2006 Legacy Cup

Hallman Has a Lucky and a Bloomy Day

Twenty-seven-year-old Hallman, Wellington, FL, was thrilled about her victory but she was still anxious to get back to her hotel room “I’ve had a cold all week. I think the killer rain last week got to me,” she explained, “just too many days standing in the wet weather!”

Yet she still managed to recall her victory ride thrilled that Lucky (who had won the 3’6” Pro Finals in 2004) was on today. “It was a nice thing and a great win and I am thrilled to death. He has a true talent. I had a lot of faith in him. I knew if anyone could pull it off he could.” Hallman went on to explain that the 17.1H, 16-year-old, bay, Danish Warmblood gelding by Lucky Light, can either be “very very good or very bad. Last year Rob (Bielefeld – her trainer) walked in and he spun in a circle before he even got going.”

Hallman was able to pull it together after falling off of CC Bloom. The 10-year-old, 16.1H, Belgium Warmblood, chestnut mare, by Jus du Pomme, Gold Medal winner at the 1996 Olympic Games, was named after Bette Midler because “she is a sassy little redhead.” She explained, “After a fall you have to get right back on the horse. That sounds so cheesy but that’s what you have to do. It made me ride that oxer (the one she fell off over) more conservatively. I wanted to do well and go well and be safe on Lucky.”

When not competing, Hallman is attending graduate school. She also started playing polo this season, “which has made me a stronger rider. I box to stay fit and do pilates to increase my strength and balance because I don’t get to ride all the time so I need to make sure the rest of my fitness is together.”

Hallman praised the Legacy Cup saying “It is a wonderful event and I am always thrilled to participate in it. It is a goal and we get revved up for this horse show. They do a great job to make for a nice horse show and one that is both exhibitor and spectator friendly. Also they make it special for the grooms by giving them prizes. Not enough is said about that. (She was referring to the fact that an anonymous sponsor underwrites awarding the grooms of each of the top three placed horses a $100 cash prize.) It is really a wonderful event.”

When not competing, Lucky “is a total character. He wants your full attention at all times. He wants to be the star and he is.”

Hallman, who took away a check for $4,470 for her first place finish in the Finals, had her own plans for celebrating her win, because her cold had her wanting to enjoy the comfort of her hotel room. “A hot bath sounds really good right now.”

Hallman wanted to thank a few people before she headed off for her bath. “A special thank you to my family for being so supportive and to Rob Bielefeld and Scott Fitton, my trainers, and Chrystal Knight, who does absolutely everything for me, our groom Fernando Cruz Rodriquez and all the other people that help me get to the ring each week because it is a team effort and they are the most supportive, fantastic team.”