Lexington KY – July 28, 2012 – The Rolex Stadium was alive with excitement as 34 entrants competed in the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. It turned into a nail-biter as five competitors progressed into the jump-off with a clear first round effort. Trailblazer Pablo Barrios aboard Zara Leandra was the first to post a double-clear effort tonight, and it seemed as though no one would be able to best the talented team. It wasn’t until Aaron Vale and Tibor took their turn at the short course that the anticipation became contagious, with the crowd holding their breath as they watched his tight turns and speedy delivery. His time of 41.889 seconds took the duo to the top of tonight’s leader board and the winning title.

Brazil’s Marina Azevedo designed tonight’s course, using obstacles such as a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination, standalone verticals, bending lines, an oxer-vertical double combination, a triple bar, rollbacks and tight turns. The jump-off allowed 52 seconds for horse and rider to trip the timer, utilizing tight turns and long distances to direct them to the finish. Starting over the first vertical and making a left rollback to a grey oxer, riders moved forward over a single vertical toward the oxer-vertical combination. Upon landing they were required to make a tight right turn to a vertical, and then move toward the timers over the oxer-vertical line with the seconds accumulating and their speed progressing with every stride.

Continue reading Aaron Vale and Tibor Take $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix Victory →