September 2022 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN September 2022 Page 17 Distribution on the grounds of the Maryland 5 Star — one of only 7 five star events worldwide! The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Preview!! With 3,000 to 4,000 additional copies! Coming in the October issue of East Coast Equestrian! Deadline: September 9!! Call (717) 509-9800 to reserve your space! Plus! Bonus distribution at the 76th PA National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, Princeton Show Jumping events, Swan Lake events and more! The news East Coast horse owners need to know By Tod Marks National Steeplechase Association Demonstrating tactical speed and endurance under handicap conditions, Bruton Street-US’ Snap Decision captured the Grade 1 $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard hurdle stakes at Saratoga on August 17, carrying the most weight to victory in more than a generation. Not only did the Ken- tucky-bred son of Hard Spun notch his second G1 of the season, but he did so with an exclamation point. Toting 164 pounds — the most since Lonesome Glory’s score un- der a 166-pound impost in 1995 — Snap Decision, trained by Hall of Famer Jack Fisher, took command in the 2 3/8-mile contest shortly af- ter the start, and never looked back, drawing off by 13 1/4 lengths. That tactic showed the versatility in the eight-year-old’s game, as the gelding typically mounts his charge from off the pace. The win was all the more impressive as Snap Decision was giving away 11 to 24 pounds to his six rivals. Fans at Saratoga realized they were witnessing something special, cheering loudly as Jockey Graham Watters stood up on the odds-on favorite and waved to the crowd in mid-stretch. For Jockey Waves to Crowd Mid-Stretch in Sheppard Stakes Win Clarissa Wilmerding is the winner of the first ever Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year Program. The Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year Program hon- ors the unsung trainers who work tirelessly to improve the education of both riders and horses. Entrants were nominated by an individual and ten finalists were selected. Clarissa “Chizzy”Wilmerding of Oldwick, NJ, has completed and earned many placings at iconic events including Fair Hill Horse Trials, Jersey Fresh 3*, Red Hills Horse Trials, Plantation Field Inter- national, Millbrook Horse Trials and Bromont Horse Trials. She was also awarded the bronze medal USDF award on homebred Beekeeper. Wilmerding credits her mas- ter’s degree in teaching as well as her own horses with helping her develop a knack for training riders in a way that fuels their passion for eventing. She focuses on safety and having fun, making sure her students are always prepared and smiling when they enter any show or event. “(Wilmerding’s) passion comes through in every lesson, in every show”, said Carly, one of Wilmerding’s students. “Because it’s one thing to be a great rider and reach the 3*, 4* or 5* level in eventing, but it’s another entirely to be a great trainer. And fortu- nately, Chizzy is both.” Wilmerding will be inter- viewed for the Practical Horse- man podcast and featured in a special digital feature on Practical HorsemanMag.com. Wilmerding Named Trainer of the Year (Continued on page 31)