Private Practice and Victoria Colvin Claim Victory in $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

Wellington, Fla.—Feb. 17, 2019—Victoria Colvin made history as a junior rider by winning the $100,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular four consecutive times from 2012-2015, and on Saturday, February 16, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), the now young professional returned to the winner's circle for a fifth time, this time aboard Private Practice, owned by Brad Wolf.

"When I did it as a junior, I knew it was an amazing class, but I probably didn't realize how significant and amazing it is," said Colvin, who also rode Private Practice to victory in the 2018 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

"It's one of the biggest hunter classes, especially at WEF," continued Colvin, of Loxahatchee, Fla. "For me to come back and win it as a professional means almost even more to me. I had really, really great horses, which I'm so grateful for, as a junior, and now I have great horses as well. To come back and win it as a professional is amazing."

Following Saturday night's opening round at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Fla., Colvin and Private Practice sat in second place with a score of 90 behind Amanda Steege of Bedminster, N.J., and Lafitte de Muze, who led with a score of 92.33. A second round score of 92.66, however, would shoot Colvin and the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding straight to the top of the leaderboard with a 182.66 total, and when Steege and Lafitte de Muze scored an 89.93 as the final entry in the second round for a 182.16 total, victory was clinched for Colvin, while Steege secured the second-place honor.

"He went around like a champ," said Colvin of Private Practice. "His [second] round, to me, felt like he did at Derby Finals. He went incredible. I think it was as good as he could have gone. I feel like we know each other quite well now, preparation-wise and everything. We kind of have this niche, and I know how to get him ready. Going in the ring, he's quite brave. But he did actually, in the first round, look at that end jump that everybody else was. I patted him on the neck and was like, 'You're fine. You don't spook. We're good.'"

Like Colvin, Steege was also very pleased with Lafitte de Muze's performance over Saturday night's courses set by designer Ken Krome.

"I was certainly hoping that he was going to be a competitor out there, and I think he definitely went beyond those expectations," said Steege of the 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Cheryl Olsten. "He got to do this class last year as a First Year horse, and it was only his third show in America. It was amazing to feel how much more mature he is a year later.

"I was really happy with my [second] round," continued Steege. "I thought he jumped amazing. I made the conscious choice to go around the red vertical on the way to jump one. Tori's horse has won Derby Finals and is a bit more experienced than my horse. My horse is working his way up to being able to do those types of things, and I wanted to make the very best decision that I could for him for this to be the most positive experience possible. Other than that, I thought he was quite handy, very adjustable, and very smooth."

Holding the third-place position through both rounds to complete the top three was junior competitor Jordan Allen of West Bloomfield, Mich., riding Kind of Blue for owner Float On Equestrian, LLC.

The three judging panels of Chris Wynne and John French, Jim Clapperton with Shane George, and Rachel Kennedy alongside Rick Fancher, awarded Allen and the 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding average scores of 89.41 in the first round and 88.16 in the second round for a 177.57 total and a highlight moment of Allen's junior career.

"It's beyond exciting," said Allen, a working student for Ken and Emily Smith's Ashland Farms who will attend the University of South Carolina in the fall. "It's my last [junior] year and everything is sort of shaping out. I'm so lucky to have incredible horses to show, Kind of Blue especially. I've been showing him for about two months now. I know him like the back of my hand. This is by far one of the greatest accomplishments. I'm so excited.

"I don't own any horses. Each week [Ken and Emily] have horses for me to show," continued Allen. "I'm beyond grateful for everything they've done for me. As well, with Brady Mitchell who has helped me with Kind of Blue, Adam Graham, Alvin Menendez, and Dana Schwarz who's the owner, a huge thanks to her. I just feel so grateful to be a working student. I enjoy spending time with the horses so much, not even in the saddle, but watching a horse, learning what they need, the preparation; I love it."

In between Rounds 1 and 2, Tradition, owned by Maggie Hill and ridden by Liza Boyd, received the Charlie Weaver Memorial Award for the highest-scoring Conformation Hunter in Round 1 with an 86.66.

The Mark Gregory Memorial Award, established by Susie Humes, for the best-conditioned horse in Round 1 was presented to Disclosure, owned by Samantha Kramig and ridden by Amanda Steege.

Consent, owned by Larry Glefke and ridden by Kelley Farmer received the Shapley's Best Turned Out Award, presented by Sally Stith-Burdette to groom Omar Torres. Farmer piloted Consent to an overall ninth place finish.

The inaugural WCHR Kiara Barnett Memorial Style Award, donated by Meralex Farms was awarded to Jordan Allen, 17, of West Bloomfield, Michigan. On hand to present the award was Bryan Baldwin, Tammy Williams and Tom Wright. Created in honor of Charleston, South Carolina, equestrian and restaurateur Kiara Barnett, the style award is presented to the rider in this class who displays the American style of riding and exemplary sportsmanship outside the ring.

Riders earning champion or reserve champion in the 3'6" and higher rated WCHR hunter sections qualified for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, with additional riders qualifying based on points if the qualified riders chose not to compete or were pre-qualified. In addition, riders also qualified based on their 2018 standings in the WCHR national awards programs.

The class, a two round hunter classic, was scored by three panels of two judges with the top scoring 12 horse-and-rider combinations returning for a second round. Earning the highest combined score, Colvin and Private Practice were crowned winners of the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular and took home $30,000 in prize money, the Dark Continent Perpetual Trophy courtesy of Jim Greene and a custom WCHR jacket and a cooler. Colvin, as the winning rider, also received the Let's Dance Perpetual Trophy donated by Gene R. Mische. 

Other special awards presented included the week's high-score honors: professional—Liza Boyd, 92; Amateur-Owner, 3'6"—Becky Gochman, 90; Amateur-Owner 3'3"—Martha Ingram, 88; Adult Amateur—Stephanie Bulger, 92; Junior 3'6"—Augusta Iwasaki and Ava Stearns (tie), 89; Junior 3'3"—Alexander Goet, 90. Developing Professional Sara Taylor earned the Champion Equine Insurance Trophy for her high score of 88.

Brad Wolf's Private Practice, ridden by Victoria Colvin, was also named the 2018 USHJA WCHR Hunter of the Year and was presented with the WCHR Peter Wetherill Cup on Saturday night.

The Kavar Kerr Distinguished Service Award, presented by the World Championship Hunter Rider Committee in honor of Kerr's philanthropic background, was awarded to Louise Serio. The award is presented to a person who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership and commitment to the WCHR Program through their volunteer service and philanthropic efforts. This person also honors the past and tradition while representing the future and growth of philanthropy in the sport. 

Serio's dedication, support and leadership-in conjunction with co-founder and 2018 recipient Geoff Teall-helped to bring the WCHR Program to life and sustain it over the years. Her leadership, vision and determination enabled the WCHR to grow and thrive. 

The USHJA would like to thank its generous sponsors for the 2019 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, including: Charles Owen, Inc., The Official Helmet of the USHJA; CWD Sellier, The Official Saddle of the USHJA; Parlanti, The Official Riding Boot of the USHJA; and Rood & Riddle, The Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy of the USHJA.

The USHJA also thanks Awards Sponsors: FITS and Shapley's, sponsor of the Best Turned Out Horse Award.

The Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Gala, held in the International Club, was once again a great success and is projected to raise more than $100,000 to support the WCHR program.

For more photos from the class, visit the USHJA Facebook page at facebook.com/USHJA.

Top 12 Finishers in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular:

Release by Jump Media LLC/USHJA