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Christy Russo’s High Cotton Parades for Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Championship

April 4, 2006

High Cotton and Jennifer Waxman Photo Credit: Jennifer Wood
High Cotton and Jennifer Waxman
Photo Credit: Jennifer Wood

Wellington, FL --- During the final weekend of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), the largest and longest running equestrian sporting event in the world, the overall WEF circuit champions received awards at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

This past weekend, Christy Russo’s horse, High Cotton, joined the Parade of Champions for the coveted tricolor award and trophy, which recognized his stellar performance in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter division. Russo, who shows her horses Westcliffe and Miracle in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division, resides in Miami, FL and trains with Ken and Emily Smith at Ashland Farms.

After Jack Hardin Towell Jr. piloted High Cotton at the beginning of this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival and earned top placings in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division, Ken and Emily Smith determined that their student Jennifer Waxman would be a perfect match for Russo’s gelding. Waxman, who purchased The Frog Prince from Christy Russo a few years ago, rode High Cotton successfully throughout the rest of circuit and accepted the overall championship.

“High Cotton is so much fun,” exclaimed Waxman after receiving her championship. “I love riding him. I rode him once at the farm, and I just loved him. So, when I found out I was going to show him, I was really excited.” She continued, “He’s young, but I get along with him well. He’s my ride. You have to keep going on him, and I really like that.”

She commented about her win, “Since I didn’t show him the first few weeks, it came really close for the championship. It’s a big honor, but I try not to think about championships at the beginning of circuit because I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I really appreciate Christy and Mrs. Russo for letting me ride High Cotton.”

Russo successfully competed with her two mounts, Westcliffe and Miracle, during the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival season, earning top ribbons consistently throughout the nine week competition. She will compete next at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, from May 10-21, 2006.

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