Friday's $25,000 Added Texas Pre-Green Final Championship delighted participants, paying out a total of $28,750! Added to the already impressive regular season payout of $104,000 and $7,900 in bonuses, this brought the Program to a total of $140,000 in payout for the 2014 year.
Winning the 30-entry Final Championship with the only 90 score of the evening were Dorothy Douglas and MTM Retro, owned by MTM Farm. Douglas credited "Retro" for his efforts saying, "I love this horse! He is such a good one." Also quick to thank the Super Series Group for their efforts, Douglas remarked, "I'm so thankful to everyone who works hard to put this program together. It's so great for the young horses, and so great for the industry." Douglas also gave credit to Retro's previous rider, saying, "Kelly Lorek rode Retro in the Stakes for the majority of the year."
Photo by Don StineMTM Retro earned both his rider and owner a Signature Texas Pre-Green Blue Crystal Bowl, along with an award cooler, NAG Bag Haynet from Ventures Vision, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, and a handsome paycheck of $6,230.
Taking second was Courtney Calcagnini aboard Harley, owned by Jana Rodes. ThePhoto by Don Stinepair held the lead until the very last rider in the second round, adding to the excitement of the already buzzing event. Harley earned $4,792 along with his prizes.
Placing third in the $25,000 Added Final Championship were Peter Pletcher and Hollywood Park, owned by Lynn Walsh, earning $4,312.
Cambridge, owned by Felicia Carroll was piloted by Will Roberts to come in third, earning $3,832.
In fifth, Arko and Peter Pletcher earned $2,875 for owner Merrilee Braley. Click Here for full results from the Texas Pre-Green Final Championship.
In addition to the slew of prizes given to the top fifteen placings, the Super Series Group also provided award bags to all entries in the Final Championship. Included in the bag were items from Tack Wrap, SmartPak, Ultroz, EMO Insurance, and Olde Oaks Farm, along with custom wine, candles, and caps from the Super Series Group.
Between the first and second round of theChampionship, Texas Pre-Green Series Awards were presented. Leading Thoroughbred Fleetwoods Derby earned owner Felecia Carroll and rider Trapp O'Neal each a check of $1,250 for the Take 2 Second Career Thoroughbred Bonus.
Leading Horse for 2014 was Mars, owned by Christine Lemieux and ridden by Peter Pletcher and Stacie Goodson during the season, earning a $1,000 bonus from the Super Series Group, a Signature Texas Pre-Green Blue Crystal Bowl, and an embroidered cooler.
2014 Leading Rider, Peter Pletcher, rode a total of nine horses throughout the season to earn his position. Pletcher earned a Custom Classic Saddle from CWD, an embroidered jacket from EMO Insurance, and a $1,000 bonus from the Super Series Group.
Nanette Hebert, owner of two enrolled horses, was the 2014 Leading Owner. Earning herself a $1,000 bonus from the Super Series Group, a Signature Texas Pre-Green Blue Crystal Bowl, and an embroidered jacket from EMO Insurance.
Cash bonuses were also awarded to second and third place Series finishers, and supporters of the event were treated to ringside hospitality and dinner during the Final Championship and Awards Presentations. Despite the chilly weather, the Pre-Green horses did not disappoint!
With sincere gratitude to the participants and supporters of the Texas Pre-Green Program, the Super Series Group is proud to have produced another year of great mileage and success for Pre-Green Horses in Texas and beyond. The $25,000 Final Championship brings 3-year total payout to approximately $355,000. Now accepting annual support packages, the Group looks forward to even more in store in the future. Contact Patrick Rodes or Colleen McQuay for sponsorship information.
Thank you to Tom McCutcheon's Virtual Horse Help and representative Kat Paschal for providing media coverage and Live Webcasting of the Texas Pre-Green Final Championship. Content from interviews and behind-the-scenes footage will remain available indefinitely on www.virtualhorsehelp.com.
Click Here for Full Results from the 2014 $25,000 Added Final Championship!