MVHC Spring Fling showcased Island horse talent

The Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council (MVHC) held its Spring Fling Horse Show on Sunday, June 5 at the Agricultural Hall fairgrounds in West Tisbury. On an overcast day, the rains held off and 33 riders rode in the show.  Many riders showed in multiple classes and divisions and some shared mounts among the 25 horses brought to the fairgrounds for the event.

The goals of the MVHC are to bring together all horse lovers on Martha’s Vineyard, to promote horses and their related activities, as well as to provide educational clinics, seminars and youth programs for its membership, according to a press release. The Spring Fling is just one of many equine events which take place on Island throughout the year organized by the MVHC and its members.

Show classes included Leadline Division with entrants ages two and up, a new Jumpers Division, Trail Class, Games and traditional Hunter, Pleasure and Equitation classes.  Riders showed in Western and English tack and represented a wonderful spectrum of equestrian backgrounds that included dressage, fox hunting and eventing which were not part of this show but spoke to the broad abilities and focus of the Island’s riding community.

A varied array of ponies and horses participated, from the majestic Hungerford’s Clydesdales to the sassy pony Summer, from speedy Mustang Sally to the unabashedly adorable Dakota. A diverse portfolio of breeds shown included purebreds and crosses ranging from American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Haflinger, Appendix Quarter Horse, Clydesdale, Percheron, Morgan, Welsh Pony and Hackney ponies, to name a few.

Two special awards were presented at the show the Braveheart Award to leadline rider Zoe O’Sullivan for her courage; and the Sportsmanship Award to rider Ashley Casey, whose horse was not feeling well enough to come to the show. Instead of Ashley spending her day in the saddle, she volunteered, helping out wherever she was needed.

The MVHC will sponsor a Dressage Show on Saturday, July 23. For more information, visit mvhorsecouncil.com.

Placings by Class follow:

Leadline Equitation

Group A:

1. Elizabeth Thompson (Tilly)
2. Georgia Magden (Reina)
3. River Maxner (Charmin’ Charlie)
4. Elizabeth Hoff (Luna)
5. Rosalie Neville (Briarwood’s Fancy That)
6. tie for 6th Ellie Pennington (May)  and Anthony Elliott (Windy)

Group B:

1. Madilyn Alwardt (May)
2. Eben Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)
3. Charlotte Marshard (Gracie Girl)
4. Chloe Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)

Leadline Pleasure

First Place Tie for Participation (all of the above)

Walk Trot Equitation

1. Sophia Roads (Sparky N’ Good)
2. Audrey Heidt (Tilly)

Walk Trot Pleasure

1. Sophia Roads (Sparky N’ Good)
2. Audrey Heidt (Tilly)

Champion: Sophia Roads

Reserve Champion: Audrey Heidt

Walk Trot Pleasure Over 14 Years Old

1. Evonne Kelly (Teddy Ruxpin)
2. Jocelyn Elliot (Windy)
3. Nina McMann (Jack)
4. Leigha Brigham (Suburbia)
5. Rachel Neville (Sparky N’ Good)
6. tie for 6th Jen Rand (HD New York) and Lillian Robinson (Mustang Sally)

Beginner Walk Trot Canter Equitation

1. Hunter Tompkins (May)

Beginner Walk Trot Canter Pleasure

1. Hunter Tompkins (May)

Champion: Hunter Tompkins

Short Stirrup Equitation Flat

1. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)
2. Leigha Brigham (Suburbia)

Short Stirrup Hunter Under Saddle Flat

1. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)

2.. Leigha Brigham (Suburbia)

Short Stirrup Cross Rails Equitation

1. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)
2. Leigha Brigham (Suburbia)

Short Stirrup Hunter Over Fences

1. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)
2. Leigha Brigham (Suburbia)

Champion: Karinne Nivala

Reserve Champion: Leigha Brigham

Open Equitation Flat

1. Leigha Brigham (Tiger Lily)
2. Isabella Thorpe (Luna)
3. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton)
4. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)
5. Greta Gannon (Autumn)

Open Equitation Over Fences

1. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton, jumping at 3’))
2. Leigha Brigham (Tiger Lily, jumping at 2’3”)
3. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie, jumping at 2’)

Champion: Leigha Brigham

Reserve Champion: Sydney Jasney

Open Hunter Flat

1. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)
2. Isabella Thorpe (Luna)
3. Leigha Brigham (Tiger Lily)
4. Greta Gannon (Autumn)
5. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton)

Open Hunter Over Fences

1. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton)
2. Leigha Brigham (Tiger Lily)
3. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)

Champion: Lyla Solway

Reserve Champion: Leigha Brigham

Adult Equitation Flat

1. Liz Packer (Dakota)
2. Lillian Robinson (Mustang Sally)
3. Hannah Maxner (Nudel)
4. Rachel Neville (Sparky N’ Good)
5. Jocelyn Elliot (Windy)
6. tie for 6th Danielle Zerbonne (Pernod) and Evonne Kelly (Teddy Ruxpin)

Adult Equitation Over Fences

1. Suzanne Sprayregen (GB King Two Ton)
2. Hannah Maxner (Nudel)
3. Liz Packer (Dakota)

Champion: Liz Packer (Dakota)

Reserve Champion: Hannah Maxner (Nudel)

Pony Pleasure

1. Hannah Maxner (Nudel)
2. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)
3. Isabella Thorpe (Luna)
4. Greta Gannon (Autumn)
5. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)

Horse Pleasure

1. Danielle Zerbonne (Pernod)
2. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton)
3. Evonne Kelly (Teddy Ruxpin)
4. Rachel Neville (Sparky N’ Good)
5. Jocelyn Elliot (Windy)
6. tie for 6th Liz Packer (Dakota) and Maggie Mae (Patton)

Jumper Division: 18”

1. Hannah Maxner (Nudel)
2. Suzanne Sprayregen (GB King Two Ton)
3. Karinne Nivala (Briarwood’s Fancy That)
4. Lillian Robinson (Mustang Sally)

Jumper Division: 2’

1. Lillian Robinson (Mustang Sally)
2. Lyla Solway (Charmin’ Charlie)
3. Suzanne Sprayregen (GB King Two Ton)

Jumper Division: 3’

1. Sydney Jasney (Hamilton)

Trail Class

Juniors:

1. Lyla Solway

Adults:

1. Maggie Mae (Patton)
2. tie for 2nd Evonne Kelly (Teddy Ruxpin) and Lillian Robinson (Mustang Sally)
3. Irene Hungerford (Jackson)
4. Jocelyn Elliot (Windy)
5. Tracey Olsen (Jackson)