Lexington, KY – May 12, 2011 – It was another beautiful day at the Stonelea Ring for horses and riders showing during the first week of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park. On this summer-like day, competitors showcased their talents, leading up to the championship and reserve championship prize in the professional hunter divisions, presented later in the day.
In the High Performance Hunters, Louise Serio and Do Tell brought home the championship with two firsts and two second place finishes. Brian Walker and Garfield garnered the reserve championship with a blue, a red and two yellows. Serio rides Do Tell for owner/rider Bridget Hallman, who will compete in the Amateur-Owner Hunters starting tomorrow.
Hallman raved, “He’s a big sweetheart. He really wants to try his best every time.” Serio added, “Do Tell was really good, he hasn’t shown since Florida. He hasn’t done the working that many times anyway, so I was really happy with him. He’s such a nice horse to ride; he’s so light in his mouth, really, really nice.”
Serio continued, “Do Tell just needs a subtle ride. He’s not sensitive, but you have to think a little and all your pressures have to be very light.”
The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are always a stop for the Kennett Square native, who enjoys the unique atmosphere the Kentucky Horse Park provides. “I love that it’s a horse park and horse facility,” she commented. There is room for everybody and to do everything you need to do. It’s just really nice to have this much space, the footing is awesome; they do a really nice job here.”
For Sarah Young and Select, it was another great day in the Second Year Green Working Hunters, with two blue ribbons and red ribbon complementing their first and fifth place finishes yesterday. The duo achieved the championship to top off the two days of competition. Hey Sailor and Havens Schatt took home the reserve championship.
Young stated, “I thought my horse was dead on today. He came out yesterday and he was good, but he came out today and when he walked out of the stall he was really good.”
In the First Year Green Working Hunters, it was Morgan Thomas and Capstone taking home the championship prize, with Rock On and Louise Serio acquiring the reserve championship award. Thomas was pleased that his horse was able to meet the more challenging handy round today against some stiffer competition at a major horse show.
“The courses were tough today, the handy was kind of direct and brave, and he was willing to step up to a big stride, willing to jump up on an angle, I was very pleased,” smiled Thomas.
In the Regular Conformation Hunters, Tammy Provost continued her domination of the division aboard Momentus. The pair earned three firsts, a second and a third. Déjà vu and Cookie Beck garnered two firsts and three seconds, earning them the reserve championship.
In the Green Conformation Hunters, Scott Stewart and Touchdown were awarded the championship with three firsts and a third. Sarah Young brought home her second championship of the horse show with a reserve aboard Bel Canto. After his winning rounds, Stewart joked, “My horse was better than I was in the first class. We were both pretty good in the second class. That was one of his best rounds.”
At the end of the second day, riders and horses seemed to be well settled in at the Kentucky Horse Park, which Morgan Thomas called his “home away from home.” Riders enjoy the nicely laid-out rings with beautiful jumps and amazing footing.
Riders will continue showing in Amateur-Owner Hunter classes starting tomorrow in the Stonelea Ring, followed by the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday, May 14, in the Rolex Stadium.
For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
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