Pablo Barrios and Antares.
Lexington, KY – August 2, 2014 – If the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footing is any indication of how the Venezuelan team will perform at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy France, then they look very strong. Pablo Barrios’ rule of the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park continued as he piloted Antares to blazing double clear victory, while fellow Venezuelan rider Angel Karolyi took home the second place honors aboard Indiana 127, just shy of Barrios’ winning time.
With 46 entries in tonight’s main event and only two belonging to Barrios, it might not have seemed like the odds were in his favor, but the speedy South American was ready to showcase his winning ways once again. Richard Jeffery’s first round track yielded 16 clears, creating a tiebreaker where only those that took the risks would end up on top.
The pathfinder was another well-known Venezuelan rider: Emanuel Andrade with Hardrock Z. They were able to neatly make their way over each obstacle, and they set the clear time to beat at 40.945 seconds, which held up for fifth place. The next rider in the ring bested his time, which was Brazil’s Paulo Santana on Taloubet. They were three seconds faster in a clear 37.803 seconds, but even that time would not claim the top spot and was beat by the next on course. Angel Karolyi, fresh off of speedy duels at the Spruce Meadows Tournament with Hollow Creek Farm’s Indiana 127, was ready for the challenge. Going early in the order, he added a stride in one of the rollbacks, but left out a stride in the last line, resulting in a clear score of 36.819 seconds.
“I was just being a bit cautious going a little bit early in the jump-off,” admitted Karolyi. “I was the first one to leave out to the last jump, but I wasn’t ready to do two risks going so early.”
Unfortunately for Karolyi, Barrios was two rounds later, and with the opportunity to watch Santana and Karolyi he knew where he could make up time with Antares. The duo sliced sharply back to the combination and galloped full speed to a vertical on the other side of the ring, resulting in a time of 35.315 seconds that would go straight to the top of the leader board and prove unbeatable. The only other rider to slip into a top five position was the United States’ Chelsea Moss with Stormfront Stables’ Operette St. Loise, clearing the course in 39.949 seconds to place fourth.
After Barrios’ winner, Karolyi said, “We’re just getting ready to go to the WEG. We’re focused on that, so I’m happy that if anybody beat me that it was my teammate.”
“I knew that I had to take every risk, and I did it,” explained Barrios after his win. “Antares responded amazingly. I’m definitely taking him to the WEG. He’s just jumping great. He’s strong, powerful, clever, careful and fast. Antares has everything. The only thing that he doesn’t have is experience, and I think I’ve given him a lot of good experience in the last two months.”
Barrios and Antares have only been paired together since the end of the Winter Equestrian Festival. They competed together during the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, but Barrios admits he is a different horse now. “In May, he could jump this course clear, but there was no chance he could go that fast, so there have been huge improvements. I think he’s my type of ride. We get along very well. It’s a great match in a short period of time.”
Although Barrios bought Antares knowing he was talented mount, he did not expect him to be ready for the World Equestrian Games this year. “I knew he had the scope, but I didn’t know that he would develop this quickly,” he noted. “In Calgary, I did the Queen’s Cup and then the $400,000 Grand Prix and he jumped both really well. I still have a month to work with him, but I think I can be competitive at WEG with this horse. I think I can make it to the top 30 because I know he has the scope; I know he’s brave, and I know he’s careful.”
Barrios’ record at the Kentucky Horse Park is unmatched, and he knows that tonight’s victory was very special. “I love this place,” he expressed. “It feels like home. The first time that I came here ever I won the grand prix. It’s something about this place that I feel like I belong to this place.”
He also knows his success would not be possible without his team at Pablo Barrios Show Stables, and his sponsors Purina, Der Dau, Choice of Champions, Healthy Coat, Animo and Devoucoux.
The Kentucky Summer Classic will conclude tomorrow with the NAL/WIHS Child and Adult Jumper Classics in the Rolex Stadium. Next week, Kentucky Horse Park will host the 2014 U.S. Pony Finals, followed by the Bluegrass Classic Horse Show and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.
For more information about the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Kentucky Summer Series Fast Facts
Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.
What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2014 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.
Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 15-20, 2014
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 23-27, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29 – August 3, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
2014 USEF PONY FINALS – August 5-10, 2014
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 12-17, 2014
USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event
KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 20-24, 2014
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, GGT Footing, Equestrian Services International, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch, and the Official Hotel The Clarion
Hours:
8am – 5pm daily
Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Ring Dimensions/Specs:
The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:
Stonelea: 140′x 280′, Murphy: 135′x 280′, Stonelea and Murphy Schooling: 110′x 400′
Walnut: 300′x 370′, Claiborne: 140′x 270′, Annex 130′x 250′, Covered Arena (old): 145′x 285′ Rolex Stadium: 360′ x 384′, Alltech Arena: 132′ x 265′
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.
Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com