MCTA HORSE TRIALS AT SHAWAN DOWNS

May 2-3, 2009

Winner of the Advanced Division: Charlie Plumb on Westerly.

MCTA HT at SHAWAN DOWNS 2009 - One Wet, Wild Weekend

April showers bring May flowers; but those showers continuing into the first weekend in May made for an interesting event at the MCTA Horse Trials at Shawan Downs.

Early spring heat during the prior week yielded to comfortable temperatures for the first day, with fabulous turf and blooms everywhere. Saturday was devoted to all three phases at Training level, with Advanced and Intermediate riders competing in dressage and show jumping in the afternoon.

Sunday morning dawned gray and damp, quickly progressing to a mild monsoon as Advanced competitors took to the cross country course promptly at 7:45 AM. Four of the 10 starting Advanced riders completed the course. Steady rain continued as Intermediate and Preliminary riders contested cross country, and Prelims and Novices splashed through dressage and show jumping. Easing by the afternoon to intermittent showers, the rain gave way to bright overcast conditions as Novices competed in all three phases on Sunday.

Several riders brought more than one or two horses to MCTA HT at Shawan Downs. Entries for 2009 totaled 432 horses.   

Course Designer Tremaine Cooper’s cross country jumps challenged riders with their natural quality and technical questions. Walter Reynolds’ landscape beautification celebrated the season and made jumps inviting. Kathy White oversaw the stadium courses for all levels. Several dressage rings ran under the watchful eye of Gretchen Butts and Cathy Tucker Slaterbeck. Organizers Marie and David Wisner tackled event management with their office and construction teams. More than a hundred volunteers braved the rain and chill to jump judge, start and time riders, manage dressage and show jumping arenas, direct traffic, collect score sheets, score tests, hand out awards, manage the temporary barn area, and tend to a myriad of other stations and tasks. More than 20 volunteers took advantage of a cross country clinic given by competitor Sally Cousins at Shawan Downs in the days following the event.

Division Winners:

Advanced

1            Charles Plumb            Westerly
2            Alison Springer            Destination Known
3            India McEvoy            Master’s Choice
4            Phillip Dutton            Longfield Dougal

Intermediate A

1            Laura Ward            Golden Opportunity

Intermediate B

1            Sally Cousins            Kestrel Key

Preliminary

1            Jamie Furtado            Come Out and Play

Preliminary YR Open

1            Katherine Bagwell            Ballyduff Ben

Preliminary Open A

1            Kurt Martin            Sir Jearly

Preliminary Open B

1            Jennie Brannigan            Cambalda

Training

1            Amanda Caputo            Noteworthy

Training Open A

1            Lisa Horan            Olando

Training Open B

1            Emily Beshear            Vince

Training Horse A

1            Lynn Symansky            Donner

Training Horse B

1            Leahona Rowland            Brusco

Training Junior

1            Jamie Farah            CK Dexter Haven

Training Rider

1            Holly Covey            Rugby II

Novice

1            Abby Gibbon            Prima LGF

Novice Horse

1            Kayla Muller            Oakengrove Giselle

Novice Junior A

1            Catherine Hanagan            Jersey

Novice Junior B

1            Taylor Ludlum            Exodus

Novice Rider

1            Trish Gordon            Ella G.S.

Novice Open A

1            Raymond Vinoski            Back Street Girl

Novice Open B

1            Jennifer Ward            Enough Testing