Western pleasure and horsemanship wrap up the 2010 Region Five Championship in Lexington, Virginia.

Vested In The Stars, aka "Roscoe," was a project a long time in the making for Kristy Drew-Pruitt of Providence Forge, Virginia.

By Larri Jo Starkey

As western pleasure and horsemanship classes worked in the ring, Kristy Drew-Pruitt of Providence Forge, Virginia, sat in the shade on Vested In The Stars.

It had been a long weekend for Kristy and “Roscoe,” starting Thursday when they took part in all the clinics, including one on hunt seat equitation from Andrea Simons.

Kristy and Roscoe are a team with some history.

It started with Roscoe’s dam, Wish To The Stars, whom Kristy bought as a yearling and showed for 10 years.  Six years ago, Wish To The Stars’ second foal, Roscoe, became Kristy’s newest hope for an all-around horse.

Kristy has done 90 percent of Roscoe’s training herself, and he recently earned his Register of Merit.

“Now we’re qualified for performance halter, and that was a milestone for us,” Kristy says. “Next we’re going to tick off more ROMs.”

They don’t have any points yet in hunt seat equitation, but that might change soon. During the Region Five Championship, Kristy and Roscoe claimed a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle for the win in novice equitation.

But wins or no wins, Roscoe – who considers himself a bit of a rock star – and Kristy – the owner-breeder-trainer – are a team.

All-Around Winners from Region Five

Novice amateur — Lauren Wilhelm, Chalfont, Virginia, Man Am I Sheik

Amateur — Lyndsey M. Tait, Moorestown, New Jersey, Skys Blue Star

Select — Linda VanDeusen, Wolcott, New York, Hocuspocus Sensation

Novice youth — Kayla Anderson, Hagerstown, Maryland, CJ Must Be Impressed

Youth — Hallie Thomas, Westminster, Maryland, Mr Bar Grab

Open — Man Am I Sheik, The Wilhelm Family Trust, Chalfont, Virginia

To see more photos from the Region One Championship, watch the slide show below. Click on the photos to see the captions.

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