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Havens Schatt had all the Answers

May 9, 2008

Lexington, KY --- Cool, calm and collected was the way both Havens Schatt and All the Answers handled the Pro 3’ Hunter Go Round (May 8) and Finals (May 9). Their talent and skill was just what was needed to earn the highest marks from the judges and a double victory at the 2008 edition of the Legacy Cup. The horse that she started in 2006 and who showed great promise but then got sidelined for a year with a quarter crack was back in action.

For Loretta Mayer it was truly a cloud nine victory after she dominated the Restricted Pro 3’ Hunter Finals aboard Mutch De Lothain owned by Sarah Porter. Papillon Rouge, ridden by McKrell Painter and owned by Dr. & Mrs. Manrin Rains won the Go Round. The Pre Green Incentive was a Real Magic victory for rider Rob Bielefeld and owner Gary Duffy. The Legacy Cup is part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows taking place in Lexington, KY, through May 18.

HAVENS SCHATT AND ALL THE ANSWERS WIN PRO 3’ GO ROUND AND FINALS

Havens Schatt, Ocala, FL, had All the Answers needed in the Pro 3’ Go Round and Finals to win the class and for her it wasn’t a surprise. The 11-year-old, 16.1H, black, Holsteiner had shown great promise after being imported from Europe in 2006. “He really excelled in the Pre Greens and then the First Year Greens,” explained the 37 year old. However, All The Answers was never able to show his full potential after a quarter crack sidelined him for an entire year.

“This horse holds a special place in my heart. He was so good and then was sidelined by an injury and was never able to reach his potential and so it was always very frustrating. He just tries so hard,” commented Schatt.

The talented gelding just recently started working his way back up the ladder and now their goal is to get him back to the 3’9” level. Havens was proud. The Go Round was their first class at this horse show and right from the start the Holsteiner certainly was true to his name and jumped with all the power and athleticism that she recalled when they first competed. Then in the Finals “After I jumped the first line I pretty much knew he was on his game.

“He was awesome and felt super. He is really powerful. You have to sit pretty still and it’s hard to stay with him in the air. He’s a bit of an over achiever and the feeling you get when he jumps is incredible.”

Havens praised the concept of this novel hunter competition. “It is a really good class for horses like ours, especially since we don’t have other classes to do right now.” Although extremely supportive of the concept Schatt did admit that adding more classes into an already full day was at times demanding. “As pros we have to dig deep. I feel the Legacy Cup is such a great thing for the sport that we need to support it. It’s so different and specialized.”

MUTCH DE LOTHAIN WINS RESTRICTED PRO 3’ FINALS AND PAPILLON ROUGE WINS GO ROUND

“I am on cloud nine,” commented a very happy and shocked Loretta Mayer, Chestnut Ridge, NY, after winning her second class. Earlier that day in the Pro 3’6” Go Round she claimed the winning ride on Skylar. For this class it was Mutch de Lothain’s chance to shine.

It was a totally unexpected win. Mayer explained that the eight-year-old, 16H, bay, Belgian-bred gelding is a pre green horse and has had limited experience. “He rose to the challenge and I was so pleased. He has a wonderful temperament. He is very compact and I just love his way of going. His ears are always forward. He's happy and comes out willing to please and is a pleasure to work with.”

For the Go Round McKrell Painter was an artist with Papillon Rouge, negotiating a course that tipped the scale. It was an amazing work of art to watch. Like Schatt this was the first class at this horse show for the 8-year-old, 16.1H, chestnut, Brandenburg gelding who the 29-year-old has only been riding for a little over a year. She’s shown the horse sparingly but he quickly earned championship ribbons.

After doing very little this winter he came out like a true champion. “He is incredibly brave and he loves stuff like this,” explained McKrell. “The more impressive it is to look at the better he is.”

McKrell wasn’t surprised by their winning round. “He is exactly what I had hoped and expected. He is such a generous and special horse and he loves being in the limelight.”

A REAL MAGIC ROUND FOR ROB BIELEFELD

Rob Bielefeld, Wellington, FL, was still learning about Real Magic since the pair have only been together for a short time, but it is certainly a magical combination.

“This horse is Quality with a capital Q,” explained the 44-year-old professional. “He’s a beautiful jumper and mover and he’s got great balance, but the most important thing is he is straightforward and sincere especially for being a pre green horse. In the ring he was interested like a good show horse should be. He was alert but quiet, which is hard to get.”

When Bielefeld entered the ring on a horse he was still getting to know, he wasn't thinking about winning. However, after the six-year-old, brown, Dutch Warmblood, 16.2H gelding took over the early lead in the Pre Green Incentive Go Round Bielefeld knew that victory was in his reach.

“I wanted to have another consistent round in the Finals. I just wanted him to go well. We (Rob and the owner and longtime friend Garry Duffy) thought he was a good horse when we got him but he's way better than we thought.”

THE LEGACY CUP – IT’S GOOD FOR THE HUNTERS

When asked what they thought about the Legacy Cup all the riders echoed their approval.

“I love it,” said Rob. “The people that started it are horsemen. They did it for the hunters. The concept is a wonderful thing. The indoor ring and great jumps make it really nice. It is something different.

“I like that there are only two classes. It's easier on the horses. And the presentations, they put a little pomp and circumstance into the hunters and that's important. Then they also recognize the grooms of the top three placed horses in each class. It's nice to go back to the barn and hand them $100 bill. They (the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation who hosts the Legacy Cup) are remembering what makes this possible. No one else does that.”

For Mayer, this was her first time participating in a Legacy Cup and she was overwhelmed. “It’s been amazing. I feel really enthusiastic. I’ve wanted to compete in this since its inception but I didn’t have a horse. Now it’s a dream come true. I’m even more excited now to come back next year.’

McKrell was also pleased with her first Legacy Cup. “The experience of something like this in a pressure situation is nice. And since the owners of Papillon don’t want the horse to show a lot, the Legacy Cup was the perfect answer.”

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