Hunter Team class brings Juniors into the spotlight

Friday night’s Hunt Team Exhibition Class will be a first for many of the Junior riders, who make their debut showing under the lights.

Madison Keese, 17, a working student at Windsor Stables, Alpharetta, Georgia for the past three years, has been in the International Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival before but never a night class. The occasion is made more memorable for the Georgia Junior Hunter rider as her mount MF Starboy was USEF and Zone 4 Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Horse of the Year in 2023 with Madison’s fellow Windsor rider, Ryan Kenny.

“He was horse of the year and it’s great to go in, knowing that I’m on such a great horse,” said Madison of the stunning bay Hunter owned by Windsor Stables’ Michael Britt-Leon and Dr Rachel King. “It really builds my confidence up knowing that he’s fully capable of putting in some great rounds, so I know I have to rise to the occasion as well, and ride my best.”

Madison Keese and Horse of the Year 2023 MF Starboy. Photo: Anne Gittins Photography

The Kristen Baran $100,000 Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys and Girls Club Hunt Team Exhibition Class, makes its debut this year, replacing the previous annual fundraiser, and longstanding equestrian triathlon. Each of the 14 teams sports a Professional, an Adult Amateur and a Junior rider.

Wyatt Rofey of Brooklyn, New York is also a Junior Hunter rider and is on Professional Keri Kampsen’s team, alongside Stephanie Danhakl. “I’m very excited to compete,” said Wyatt. “I have never shown in the International Ring or under the lights, and I have never competed in a team event. I just want to have a fun experience and enjoy the ride.”

Wyatt Rofey rides his own horse Becoming as he shows ‘under the lights’ for the first time. Photo: ES Equine Photography

Madison, whose long term plan is to become a professional Hunter rider, teams up with Michael and Kelly Sims, a long term client of Michael’s. Madison is hoping for a good round and expects Michael, her trainer, to give her some encouragement going into the arena. “He [Michael] knows that I put a lot of pressure on myself to always ride my best,” she said. “So I think going into tonight – a class with such high stakes and everyone’s excited and it’s a team effort – he’ll be like have fun, give it your all, ride your best.”

Wyatt, who rides his own horse, Becoming, is less familiar with his teammates. “I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates for the first time,” he said. “I love connecting with other riders and horse-people. Our professional, Keri Kampsen is someone I look up to. I know that she won the Maclay finals when she was a Junior and she later overcame a major injury to make her way back to our sport. When I am in the ring, I want to execute the plan Keri and my trainer, Justin Dye, come up with.”