Dzavik, Waxman Win Maclay Regional Qualifiers

Tatiana Dzavik and Jennifer Waxman won the Region 1 and 2 equitation qualifiers, respectively, for the 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championships.

October 12, 2007 — The final two qualifiers for this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Championship were held September 29-30. The winner of Region 1 was Tatiana Dzavik of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The victory in Region 4 went to Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The national championship will be held October 31-November 4, at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, N.Y.

This year marks the third time that Dzavik will compete in the ASPCA Maclay National Championships. She rode Truffle, a horse owned by her trainer Missy Clark, to the win in the regional qualifier, which was held at Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, Conn. Dzavik has placed second in the past two years in her region, so moving up to the win this year was “great,” she said. “I hope winning regionals this year will change my luck for finals too.”

There was no test for the Region 1 riders this year, but they faced a challenging first round course that included a bounce combination. Dzavik had full confidence in Truffle, who is “very, very experienced” in the ring, “just like all of John (Brennan) and Missy’s horses,” she added. “There was no problem with him (on course); he was absolutely perfect.”

Dzavik is a working student at North Run, the barn run by Missy Clark and John Brennan. Since this is her last junior year, she is looking forward to attending the national championship. “I’ve been working really hard all year, and I’m very excited to go to Syracuse,” she said.

Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Waxman and her horse Falcon have experience in the ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Last year in Syracuse, the talented rider placed third in her first time at the national championship and was fifth in her qualifier. She returns this year as a 15-year-old and is ready to improve on her performance. She qualified this year at the Kentucky National Horse Show in Lexington. “We were kidding her at Regionals this year. Last year, we hadn’t done much of the big equitation classes. She had much more pressure, and it was more intense this year. She handled it well and gave a solid performance. We were thrilled with it,” said her trainer, Ken Smith of Ashland Farms.

Waxman and the other top three riders were asked to complete a test by the judges, which included a trot jump, counter canter, and a halt. Waxman was the last to test, and Falcon was ready to go. “He got a little antsy in the line-up because we went in right after the flat phase,” Waxman explained. “I’m glad he kept his composure! He didn’t enjoy standing there, but he was perfect for the test.” The young rider gave special thanks to her parents and her trainers, Ken and Emily Smith.

2007 ASPCA Maclay Region 1 Top 10

1. Tatiana Dzavik, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2. Katherine Stewart, Fairfield, Conn.

3. Kyle Wolf, Westport, Conn.

4. Cortie Wetherill, Wellington, Conn.

5. Kate Salzman, Riverside, Conn.

6. Jennifer Walters, Shelburne, Vt.

7. Matthew Metell, Falmouth, Mass.

8. Alexandra Arute, Avon, Conn.

9. Victoria Birdsall, Topsfield, Mass.

10. Michael Hughes, Allendale, N.Y.

2007 ASPCA Maclay Region 4 Top 10

1. Jennifer Waxman, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

2. Henry Pfeiffer, Temperance, Mich.

3. Kels Bonham, Claremore, Okla.

4. Amelia McArdle, Barrington, Ill.

5. Catie Boone, Lexington, Ky.

6. Michael Burnette, Carmel, Ind.

7. Lauren Patava, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

8. Catie Hope, Barrington, Ill.

9. Elizabeth Perry, Kalamazoo, Mich.

10. Emily Reynolds, Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Watch for coverage of 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championships on EquiSearch.com November 4.

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