Is anyone else watching?
They are in round 1.
What are the specs of this medal?
Class 11 – The New England Horsemen’s Council Hunt Seat Medal Finals
For Junior members of the New England Horsemen’s Council who have won one New England Medal Class at a member show after the first Sunday of October in the past show season through midnight on the first Sunday of October for the current show season. All contestants will be required to perform over a course of approximately ten fences not to exceed 3’3". A minimum of 25 riders will be asked to return for a second round after a preparation time. At least two individual tests of the top contestants will also be required. Tests 1-19. Further testing is at the option of the judges.
I was there yesterday. The show is really a special event that people look forward to all year long. Hats off to everybody involved. 
It’s a very nice regional final. McKayla Langmeier is currently leading with a 93.33 and Ali Tritschler is sitting second with a 91. Live scoring at http://www.equestrianlive.com/class.php?showid=2418&classid=10225&HorJ=H
You see a lot of the big Zone 1/2 names, as well as kids coming up the ranks and just dipping their toes in the Big Eq.
Personally I would rather show there than the Medal or Maclay Final. Its a great show where everybody has fun, win or lose and is run very well.
Caught some of the first round and have been watching the second. What are the white things on the ground?
[QUOTE=PrimoAmor;7814010]
Caught some of the first round and have been watching the second. What are the white things on the ground?[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure, but maybe they’re marking the dotted line for the courtesy circle?
[QUOTE=PrimoAmor;7814010]
Caught some of the first round and have been watching the second. What are the white things on the ground?[/QUOTE]
Based on the course diagram, I think they might represent the dotted lines.
out of curiousity, since this medal is only 3’3, why are so many of the USET/Medal/Maclay kids here? It seems odd that many of them have top ten placings at those big finals, are doing high jr. jumpers, yet are in a 3’3 medal final.
or maybe the question should be, why isn’t this class 3’6?
The final test definitely set the top two apart!
This is one of the best finals!! Being 3’3 it’s a really nice stepping stone from the 3’ to the 3’6, and has the big show feel for kids who don’t have the horse/money to do the 3’6 equitation.
The challenge of the states has changed a lot since it started and I did it in the early late 90’s/early 2000’s- it used to be formal (no costumes), and more equitation based.
There is also a horsemanship class, with a full written test (which is very hard), a practicum for the top-10 from the written test (you have to go on your own with one of the judges, tell them about grain, bits, grooming, conformation etc. I was very excited to win that portion one year when Jimmy Lee was judging it.), and then your 1st round score from the medal final. The person with the highest cumulative total wins. I wish Maclay finals had this component to it being that its the ASPCA final…
Some of the biggest equitation names have done/won this final- Mclain, Sarah Willeman, Sara Wytrez, Sara Green, Victoria Birdsall, Matt Metell, Sara Green, Julie Welles, Peter Wylde, Schuyler Riley etc.
Fun to watch, and the final test made the outcome very clear.
Am I just a hopeless prude, but do you think anyone actually listened to the lyrics for “I’m so excited” before they played it over and over again during the presentation?
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the show. They are already making plans for it to be even more special. Mark your calendars accordingly.
[QUOTE=BigEqRls;7814070]
There is also a horsemanship class, with a full written test (which is very hard), a practicum for the top-10 from the written test (you have to go on your own with one of the judges, tell them about grain, bits, grooming, conformation etc. I was very excited to win that portion one year when Jimmy Lee was judging it.), and then your 1st round score from the medal final. The person with the highest cumulative total wins. [/QUOTE]
There are several other shows now that hold a similar competition, but this show was the first. They set the standard. There are many other things they did first, like the panel of separate judges putting up independent scores on the scoreboard, that other shows have copied. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And yes, the written test is REALLY hard. :eek: :lol:
[QUOTE=Madeline;7814090]
Am I just a hopeless prude, but do you think anyone actually listened to the lyrics for “I’m so excited” before they played it over and over again during the presentation?[/QUOTE]
Nope, I had the same reaction! I thought “Celebration,” being from the same era, would be a bit more appropriate. And I thought I was on the Love Boat when they pinned 11-20th!
That aside, this is a terrific finals. As previously mentioned, it is a big hoopla and a great goal for the kids who can’t afford to do a Big Eq campaign. The Katie Battison Horsemanship competition provides a great competition for those kids who may not have the money and horseflesh to win in the ring. Your equitation is still a part, but it’s your learned and hands-on horsemanship that really rises to the top.
I qualified for/competed in the junior finals three times and the adult finals once, and was reserve my last junior year (So close! No ribbons for 11th-20th back then.). It was a much more modest production then, but still a big goal. I would love to go back and do it again!
[QUOTE=MHM;7814188]
There are several other shows now that hold a similar competition, but this show was the first. They set the standard. There are many other things they did first, like the panel of separate judges putting up independent scores on the scoreboard, that other shows have copied. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And yes, the written test is REALLY hard. :eek: :lol:[/QUOTE]
Though many would love to use a scoreboard with judges scores posted separately, it often costs a show close or over $5000. After 40 years of the NEEC, that started with one class held at a little horse show, they have paved the way and have the private support. Not true for start up horse shows.
I just saw the video of the winner’s second round. What a great trip! I love the way she picked up the canter and stuck to the same rhythm all the way around, like she had a metronome in her head. Congrats to her!
[QUOTE=MHM;7814636]
I just saw the video of the winner’s second round. What a great trip! I love the way she picked up the canter and stuck to the same rhythm all the way around, like she had a metronome in her head. Congrats to her!
http://youtu.be/edFZnmOc0DI[/QUOTE]
That was lovely to watch, thanks for posting it!
Sng Mia Song, you can go back! Alumni class next year All Champions and Reserve Champions will be invited.
