Santa arrives at Stepping Stone Farm
Stepping Stone Farm on Mopus Bridge Rd. hosted its final 2013 horse show over the Thanksgiving weekend. Both of the farms heated indoor arenas were used. The horse show was recognized by, The United States Equestrian Federation, the New England Horsemans Council, the Connecticut Hunter and Jumper Association, Marshall Sterling, and the Fairfield Westchester Professional Horsemans Association. Competing that day were riders from Coker Farm, Crosswinds Farm, Stratford Stables, Shady Lane Farm, Lonnie Lum L.L.C., Summit Farm, Twin Lakes Farm, and Starbuck Equestrian which is home based at Stepping Stone Farm. Stepping Stone Farm was awarded by the Unites States Hunter and Jumper Association, "The best run horse show in zone 1," which consists of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
The farms new opportunity Walk Trot Division had over 20 young riders competing for the ribbons. Show Manager, Janie Weber had all the trainers in the ring during this division to ensure a safe, comfortable competition for the next "olympic hopefuls.” Division Champions were Ella Napack and Zack Kessler, and Reserve Champion was Reina Calatell and Arabella Visser. The Academy Walk/ Trot/Canter was won by Ella Napack and reserve champion was George Diluna.
The more seasoned show riders then performed in the Short Stirrup Equitation Division with Sara Deluca taking top honors and Ava Slocum gaining enough points to be Reserve Champion. Deluca came back again, to add another division title, winning the Short Stirrup Hunter Division Championship rosette and Anne Wilder and her pony Has It All, reserve champion. The highly competitive Schooling Hunter division was captured by Summit Up and rider Pamela Sader, with Sunkissed and Jessica Guginsky right behind her winning the reserve championship. Winning the overall championship for the Low/Modified Child /Adult Hunter division was Stay Gold and Danielle Markey, with Imperial Isle and Emma Ryan in reserve. Twin Lakes Farms, Cruising In My Bentley and Samantha Kerbel, captured the Children’s Hunter Pony top honors, and reserve champion was Panama Jack with Summer Witherspoon in the irons. The show day ended with the Children’s Hunter 3 foot Division. Solidly beating all rivals, Cowboy and Emily Curran took home the top honors.
Stepping Stone Farm’s winter horse show series starts on Feb. 9th, followed by March 9th and March 15th. Stepping Stone Farm is the only facility in the Northeast with two heated indoor arenas, and heated viewing rooms, all areas will be utilized for the open horse shows. Area residents are welcome to enjoy the days of equestrian competition.