First Day of Hunter Competition at Monmouth County Horse Show Proves Successful for Orlando and Stewart

Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando, winners in the First Year Green division at the Monmouth County Horse Show. Photo by Randi Muster

The 110th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show and Ride for Riverview kicked off competition today at the East Freehold Park.  New Jersey’s longest running and most prestigious horse show features five days of hunter and jumper competition and hosts some of the country’s top riders.

In today’s professional hunter classes, a familiar face was among the ribbons.  Scott Stewart, of Flemington, NJ, rode Music Street for owner Alexa Weisman of Sherborn, MA, to the win in the First Year Green over fences class.  In the second over fences class, the blue ribbon was awarded to Rio Renoir and Holly Orlando of Wellington, FL.  Rio Renoir, owned by Thomas and Cynthia Deibert of Ottsville, PA, also strided his way to victory in the First Year Green under saddle class. 

Rio Renoir was a fierce competitor at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival and continued his winning streak throughout the summer.  At the Devon Horse Show, he placed in the top four in every over fences class in his division.  “He tries so hard every time he goes in the ring,” said Orlando, “and he has been champion or reserve at every show we’ve been at, except for Devon and Old Salem.”

In the Second Year Green division, Stewart also received the top call.  On Cool Blue, owned by Carolyn Kelly of New York, NY, Stewart finished first and second in the over fences classes and won the under saddle class.

Orlando rode Wolfgang II for Scott Hakim and Old Salem Farm of North Salem, NY, in the Regular Working Hunter division.  The striking bay gelding found that he enjoys his change of occupation from jumper to hunter. “He is so much more relaxed and happy in the hunter ring,” said Orlando.  It showed today, as Wolfgang came away with the win in the second over fences class and second place in the under saddle class.

Orlando is familiar with the Monmouth County Horse Show and showed extensively at the East Freehold Park when she used to work for trainer Leo Conroy.  Conroy is a part of The Monmouth Group, which is the management group for the Monmouth County Horse Show.  “I like this show a lot,” Orlando commented.  “They do a really good job. There are lots of fun parties, but it is low key at the same time. It’s not packed with people. It’s a World Championship Hunter Rider show, so it gets some really nice horses too.”

“Leo, the management, everyone- they do a great job.  It’s one of my favorite shows,” she added.

Competition continues tomorrow, where the horses will show in two more over fences classes, and a champion will be crowned in each of the four rated professional divisions: First Year Green, Second Year Green, Green Conformation, and Regular Working Hunters.