L’Amoure finds the pot-o’-gold in the Working Hunter Classic

By Weatherly Stroh

While most juniors and amateur riders would be too nervous to even enter the show ring against professionals, Kelley Buringa of Golden, Colorado appeared calm, cool and collected last Friday night during the $5,000 Working Hunter Classic as she took home the win on her horse, L’Amoure. The Classic, open to junior, amateur, and professional riders on horses who have competed in at least one recognized division throughout the Colorado Circuit Preview, July 1-5^th, drew a field of 18 riders and a slew of spectators, despite an evening of stormy weather.  With threatening skies, the Hunter Classic was moved ahead of schedule in attempt to beat the atypical Colorado weather.  The course was inviting and straight -forward, set at 3’6”, and designed to show off true hunters.  Spectators surrounded the Main Hunter ring in anticipation of 18 horses vying for a piece of the $5,000 purse.  While everyone in the first round made it around the 10-fence course without a drop of rain, not all of the twelve to qualify for round two would stay dry. 

With five horse/rider combinations scoring 80 or above, the second round was looking promising for some tough competition and a test of rider’s nerves. The top twelve from the first round jogged for soundness into the ring just as Mother Nature had a change of heart and it began to sprinkle.  Pete, a first year green and large junior hunter, owned by Drew Quagliano and shown by Mickie Sage, led the field after round one with a high score of 87.  The flashy bay trotted into the Main Hunter Ring with his owner proud of his first round accomplishment as the rest of the field followed.  Close behind Pete was Buringa and L’Amoure with an equally impressive score of 86. Keiri Kaneps of Elizabeth, Colorado and her horse, Brescia, were right behind an 85 to round out the top three.  With such close scores, the second round was bound to be exciting for everyone despite the deteriorating weather. 

As the second phase got under way, the rain began to fall heavier and heavier and the crowd rook cover under the covered berm. Returning in reverse order, Intrepid Z was the first to go with a first round score of a 70.  Intrepid Z, owned by Elizabeth Hund of Denver and ridden by Cynthia Moore, made his way around the eight-fence course finishing with a respectable 76 for a total of 146 and the early lead. 

By the fourth horse to return, the rain was pouring and lightening flashed in the distance.  As each horse and rider combination entered the ring, the lead kept changing hands, appearing as if the order from the first round would stay the same.  Catherine Schoelzel of Englewood and her amateur horse, Shakira were the 8^th pair to compete for the title.  With a first round score of 83, Shakira needed another score in the 80s to stay in contention.  By this time, the downpour had changed once again to a light sprinkle.  Putting in a consistent second round, Shoelzel was good enough for an 81 and took over the lead with three riders remaining.  Kaneps was next, and had a little trouble to the four-to-three and scored a 73.5, bringing their total to 158.5.  It was down to Pete and L’Amoure.  With the rain dissipating, Buringa rode her grey, large junior hunter to a second smooth, flowing, almost flawless round to score an 87 for a total of 173 points, despite the pressure of riding second to last.    Last, but not least, Mickie Sage entered the ring on Pete.  A seasoned professional, used to high-pressure situations, Sage rode with few mistakes.  The judges scored the round an 81.5 bringing the pair’s total to 168.5 and giving the win to Buringa, with Shakira holding on for third.  As the top eight returned to the ring for their victory gallop, the Colorado sun returned complete with a rainbow and a pot-of-gold at the end for L’Amoure.

The excitement continued Saturday night with the $25,000 Grand Prix.  Once again, moved slightly ahead of schedule because of the threat of inclement weather. The class of 32 entries was won by Brave Heart, owned and ridden by Bjorn Ikast. 

Week three continues at the Colorado Horse Park July 8-12^th with the Rocky Mountain Classic and includes a $40,000 Grand Prix Saturday night. The final week, the Colorado Summer Classic, July 15-19^th, will feature a $10,000 Hunter Derby Friday night and will draw top professionals, junior and amateur riders from around the country.  Saturday night of week four will have the final Grand Prix and a chance for riders to take home their share of the $50,000 purse.