Prestige Trophy riders were the first to take center stage on Saturday morning in the 1.40-meter PRG Trophy speed class. The culminating class for the height division, 30 horse-and-rider pairs navigated 12 jumping obstacles, incurring four additional seconds per rail dropped.

Eight riders recorded clear and fast rounds, but it was the smooth and technical riding from Hilary McNerney (USA), aboard 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Balans RV (Cardento x Emilion), that clocked the fastest time at 57.25 seconds.

“Today’s course was really challenging,” McNerney said. “I liked it. There were a lot of options to take inside turns and to leave out strides, but my horse is very fast naturally so I only had to take one inside and smoothed it out.”

McNerney trains with international rider Kent Farrington, riding six times per week and crosstraining with Pure Barre workouts five days per week. “Kent gives us great horses and tells us to work out and be fit, but the rest is up to us,” said McNerney. “He gives us the tools, but he doesn’t babysit. He helps us grow as riders.”

“This show is always fun, always has great performances,” she continued. “I’m going to watch Jessica Springsteen and Kent Farrington in the evening classes. You don’t ever want to leave the show because everything is here. I love the Longines Masters events.”