Anna Becker Takes First Blue on Opening Day of the Beacon Hill Equestrian Grand Prix

Colts Neck, NJ - The Beacon Hill Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Mackenzie Keck, began today with the featured equitation classes. The show will run through June 22nd at the Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts Neck, NJ.

The first blue ribbon was awarded to Anna Becker of Branchville, NJ, winner of the ASPCA Maclay. Becker, 17, rode a six-year-old gelding named Let’s Win Again to the honors.  Becker leases the young horse from Mindy Darst and has been teamed up with the big bay gelding since she began riding him in Wellington, Florida, this past winter.

The young horse nicknamed “George” had never competed in the equitation before this past winter. The horse and rider quickly clicked and as Becker explained, “We just kept getting better and better.”

Becker rides with Stacia Madden, head trainer at the Beacon Hill Show Stables.  She explained that competing on her home turf was unique. She said, “It doesn’t really feel like we’re at a show.  But it’s nice to ride in our own ring.”

Madden also trained the winners of the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal and the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase classes. Christy DiStefano of Ramsey, NJ, rode Fingerprint to the top of the USEF Medal class while Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ scored a 92 riding Deneuve to the top of the hunter phase of the WIHS class. 

Junior riders are given a unique opportunity to show in the grass field on Friday as the day kicks off with the WIHS Jumper Phase.  The day continues with the USEF Talent Search and four classes of exciting jumper action. Saturday features the $10,000 NAL Beacon Hill Speed Derby and Sunday features the $15,000 NJ Life Junior Amateur Owner Prix as well as the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix, presented by Wachovia.

In addition to show-jumping action, the event offers boutique-style shopping and children’s activities such as a petting zoo, pony rides and games.  Beginning at 8am on Friday and running until 3pm on Sunday, a silent auction will take place to raise money for the show’s beneficiary, the Gleneayre Equestrian Program, a nonprofit that serves children by allowing them to partner with horses.

Tickets for the show will be available at the gate for $5 per person per day. For more information please visit the official Beacon Hill Equestrian Grand Prix web site:  www.bhegp.com   or call the Gleneayre Equestrian Program at (609) 267-4104.  Show results can be found on www.ryegate.com.

PHOTO: The first blue ribbon was awarded to Anna Becker of Branchville, NJ, winner of the ASPCA Maclay.