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Colvin, Torano and Boyd Rise to Top of Round 1 at USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals

Tori Colvin and Inclusive put in an outstanding round to win Round 1.

Lexington, KY – August 15, 2014 – After an injury months ago that sidelined the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding Inclusive, rider Tori Colvin has the successful mount back in winning shape. She showed him off today during the Classic Round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby, gaining a score of 95 from one judge panel, and two other scores in the 90s, as the two-day competition got underway at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Jimmy Torano, on his seventh mount of the day, produced results with Mindful procuring second place. Last year’s winner, Brunello, claimed third place with rider Liza Boyd just recently returned to riding after maternity leave.

Despite an injury earlier in the season, Colvin said she was not worried about how Inclusive, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, would perform today. “We showed him at Devon and at Junior Hunter Finals, but we wanted to keep him ready for this, and we thought he’d be perfect to go right into Derby Finals,” she explained.

Colvin thought the course was open and beautiful and not too spooky for a first round. Her favorite jump, a high-option oxer with wagon wheels, proved challenging to many other pairs, but Colvin knew Inclusive would love it because the jump was somewhat ramped, a specialty of Inclusive.

Tomorrow’s Handy Round will feature increased difficulty and new challenges but Colvin isn’t feeling the pressure.

“I’m feeling amazing going into tomorrow. I’ve never had a really good round going into the handy, so it’s very different being on top going into tomorrow,” said Colvin. “I’m just going to go in and see how he feels and how it all plays out.”

Jimmy Torano made his last ride count on Mindful
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Jimmy Torano made his last ride count on Mindful

Jimmy Torano, who grabbed second place on Mindful, a Hanoverian gelding owned by Glefke & Kensel, took over all seven of Kelly Farmer’s mounts when she broke her collarbone several weeks ago.

“I’ve never ridden any of these horses; I barely know them. I watched some videos of them last week just to see how they go. Larry called me last week and asked me to do this and I thought he was out of his mind,” said Torano jokingly.

Torano’s other mounts had some bad luck, but everything came together on his last ride of the round and the third to last entry in the class.

“They say to save the best for last and going in I thought that Mindful was the horse that could do it and I thought he was my best mount of the day,” said Torano. “I think there was a lot of pressure riding on me, but because it was Mindful I was very relaxed. That horse could jump the course by itself; he’s that easy to ride. I’ve ridden thousands of horses but he’s the most straightforward, direct and easy horse I’ve ever sat on.”

With a solid mount taking him to the Handy Round, Torano is looking forward to what he thinks will be a more challenging ride tomorrow.

“Today the course wasn’t too imposing and nothing was crazy high, but I’m sure for tomorrow the screws will be turned. I think tomorrow will be more of a rider’s course and we’ll just have to try to ride to the top,” said Torano.

As last year’s Derby Finals winner Brunello, the 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding, went into the ring, anticipation was high. Not only was the mount carrying hopes for a repeat winner, but his rider and partial owner Liza Boyd was only just returning to riding after being on maternity leave. Despite the challenges, Boyd and Brunello displayed their athleticism and claimed third place, positioning themselves well for the rest of the Final.

Boyd and Brunello are in a good position to defend their title
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Boyd and Brunello are in a good position to defend their title

Despite his age (“He has his driver’s license now,” quipped Boyd), Brunello is feeling great, she said.

“He had a nine-month maternity leave as well,” said Boyd. “But he actually feels fitter than ever, even better than last year.”

In order to keep up with Brunello, Boyd was incredibly eager to get back to riding after giving birth and even snuck in a few rides.

“I have tortured myself to get back into shape; I’m not kidding,” she said. “Two weeks after the baby I wasn’t really supposed to be riding, but I did sneak in a little ride while everyone was away at a show. I was cantering around and doing a couple jumps and my mom drove by and yelled at me. My daughter caught me putting on a riding pants one day and called my husband.”

Boyd said the hard work was all worth it because she really wanted to be fit for Brunello. “Who knows how many more years he has; he doesn’t owe me anything, but he feels great,” said Boyd.

Tomorrow the hunters will return to the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Handy Round and the USHJA International Hunter Derby Final during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, including this week’s Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, 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

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