Amateur Owner Hunter champions crowned at Pennsylvania National

Foundation Friday began at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) with the crowning of champions in four Amateur Owner Hunter divisions, including a horse-and-rider combination who earned four of the highest scores the show has seen this year.

Following three exceptional over-fences classes that scored 92.00 each, Kelly Tropin and Chablis felt the pressure of maintaining their top spot going into the last round of the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″, Riders 18-35 division. The two put in a breathtaking final round, and she became emotional when the judges announced a score of 94.00.

“I’m just really grateful for my horse,” Tropin said of her 11-year-old Wurttemberger. “He’s so special. I know that I’m riding my horse of a lifetime, so I just try and soak up every minute of it. I know they don’t last forever so I’m trying to enjoy it. Peter (Lutz) and I were joking before I went in for the last round that we’d look back and say, ‘Remember the time Chablis got three 92’s at Harrisburg?’ And then he topped it.”

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Noting that she and Chablis have been together for seven years, Tropin added that she had chills in her last closing circle because she knew they had a fantastic round.

“Chablis was amazing,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking about (repeating our first 92) too much to be honest. I try not to think about the scores and just focus on the quality of my round. I remember when I walked in (the first time) I saw the high score was a 90, which can be kind of intimidating. I just thought ‘Focus on your horse, focus on yourself, and do the best you can.’ There was a little more pressure going into the final round because I thought to myself, ‘You had three 92’s, it would be pretty bad if you got a 65 right now.’ I really wanted to end on a high note, and I was so proud of him for jumping so well in the final round.”

Tropin and Chablis took top honors with the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″, Riders 18-35 Championship and the Wintarra Ring Perpetual Trophy. Because they earned the highest score of every hunter division during the show, the duo also walked away with the EMO Agency Amateur Owner Hunter High Five Award and the EMO Agency Overall Hunter High Five Award.

With a total of 40.5 points from their near-clean sweep of the division, Tropin and Chablis then returned to the ring to receive the Grand Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″ Championship and the Legend Has It Perpetual Trophy. Israel Gamez accepted both Grooms Awards as the caretaker of Chablis.

“Last weekend I was doing my lessons at home getting ready for Harrisburg, and Peter told me it was the best Chablis had ever felt in his life,” Tropin said. “We’re sort of prone to hyperbole at our farm, but he was right. Chablis was really, really on.”

In the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″, Riders 36 and Over division, Katie Robinson and On the Slye earned the Championship and the Carlos F. Bodwell Memorial Perpetual Trophy with a total of 38 points. Stephanie Germain accepted the Grooms Award for her care of On the Slye.

First time champions at the PNHS, Dorli Burke and Classic won the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″, Riders 36 and Over Championship and the Mae West Perpetual Trophy, earning a total of 34.5 points for their beautiful performances in the division.

“Honestly, I get nervous and I just have to say, ‘Okay, just get your rhythm, keep him in front of you, and whatever happens happens,'” Burke said. “When I concentrate too much (on results) I always make a mistake. I was thinking about (the championship) but trying not to.”

The pair also took top honors and the Art Dunphy Perpetual Trophy as the Grand Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″ Champion. Gerardo Rejas accepted both Grooms Awards for his care of Classic.

“I just love him,” Burke said of her 11-year-old Warmblood. “You get him in his little pace and just point him at the jumps, and he’s like, ‘Okay Mom!’ He’s just a really good guy, and the team at Rolling Acres has been fantastic. The whole thing is just positive and has been really, really fun.”

With a total of 32 points in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″, Riders 18-35 division, Stephanie Danhakl and Quest were awarded the Championship and the PNHS Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″ Perpetual Trophy. Rudel Tovar accepted the Grooms Award as the caretaker of Quest.

For complete results, please visit Ryegate.com.