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Steve Heinecke and Quintin Garner Second Year Green Working Hunter Championship

at WEF Week 8

February 27, 2009

Wellington, FL --- Steve Heinecke and Quintin proved to be unbeatable during week eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The pair swept all four over fences classes in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division and captured the championship tricolor.

"Quintin is a very special horse, and he was wonderful this week. The handy round on the first day was a little bit harder than usual, and they gave us a lot of options," explained Heinecke. "There was one option that most people wouldn't have done, and actually I didn't plan on doing it, but it was the last turn and I landed, looked up, and the jump was right there, so I went for it." Quintin and Heinecke earned a score of 90 for their excellent performance during the handy round.

This is Quintin's second time showing in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division, where he was reserve champion during week three of WEF. Quintin is a seven-year-old German Warmblood, owned by Alise Oken of Weddington, NC. Heinecke plans to give Quintin next week off, but they will compete during week ten. He also plans to ride Quintin in the USHJA International Hunter Derby, held during week twelve.

"He's not an ideal candidate because he doesn't have a lot of experience, but he is a spectacular jumper and very athletic. I would like to win, but the goal is to be respectable and complete the course successfully," said Heinecke.

"He's in his second year of showing, but he missed half of his first year, so he's had to overcome a few obstacles. It's a sweet victory because he's a sweet horse, and we haven't given up on him. We keep trying, and it came full circle," Heinecke smiled. "This year will just be about getting experience on him and getting him through Indoors, getting all that he missed last year."

Quintin was purchased last year as a Large Junior Hunter prospect for Alise Oken, who will also begin competing with him soon. Quintin is described as a sweet horse that needs lots of attention and always wants to be near people. This week Quintin proved that he is a true winner and can handle many obstacles.

Heinecke is the trainer for Hi Hopes Farm LLC, located in Weddington, NC and owned by the Oken family. In 1985, Heinecke won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and has worked with trainers such as Timmy Kees, Jeffrey Welles, and Becky Andrews. He has earned championship and reserve championship awards at the top horse shows across the country and is currently working towards earning his judging license.

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