Mystic Valley Hunt Club, Inc., held it's first annual Mystic Winter Thaw Horse Show January 15-17 in Gales Ferry, CT, followed by the Mystic Winter One on January 18. The weather cooperated with a "January thaw" high near 50 degrees, making for a delightful weekend. The shows were well attended by exhibitors from all over New England and New York.

The High Point Equitation Rider for both shows and winner of the Equine Journal High Point Equitation Cooler was Kimberly OKeefe of Glastonbury CT, riding Roderick, a 16.2H Chestnut Warmblood Gelding. Kimberly, 13, who trains with both her mother Jerry OKeefe at Hunter's Run Stables and Robin Vinson at Mystic Valley Hunt Club won the NEHC and CHJA Junior Medals.                                      Photo: Kimberly OKeefe (center) winner of the Equine                                                                                                                           Journal High point Equitation Cooler.

Champions at "The Thaw" were as follows:

Adequan Hunter - Funny Face- Bobby Lou Boylan / Melissa Groher, rider

Adult Amateur Hunter - Exhilaration - Colleen Sullivan

Childrens Hunter - On the Rocks - Natalie D'Elia

CT Working Hunter - Argento - Victoria Stevens / Sally Russell, rider

Evergreen Hunter - Tiger Lily - Ann Kirby

Green Pony - Jemima Puddle Duck - Redwood Farm/Hayden Stewart rider

Gr/Wkg Htr - Card Party - Westbrook Hunt Club/Wendy Smith

Jr/AO Htr - Meant For Me - Lexi Selldorff

Large Pony - Oakwoods Beyond Glory - Hanaa Khan

Med Pony - Clover Croft Honey Bunny - Rabbit Hill Farm

Small Pony - Clovermeads Somebunny - Rabbit Hill Farm

Pre Childrens Htr - Outfoxed - Katie Winchester

SS Htr - Knight Light - Marissa Sylvester/Randi LaChance

Chd/Adt Jumper - Darcos Symphony-Tracey Clark

Low Training Jumper – Potential-Sally Russell/Lauren Rugh

Adult Eq - Christen Scarpa

Child Eq - Victoria Schilling

Jr Eq - Kimberly OKeefe

Pre Child Eq - Katie Winchester

SS Eq - Randi LaChance

For more information visit www.mysticvalleyhuntclub.com or email mvhcshow@yahoo.com.