Michael Baum and Sincerely Take Championship Honors in Ringside Health Adult Amateur Hunters
New partnerships were the theme of Sunday during week one at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), with debut victories extending to the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. Michael Baum of New York, NY, took championship honors aboard Sincerely in the Ringside Health Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 division. Despite their obvious chemistry, the partnership was quite fresh.
“It started two days ago,” Baum joked about his relationship with Sincerely. “I met her on Friday. I rode her around 3pm and then showed her Saturday. She knows her job, and I’m a little rusty so I wanted to get in the ring on a horse that knew its job better than most.
“She jumps really high,” he shared about the 11-year-old Warmblood mare, owned by Presley Wade. “I don’t think she touched one jump. She’s a great mover, she has an easy lead change, and she’s pretty much perfect. Once you pick up the canter, you’re done. Presley told me she has done the 3’6” so I didn’t feel nervous to do the 3’ since it was easy for her.”
Baum was able to get some extra time in the ring aboard Sincerely, or “Jazzie”, thanks to a friendship between his trainer Jennifer Hannon and Jazzie’s trainer Halie Robinson.
“I’ve ridden with [Jenny] for about a year and a half, but I rode with her as a junior as well,” he elaborated on his long-term relationship and friendship with his trainer. “I have a baby horse with her named Full Circle because of that. I’m just starting to ride him, and I’ve jumped him once.”
Baum also has another 3’ hunter who took the week off, but with Baum living in New York City, working and earning his master’s degree at New York School of Interior Design, he doesn’t spend much time in the saddle, so he’s taking every opportunity he can get in Wellington.
“I love it here and I also love that the horses don’t have to get in a truck every week,” he said about WEF. “They can just walk over to the ring, which is nice. My family has a place here, so I feel like it’s my second home – maybe even my first home.”
Read more:
Darragh Kenny and Chaccossini Dominate Hermès CSI3* 1.50m Classic