Category Archives: Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Pony, USEF

Maddie Tosh Jumps to Small Regular Pony Hunter Championship at USEF Pony Finals

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Photo: Maddie Tosh and Bit of Love.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 9, 2018 – The 2018 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, returned to the Kentucky Horse Park for the third day of competition , with Maddie Tosh and Bit Of Love proving to be the day’s big winners as the over fences and overall champions in the Small Regular Pony Hunters. The winning 12-year-old and Bit Of Love bested a lofty field of 101 entries to assert themselves as the 2018 titleholders. The remaining larger green pony divisions all had their time to shine Thursday, as well, with Samantha Takacs aboard Galianna and Josephine Rose with the ride on Cacique claiming the early leads in their respective divisions, the Medium Green and Large Green Pony Hunters.

Returning in sixth position for the Small Regular Pony Hunters, Tosh was not faced with the pressure of riding as the last to go with Dr. Betsee Parker’s seasoned pony, Bit Of Love, but was challenged to lay down a near-perfect showing in order to eclipse Finley Morgan and the five pairs sitting ahead of her after the model and hack phases. Tackling the expansive track with finesse, the young rider and Bit Of Love pulled in scores of 88, 90 and 92 for a composite score of 270 over fences, overtaking the early leaders Morgan and her own Howie Do It, who impressively jumped from 50th position to the initial lead after a textbook trip. Forced to watch five of her peers chase her down, Tosh was ultimately rewarded as each pair failed to accrue enough points to oust her from her spot atop the leaderboard. Though Helen Ryan and Smitten gave them a run for the title with individual scores of 87, 87.5 and 88, their effort would have to settle for second position in both the over fences and overall.

In addition to their class and division tricolors, Tosh and Bit Of Love also earned the High-Scoring Welsh Award for Small Regular Ponies as the top finisher for the breed. Tosh is trained by her father, acclaimed rider and trainer Hunt Tosh, out of Alpharetta, Georgia, and has been riding “Chester” for two years. This is her second appearance at Pony Finals, but the first win for Tosh, who also competes on the horses in the equitation and Children’s Hunter.

Combined with Wednesday’s score from the model and under saddle portions of divisional competition, Tosh and Bit Of Love concluded the Small Regular Pony Hunters with total marks of 1,050.54, a handful of points ahead of the reserve champions, Ryan and Town Line Equestrian, LLC’s Smitten. Not far behind, the day one leaders Carolyn Colter and So Enchanted, owned by Jessica Zandri, claimed third position, trailed by Lauren Gee and Ava Berman’s Farmore Charismatic in fourth place. Morgan and Howie Do It made the largest jump of the afternoon to round out the top five finishers.

Boasting two strong showings in the Medium Green Pony Hunters a few hours prior, four-time Pony Finals veteran Takacs modeled and rode Kim Wolf’s Galianna to the highest total marks of the day to emerge as the early pair to beat. The pony-and-rider combination commenced their morning with a third place finish out of 72 exhibitors in the model, and then secured the divisional lead with an eye-catching performance in the hack, riding to the blue ribbon more than 10 points ahead of the next-closest finisher.

Rose and Joey Rose, LLC’s Cacique concluded the initial phases of Large Green Pony Hunter competition as the frontrunners with a narrow 4-point lead headed into the over fences class. Now at her fifth Pony Finals, Rose showed off Cacique’s conformation expertly, warranting a fourth place ribbon and score of 255.59 from the judges’ panel. The pair soon improved upon their showing in the hack, displaying the walk, trot and canter to the reserve spot and a lofty score of 270.16, less than one point behind the class winner, Caroline Passarelli in the irons aboard So Dapper, owned by Jessica Zandri.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Pony, USEF

Kat Fuqua and Skylar Wireman Crowned First Two 2018 USEF Pony Finals Champions

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Photo: Kat Fuqua and Brighton.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 8, 2018 – Bowties and braids returned to the Walnut Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park for the second day of the 2018 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, on Wednesday, with the day one leaders aiming to retain their top positions in the Large Regular and Small Green Pony Hunter divisions. In the end, Kat Fuqua and Brighton led from start to finish and were successful at fending off the large field of competition to emerge victorious in the Large Regular Pony Hunters, while Skylar Wireman, with the reins on Neon Moon, leapfrogged 20 places to the top of the leaderboard in the Small Green Pony Hunter division.

As the last to ride of more than 140 entries in the Large Regular Pony Hunters, 11-year-old Fuqua and her own Brighton overcame the pressure to lay down the highest scoring single trip of the day, easily sweeping all three phases of the division and claiming the championship tricolors. Displaying their prowess by maintaining an even rhythm around the lofty track, the winning duo raked in scores of 85.5, 87.5 and 88 from the judges’ panel to brandish top marks of 261 in the over fences class. Combined with Tuesday’s score, Fuqua and Brighton’s final tally was 1063.65, more than 30 points ahead of the reserve champion and a strong score to keep them in contention for the Grand Regular Pony Hunter title to be crowned Saturday following the conclusion of all the divisions.

The 2018 event is Fuqua’s fifth Pony Finals appearance, but her first championship win, fittingly on her mother’s birthday. Both of Fuqua’s parents are grand prix dressage riders, but their daughter has shown an aptitude for jumping and shows no signs of slowing down, recently earning a top placing at the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East. The young rider from Atlanta, Georgia will return later in the week to contest more pony divisions against her peers.

One of only five pony-and-rider combinations to break the 1,000-point benchmark, Chandler Wilks navigated Ashley Vail Aycox’s Valentino to the reserve championship with a cumulative score of 1029.86, followed by Propp and Aquitaine Equine’s News Day, who jumped from ninth at the beginning of the day to nab the final podium spot with marks of 1027.76. Clair Campbell and Eastside, owned by Maher Family, LLC, claimed fourth place, while Emma Rupinski and Lily Rupinski’s Stonewall Top Call pulled off one of the largest improvements of the day to finish in fifth position after jumping from the 30th spot.

Capping off the afternoon, the Small Green Pony Hunters took the spotlight and, with a smaller field of 40 contenders, movement among the top of the ranks was not out of the question. Riding 19th in the order of go as the 21st-ranked pair after day one, 13-year-old Wireman and Balmoral’s Neon Moon were not pegged as one of the frontrunners, but quickly attracted attention with their talented trip that earned them scores of 86, 87 and 90 from the watchful eyes of the judges. Forced to wait with nearly half of the class still to ride, Wireman looked on as her fellow riders took their shot at usurping her place atop the scorecard, but none were able to overtake her over fences marks of 263 or her cumulative 998.50 division points.

Alexa Lignelli and Agatha Lignelli’s Just Right rode to the second place ribbon both over fences and overall with 254 and 994.60 points, respectively, while Alexandra Miller aboard Pineapple, owned by Emily Elek-Burtard, likewise clinched third position over fences and in the final division rankings. Owner-rider Vanessa Mazzoli and Partly Cloudy earned the fourth spot, and Propp and Aquitaine Equine’s With Love, the day one leaders, rounded out the top five finishers.

Earlier in the day, Carolyn Colter and Jessica Zandri’s So Enchanted maneuvered their way to the early lead in the Small Regular Pony Hunters thanks to ribbon-worthy performances in both the model and under saddle phases.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Pony, USEF

Kat Fuqua and Clara Propp Ride to Early Lead at 2018 USEF Pony Finals

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Photo: Kat Fuqua and Brighton.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 7, 2018 – Tuesday morning marked the highly-anticipated commencement of the 2018 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, at the Kentucky Horse Park, with nearly 200 ponies and their junior riders taking center stage in the first two divisions of the week. The most celebrated event of its kind for pony riders in the United States, the USEF Pony Finals is a three-phase competition judging the pony’s conformation, way of moving and jumping ability. After the first two rounds of competition for the Large Regular Pony Hunters, Kat Fuqua and Brighton emerged as the early leaders by impressively earning blue ribbons in both the model and hack ahead of 146 fellow contenders. Besting the field in the Small Green Pony Hunters, Clara Propp and With Love will ride last over fences as the initial frontrunners in their division.

Though Fuqua and her own Brighton have only been paired together for one short month, their short relationship did not detract from their performance in the Walnut Ring as the pair consistently impressed the judges’ panel in the Large Regular Pony Hunters. Under the tutelage of trainer Michael Newman of Aubrey Hill Equestrian in Pace, Florida, the 11-year-old rider and chestnut pony collected scores of 260.23 in the model and 281.42 in the hack to solidify their place atop the leaderboard headed into the final portion of competition. No stranger to the winner’s circle, Brighton carried Claire Campbell to a similar lead in the division after day one of the 2017 USEF Pony Finals with a cumulative score of 512.62, and this year the pony improved on his performance to stand an even better chance of sweeping the division with total marks of 541.65 headed into day two.

Chasing Fuqua and Brighton’s commanding early lead, Chandler Wilks and Ashley Vail Aycox’s Valentino currently sit in the reserve spot with 534.56 points, while Caroline Passarelli piloted another Fuqua-owned mount, Chic in Time, to third position overall. Sitting in fourth is Brynn Kuhnell and D’Artagnan, owned by Simply Ponies, LLC, trailed by Ava Aguilar and Sienna Gustafson’s Imagine That rounding out the top five slots.

In the Small Green Pony Hunters, Clara Propp began her day on a high note, winning the model with Aquitaine Equine’s With Love to the tune of 265.98 points from the judges. In the flat portion of the division, fellow bow-clad rider Omi Enkin and her own Happiness nabbed the first prize with a score of 258.00, but Propp and With Love’s third place marks of 254.50 were enough to propel the 11-year-old from Canada and her grey pony to the top of the overall scorecard. Boasting a composite score of 520.48, Propp and With Love currently sit 10 points ahead of the next-closest competitors, Enkin and Happiness with 510.20 points, headed into the over fences final phase.

Currently sitting in third place, Helen Ryan and Town Line Equestrian, LLC’s Charming will attempt to usurp the leaders, with owner-rider Jordan Gibbs and Show Off hot on their tails less than one point behind. Vanessa Mazzoli and her own Partly Cloudy clinched fifth place to close out the top contenders after day one.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Daniel Kerins and Elwood 13 Capture WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic

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Photo: Daniel Kerins and Elwood 13.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 5, 2018 – Daniel Kerins was on a mission to win when he entered the ring aboard Elwood 13 on Sunday morning to compete in the WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic. The pair completed the first round course with no faults, and Kerins visibly became more focused, knowing that he would need a fast jump-off to take his place atop the leaderboard. Kerins piloted the grey gelding through several tight turns and stopped the clock in 30.122 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable and allowed the young man to take home the blue ribbon as well as co-ownership of the entire division. Throughout the week, Kerins and Elwood 13 and Layla Kurbanov on Wamira both consistently accrued top results to share the division championship.

Although Kerins is only 12 years old, he is no stranger to success in the jumper arena. On Elwood 13, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brian Courance, the young athlete has earned several important wins including the $1,000 Ocala Welcome Children’s Classic in February of this year, the 1.10m jumpers during the fourth week of the Tryon Summer Series, and the Junior Classic last week during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.

Kerins comes by his talents in the show ring naturally. Born into a family of equestrians, Kerins father Darragh is a prominent Irish grand prix rider who relocated to the United States and is now based in Wellington, Florida. He has represented Ireland in two European Championships and the 2009 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Nevada, as well as in many Nations Cup competitions. Sarah Kerins, Daniel’s mother, is also a very competitive adult rider who earlier in the week won the Low Amateur Jumpers in the Rolex Stadium.

Emily Aitken and Zabelle S were the runners-up in Sunday’s WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic with a competitive jump-off time of 30.170 seconds. Aubade Va and Sarah Steadman rounded out the top three spots with a double clear effort and speedy jump-off time of 30.233 seconds.

In the WISH/NAL Adult Jumper Classic, it was Caroline Donnally and her own Reve Du Razzy who took home the blue ribbon with a double clear effort and a short course time of 30.233 seconds. Donnally has been partnered with the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding for two years and was thrilled with his performance, as it marks his return to competition after an injury and illness. Vicki Lowell rode Phineas to the second place honors with a double clear effort and jump-off time of 30.733 seconds, followed by Megan Davis and Dean in third position, clocking a time of 31.551 seconds after their double clear ride.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Sydney Shulman Saves Best for Last in $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix

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Photo: Sydney Shulman on Villamoura.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 4, 2018 – Sydney Shulman was one of nine horse-and-athlete combinations to re-enter the Rolex Stadium on Saturday night under the lights for the jump-off of the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by GGT Footings. Jump-off rider extraordinaire Aaron Vale had set a blistering pace in 37.390 seconds, and although Alex Granato and David Oberkircher had beaten his time, they could not complete the short course fault-free. Enter Shulman on Villamoura as the last combination to challenge Vale. She not only beat his time but beat it by over one second to stop the clock in 36.190 seconds, simultaneously winning the week’s feature class and taking home Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC.

Saturday’s class was the culmination of a week of exciting open jumper competition during the Kentucky Summer Classic. The 13-obstacle track, designed by Brazilian Anderson Lima, saw nine riders return for the jump-off after an original field of 32 starters competed. Jimmy Torano, who was second in the order-of-go on Ilan Feder’s Glasgow de Muze, set the standard with an early fault-free round hoping for a repeat of his win on Saturday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Granto and Scott Keach, who both showed multiple horses, produced two clear rounds each and were followed by equally competitive Vale on Major. Callie Schott and Shulman qualified with one horse each and knew they would have to bring their A game to beat the boys.

Shulman and Villamoura have been partners for almost a year and have racked up multiple important national and FEI top placings. The young professional from Greenwich, Connecticut, recently finished second in the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in June as well as finishing with runner-up honors in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2* during the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. The pair was also fourth in the Kentucky Summer Horse Show’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix during Hats Off Day. Although the 9-year-old Selle Français mare is small in stature, Shulman has seemingly had no issue channeling her energy to help her keep up with larger horses. The pair stuck to their plan and bested Vale with neat turns and forward lines.

Due to her strong performance during this week’s Kentucky Summer Classic, Shulman was also awarded the Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC, which recognizes the open jumper rider with the most points at the conclusion of the week’s competition.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Sarah Kerins and Entertainer V Top Low A-O/Junior Jumpers at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Photo: Sarah Kerins and Entertainer V.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 3, 2018 – Sarah Kerins and Entertainer V were unstoppable in the Low Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper division Friday afternoon during the Kentucky Summer Classic. The pair completed the power and speed course with no faults and in a blistering time of 27.220 seconds, which clocked in at a half of a second fast than runner-up Alexandra Davidson on Elle. The incredibly competitive class featured 40 horse-and-rider combinations over a course designed by Anderson Lima of Brazil.

Friday’s class was formatted as a single round power and speed course, where faults would be converted into additional time against the clock at the end of the trip. Listed in the middle of the order of go, Kerins and Entertainer V easily sped past the original fastest combination and maintained the lead with ease. Davidson and her own Elle claimed the reserve place with a time of 27.594 seconds, trailed by owner-rider Shanna Beyer aboard Invictus with a time of 28.163 seconds to round out the top three.

Kerins took over the ride on Entertainer V from her husband, Irish grand prix rider Darragh Kerins, after the conclusion of the winter show season in Wellington, Florida. In their short time together, the pair has already racked up multiple top placings in the Amateur-Owner Low Jumpers at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, as well as at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Lorcan Gallagher Dominates $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

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Photo: Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso II.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 2, 2018 – The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic proved to be a challenge for almost everyone except Ireland’s Lorcan Gallagher, who produced two of the only four clear rounds out of a starting field of 53 horse-and-athlete combinations on Thursday evening. Gallagher, who was ninth in the original order-of-go, produced the first clear round of the night on Hunters Conlypso II. There was not another clear round until he returned to the ring on Charlie. Facing off against veterans Todd Minikus and Alison Robitaille, Lorcan produced the fastest double-clear round on Hunters Conlypso II, stopping the clock in 42.139 seconds. Robitaille and Ace were hot on his heels with a double-clear ride that finished in 42.465 seconds. Gallagher was third on his second mount, while Minikus placed fourth with two unlucky rails over the short course.

Gallagher took over the ride on Hunters Conlypso II one year ago and their mutual trust in one another proved to be what made the difference in Thursday’s class. Owned by the Dacantos Group of Wellington, Florida, the 10-year-old Hanoverian stallion masterfully maneuvered through all of the challenges that were presented by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima. Gallagher drew heavily on some of their past grand prix performances to produce the early clear in the first round, which held fast until Gallagher returned on Charlie. The crowd in the stands of the Rolex Stadium cheered as Gallagher and Charlie crossed the timers fault-free next in an unlikely but exciting turn of events.

Show Jumping veteran, Minikus, used the second of his two rides, Excel, owned by Autumn View Farm, to help ensure the crowd a jump-off. Another American favorite, Robitaille, piloted her own Ace to make it not only an incredibly competitive jump-off but also a battle of men versus women.

Gallagher returned to the jump-off with an intent to secure the lead with a competitive pace, which he did in spades. Although horses and riders are supposed to return to the ring for the jump-off in the order in which they competed in the first round, Gallagher was lucky that Robitaille stepped up to go second in the jump-off, allowing the Irishman time to prepare Charlie after his lightning fast round on Hunters Conlypso II. Although Ace gave it his all, the pair finished in a close second place. Charlie, who Gallagher has only recently started riding, secured third place and Minikus, who is always up for a good jump-off, had two unlucky rails to finish in fourth place.

Thursday’s first and third place finishes will comfortably seat Gallagher atop the leaderboard in the Hagyard Challenge Series with 550 points, ahead of fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny who has 470 points. The series consists of seven grand prix classes, where, following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the athlete who accumulates the most points throughout the summer competition. With series leading riders spread out across the country, the race for the bonus is still incredibly close.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hayley Waters and Uppie De Lis Take Early Lead to Win $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers

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Photo: Hayley Waters and Uppie De Lis.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 1, 2018 – A little rain on Wednesday morning couldn’t stop Hayley Waters from taking the win in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers during the second day of the Kentucky Summer Classic. The pair completed two faultless rounds, finishing the jump-off in a time of 40.288 seconds. F. Peter Jordan put in a solid double-clear effort with one of the three mounts he competed in the class, Igor Van De Grauwe Berg, and finished the jump-off one second slower than Waters in a time of 41.217 seconds. Rounding out the top three places was Martien Van Der Hoeven and Bente, who had 4 faults over the short course in a time of 41.813 seconds.

The 1.40m Open Jumper class hosted 23 horse-and-athlete combinations over a 13- effort course built by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima. Lima has had success designing courses all over the world, including at the Winter Equestrian Festival, where he designed the $205,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI4*.

Waters, who calls her family farm in Sparr, Florida home, brought eight horses to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Summer horse show series. The 21-year-old equestrian has undoubtedly proven herself as “one to watch” on the list of up-and-coming young American athletes. She is well known for winning her first grand prix at the age of 16 and hasn’t looked back since.

Waters’ parents, Dana and Chuck, acquired Uppie De Lis from Andy Kocher in the early months of 2017. Kocher piloted the 17-year-old Warmblood gelding to top placings in FEI-level classes at many important events including the Washington International Horse Show and the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Waters has also produced strong results with “Uppie” at the prestigious Devon Horse Show and Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Aaron Vale Continues to Dominate 1.40m Jumpers with Acolina R at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Photo: Aaron Vale and Acolina R.

Lexington, Ky. – July 31, 2018 – Aaron Vale was the first rider in the $5,000 Open 1.40m Jumpers during the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Classic and, after putting in a clear round on Sarah Turner’s Acolina R, he wasted no time in completing a very fast jump-off that proved to be unbeatable throughout the remainder of the class. Alex Granato and Beorn achieved another double clear effort that put them in second place, while Christoph Schroeder finished third on Diamant De Revel.

This was the second time in as many weeks that Vale piloted Acolina R to a top placing in the Rolex Stadium. Last week, the pair finished second in the $5,000 Open 1.40m Jumpers Wednesday, ahead of the mare’s strong performances with owner Turner in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions. Acquired by Turner four years ago for Vale to show in the grand prix, Acolina R has proven herself to be an incredibly valuable partner for both Vale and Turner.

The class saw several riders that had multiple mounts, including Vale, who also rode Darling GR and Da Vinci. The competitor was able to draw on his past performances with the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare to make a crucial inside turn that no other competitor attempted during the jump off, which ended up giving him the edge over Granato, who also rode three horses in the class.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Alyssa Mansfield and Candor Can’t Be Caught in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

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Photo: Alyssa Mansfield and Candor.

Lexington, Ky. – July 29, 2018 – The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show concluded competition with hunter horses highlighted in the Stonelea Ring for the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows. Twenty-five horse-and-athlete combinations contested Jasen Shelley’s classic round over ten obstacles with four high options, with Alyssa Mansfield posting an unbeatable total score of 178 across two rounds to claim the victory with Ashland Farms’ Candor.

Rachel Kennedy earned the second place ribbon aboard Lissa Bachner’s Meridian, just one point shy of the win with a 177-point total, while Rachel McMullen and Centerfold K, owned by Henge Hill Investments, rode to third place with a score of 175.5.

Twelve riders were called back to challenge the handy round in reverse order of score over nine fences with four high options, finishing with a trot fence. Returning with an 84, Kennedy laid down an impressive second round to capture the highest handy round score of 93. She remained on the top of the leaderboard through the following four riders until Mansfield and the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding returned second to last in the order. Taking all high options to earn a handy score of 90, Mansfield’s combined score caught her the win.

Fresh off of a win in the $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, Junior and Amateur Section at Country Heir II in June, Mansfield and Candor have already made a great team within their few short months of partnership. In addition to their derby success, the pair competes in the adult amateur division and recently captured the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunter Championship at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com