TOP COMPETITORS SCORE BIG AT 2014 HUNTFIELD NQHL MEDAL FINALS IN KY

By: Brittany Bevis

Some of the top hunter competitors in the country gathered at Lakeside Arena in Frankford, KY over the weekend to participate in the Huntfield National Quarter Horse League Medal Finals. The event ran Sept. 26-28 and provided contestants with the opportunity to show to five AQHA judges and compete in an AQHA Over Fences Special Event.

Kimberly Farrell of the National Quarter Horse League raved about the quality of horses and riders that showed up to compete for their share in cash and prizes as well as the NQHL crew that worked so hard to put on the event. “David Warner and Bruce Brown did a great job of preparing,” she says. “We had beautiful trophies, coolers, logo t-shirts, logo sweatshirts, lots of signage, and beautifully decorated jumps! There was also an Equine Chronicle jump!”

Two of the premiere classes during the event were the Huntfield Youth Over Fences Equine Chronicle Medal Finals and the Huntfield Beval Amateur Over Fences Medal Finals. Madison Eichstadt rode It’s My Lucky Detail to a big win in the Equine Chronicle Youth Over Fences Medal Finals. Coming in second place was Rachel McKinney with One Last Laugh. Rounding out the top three was Savannah Metheny with Northern Skys.

For her efforts, Eichstadt was presented with a new Beval Artisan Saddle, courtesy of Beval Saddlery; a Nutrena gift bag; a monogrammed cooler from Huntsmark, and a beautiful silver trophy from Lakeside Arena. The trainers of the winning competitors were also awarded with special prizes from Nutrena. Eichstadt’s trainer, Jessica Johnson, received a Lakeside Arena trophy and a $600 Nutrena gift certificate. Judges for the class were Nancy Sue Ryan and Robert Tweedlie.

The Beval Amateur Over Fences Medal Finals saw a pair of sisters take the top two spots. First place was Alexis Parisek with Bold Regal Lark. Coming in second was Morgan Parisek with Better By The Minit. Rounding out the top three was Samantha Roper with Only Royal Blue. Parisek received a new Beval Artisan Saddle, courtesy of Beval Saddlery; a Nutrena gift bag; a monogrammed cooler from Huntsmark, and a Lakeside Arena trophy. Parisek’s trainer, Chuck Briggs, was presented with his own trophy and a $600 gift certificate.

Scroll below to check out more results from some of the premiere classes as well as photos provided by the NQHL.

Huntfield Beval Amateur Over Fences Medal Finals-

Judges: Nancy Sue Ryan and Robert Tweedlie

1- Alexis Parisek with Bold Regal Lark

2- Morgan Parisek with Better By The Minit

3- Samantha Roper with Only Royal Blue

4- Lauren Eichstadt with I’m Naturally Grey

Equine Chronicle Youth Over Fences Medal Finals-

Last Chance NQHL Amateur Medal Qualifier-

Judge: Jennifer Leckey

1- Morgan Parisek with Better By The Minit

2- Chad Sandoval with Cool Man Jazz

3- Samantha Roper with Only Royal Blue

4- Alexis Parisek with Bold Regal Lark

$1,000 Progressive Hunter Classic-

Judge: Betsy Tuckey

1- Like To Be Noticed/Alfred Hewitt for Thomasa Sanchez

2- Envious Invitation/Alfred Hewitt for Skylar Sanchez

3- Chocs De Boss/Chuck Briggs for Montlake Farms, LLC

4- Regal Tequila/Lainie DeBoer for Fred Bucholz

5- Du U Wanna Dance/Chuck Briggs for Leslie Lange

6- Bold Regal Lark/Alexis Parisek

7- Always A Hot Time/Cameron Schreiber for Veronica Woodson

8- Aslands Magic/Lainie DeBoer for Fred Bucholz

9- Only In Paris/Madison Eichstadt

Coming up next for the National Quarter Horse League is the Huntfield Derby Finals at the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City. The Finals will include an Open High Hunter and Open Low Hunter on November 16th. Additional Huntfield Finals include the Non Pro High Huntfield Hunter Derby Finals, Non Pro Low Huntfield Hunter Derby Finals, and Huntfield Trail Derby Invitational at the Fox Lea Farm Winter Circuit during January 2015 in Venice, Florida.

For those interested in participating in an upcoming Medal Finals, these events are open to any horse that has shown in at least one NQHL Huntfield Derby in the past. Overall standings will be used as the order of go for the Finals. The Finals are also open to horses that haven’t participated in Huntfield Derby classes before, but an increased entry fee will be assessed. For more information about the National Quarter Horse League click here.