Paisley Park Repeats Grand Hunter Champion Award
For the second year in a row, Paisley Park and Geoffrey Hesslink, riding for Andesite Equestrian, won the Grand Hunter Championship sponsored by Brad Wolf. This came after a championship in the Performance Hunter 3’6” division where they placed first, first, and third over fences and won the under saddle.
Hesslink has ridden Paisley Park, named “Eli” in the barn, for five years, and they have had championship success every year at Capital Challenge. “He's really special to me,” expressed Hesslink of the 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Carambole x Voltaire). “He's done a lot for a lot of people, including myself. He's a very giving horse. He tries really hard all the time, so I love him for that.”
Hesslink pointed out his horse’s consistency and how he has improved with age.
Geoffrey Hesslink and Paisley Park in their Grand Hunter Championship presentation with Brendan Williams. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“As a young horse, he used to be a little more sensitive, a little spooky,” he said. “He would make some higher, different jumps, but he's so easy on himself. He's getting a little older now, but he's doing it better than he ever has.”
Hesslink and Paisley Park were presented with The Janet Polk Read and Margaret Hough Sabbatini Memorial Trophy, donated by The Goguen Family, Tim and Kelly Goguen. Hesslink was also named the Leading Hunter Rider sponsored by Ramsay Gourd and Richard Slocum and presented with the BJ’s Hunt Room Trophy.
Additional professional hunter awards included:
Grand Champion Conformation Hunter
The Kenneth M. Wheeler Perpetual Trophy donated by BJ Meeks and Pablo Perez
Odette, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC, Victoria Colvin
Grand Champion Green Hunter 3’ & 3’3”
Sponsored by David Belford and Christopher Payne, New Hope LLC
“A Rare Diamond” Perpetual Trophy donated by “The Friends of Mickey”
Valentine, Martin Schlaeppi, Daniel Geitner
Grand Champion Green Hunter 3’6”
Sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters
The Monarch Memorial Trophy donated by Geoffrey Hesslink and Brendan Williams
Fidelio, Dr. Betsee Parker, Scott Stewart
Grand Green Hunter Champion
Sponsored by Carleton and Traci Brooks, Balmoral
Fidelio, Dr. Betsee Parker, Scott Stewart
