Canada’s Cassidy Rein and Golden Glock WS dominated the WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Classic during Friday evening’s highlight class in the International Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
The competitive Classic acted as a precursor to the coveted $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular during ‘Saturday Night Lights’ at WEF. Forty-three hopeful entries came together, all searching for brilliantly smooth rounds and fitting scores to follow.
Horses and riders rose to the occasion of a feature class under lights and soared around the International Ring. The best score of the evening – a 168.5 – went to Rein aboard Golden Glock WS, a 2011 Hanoverian gelding by Goldfever, owned by the Rein Family, LLC. They combined consistent rounds from the opening and handy tracks for scores of 84 and 84.5.
A big victory left Rein smiling from ear to ear and seemingly surprised by the results. “Honestly, I wasn’t exactly sure how it was going to go,” she admitted. “I’ve never jumped under the lights before, and he’s never jumped her under the lights either, but it went really well. He was my junior hunter, so I know him well. He was great tonight and didn’t step a foot wrong.
“He’s such a nice horse,” continued Rein, who has had the ride for more than two years now. “He’s incredibly nice to ride with a great big rhythmical stride.”
Rein is currently balancing her time in the ring with her responsibilities as a student at Penn State’s World Campus.
Following Rein in the victory gallop, Callie Seaman guided Moonshine to second on scores of 82.5 and 85 for owner Hallowell Lane Farm, LLC. Combining an 80 and 84, Bridget Hickton rounded out the top three riding her own Fearless.
Results here.