Leonie Fischer of Germany and Naturally Graceful Win Novice Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle at Their First Congress

By: Brittany Bevis

For 18-year-old Leonie Fischer of Germany, attending the 2013 Quarter Horse Congress is unlike anything she has ever experienced. Today’s competition marked a first for the pair when she and her mare, Naturally Graceful, were crowned Congress Champions in the Novice Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle in a huge class of 100 plus entries. Fischer explains that there isn’t an event back home that compares to the scope and grandeur of the Congress.

“This is my first time [at the Congress],” she says. “It’s great, especially for me as a European, because we don’t have very big shows at home. It’s huge. There is nothing like this at home.”

Fischer and her seven-year-old mare by Iron Enterprise, “Gracie,” bested a field of exhibitors in eight splits and two semi-finals before making it back to the finals this afternoon. It happens to be six hours later in Germany, or almost ten o’clock in the evening, but Fischer is sure all of her friends and family back home are definitely watching on the live feed.

When she’s in America, Fischer competes under the guidance of Beth Case at Highpoint Performance Horses.

“I’m from Germany, and I just get to practice at shows, so not very often,” she says. “I’ve owned Gracie for one year. I like this type of horse. They are big, and I like the movement. I think it’s beautiful. She was great. I had an awesome feeling.”

Next week, Fischer and Gracie will compete again in the Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle. Fischer’s mother will also compete with Gracie in the Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Select Hunter Under Saddle.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Mallory Wachob and Milun Star Trek. Rounding out the top three was Sarah Ann Woolridge and Saturdaynightskyline.