Ma Donna and Susie Phillips Shine in the $10,000 Maturity Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle

The one-and-only Ma Donna floated around the Grand Arena with owner Susie Phillips on Friday, earning the team a Championship in the NSBA $10,000 Maturity Non Pro (& Ltd Non Pro) Hunter Under Saddle.

Susie explains, “We bought her as a yearling from Amy Hassinger, and we have been campaigning her since she was a two-year-old. She’s just a treat to have at the horse show.  She’s a good girl, very personable, and a fun mare to show.”

The 2021 gray mare by Allocate Your Assets and out of Truly Graceful has established a herself in that short time with accolades such as a Congress Championship in Junior Hunter Under Saddle and a Reserve Congress Championship in Two Year Open Hunter Under Saddle with Scott Jones, and a Congress Championship with Susie in the Two Year Old Limited Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle.

They knew since they purchased her as a yearling she was going to be special, so they gave her a treasured name – the meaning of the name Madonna” is literally “my lady,” a respectful address to a lady derived from the old Italian phrase, “Ma Donna.” It also means a beautiful and virtuous woman.

Ma Donna showed both beauty and honor in the arena for the class, as always, and Susie says she was “solid with her head and neck today, and she had a lot of rhythm and just has such a floaty trot.”  They were thrilled to show her in a beautiful place like WEC-Ocala, where Susie says the arena footing is kept well groomed for the horses and the atmosphere is great. “Everybody seems to be having a really good time, and I think that’s what the industry needs.”

They plan to take Ma Donna to Back to Berrien, take some of the summer off, then campaign for Congress and the World Show because, reveals, Susie, “We got qualified this weekend!”

 

Results for the NSBA $10,000 Maturity Non Pro & Ltd Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle:

Champion: Susie Phillips and Ma Donna -$2220

Reserve: Cheyenne Scoot Augsburger and The Irons Hot -$1200

Third: Sandra Morgan and Always Good ToBe Best -$900

Fourth: Mara Clennon and Code Thirty -$600

Fifth: Amanda Smith and Jacked N Impulsive -$450

Sixth: Lauren Allen and Do I Willy Have To -$300

Limited

Champion: Cheyenne Scoot Augsburger and The Irons Hot -$1480

Reserve: Mara Clennon and Code Thirty -$800

Third: Amanda Smith and Jacked N Impulsive -$600