Wisdom and Emma Kuntz   © Al Cook/  alcookproductions.com.

The first division in the ring were the Small Junior Hunters with their riders who are 15 years of age and under.  Wisdom, owned by Rivers Edge and piloted by Emma Kurtz, were the best of 28 entries to win the class.    Kurtz, of Hudson, OH, and Wisdom placed third in the Handy class to lead the hunt for the tri-color.  Kurtz won the Handy Hunter class with her other mount, Evermore, owned by David Gochman.

Kurtz returned to the winner’s circle in the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under with Fredrick, owned by David Gochman, with a score of 88 points.  Second place went to Sophie Gochman and Rose Hill Farm’s Garfield.  The top placings were reversed in the Handy round as Gochman placed first and Kurtz was second.

Sophie Gochman and Garfield   © Al Cook/  alcookproductions.com.

Bugsy Malone galloped to a first and second place for rider Giavanna Rinaldi and owner Alex Jayne, in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17, setting them up nicely for tomorrow’s classes.

Bergen Sanderford and Happenstance were the only double winners, taking first place in both classes of Large Junior Hunter 16-17.

Riders in the Junior Jumper Prix De States competitions were on hand as their names and teams drew starting positions for their events earlier in the day. Thirty-five horse and rider combinations learned where they would be in the order of go for this highly coveted competition.