SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--Linda Corvari of Long Valley, N.J., riding Surfside, won the individual gold medal on Sept. 2, the final day of the Zones 1 and 2 Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships at HITS in Saugerties.
After the three phases, an under saddle, a classic hunter derby-style course and a handy hunter course, Corvari won her second gold medal in two days.
She was also part of the winning Pink Team on Saturday in an innovative team competition.
Corvari won the individual gold with the highest overall score from the two panels of judges, John Berkos, Jimmy Lee, Brian Lenehan and Laura O’Connor.
Zone 2 adult riders swept the top finishes with Laurie Barna on Hundred Acre winning the silver medal, and Corinne Macaulay taking the bronze riding Pilgrim de Blue Mery.
THIS YEAR marked Corvari’s first appearance in the Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships.
“It’s something new and different, and one I have been hoping to participate in,” said Corvari, who trains with Robert Beck at Hunter’s Crossing Farm. “I encourage others to give it a try. Yesterday was so much fun being part of a team, and that camaraderie carried over to today.”
Surfside, a 9year-old Selle Luxembourgeios gelding by Beaulieu’s Quissini, is known as “Fish” around the barn and is a new mount for Corvari after she purchased the horse for her 50th birthday a year ago.
“He’s everything I love in a horse,” she said. “For me, today was all about going forward. He is so calm and can slow on a dime, so I wanted to go forward, get it done, and try to impress the judges in the handy round.”
Corvari placed first and second place in the two over fences classes and was third under saddle.
In addition to earning the gold medal, ribbons and an embroidered cooler, Corvari also won a Charles Owen Helmet, CWD halter, Parlanti Boots, an Essex Classics Riding Shirt, and FITS Riding breeches.
“The prizes are much more than I expected,” said Corvari, who owns a medical communications company where she works when she is not riding. “This is amazing and far beyond my expectations from some of the top-quality brands in our sport.”
“This horse show is my vacation," said Corvani. "I love it here, and it’s a great opportunity to expand your horizons. I will be back next year ,and I want to help bring more people to experience this championship.”