Karazissis and Postel Earn Top Calls in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Regional Championships

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. —Sept. 21, 2018—On an ideal Thursday afternoon, Sept. 20, 2018, in San Juan Capistrano, Blenheim EquiSports hosted the inaugural $10,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Championships during the International Jumping Festival. Two groups competed in the championships, one at 3'/3'3" and the other raised to 3'6"/3'9", with each allotted $5,000 in prize money. Both finishing up the two-round format with final scores of 169, Jenny Karazissis and Alison Baileys' Bellamy earned the top call in the 3'/3'3" Championship; and young professional Karli Postel aboard Grace Russo's Banksy won the 3'6"/3'9" Championship.  

The quality was exceptional, from the competitors to the course design. Kerry Kocher of Centre Hill, Pennsylvania, decorated and created the courses, while Scott Williamson of Cleveland, Ohio, and Lynne Forgione, of Cornelius, North Carolina, adjudicated.

Earning 82 and 87 points in her rounds, Karazissis and Bellamy topped second place finisher Shauna Pennell and WJC Farms' Top Story by 4 points.

"I was hoping for a win on her," said Karazissis. "She was second in the Young Hunter Finals last week here, and so I really felt like she could step up, and she always does."

Karazissis is an avid competitor in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program. 

"I hope more people get involved," she said. "It's a really great program with great money, and it's just going to keep growing. Now with regional championships you can compete closer to home and also choose to go to Kentucky for the National Finals."

Karli Postel and Banksy earned well-deserved scores of 84 and 85, with two stunning rounds at the 3'9" height. Banksy is often seen in the show ring with John French in the irons, but when he's been sidelined with injuries this season, Postel has taken his place.

Postel, who works for Archie Cox and Brookway Stables, was pleased with the win. "This is special because we've done a couple big classes together and ended up second, so it's really nice to finally get the USHJA cooler!"

"Banksy is a really fun horse" she added. " He's got a beautiful rhythm and a nice jump, and he's just a dream to ride."

Banksy will finish his show season with French in the 3'9" Green Hunters, and Postel noted she is enthusiastic to cheer them on.

In special events such as this one, Blenheim Equisports recognizes the competitors and their backstage teams with a host of special awards. The Makoto Farms Grooms Awards were given to Top Story, groomed by Jan Vasquez, and Quarter Note, groomed by Sergio Macias. Each received a check for one-hundred dollars and recognition for their top-notch work. The Blue Ribbon Blankets Winning Trainers were Mary Morrison and Archie Cox respectively, and the Balmoral Farms Winning Owner Award went to Bellamy's owner, Alison Baileys, and Banksy's owner, Grace Russo.

The Southwest Championships were the fourth of five regional championships available to USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program participants for the first time this year. The USHJA introduced the opportunity as another benefit to enrolling in the Green Hunter Incentive Program, in addition to year-round stake classes and the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships.

The Harvest Horse Show, Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2018, in Katy, Texas, will host the final regional championship, the Central Championships.    

USHJA extends a special thank you to the International Jumping Festival, Stephanie Wheeler and the team at Blenheim EquiSports for hosting the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Championships.

USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program participants may choose which regional championship they would like to attend; however, horses may only compete in one regional championship per year. Each regional championship consists of two rounds, and the combined total score for both rounds determines the winner. Prize money is awarded through 12th place, and each championship offers a minimum of $10,000 in prize money spread across all the sections offered. Horses must be enrolled in the program to be eligible to participate.

Learn more about the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program at www.ushja.org/GreenIncentive. 

3'/3'3" USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Championship

3'6"/3'9" USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Championship

Media Contact:

Megan Lacy

mlacy@ushja.org

(859) 225-6723