The Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show came to a close on Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Saturday morning began with an exciting victory going to Maggie Jayne and Thomas Edison in the $25,000 Tapestry Farm Leading Rider Series Final Grand Prix. The top three open jumper riders in the 2009 Showplace Leading Rider Series battled against the clock as the only entries to qualify for the jump-off, and Jayne was the fastest by almost four seconds to take the top prize.

Twenty entries showed over Saturday morning's challenging grand prix course set by Maryland's Kenny Krome, and just three entries went clear over the first-round course to qualify for the jump-off. Wilhelm Genn and Chantal, owned by Laura Ryan-Barnaclo, were the first to jump-off and put down a second clear round in a time of 38.224 seconds. Kelsey Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm's Carlotta were next to attempt the shortened course and also jumped clear, stopping the clock just behind Genn in a time of 38.318 seconds. Maggie Jayne entered the ring next aboard her father, Alex Jayne's, Thomas Edison. Jayne knew she had nothing to lose and could not finish lower than third place at that point, so she pointed Thomas Edison to the first jump and never held back. The pair cleared the course with ease and breezed through the timers in 34.758 seconds to take the victory.

Before the grand prix, the competition began Saturday morning with the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Championships and Weathertech.com Leading Rider Series Finals, sponsored by the Ruziska Family. Madeline Thatcher and Alex Jayne's Kinda Blue have had a great week competing at Lamplight in the jumpers, and did not disappoint Saturday. The pair had a fast, clean round to take home the championship honors and lead the round of honor.

Following the Children's Jumper championship, the $2,500 M&S Adult Jumper Championships and Weathertech.com Leading Rider Series Finals were held in the Grand Prix Ring with the victory going to Emily Currie and Acapella, owned by Tina Judge. Currie, of Downers Grove, IL, had the only clear round of the class to take home top honors.

After the morning's classes, the $60,000 Showplace Leading Rider Series concluded with the presentations of awards and prize money. The series has tracked the top riders through a series of nine events throughout the year and the top riders in five different sections were finalized during this week's competition. First-place finishers were awarded 50% of the prize money in their respective divisions. The $30,000 Tapestry Farms Open Jumper Series was won by Wilhelm Genn, the $10,000 THIS Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Series was won by Lisa Goldman, the $10,000 Weathertech.com Children's/Adult Jumper Series was won by Madeline Thatcher, the $5,000 Our Day Farm Low Children's Jumper Series was won by Caitlin Boyle, and the $5,000 Ann K. Hubbard's Tack Shop Low Adult Jumper Series was won by Dana Foremsky.

As the sun came out and things started to warm up Saturday afternoon, the 2009 Marshall & Sterling Medal Finals were held in the grand prix ring, sponsored by Messenger Hill Farm and Freddie and Jodi Vazquez. The M&S Adult Medal Finals kicked things of, and after jumping the first-round course, the top five competitors were called back to test. Haylie Jayne continued Our Day Farm's excellent day following her sister's grand prix victory by earning her own championship prize. Twenty-one-year-old Jayne rode Go For Broke, a horse purchased by her father just a month ago from Mexico, and led the class through both rounds of competition to take first place overall.

Up next was the M&S Children's Medal Finals, with the championship award going to 13-year-old Taylor Schmidt of Batavia, IL. Schmidt trains with Kim Gardiner at Perfecta Farm and rode her new horse, a seven-year-old Hanoverian named Backstage, in the class.

Rounding out the day's competition, the M&S Central Equine Junior Medal Finals were held as the sun was setting over the grand prix ring. After completing the first-round course, the top six horses and riders were called back to test, and 15-year-old Samantha Oliva of Kildeer, IL, rode her horse SS Couture to a beautifully smooth round that won over the judges and took top honors in the class.


Jumper Highlights
Competition got under way for the second day of the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show on Wednesday with two 1.30m Open Jumper classes in the grand prix ring.

Krome designed Wednesday's jumper courses in the grand prix ring, and Steve Schaefer of Maple Park, IL, won the $1,500 1.30m Open Jumper class riding Caribe, owned by Seroson Turtle Rock Group. The class was generously sponsored by Vermeer Midwest.

The top three horses and riders in Tuesday afternoon's class went clear in the first round to jump-off, but it was Steve Schaefer and Caribe whose unique take on the shortened course stopped the clocks in the fastest time of 29.520 seconds for the win. Caribe is a six-year-old Argentinean horse that Schaefer purchased almost two years ago, and is now a partial owner of with two partners. Caribe currently competes in the Six-Year-Old Young Jumper division and will move up to doing the Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumpers next year.

Schaefer explained that he thought Krome designed a good course, and that in order to challenge his horse even further, he improvised a little bit during the jump-off. "I wanted something more to challenge him, so I did tighter turns than I would have normally done, just to give him something to look at, and he did great with it," Schaefer said. "He answered the call. The combination rode a little long because I turned in really tight, but he was a good boy there and he figured it out, so I was happy."

Prior to Schaefer's victory in the Wednesday afternoon's 1.30m Open Jumper class, Charlie Jayne of Elgin, IL, took top honors in the first 1.30m class of the day riding Sampras, owned by Alex Jayne. Three entries jumped double clear over Wednesday's course, and Denise Wilson and For Elenor held the fastest time of 29.354 seconds through the whole class until Charlie Jayne and Sampras entered the ring last to jump and beat her time in 27.111 seconds to take over first place. Wilson and For Elenor finished in second, and Jayne also took the third place honors with Gangsta, who he rode through the timers in 29.998 seconds.

Jayne and Pony Lane Farm's Carentina III put in the fastest clear jump-off round to win Thursday morning's $10,000 Welcome Stake at the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show.

Krome designed Thursday's courses in the grand prix ring, and out of the original 19 entries in the $10,000 Welcome Stake, 11 went clear to jump off against the clock. Charlie Jayne rode six horses in Thursday morning's class and qualified four for the jump-off, but Carentina III was the fastest of only four double-clear rounds to take the top prize in a time of 42.861 seconds. Wilhelm Genn took the second-place honors with Chantal, owned by Laura Ryan Barnaclo. The pair galloped through the timers less than a second behind Jayne in a time of 43.789 seconds.

Following Thursday morning's Welcome Stake, the grand prix ring hosted the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, which was won by 18-year-old Ellie Morris of Hinsdale, IL, and her horse High Rustler. A class of 24 entries showed in the Thursday afternoon Classic, and 14 went clear in the first round to jump off. It became a race to the finish as the riders maneuvered the course and galloped through the timers one after the other, but it was Ellie Morris and High Rustler who led the victory gallop as the pair stopped the clock in 30.242 seconds for the win. Rachel Reid rode her horse Blossom to a clear round in 31.746 seconds, earning second place, while Haley Banas and Limelight stopped the clock in 31.764 seconds for third.

There were several other big wins in the grand prix ring Thursday as the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show continued its exciting competition. The morning began with the presentation of the Seven- and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper championship to Denise Wilson and Quick King Z, owned by Blue Gate Farm of Oconomowoc, WI. Kelsey Thatcher of South Jordan, UT, then rode to victory in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search riding Missy Clark and North Run's Raven. That was followed up by a winning round for Stephanie Mengarelli of Kildeer, IL, aboard her horse Lonestar in the $1,500 WIHS Children's/Adult Jumper Classic.

The grand prix ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center hosted several jumper classics throughout the day on Friday as the competition for the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show continued. In the feature event of the day, Lisa Goldman and Centurion B topped the $10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, which was the final event to count towards points for the Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Inc. (T.H.I.S.) Leading Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Rider Series Bonus.

Wrapping up an action-packed day in the jumpers, the $10,000 High Junior/AO Jumper Classic and T.H.I.S. Leading Rider Series Final was held in the grand prix ring in the afternoon, with a course set by Maryland's Krome. Six entries went clear over the first-round course to jump off, and Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, rode her horse Centurion B to the fastest of only three double clears for the top prize.

Goldman and Centurion B finished in a time of 40.695 seconds, just a little under a tenth of a second faster than second-place finishers Shana Barnett and Maverick, who stopped the clock in 40.775 seconds. The only other clear jump-off round belonged to Roxane Theidel and Nicolette, who finished in 42.698 seconds to take the third-place honors. The fastest four-fault round went to Lisa Goldman and Fontaine after the pair had a rail down at the second to the last fence of the jump-off, but finished in the fastest time of 40.625 seconds to take the fourth-place prize. Kelsey Thatcher and Carlotta finished in fifth place with four faults in a time of 40.878 seconds, and Denise Wilson and Corsavita pulled two rails in the jump-off to take the sixth-place honors with eight faults in 42.878 seconds.

Earlier on Friday the $1,500 Low Adult Classic and Ann K. Hubbard's Leading Rider Series Final was held with the win going to Audrey Symowicz and Fahrvergnuegen. Symowicz had the fastest of seven double-clear rounds to take the class victory with her 17-year-old Westphalian gelding that was purchased in June. Friday marked the pair's first double clear and their first win.

Another exciting class on Friday morning was the $1,500 Low Children's Jumper Classic and Our Day Farm Leading Rider Series Final. Caitlin Boyle of West Dundee, IL, and Rochette, owned by Alex Jayne of Our Day Farm in Elgin, IL, won the class after a lightning-fast jump-off round.

Other top finishers on Friday included Abbie Ross and TNT who took the top prize in the $500 NAL/M&S Pony Jumper Classic sponsored by Midwest Nuerosurgery and Spine Specialists. Julia Murray and Lord Stanley also took the top honors in the $1,500 NAL Children's/Adult Jumper Classic.

The Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show concluded Sunday with the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association (IHJA) Medal Finals. The morning began with the IHJA Children's Mini Medal, IHJA Pony Medal, and IHJA Adult Mini Medal Finals, all sponsored by Ledges Sporting Horses. The afternoon classes then featured the IHJA Children's, Adult, and Junior Medal Finals, sponsored by Perfecta Farms and Kim Gardiner.

Fifteen-year-old Samantha Oliva of Kildeer, IL, had an exciting weekend. The young rider took home top honors in Sunday's IHJA Junior Medal Finals after also winning Saturday's Marshall & Sterling Central Equine Junior Medal Finals. Oliva recently began training with Diane Carney of Telluride Farm, and bought her horse SS Couture a year ago.

Over 30 competitors showed in the IHJA Junior Medal Finals Sunday afternoon, and only the top four were called back to test over a difficult shortened course. The final results put Caitie Hope of Barrington, IL, in fourth place, Hannah Stevens of Lake Forest, IL, in third place, Lesley Quillen of Geneva, IL, in second place, and crowned Samantha Oliva the 2009 IHJA Junior Medal Finals champion in first place.

Prior to Oliva's victory, the IHJA Children's Medal Finals were also held in the grand prix ring Sunday afternoon, with the exciting victory going to 12-year-old Caitlin Boyle aboard her brand new horse, Rochette, recently purchased from Alex Jayne of Our Day Farm. Boyle and Rochette showed against 20 of the top children riders in Illinois over the first-round course, and then the top four were called back in to test. Following the test, Fallon Perez took home the fourth-place honors, Sana Abbas came in third place, Nicki Lachapelle landed in second, and Boyle was awarded the championship prize in first place. Boyle led the victory gallop as her father, Showplace Production's Pat Boyle, watched proudly from the center of the ring.

Another exciting victory Sunday afternoon went to Lisa Goldman, who has been very successful in the hunters, jumpers and equitation throughout the week. Among her wins this week, Goldman won the $10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic with her horse Centurion B, and was also named the THIS Leading Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Rider for the 2009 season. Sunday, Goldman took the top honors in the IHJA Adult Medal Finals riding Cartoon.

Before the Children's, Adult and Junior IHJA Medal Finals were held, Sunday morning saw the crowning of three other IHJA Medal Final champions. Teddi Perez of South Barrington, IL, was awarded the top prize in the IHJA Children's Mini Medal Finals to kick off the morning, with Natalie Robbins coming in second, Johanna Veleris in third, and Kate Metzger in fourth.

The IHJA Pony Medal Finals followed with the championship prize going to Abbie Ross of Wheaton, IL, after an excellent first-round course and test. Ross tested in the top four against Matthew Sassmannshausen, who ended up in second place, Kailie Briza, who took third place honors, and Rebecca Bohr, who came in fourth.

Rounding out Sunday morning were the IHJA Adult Mini Medal Finals, which were won by Kristen Zambetti of Carol Steam, IL. Zambetti topped the class over second-place finisher Nora Lindvall, third-place finisher Alissa Orenstein, and fourth-place finisher Melissa Lorusso.

Hunter Highlights
The top hunter riders competed for championship and reserve championship honors in Ring 3 as the professional hunter divisions wrapped-up their second day of competition on Thursday. Maggie Jayne of Our Day Farm was at the top her game, garnering two of the championship prizes, a reserve championship award, and both wins in the $1,000 Open Hunter Classics.

Ring 3 got under way Thursday at 9 a.m. with the Conformation Hunter division where Jayne began her winning streak with Francesca, owned by Pony Lane Farm. The pair swept the division, winning all six classes and earning the championship ribbon. Jodi Vazquez and Orame followed with the reserve championship honors after earning five second-place ribbons and a third-place ribbon.

Jayne continued with her winning ways during the First Year Green Working Hunter division riding Bella Blue, the newest addition to Pony Lane Farm. The pair took home four of the division's blue ribbons and they were presented with the championship tricolor. The reserve championship prize was awarded to Maggie Sarmiento for her ride aboard Viva after the duo earned a first-place ribbon, two second-place ribbons, and a third-place ribbon.

Jayne and Bella Blue claimed Thursday's $1,000 Open Hunter Classic, as well as the win during Wednesday's $1,000 Open Hunter Classic.

Next to compete in Ring 3 was the Second Year Green Working Hunter/Regular Working Hunter division. Lorrie Canady claimed the championship award with Insignia after the pair earned four blue ribbons and a yellow ribbon. Freddie Vazquez followed with the reserve championship prize aboard Pankai. Vazquez and Pankai took home a first-place ribbon, three second-place ribbons, and a third-place ribbon over the two days of competition.

The final division on Thursday was the Pre-Green Hunters, where Kara Raposa and Playmaker earned the championship award after winning three of the division's blue ribbons. The reserve championship prize was presented to Maggie Jayne and Disaranno, who earned a first-place ribbon, two second-place ribbons, and two third-place ribbons. The $1,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic win was awarded to Heidi Fish for her ride aboard Sangria Sky.

Despite an overcast sky and periods of rain at the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show, Hannah Stevens and Eventual were unstoppable during Friday's Marshall & Sterling Central Equine Junior Medal and ASPCA Maclay classes. The pair earned the top call in both of Friday's classes after their flawless performances and walked away with two blue ribbons.

Stevens began her exciting day by winning the Marshall & Sterling Central Equine Junior Medal with Eventual. Friday's class was the final qualifier before the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals.

Stevens received the top call during Friday's test, which she executed flawlessly aboard Eventual and was awarded with the first-place prize. The second-place ribbon was presented to Margo Lyons who was riding Piece of Art, while Sydney Schaefer and VBS Hannink Atlantis earned the third-place honors.

Later on Friday, as the rain started to move in, Stevens participated in the ASPCA Maclay class in Ring 3. Riders competed over a complicated course with many turns that finished over a tight one-stride combination. The class finished with an under saddle portion where the exhibitors had to show at a sitting trot and reverse directions, and then move directly into the canter.

Stevens and Eventual were named the winners once again during the ASPCA Maclay class and received the blue ribbon. Ryan Sassmannshausen and Reilly were presented with the second-place prize, while Kelsey Thatcher earned the third-place honors.

Earlier on Friday, riders competed in the $1,000 WIHS Children's Hunter Classic, where Fallon Perez and Kara garnered the top prize following their excellent rounds. The blue ribbon during Friday's $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic was award to Abbie Ross for her ride aboard Golden Snitch.

After earning the third-place prize in Saturday's $25,000 Tapestry Farms Leading Rider Finals Grand Prix with Carlotta, Kelsey Thatcher went on to earn two championship tricolors and a reserve championship ribbon in the Junior Hunter divisions. Thatcher also earned both of the blue ribbons in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classics held over the last two days with Bella Blue.

Following an exciting double-clear, third-place finish in the $25,000 Tapestry Farms Leading Rider Finals Grand Prix with Carlotta, Thatcher moved to Ring 3 to compete in the Junior Hunter divisions. She began with the Small Junior Hunter division where she swept both the championship and reserve championship prizes. Thatcher was awarded the championship prize for her dominating performance aboard Bella Blue. The pair won every class in the division, and also won Friday and Saturday's $1,000 Junior Hunter Classics. The reserve championship went to Thatcher and Mirasol, who earned three second-place ribbons and two third-place ribbons.

Next, Thatcher competed in the Large Junior Hunter division with Gianni where she took home her second championship award. The pair had brilliant trips, earning three first-place ribbons and two second-place ribbons. The reserve championship prize was presented to Hope Caughron for her ride aboard Superman. The duo took home a first-place ribbon, two second-place ribbons, a third-place ribbon, and a fourth-place ribbon over the last two days of competition.

Earlier in the day on Saturday the Pony Hunter divisions also wrapped up their competition. The Large Pony Hunter Championship went to Sir William Patrick, with Izabella Quadracci in the irons. The pair picked up two first-place ribbons, a second-place ribbon, and a third-place ribbon. Quadracci and Sir William Patrick also won Saturday's $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic. Madeline Thatcher and Beau Rivage took home the reserve championship prize after earning two first-place ribbons, a second-place ribbon, and two fourth-place ribbons.

The next division to compete in Ring 5 was the Small/Medium Pony Hunters, where Thatcher and Hillcrest Blue Cwilt picked up the championship award after winning four of the division's classes. Matthew Sassmannshausen and Boomerang Love were awarded the reserve championship award after earning a first-place ribbon, a second-place ribbon, and three third-place ribbons.

The Adult Amateurs also awarded prizes during two Classic events on Saturday. The first blue ribbon was presented to Kiersten Litzsinger and Gibson for winning the WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic. Danyelle Jurewicz and Heaven Sent earned the top call during Sunday's $1,000 NAL Adult Amateur Hunter Classic after an excellent performance, and were awarded a cooler and a blue ribbon.

On Sunday riders competed for top prizes during the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Championship and the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Championship. Judy Lefferdink and Gucci earned a score of 163 during the Adult Championship, and were awarded the blue ribbon.

The top Adult Amateur riders competed in Sunday's $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Championship. Exhibitors completed the first course and were then called back in reverse order to complete the second course. Lefferdink and Gucci entered the second round with a score of 79. They laid down an excellent second trip to receive a score of 84, for a two-round total of 163 and the win in Sunday's class.

The second place prize was presented to Stephanie Renguso, who was aboard Magnificent Miles. The pair earned a first round score of 80, and received a score of 82 during the second round for a two-round total of 162. Lisa Williamson and Saracen's total score of 157 garnered Sunday's third place award.

The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Championship was also held on Sunday in Ring 3. Ellie Trepte and Asiago had two excellent courses during the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Championship, earning a score of 170 and winning the championship trophy. Trepte and Asiago had the top call coming into the second round with a first-round score of 84. The pair only got better, earning a second-round score of 86 for a two-round total of 170 to lead the victory gallop.

Fallon Perez was awarded Sunday's second-place honors after earning a first-round score of 76 and a second score of 87, for a two-round total of 163. Taylor Schmidt followed with the third-place ribbon for her ride aboard Front Row. The pair had a first-round score of 82, and a second-round score of 80, for a two round total of 162.

There were a number of exciting final events taking place Sunday, including the Marshall and Sterling Children's Pony Medal Finals. Alessia Woods claimed the blue ribbon for her ride aboard Bewitched. Caroline Wallace and Just Ducky followed with the second-place honors, while the third-place ribbon was presented to Taylor Kozloski and Over the Moon.

Earlier on Sunday the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions wrapped-up their second day of competition and awarded championship and reserve championship prizes. The Amateur-Owner 3'3'' division led off the day, and Haylie Jayne and Disaranno earned the championship tricolor. The pair earned two first-place ribbons, two second-place ribbons, and a third-place ribbon. Jami Boyle and Gemini followed with the reserve championship prize after earning two first-place ribbons, a second-place ribbon, and a third-place ribbon.

The Amateur Owner 18-35 Hunter division was next to compete in Ring 3, with Lisa Goldman and Ruben claiming the championship award. The pair earned three first-place ribbons and a third-place ribbon. The reserve championship prize was presented to Shannon Kelly and Trust Me after the pair earned a first-place ribbon and four second-place ribbons. Kelly and Trust Me also claimed the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic blue ribbon for the second day in a row.

The final division to compete was the Amateur Owner 36 and Over Hunters. Sonya Svaty garnered the championship prize with Pick A Color after winning four of the division's classes. Ken Wexler and Kensignton took home the reserve championship prize, having earned a first-place ribbon, two second-place ribbons, and a third-place ribbon.

For further information on Showplace Productions and the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.