Category Archives: Kentucky Horse Shows

Shawn Casady Closing In on National Hunter Derby Series Leading Rider Louise Serio

Shawn Casady is only 50 points shy from topping professional rider Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus, Casady leads the Junior standings with 850 points overall. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 15, 2012 – It was Shawn Casady who once again rose to the top of the standings during Saturday’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. Now only 50 points shy of the overall leading rider, Casady is going head to head with professional rider Louise Serio in the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Series. Although the $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series is taking a short intermission, and will resume during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with the fifth event of the series. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The stakes are high as the top riders in the nation prepare for the final two events of the series, to take place during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. With only two chances left to rise to the top, hunter riders of all levels are competing for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Closing In on National Hunter Derby Series Leading Rider Louise Serio

Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show Wrap-up: July 31 – August 5

Kaitlin Campbell holds the current lead in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series (pictured with Rocky W).

Lexington, KY – Aug 6, 2012 — The applause and excitement could be heard resounding throughout the Kentucky Horse Park Saturday evening as the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was the fifth day of the Kentucky Summer Classic, and the nation’s top riders gathered to show under the bright lights of the stadium for a share in the prize money, and the desired $8,000 SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ Digital Riding Glove promotion bonus. Out of 33 entries only five were able to ride the first course clear, and progress into the arduous jump-off. It was Blythe Marano and Urban who wowed the crowd tonight, taking the top earnings and the bonus money. Aaron Vale piloted Palm Sunday to the second place finish as the only other rider to go double clear.

Blythe Marano was the first to outwit D’Ambrosio’s shortened course. She guided Urban, owned by Riverview Farm of Franklin, TN, to a speedy jump-off time, leaving all rails intact as she utilized Urban’s sure footing to her advantage. The duo tripped the timers in a mere 43.770 seconds, setting the target time as the pathfinder.

Continue reading Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show Wrap-up: July 31 – August 5

Leigh Cofer Makes Headlines with Breaking News for Adult Hunter Classic Victory at Kentucky Summer Classic

Leigh Cofer and Breaking News made headlines with their NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic victory at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington KY – August 5, 2012 – It was the championship day for the Adult Amateur Divisions at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Riders and their top mounts approached the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the final day of the show, examining the courses as they prepared. The Adult Amateurs did not disappoint as they vied for the top honors in their respective divisions, but it was Leigh Cofer and Breaking News who really shined in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunter division, also riding to the high scoring NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic second round score, and the winning title.

The clouds sat precariously over the Kentucky Horse Park, offering shade and a cool breeze from the usual hot midsummer day, as the NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic got underway. Today’s courses were designed by Danny Moore, and offered competitors the perfect opportunities to showcase their mounts to the best of their abilities. Each round was made up of natural obstacles set with enhancing foliage to accent the birch, brick and stone obstacles that challenged the teams. The track was set with an opening oxer leading riders through a vertical-vertical-oxer combination on the inside. The serpentine progressed with a steady seven-stride outside line and an inside turn over a standalone oxer to finish with the vertical-oxer outside line.

Continue reading Leigh Cofer Makes Headlines with Breaking News for Adult Hunter Classic Victory at Kentucky Summer Classic

Blythe Marano and Urban Lead $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix Victory Gallop at Kentucky Summer Classic

Blythe Marano and Urban won the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 4, 2012 – The applause and excitement could be heard resounding throughout the Kentucky Horse Park tonight as the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was the fifth day of the Kentucky Summer Classic, and the nation’s top riders gathered to show under the bright lights of the stadium for a share in the prize money, and the desired $8,000 SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ Digital Riding Glove promotion bonus. Out of 33 entries only five were able to ride the first course clear, and progress into the arduous jump-off. It was Blythe Marano and Urban who wowed the crowd tonight, taking the top earnings and the bonus money. Aaron Vale piloted Palm Sunday to the second place finish as the only other rider to go double clear.

Anthony D’Ambrosio designed tonight’s track, using bending lines, tight turns, a vertical-oxer double combination, an open water jump, and a triple bar-oxer-vertical triple combination. The jump-off course began over a standalone vertical near the in gate and moved them with a left turn over an oxer. From there, they then had to use their mount’s pace to their advantage to clear a large space and ride to a vertical and make a hard right rollback to a skinny vertical. Upon landing, they then navigated toward the triple bar-oxer combination, shortened from the previous round, and with a right turn take an oxer along the outside and race to the final vertical to break the beam.

Continue reading Blythe Marano and Urban Lead $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix Victory Gallop at Kentucky Summer Classic

Shawn Casady Wins with Bolero, Gaining on Louise Serio in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby

Shawn Casady & Bolero won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington KY – August 4, 2012 – The Stonelea Arena was bustling today as it saw six divisions stretching the length of the day. Lined with sponsor bulletins, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby turned out a crowd as well as promised top riders and steep competition. Out of 29 riders, Shawn Casady once again emerged as victor, this time upon Bolero, scoring 178.50. Louise Serio returned riding Corvine, beating her last week’s points and scoring 178, coming in a half point behind Casady, earning the duo a second place standing. Riding to a third place finish, Erica Quinn and Chit Chat came in with a total of 175.

Employing heighten sensory to navigate a well schemed course, riders leaped walls of obstacles, lined in rows creating a sideways Y shape. Brilliantly designed by Danny Moore, the course opened with the Hallway Feeds fences, made up of natural wood and refined vegetation. The variation ranged from brick walls, birch verticals and oxers to grass roll tops, and a fallen tree, hay bale obstacle. The fence arrangement had riders jumping the equidistance to complete the jump line full of lead changes and round turns.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Wins with Bolero, Gaining on Louise Serio in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby

Paige Johnson Continues to Dominate High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Summer Classic

Paige Johnson and Amagedon 3 won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 3, 2012 – Although storm clouds hung sullenly over the Kentucky Horse Park this afternoon, the amateur and junior jumper riders were not deterred as they tackled their respective courses to vie for the top honors in the Rolex Stadium. Paige Johnson topped today’s High Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Amagedon 3. Megan Nusz slid into the second place finish with Vesuvius, and Mallory Vale guided MI Phone to the third place award. In the High Junior Jumpers, Emanuel Andrade claimed the blue ribbon with his quick and clean effort aboard Tiny Tim, while Elizabeth Patz picked up the second place just ahead of Gabrielle Bausano.

The United States’ very own Anthony D’Ambrosio designed today’s tracks in the Rolex Stadium. For the High Jumpers, riders were faced with an opening oxer-oxer line, a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer-vertical double combination, a triple bar and several standalone obstacles. To shave the seconds off their time over the shortened track, riders had to use an open gallop and utilize tight turns. The jump-off opened with the first oxer, and then continued with a right turn over a second large oxer and forward across the ring to the triple bar. They then had to move forward over a skinny vertical and progress through the technical double combination and take another oxer only a few short strides upon landing. Riders then raced to the final obstacle, a standalone vertical, to break the beam.

Continue reading Paige Johnson Continues to Dominate High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Summer Classic

Kaitlin Campbell Takes the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Lead

Kaitlin Campbell holds the current lead in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series (pictured with Rocky W). Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 3, 2012 – It was an exciting Thursday night for Kaitlin Campbell as she rode not one, but two mounts to the top awards in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Her double-clear efforts knocked fellow young rider Reed Kessler from the first place position, taking over as the series leader. Campbell now holds the top spot in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Hagyard Challenge Series offers a $50,000 Leading Rider Award. The rider accumulating the most points throughout the series will be presented with the bonus during the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Kentucky National Horse Show in September 2012.

On Thursday, August 2, 2012, Campbell piloted Rocky W to the first place finish in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, and also picked up the second place award with her other mount Grand Pleasure. The 17-year-old rider jumped to the top of the Leading Rider Standings, holding a prominent lead with a total of 420 points.

Continue reading Kaitlin Campbell Takes the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Lead

Vivian Yowan Takes Sweeping Victory with Parker in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Summer Classic

Vivian Yowan and Parker swept the over fences during the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – The third day of the Kentucky Summer Classic welcomed Junior riders to the Stonelea Arena. The Kentucky Horse Park was alive with hunter action as the best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors during their respective divisions in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters, Small 16-17 Junior Hunters, Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters and Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. It was Vivian Yowan who made a first day impression, sweeping the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters with Parker.

Today, Vivian Yowan did not disappoint in the Small Junior Hunter divisions, shining aboard several top mounts. She rode two mounts to the peak of the standings in the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunters, securing the day’s top scores aboard Charming and Friday Night. Atop Charming, owned by Boggs Hill of Lexington, KY, Yowan rode to the blue ribbon in the first over fences. She also showed Friday Night, owned by KAR LLC of New York, NY, to the second place award just behind Charming, as well as the fourth place award for their efforts in the second round.

Continue reading Vivian Yowan Takes Sweeping Victory with Parker in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Summer Classic

Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory

Shawn Casady continues to hold the second place position behind Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – It was a nail-biter on Sunday evening as Louise Serio and Shawn Casady vied for the top spot in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. It is professional rider Louise Serio who continues to hold the lead after the third part of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby came to a conclusion on Sunday, July 29, 2012 during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The top riders from across the nation gathered on Sunday to compete over the challenging courses and compete for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards. Shawn Casady and Without Question, owned by Palms and Ponies Show Stables of Boca Raton, FL, and leased by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA, led the victory gallop for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby, with Louise Serio and Corvine, owned by Timothy Wicks of Unionville, PA, riding to the second place finish.

Continue reading Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory

Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena Capture Young Jumper Victory at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena rode to the victory in the Seven/Eight-Year-Old Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 1, 2012 – Riders of the top caliber competed this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park to commence the second day of the Kentucky Summer Classic. The Young Jumpers took center stage as the sun sat overhead the Rolex Stadium, competing in the Six-Year-Old and Seven/Eight-Year-Old Jumper classes. Christian Heineking and Aaron Vale captured today’s victories in their respective classes.

Anthony D’Ambrosio designed today’s technical tracks, including a liverpool, a vertical-vertical double combination, an oxer-vertical double combination, and several turns and bending lines. In the Seven/Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper, Aaron Vale completed an excellent first round with Spirit of Alena owned by Campos and Miranda Investments of Ocala, FL, to advance to the immediate jump-off. They left all rails in their cups as they broke the beam in a timely 33.643 seconds to claim the first place prize.

Continue reading Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena Capture Young Jumper Victory at Kentucky Summer Horse Show