort in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers for a blue ribbon, while Autumn Janesky and Peper Gold followed with a win in the NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic.

In the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Wolfe and ZZ Top had  double clear rounds and a jump-off time nearly three seconds faster than the second place finisher. Two fault free trips and a jump-off time of 32.104 seconds earned Khyron and owner Stacey Davis of Princeton, NJ second place.

The NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic found Autumn Janesky and Peper Gold in first with two clear rounds and a time of 37.635 seconds. In second were Madeline Jefferson and 2oodles, followed by Margretta Willemin and Kobus, an entry of Cassie Plumb from Unionville, PA.

Friday Jumpers
Following a two-horse jump-off, Molly Wolfe and ZZ Top led the victory gallop in the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Stacey Davis of Princeton, NJ, aboard Red Oak Beau claimed the second place honors. Wolfe claimed multiple awards, including the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Champion, the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Circuit Champion, and the Supreme Jumper Circuit Champion, and earned the style award.

Leslie Schillat of Wayne, PA, and Lady Liberty were victorious in the Marshall and Sterling Children's Adult/Jumper Classic. Angelena Daprato of Annandale, NJ, and Red Bull, came second.

Madeleine Jefferson and the talented pony 2oodles returned to center ring for the Children's/Adult Jumpers championship presentation. The duo also captured the Circuit Championship, as well as the award for the Leading Thoroughbred Jumper. The night's third place finishers, Janesky and Peper Gold, followed with the reserve championship.

Week 1 Highlights
On the final day of the first week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Service (THIS) the highlight event was the $10,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA International Hunter Derby. The final battle was between the Heritage Farm riders, with trainer Patricia Griffith taking home the win aboard Sienna with a total score of 380. Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, Griffith’s pupil, garnered the second and third place honors with Monterrey and Kid Rock, respectively, while Matthew Metell placed fourth aboard Pioneer, and Allison Toffolon claimed fifth riding Class Action, all under the Heritage Farm banner.

Hunter Highlights: Wednesday
The First Year Green Working Hunters was won by Patricia Griffith and Sutherland, owned by Lyn Pedersen of Greenwich, CT. Louise Serio and Casino, owned by Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, were right behind Griffith. First in the Conformation Hunters went to Phoebe DeMott and Noble Blue, owned by Kristen Bowman of Lancaster, PA. The winner of the first over fences class was Trending, ridden by Lyman T. Whitehead and owned by Nina Winoker of Greenwich, CT.

Paul Mathews swept the Second Year Green/High Performance Hunter division with three blues aboard Carino, owned by Terry Morrison of Ann Arbor, MI. In the Performance 3'6" Hunters, Sandy Ferrell and Say What, owned by Rodney Bross of Monkton, MD, topped the second over fences class. The winner of the first over fences class was Jennifer Bauersachs aboard Secret Life, owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian of New York, NY.

Paul Mathews and Carino swept the Second Year/High Performance Hunter classes and won Grand Champion Hunter honors. Ashley Holtz of Wellington, FL, followed in the reserve position, aboard Summer Catch.

Thursday Hunters
The First Year Green Working Hunters championship went to Louise Serio and Casino, owned by Bridget Hallman of Oyster Bay, NY, Patricia Griffith and Sutherland, owned by Lyn Pedersen of Greenwich, CT, were the division's reserve champions.

The Conformation Hunters championship was won by Phoebe DeMott and Noble Blue, owned by Kristen Bowman of Lancaster, PA. Following in reserve was Lyman T. Whitehead and Trending, owned by Nina Winoker of Greenwich, CT.

Sandy Ferrell also took home a championship tricolor in the Performance 3'6" Hunters with Say What, owned by Rodney Bross of Monkton, MD. The reserve championship went to Patricia Griffith riding Monte Cristo for owner Paula Kennedy of New Canaan, CT.

The $1,000 Pennsylvania Horse Show Association's Hunter Classic made its debut as Corinthian and professional rider Melissa Morrill had a total score of 161 to lead the lap of honor. Inspired and Amy Guth of West Chester, PA scored the second place award.

The Pre-Green Hunter Classic was won by Louise Serio and Bonaparte, owned by Annette Lauer of New York, NY, They also took home the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunter Reserve Championship behind Jennifer Bauersachs and Wink, owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian of New York, NY. The Pre-Green 3' Hunter Championship went to Serafino, ridden by Melissa Feller for Elisabeth McFadden of Long Valley, NJ, while Louise Serio and Willow, owned by Bryan Baldwin of Brandon, FL, were reserve. Lyman T. Whitehead and Felton, owned by Jean Bickley of Greenwich, CT, won the Small Hunter championship, while Celine Marlin Andrews of Valley Forge, PA, picked up the reserve.

Friday Hunters
Bridget Hallman, of Oyster Bay, NY, won the Amateur-Owner Grand Championship with Do Tell the second year in a row, winning three of the over fences classes in the 36 & Over division. Ashley Kennedy Whitner of Middleburg, VA, and Larkspur were reserve division champions.

Champions of the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter division were Stephanie Riggio and Moshi. Lindsay Mutschler of Chadds Ford, PA, and Fielding earned the reserve championship.

Riggio and her second mount, Breitling, earned the Amateur-Owner 3'3" 18-35 Hunter Championship. Christiane Schuman Campbell of Newtown, PA, followed with reserve aboard More Than A Lot. At the end of the day, Riggio and Breitling returned to the Dixon Oval for a second awards presentation for the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Grand Championship.

Kelly Champion of Washington, NJ and All In claimed the championship in the 3'3" 36 and Over riders. Reserve champions were Lee Kellogg Sadrian of New York, NY, and Wink.

Equitation
Isabelle Caccamise aboard Topper won the Pessoa/USEF Hunt Seat Medal class. Lauren Fabiano and Aram VDL finished in second. Lauren Fabiano won the APCA Maclay, aboard her young equitation mount Aram VDL. In reserve was Madeline Placey aboard Asten.

Kathleen Fisher of West Chester, PA, and North Shore were also presented with the Junior Hunter Grand Championship for the first week. Allison Toffolon was named Best Child Rider, and also won the Equitation Style Award. The first week's award, the Romeo Sullivan Memorial Sportsmanship Award, went to Jennifer Bauersachs of Spring Hill Farm, who was chosen by her peers for the special honor.

Happily Ever Laughter, owned and ridden by Madison Goetzmann was the recipient of the Grand Pony Hunter Championship for week one.

Daisy Farish and Charming, owned by Bill Schaub won the Grand Green Pony Hunter Championship title. Taking home reserve honors was Enchanted, a pony owned by Claire Campbell of Cochester, PA, with Lexi Dreisbach in the irons.

Madison Goetzmann took home top honors in the THIS Children's Medal and was awarded champion in the Children's Hunter 14 and Under division and Grand Children's Hunter Champion on Sirius Black, owned by Christina Gellos of Greenwich, CT. In addition, the duo won the NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic.

Jumper Highlights
In the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Lillie Keenan of New York, NY piloted Chansonette Farm's Veronique to the win with a jump off time by almost three seconds ahead of Saly Glassman and GK Calluci, owned by Kindle Hill Affiliates of Gwynedd Valley, PA.

Keenan also won the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, this time aboard Zentina B. The duo went double clear with a time of 33.215 seconds. Not even half a second behind them was Saly Glassman once again, this time aboard Kindle Hill Affiliates' Lorado 28. Winner of the Children/Adult Jumper Classic was Angelena Daprato of Annandale, NJ aboard Red Bull. Following behind was Lucy Matz riding Umberto Ter Linden, an entry owned by Faith Stewart of Malvern, PA.

Keenan was first with Abigail Wexner’s Zycarla Z and second with aboard Chansonette Farm LLC's Veronieque in the High Junior/Amateur Owner Hall of Fame Jumper Classic. Keenan and Zycarla Z were also named Champion of the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper division for the first week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. In addition, Keenan earned Reserve Championship aboard her own Veronieque. Keenan earned the Championship honors with Zentina B in the Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper division. Collecting the Reserve Champion award was Alex Matz and Jolly Mone.

Local Day
The Brass Ring Horse Show, held Monday, July 9, is a local competition included with the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Avery Cox of Doylestown, PA and Port of Call emerged victorious in the Equitation 14 to 17 division, garnering championship honors. Earning the reserve champion award was Megan Gehret out of Eagleville, PA, riding Rembrandt.

The Novice Equitation division ended in a hack off between Katie Diaz and Jenny Miller for championship and reserve titles. Both competitors earned a first and a second on the flat, but in the end, Diaz of Doylestown, PA came out on top.

In the Pre-Children's Hunter Horse division, Kerra Goldstein and Krystall of Berwyn, PA won the championship. In reserve was Avery Cox aboard Port of Call. Goldstein and Krystall were also winner of the two-round Children's Hunter Championship.

Alexandra Bukowski of Wapwallopen, PA and One More Time jumped to the top of the Children’s Hunter Horse division, and was also named Best Child Rider at the Brass Ring Horse Show. Gabrielle Calvert rode Davy Crockett to the reserve championship.

In the Low Hunter division, Master Plan claimed the championship tricolor with Susan Sisco in the irons. Capital Blue and Rachael Tennyson-Gallagher took home the reserve championship.