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Coco Chanel and Zoey Hertz Capture $1,000 Children's/Pony Hunter Classic at Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular

June 21, 2007

Wayne, IL --- The pony riders battled it out this afternoon at the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, vying for the top spot in the $1,000 Children's/Pony Hunter Classic. At the end of the day, it was Zoey Hertz and her own Coco Chanel who took home the top prize.

Hertz is a Chicago native and at 11 years old, she's been riding for about four years. She said that she and Coco Chanel, an 8-year-old liver chestnut pony mare, have been paired together for about a year. In addition to doing the hunters, Hertz also competes in equitation classes.

“Coco is really responsive. She's still a little green, but she's really, really good,” Hertz described. “She's not the kind of pony where you just sit there: You have to ride her a little bit. I like how she's faster – she's really nice. She listens to me and I like how she jumps, too.”

Hertz noted that this is the second classic she has won with Coco Chanel. They were also victorious in May at an earlier Lamplight show. She explained that her riding goals include competing at the Pony Finals in the coming years.

The second classic of the day, the $1,000 Pre Green Hunter Classic, sponsored by Messenger Hill, was won by Maria Rasmussen and Indiscreet. The 5-year-old bay Warmblood mare is owned by Wisconsin-based trainer Linda Valetic.

Of the mare, Rasmussen explained, “She's green – this is only her third horse show. I've been riding her since the middle of March, and she's fun, easy and scopey.” She continued, “She was great both days, and she's fun to ride. She's simple and she learns quickly and she tries very hard.”

Although the mare is for sale, Rasmussen said she expects they will compete next at the Horse Shows by the Bay series in Traverse City, MI.

In the professional hunter divisions, Cookie Beck cleaned up with Safari and Winter Place in the Green Conformation and First Year Green divisions, respectively. She earned all of the blue ribbons in both divisions. Both horses are owned by Caitlin Ziegler and Artisan Farms. In addition to earning two tricolors, Beck was also awarded the Jeff Katz Memorial High Point Trophy with Scorpio in the Pre Green Hunter division. The trophy is awarded to the horse that earns the most points in the Pre Green Hunter division at the Showplace Spring Spectacular I and II. The year's trophy was sponsored by Messenger Hill Farm and Jodi A. Vasquez.

Champion in the Regular Working Hunter division was Brenda Mueller riding That'll Do, owned by Don Stewart and Diane Carney. The pair earned three first place ribbons and two second place ribbons to take the championship. That'll Do also finished second at the recent Hunter Derby held at Canterbury Farm.

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