Mary Tyree Ends Winter Season with Adult Amateur Championship; Maria Schaub Rides E L Raymond to Tricolor Honors

Chrissy Lane for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International 

Tampa, FL – April 7, 2007 – The 2007 Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close this afternoon, and a variety of hunter divisions pinned the last champions for the winter season.

In the 51 & Older Adult Amateur Hunter division, Mary Tyree was successful in capturing the championship with Milan, owned by First Partners of Chicago, IL. Tyree said she has been partnered with Milan, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, for about a year.

“He’s just a great guy. He loves to show, he loves the ring,” Tyree commented. “He just needs a supporting leg and is really quite lovely. My favorite part about him is showing him. He knows when it’s time to turn it on (in the ring). And, he’s fun to watch because he has such a great jump.”

Junior rider Maria Schaub brought home the championship in the 16 & 17 Small Junior Hunter division, riding E L Raymond, owned by Abigail Quirk Cooper.

Of “Ray,” Schaub explained that, “He was awesome. He couldn’t have been any better.” The pair took second and sixth over fences today and a first and second over fences yesterday, in addition to winning the under saddle class.

She continued, “He’s a really good boy. He’s been great all season. He was champion one other week during circuit, he was great out Hunter Week – he’s really just been awesome. It was nice to see him be champion again another week.”

In the 18-35 Amateur-Owner Hunter division, Krista Weisman piloted her own Music Street to the tricolor, and Shelia Motley rode Socially Speaking to reserve champion honors. Weisman and Music Street took first and second places over fences on Friday and a fourth in the under saddle, and first and fourth places over fences today to best Motley for the top spot. However, Motley and Socially Speaking acquired enough points throughout the season to be named circuit champion for the division for 2007.

Nellie Ann Foosaner earned the championship spot in the 15 & Under Small Junior Hunter division riding Lights Out. The pair took first, second and third place ribbons over fences yesterday and finished out today’s classes with second and third place finishes.

Jennifer Waxman produced more winning rounds this week with Saloon, owned by Whitney Roper, for another championship in the 15 & Under Large Junior Hunters. The reserve championship went to Nicole Bellissimo and Say the Word. In addition, Waxman and Saloon earned enough points for the 2007 circuit championship, defending the honor they took away from last year’s WEF.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Mary Tyree and Milan. Photo © 2007 Randi Muster. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.