Year-end awards given to riders, horses by EMDA

Show chairwoman Clare Payne of Holden has announced the Eastern Maine Dressage Association year-end awards.

Many of the riders continued their championship ways in ’92, claiming Champion and Reserve titles while moving up in classes, and others claimed prizes in more than one category.

The EMDA sponsors five shows during the season, Payne said. In order to qualify for year-end awards, riders must compete in a minimun of three classes in two shows, with the lowest score being thrown out.

Tina Hinckley of Manset, riding Frenchman’s Bay, won the Upper Level Division. Moving up to second level, Hinckley is the EMDA’s Second Level and Above Champion with an average score of 64.58.

Pat Grant of Presque Isle moved up to Third Level and earned the Reserve Award in the Upper Level category on Tiger’s Warrior with 58.50 points. For the past two years, Grant claimed the Upper Level championship riding in Second Level. Betsy Hudson of Bangor (Fourth Level) finished third on Hudson’s Bay with an average score of 55.49.

According to Payne, the competition in First Level was extremely close with the top five riders finishing less than two points apart.

Marie Ford of Eddington, riding her Thoroughbred, Jumanjicq, won the First Level championship with an average score of 59.39. The Reserve title went to Arlene Cennedella of Easton on her Morgan, Up Country Hi Tyme, with a score of 58.82.

For being the highest-placing senior rider qualifying in her first year at First Level, Cennedella was presented the Julie LeVellie Memorial Trophy.

Kitty Cook of Bangor also claimed two awards. Riding Spanky, she earned the Training Level senior rider championship with an average score of 64.83 points. For recording the highest average score at either Training or First Level, she was awarded the Darlene Leonardi Memorial Trophy.

Betty MacDonald of Bangor was the Reserve Champion in this division with 56.36 points. MacDonald won her title on Mac’s Ebony Marble, a 25-year-old Appaloosa gelding.

John Bapst of Bangor senior Judy Oliver of Eddington, riding her new Morgan, Breaker de Bank, won the Training Level junior rider title with an average score of 61.66 points. Competing on Breaker this first year, Oliver finished with a 57.86 in First Level, good enough for a fifth-place award.

Carrie Dahlgren of Glenburn won the Junior Training Level reserve championship on Ace’s Honey with an average score of 59.52 points. Moving up a class, Dahlgren continues her winning ways after claiming last year’s Walk Trot title.

Teresa Oliver of Eddington, on Paco, won the Walk Trot championship with an average score of 62.06 points, and Jessica Dion of Holden claimed the Reserve title on Annomoose with an average score of 57.30 points. Teresa Oliver also finished fourth with 55.23 points in the Training Level Junior Rider division.

Joshua Marcho of Old Town, whom Payne believes is the youngest rider “at about five,” was recognized for his achievement in the Leadline Dressage Division with a participation ribbon.

A special award went to Jon Ford of Eddington who has spent the past several years on the sidelines watching his wife, Marie, compete with their students from Trafho Farm Stable.

This year, Ford was riding rather than watching, and was recognized “for his proficiency and courage in taking on dressage.” Betsy Hudson received the “Perfect Attendance” Special Award for competing all five EMDA meets.

Remaining Awards

First Level: (3) Katherine Cook, Bangor, on Spanky, 58.76. (4) Maya Robinson, Bangor, on Duke’s Shuffle, 58.44. (5) J. Oliver, 57.86. (6) Michelle Coad, Brewer, on Docksider Dan, 55.67. (7) Carolyn Rolland, Eddington, on Chelsie, 53.45.

Training Level Senior Rider: (3) Payne, on Macanuda, 56.34. (4) Karen Larson, Stillwater, on Designs by Jess, 52.12.

Training Level Junior Rider: (3) Oliver Dion, Holden, on Star, 55.55. (4) T. Oliver, 55.23.

Walk Trot: (3) Julie Payne, Holden, Dusty, 56.04. (4) Jillian Marcho, Old Town, Mag’s Chicobe Kid, 54.44.