Martha Ingram Sweeps Grand Championships

While Martha Ingram is no stranger to winning grand hunter championships at Capital Challenge, she had not captured one with her longtime partner Private Practice. The pair won all three over fences classes to win the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35 Hunter division, sponsored by Pine Hollow Farm, which also named them Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Champions, which is sponsored by Woodhill Farm. The pair was presented with the Missy McCutcheon Memorial Trophy donated by Susie Baker, Dr. Michele Hollis, and John Yozell, and Ingram won the Best Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider Award, sponsored by Spring Mill Farm.

Private Practice handed Martha Ingram another Grand Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Championship. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“He's always been amazing, but with age he's gotten easier and easier and easier,” said Ingram of the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Lordanos. “He's such a pro that we really don't do too much, and he just comes out and he's a winner, day in and day out. I've had him about five years now, and he feels better now than he did even five years ago. I'm really thankful to our team for keeping him so happy and healthy.”

While Ingram is based in Nashville, TN, her horses are often either in Wellington, FL, or Traverse City, MI, for the show season. Ingram, who works with the Nashville Soccer Club, often has to meet her horses at the shows. Once she’s there, it’s an easy transition back into the saddle. There is, however, one thing that helps her gain confidence with Private Practice before they step into the show ring.

“Before I get on, I always give him a hug,” she said. “I’m so grateful to have him. I trust him completely, and I think he trusts me too. I feel so confident on him that we gel really easily. As long as I'm not too nervous or anything, usually he makes me feel really calm.”

The Marshall + Sterling Best Amateur-Owner 3’3” Trip of the Show was a four-way tie with a score of 89.5:

Martha Ingram and Private Practice

Rindy Dominguez and Frosted

Irene Neuwirth and Heirloom

Stephanie Danhakl and Cadet

Moving from one division to the next, Ingram kept on winning, this time with Jenkins in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 18-35 Hunters where they picked up first, second, and sixth places for the division championship, sponsored by The Hallman Family and Merrylegs South LLC. These ribbons also secured them the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Championship, sponsored by Finally Farm, and they received the Dr. Harold M.S. Smith Trophy donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith and Dr. Peter Craig. Ingram was presented with the Best Amateur-Owner 3’6” Rider Award sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare and awarded The So Many Ways Challenge Trophy donated by Karen Kramer.

“He is just a sweet, honest animal,” described Ingram of the nine-year-old KWPN gelding by Charisma. “We got him from Nick Haness a few years ago, and I can't say enough about how adorable and sweet this animal is. His name is ‘Baby J’ in the barn.”

With his 16.2-hand height and big body, Ingram has learned to manage him through a course of jumps and noted that his rideability has improved through the years.

“He's got an enormous stride, so sometimes I have to make sure that I'm slow enough in the turns and not putting too much pressure,” she said. “He has a funny thing where he likes to shake his head when you pick up the canter, but he doesn't ever do anything wrong. He is smooth, brave, and scopey, so I know I can trust him to do anything.”

Ingram called her double win “unimaginable” but that she was excited that her horses, especially Jenkins, got their due. “I've been joking all day that he's been a groomsman a lot of the time, but today he gets to be the groom. I'm really happy for him because he deserves it,” she expressed.

Along with Martha’s grand sweep, her father John won the championship and reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over Hunter division with Dicoblue PS and Odette, respectively. The Marshall + Sterling Best Amateur-Owner 3’6” Trip of the Show went to John Ingram and Dicoblue PS with a score of 89.

Victory in the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3” Challenge sponsored by Milestone, LLC/Havens Schatt went to Rindy Dominguez and her own Frosted. Irene Neuwirth and Scout’s Honor won the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6” Challenge sponsored by Robinson Ridge. Geoffrey Hesslink and Brendan Williams were the winners of the In Disguise WCHR Trainer Award sponsored by Jim and Ellen Toon of JT Farm. The Grey Slipper Award was presented to Catch Me and the Gochman family.

Additional champions included:

Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3" 18-35

Sponsored by Pine Hollow Farm

Champion: Private Practice, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC, Martha Ingram

Reserve: Soirée, Elle Gibbs, Elle Gibbs

Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 & Over

Champion: Chacoon’s Nevo PS, Margot Peroni, Margot Peroni

Reserve: Frosted, Rindy Dominguez, Rindy Dominguez

Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35

Sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South LLC

Champion: Jenkins, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC, Martha Ingram

Reserve: Decisive, Walkenbach Equestrian LLC, Lanie Walkenbach

Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 36 & Over

Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare

Champion: Dicoblue PS, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC, John Ingram

Reserve: Odette, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC, John Ingram