Britt-Leon and Lauwers Share Champion Tricolors in The Rein Family 3’6” Performance Hunters
Week two at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) welcomed professional hunters to kick off the week in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena with the 3’6” Performance Hunter, sponsored by The Rein Family. The division saw a staggering seventy-eight trips on Thursday, allowing the class to be held in a California-split format, splitting the results into two sections for the week.
“There aren’t enough good things to say about Private I,” said Britt-Leon. “I’ve had him since he was in the pre-greens and he’s never let me down. He wants to do his job well, he loves his people, and knows when it’s time to shine. He really has a heart of gold.”
Private I has made quite the name for himself throughout his career. He has been named USEF ‘Horse of the Year’ three times, and is now entering a new phase of his competitive life. “This will be his first year stepping down into the 3’6” divisions,” mentioned Britt-Leon. “He has had such an impressive career so far and Kelly [Sims] and I want to preserve him and keep it that way.”
Private I will soon make a debut in the amateur-owner classes with Sims.
Following the winning pair in Section A, taking reserve, was Maria Rasmussen, of Royal Palm Beach, FL, and Worthy, owned by Sunset View Farm, LLC. The pair topped the handy round with an 89, their highest score of the week.
As for the rest of Private I’s circuit, Britt-Leon’s goal is to have the gelding shine in the WCHR Hunter Spectacular during WEF 6, where he has had top placings in the 4’ section in season’s past. “He’s previously performed incredibly in the 4’ section of this class, so I’m hoping for a qualification in the 3’6” section this year and to have the same luck,” concluded Britt-Leon.
Section B of the 3’6” Performance Hunters was claimed by Jef Lauwers from Magnolia, TX, and Easton Blue, owned by Papandreou Hunter Jumper, LLC. The pair placed top three in two of their over-fences classes and ended up second in the under saddle, enough to secure the championship.
“We’ve had Easton Blue for several years. I’ve taken him up through the first year classes to where we are now and he’s been a great horse to have on the team,” said Lauwers of the thirteen-year-old gelding. “When you have a win at WEF like this one, it’s a nice assurance that you’re doing something right.”
This championship was not only validation of training for Lauwers, but one of perseverance. “The end of WEF last year was bitter-sweet for me,” mentioned Lauwers. “I had to get back surgery following the season and have only been back in the ring since November. This was my first win back from that recovery; it being at a show such as this one makes it extra special. That being said, it doesn’t come without the support of the team behind me.
“Easton Blue knows when it’s time to perform,” continued Lauwers, “he has a bit of a stallion mentality, but the focus comes together when he’s in the ring. His other rider, Lesyle Moore, has been away at school, allowing me to ride him, but he has also made a great amateur horse for her so far.”
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