Two-for-Two – Allie McBreen & Hartwood Best the $2,750 Young Hunter 3’3” Championship at Fall Classic 3

Wilmington, Ohio – The Young Hunter Championships were the main event at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Friday in the R+L Annex Arena. A group of promising hunter stars were judged over fences and on the flat with a classic track designed by Bobby Murphy.

Owners and riders nominated their mounts into the Young Horse Incentive Program to compete year-round at WEC with no entry fees. The championship consisted of three sections: the $2,750 Young Hunter 3’3”, the $6,200 Young Hunter 3’, and the $5,250 Young Hunter 2’9”.

Allie McBreen was crowned champion for the second year in a row aboard Aidan Mewha’s seven-year-old Westfalen mare, Hartwood (Dreitakt x Querida), this time in the $2,750 Young Hunter 3’3” Championship.

Since winning the final as a six-year-old, McBreen explained the significance that the program plays in the development of young horses. “Being part of this program at WEC has really given her the chance to build a solid foundation and be set up for success.”

“From an ownership standpoint, it’s such a cost-effective way to get them great mileage and experience,” she explained. “There’s good prize money, great footing, and we’re only twenty minutes away, which makes it even better.”

When asked how it felt to win the class two years in a row with the same horse, McBreen smiled, “I’m just so proud of her. She’s done pretty much everything we’ve ever asked her to do. Last year she was Horse of the Year, and this year I did the Green Incentive Finals on her for the first time. She went right into that big stadium and just marched around like she’d been doing it her whole life. She’s such a good little lady, and I can always count on her to step up when it matters.”

Havens Schatt Pilots One More Time to Win the $6,200 Young Hunter 3’ Championship

No stranger to the winner’s circle, Havens Schatt piloted John Yozell’s six-year-old Oldenburg gelding, One More Time (Chac Boy x Dianistria Blue PS), to the win in the $6,200 Young Hunter 3’ Championship.

“Uno [One More Time] actually has a bit of a family history with Milestone,” Schatt explained. “I had imported his mother and loved her. The reason I bought her originally was because Diatendro, who we’ve had forever, is her father! So, Uno really is part of a family line we know well!”

“I found him in a free-jumping auction,” she continued. “He hadn’t been ridden yet, and I just fell in love with him. He’s brave and talented, but he’s a big horse, so he still needs time to grow up and get stronger. He can get a little distracted sometimes, but he has such a good heart. This was actually his first indoor show, and he handled it really well.”

Schatt spoke about enrolling in the Young Horse Incentive program. “It’s perfect for the ones that aren’t quite ready for the bigger derbies but still need mileage and good experiences. The prize money is great, and that’s a huge help for owners. A lot of horse shows don’t offer money in the Young Hunters, and it’s so expensive to bring horses along, so any incentive helps. It’s such a great idea, and I hope even more people participate. Overall, it’s a fantastic program.”

Kayla Schenk & Tidy Sum Triumph in the $5,250 Young Hunter 2’9” Championship

Kayla Schenk and her five-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Tidy Sum (Pegasus V/H Maarlo x Quinoa V/H Maarlo), made their championship debut one to remember, leading the way in the $5,250 Young Hunter 2’9” Championship.

“This one’s a special guy,” Schenk smiled. “His name is Migo because he’s a friend to everyone. He pretty much loves everything and everyone, every day. My mom and I bought him in August of last year as a four-year-old. We did the Future Hunters here, and since then we’ve been moving up through the Baby Greens and the Young Hunters. He’s just been great every step of the way.”

Reflecting on the program, Schenk shared how it’s helped her bring Migo along. “I thought it was super fun,” she said. “I’m dying to do a derby on this horse, but I’m waiting until next season. So, it was really special to have a class like this where we could dress up a bit, wear white pants, make it feel like an occasion. It’s nice for the young ones to have something that feels important but is still approachable.”

“I also really liked that it was just one round and a flat,” she added. “For these young horses, doing both the USHJA and the Young Hunters can already be a lot. Keeping it short, sweet, and to the point made it perfect. I’ll definitely be back next year with him!”

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