Lexington, KY – August 2, 2011 – Sunny skies and warm temperatures returned to the Kentucky Horse Park for Sunday evening’s $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. The nation’s top horse and rider combinations gathered at the Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to compete for the winning title. At the end of the night, it was Germany’s Christian Heineking and River of Dreams who led the victory gallop after an excellent double clear effort. Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride followed with the second place honors, while Rebecca Conway and Twister took home the third place award with the only other two fault-free jump-off rounds.

Karen Cudmore was the first to attempt Wednesday’s short course aboard Southern Pride, owned by Blair Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and they set the bar high. The duo clocked in at 40.203 seconds with all the rails in place, which would eventually earn the second place award.

Lauren Tisbo and Coco135, owned by Tequestrian Farms of Wellington, FL, raced to catch Cudmore’s time, and they were able to do so, but their speed proved costly when they lowered the height of the last vertical. Their four-fault effort in a time of 40.109 seconds would be good enough for the fourth place honors. Rebecca Conway was next in the ring and she claimed the third place award aboard Twister, owned by Blue Hill Farm of Salt Lake City, UT. The duo chose to keep a conservative pace and leave all the fences intact, breaking the beam at 47.733 seconds.

The final rider on course proved to be the best of day. Christian Heineking knew that he would have to be fast and accurate with River of Dreams, owned by Kai Handt of Wylie, TX, and the talented gelding executed the plan beautifully. They kept a fast gallop to every obstacle without even the slightest of rubs. The pair dashed through the timers in 39.530 seconds to jump to the top of the leaderboard and lead the evening’s victory gallop.

“During the jump-off my plan was to go clean,” explained Heineking. “After the combination I was able to get a nice gallop to the oxer, and I made a sharp turn to the wall. River of Dreams just needs a nice ride. He has his own blood and he really wants to do it. I showed him on Thursday and in a small class yesterday, because he had a little break and wasn’t loose yet. This was his first show in a few weeks.”

Sunday marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, but the exciting hunter/jumper action will continue at the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday with the Kentucky Summer Classic. The week’s highlight events include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $40,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The 2011 USEF Pony Finals will get underway August 9-14, followed by the Bluegrass Festival Classic and the KHJA Horse Show.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Jumper Highlights: Wednesday-Saturday

It was beautiful and sunny for the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park. Wednesday, riders gathered at the Walnut Ring to compete for top prizes in the Open Jumper classes. Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z were the big winners, claiming the victory in the 1.40m Open Jumper class with the fastest clear effort. In the 1.35m Open Jumper class it was Kaely Tomeu and Bella Blue S that took home the blue ribbon, after they completed a quick and clean jump-off round.

During the 1.40 Open Jumpers, only two riders were able to master the speed track without fault. Bond and Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA, were the first to do so, leaving each rail intact and opting for all the inside options to trip the timers at 62.226 seconds. The last horse and rider combination, Derek Petterson of Archer, FL, and Via Dolorosa, were also able to jump clean, but they crossed the finish line four seconds slower in 66.178 seconds to place second. The fastest of Wednesday’s four-fault efforts was Samuel Parot and Clinton’s Dream, owned by Artisan Farms of Mequin, WI, who broke the beam at 66.178 after lowering the height of a fence in the double combination.

Next in the Walnut Ring was the 1.35m Open Jumper class. Young rider Kaley Tomeu showed the away with Belle Bleu S, owned by Spy Coast Farm of East Setauket, NY. The competitive duo completed the first round without fault and advanced to the jump-off, where they once again left all the rails in place. They stopped the timers at 42.799 seconds, which would eventually earn the winning prize. Jill Knowles of Lake Forest, IL, and Condesa Z were also able to advance to the jump-off and leave the fences intact, but their time of 45.245 would prove too conservative with two time faults for the second place prize. Liam Dumont-Walker of Oakville, Ontario, and Lilius had the fastest four-fault round for the third place honors during the day’s class.

Tomeu began riding the talented mare at the beginning of the year and they have quickly made their way up through the ranks. The duo competed in their first grand prix class last week in Cleveland, Ohio, and is excited to show in their second grand prix event Thursday.

It was a late night at the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered at the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. McLain Ward proved to be the best of the best, dominating the jump-off with the only two double clear efforts aboard Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve and Vocas to place first and second, respectively. Ashlee Bond and Shane Sweetnam also tackled the short course, but with four faults each they placed third and fourth, respectively.

Thursday’s class was the third of seven grand prix events that make up the Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by Hagyard Medical Institute and presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Following the final event in the series, a cash prize of $45,000 is awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series for the Leading Rider Bonus.

McLain Ward managed to advance to the jump-off with two mounts, and tackled the shortened course first aboard Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve, owned by Louisburg Farm of Boston, MA. The duo left nothing to chance, picking up a fast gallop and never holding back. They jumped easily over each obstacle and raced across the finish line in 32.69 seconds, going straight to the top of the leaderboard and eventually leading the victory gallop.

Shane Sweetnam was next in the ring with Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve, owned by Sweet Oak Farm of Wellington, FL. They had a slightly more conservative speed and caught the back rail at the first oxer in the double combination, incurring four faults in a time of 36.14 seconds for the fourth place award. Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA, had trouble at the same fence, but with a quicker time of 33.29 seconds they scored the third place honors.

Ward entered the ring last riding Louisburg Farm’s Vocas, and with the win well in hand the duo kept a more conservative canter and focused on leaving all the rails intact. They were able to successfully accomplish their goal, breaking the beam at 42.514 seconds and taking home the second place prize.

It was another scorcher at the Kentucky Horse Park for the third day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Friday, riders had the opportunity to compete at the Walnut Ring during the High and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes. Taking home the top prize in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class was Christina Kelly aboard Camirage after posting a very quick jump-off. Michael Murphy mimicked her effort during the Low Junior Jumper class with Ultrafox to score the blue ribbon.

Nineteen horse and rider combination attempted the first round in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, but only three were able to do so without fault and advance to the short course. Clementine Goutal was the first to do so with Wouter, owned by Cloverleaf Farm of New York, NY, and the pair posted a great effort, opting for all the inside turns while leaving all the fences intact and crossing the finish line in 33.534 seconds, which would be good enough for second place. Hallie Miller and Utopia H 2, owned by Erin Hickey of Cincinnati, OH, took home the third place honors after taking off the back rail of the last oxer for four faults in a time of 37.313 seconds.

The last in the class proved to be the best of the day. Christina Kelly and Diamond Edge Farm’s Camirage easily made their way through the first round track to qualify for the jump-off. They picked up a very quick pace, and although they opted not to take the inside option after the first fence, they were well ahead of Goutal’s time. The duo left every rail in place and blazed across the finish line in 31.749 seconds to score the winning prize for the day.

During the Low Junior Jumpers it was all about speed, as 15 horses advanced to the jump-off and nine completed double clear rounds. Michael Murphy had the day’s best round aboard Ultra Fox, owned by Hampton Farms of Wellington, FL. The duo completed and incredible fast round, leaving a stride out at the last vertical and breaking the beam at 28.689 seconds. Christina Kelly followed in second place with Corona after posting a fault-free round in 30.409 seconds. The third place award went to Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, for her ride aboard Chellando Z. The pair did not touch a fence stopped the clock at 31.033 seconds.

The final class of the day was the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers were once again, 15 horses showed over the short course and nine were clear. The fastest of the double clean efforts was Kenzie Donovan of River Hills, WI, with Volarnah, stopping the clock at 28.370 seconds. Courtney Frederick was right behind Donovan aboard Soulstice, owned by Equestrian Investments of Tulsa, OK, crossing the finish line in 29.795 seconds for the red ribbon. The third place honors went to Saree Kayne of Santa Monica, CA, and Saphir, who broke the beam at 32.077 seconds.

During Saturday’s Seven/Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier, Kim Prince had an excellent first round aboard King of Hearts, owned by Chloe Reid of Washington, D.C., to advance to the jump-off. The duo left all the rails intact and stopped the clock in a speedy 39.573 seconds to claim the first place prize.

Finishing second in the Seven/Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier was Shane Sweetnam with Everlychin De La Pomme, owned by Spy Coast Farm of East Setauket, NY, who were the first to show over the course and completed the jump-off in a faultless time of 40.829. Jill Knowles, of Lake Forest, IL, placed third with Fanta after they left each rail in its cup and stopped the clock at 41.901 seconds during the jump-off. Juan Ortiz of Wellington, FL, scored the fourth place award with the slowest double clear round, breaking the beam at 42.95 aboard Wauw.

Earlier in the day, the Six-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier was held in the Walnut Ring where Christian Heineking claimed the first place honors aboard NTEC Selena, owned by Kai Handt of Wylie, TX. The duo completed a double clear effort in 38.476 seconds, almost a full second ahead of second place finisher Max Amaya and Cobalt, owned by Remarkable Farm of New York, NY, who stopped the clock at 39.171 seconds. Caitlyn Shiels took home the third place award for her fault-free short course aboard S&L Downtown, owned by True North Stables of Sheffield, MA, in a time of 43.161. Richard Cheska of Waukesha, WI, and Espoir managed to produce the only other double clear round, breaking the beam at 45.327 seconds for the fourth place honors.

The Five-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier victory went to Mark Bluman and Comtessa, owned by Gustavo Cepeda of Miami, FL, after they raced over the short course in a blazing time of 37.871 seconds. Shane Sweetnam placed second and third with Spy Coast Farm’s Bretagne and Baldev after they completed fault-free rounds in 39.666 seconds and 42.288 seconds, respectively. The fourth place honors went to Willie Tynan and Catch A Cloud, owned by Sweet Oak Farm of Wellington, FL, the slowest double clear effort, stopping the clock at 43.672 seconds.

Hunter Highlights: Wednesday-Sunday

It was a beautiful day at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The Stonelea Ring was in pristine condition for the competitors in the First Year Green Hunter and Green Conformation Hunter classes. The top horses and riders gathered to compete at the prestigious event during World Champion Hunter Rider week. Leading the way in the First Year Green Working Hunters was Holly Orlando and Sailor’s Valentine, while Molly Sewell piloted Photo Shoot and Gisele to top awards in the Green Conformation Hunters.

Holly Orlando and Sailor’s Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm, of Unionville, PA, claimed a first place ribbon and a third place ribbon in First Year Green Working Hunters Wednesday.

Chris Payne and Up Front, owned by Chris Brown of Oakland, NJ, also took home a first place ribbon during Wednesday’s First Year Green Working Hunter division. Payne, also found success with his second mount Holden, owned by Susan Moriconi, of St Louis, MO, who placed second and third in the division.

Next to compete in the Stonelea Ring was the Green Conformation Hunter division, where Molly Sewell took home the top awards. She won the first class aboard Photo Shoot, owned by Peake Wood Pharm Inc of Sanford, FL. Sewell then garnered the blue ribbons prize in the second class with Gisele, owned by Porter Allen of Boerne, TX.

There was plenty of sunshine for the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park during their World Champion Hunter Rider event. The professional divisions concluded Thursday in the Stonelea Ring with the Green Working Hunters, Conformation Hunters, and Performance 3’6″-3’9″ Hunters all awarding championship and reserve championship awards. Riders Chris Payne, Molly Sewell and Terry Brown led the way Thursday with their talented mounts.

Chris Payne took home the championship and reserve championship titles in Green Working Hunter division early in the day. He scored the championship award aboard Holden, owned by Susan Moriconi from St. Louis, MO. The duo earned a first place ribbon, two second place ribbons, and a third place ribbon. Payne also scored the reserve championship prize, this time aboard Up Front, owned by Chris Brown of Oakland, NJ. Payne and Up Front earned a first place ribbon, two second place ribbons, and a fourth place ribbon.

Molly Sewell garnered the championship and reserve championship awards in the Conformation Hunter division with her two talented mounts. She scored the championship tricolor in the irons of Gisele, owned by Porter Allen of Boerne, TX. The duo earned nearly swept the division, winning five of the six classes. Sewell took home the reserve championship rosette riding Photo Shoot, owned by Peake Wood Pharm Inc of Sanford, FL. Sewell accumulated one first place ribbon, four second place ribbons, and one third place ribbon for their great rounds.

Terry Brown was aboard Nice, owned by Lori Christman from Atlanta, GA, to take home the championship award in Performance 3’6-3’9 Hunter division. The duo earned three first place ribbons and two second place ribbons for their excellent effort in the ring. Tara Metzner, riding Rumba, owned by Dogwood Hill LLC of Los Angeles, CA, earned two first place ribbons, and two third place ribbons to win the division’s reserve championship prize.

It was another day of nothing but sunshine at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Summer Show. Friday featured the Junior Hunters in the Stonelea Ring, where the top horse and rider combinations competed for top honors in their respective division. This week is World Champion Hunter Rider event, and the second class of each division was judged for the valuable points that towards to year-end awards.

Porter Allen of Boerne, TX, shined aboard her horse Gisele in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. The duo earned two first place ribbons and one fourth place ribbon during Friday’s classes. Allen also brought home a first place ribbon aboard her second mount Mine.

Destry Spielberg had great success about the very talented Rumba, owned by Dogwood Hill LLC, of Los Angeles, CA. The pair brought home three blue ribbons during the Large Junior 15 & Older Hunter division. “I thought the first round was spot on; all the lines were good, they were consistent. There were no changes and I counted every step I took. I thought the second round was good too, but the first round was better,” said Spielberg.

Shawn Casady, riding Vida Blue, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, earned three blue ribbons for their great rounds in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division.

The clouds loomed over the Kentucky Horse Park threatening rain throughout the morning and following through on the threat late in the afternoon. Many of the riders from the Junior Hunter divisions continued riding in the downpour; however, moods were not dampened from the rain as the championship and reserve championship awards were announced. The best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors in their respective honors in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, a World Champion Hunter Rider event.

Saturday, in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division, Porter Allen of Boerne, TX, did not disappoint aboard her horse Gisele as they claimed the championship prize. The duo earned two first place ribbons and a fourth place ribbon during yesterday’s classes as well as one fourth place ribbon Saturday.

Vivian Yowan aboard Whatever, owned by Boggs Hill of Wellington, FL, took home the reserve championship award during the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. Yesterday they earned a second place ribbon, and followed with a strong conclusion Saturday earning two second place ribbons.

Destry Spielburg aboard Rumba, owned by Dogwood Hill LLC of Los Angeles, CA, took home the championship prize for the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. The talented duo snagged two first place ribbons yesterday and were consistent Saturday, earning another first place ribbon with a score of 88.0 during their division.

Yowan of Darien, CT, claimed her second reserve championship prize of the day behind Speilburg aboard her horse Ikarus 266. The pair earned a second place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon during yesterday’s division, and continued to impress the judges Saturday, earning a first place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon.

After the rain cleared and the sun began to appear again, Shawn Casady, riding Vida Blue, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, stole the spotlight and earned the championship award for the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division. The talented duo made their appearance known when they swept the over fences classes in the division over the last two days. Casady also earned the reserve championship award aboard Inside Scoop, owned by Chloe D. Reid LLC of Washington, D.C. After earning a first place ribbon, a second place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon in the division.

Laura Baginski showed Barbados, owned by Elsa Goding of St. Louis, MO, to the championship award in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division Saturday. The accomplished pair accumulated two first place ribbons and a fourth place ribbon yesterday as well as another fourth place ribbon Saturday, Baginski and Barbados were a hard team to beat.

Samantha Batt aboard Captain Nemo of Groton, NY, claimed the reserve championship award. Together, Batt and Captain Nemo won a second place ribbon yesterday, and a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon Saturday to solidify the win.

The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show was filled with nothing but sunshine and a practically cloudless blue sky. The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic witnessed talented horse and rider combinations striving to showcase their skills and claim the winning title in the Stonelea Ring. Stacey Arani and Bolero led the class from start to finish and eventually led the victory gallop after earning a total score of 185. Olivia Herbert and Capistrano finished second falling five points behind Arani and Bolero, while Abbygale Funk directed Enough Said to the third place award.

Stacey Arani of Dover, MA, and Bolero took an early lead as the first rider of the Classic, scoring a 90 during the first round with three bonus options for a 93 total. Although they were the last to return during the handy round, the duo did not hold back. After executing a slice during an inside turn to an optional fence, they stayed consistent and smooth, receiving scores of 88 with four bonus points for a score of 92. Their two-round total of 185 points landed the pair the blue ribbon prize.

Olivia Herbert was aboard Capistrano, owned by Mimi Herbert of Houston, TX, and followed closely behind the winning duo to take the second place ribbon. After earning a score of 87 with four optional points added, Herbert ended the first round with a score of 91 claiming the second place position during the first round. The team returned and executed a seemingly flawless handy round for a score of 85 with four bonus options accumulating a score of 89, bringing their two round total to 180 points and garnering the second place prize.

The third place award went to Abbygale Funk aboard Enough Said, owned by Emma Wilsky of Aspen, CO. During the first round, they earned a score of 85 plus four bonus points resulting in an 89 and an 83 in the handy with four bonus points, concluding in an 87 taking third place in the handy and solidifying third place for both trips with a combined score of 176.

Kelly Arani and Stars Go Blue, owned by Stacey Arani, received the fourth place award, earning scores of 85 and 75 during the first two rounds to finish with a total of 160. The fifth place honors went to Ali Naugle of Park City, UT, and Theodore N resulting in an overall score of 155. Shannon Kelly of Naperville, IL, and her mount, Trust Me, secured sixth place with a total of 153.

Earlier in the day, the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions showed in the Stonelea Ring completing their second day of competition. Reaching the conclusion of the divisions, Holly Labry of Memphis, TN, was aboard Ruby to take home the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Championship, while Natalie Allen of Mendota Heights, MN, and Val D’isere took reserve championship honors. Stacey Arani and Bolero also claimed the championship award competing in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunter division, followed by Chris Brown of Oakland, NJ, aboard Up Front for the reserve championship prize. The final division of the morning went to Ellen Mitchell of Brooklyn, NY, and her horse Air Force One the champions of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″, while Sarah Ingram of Nashville, TN, claimed reserve championship tricolor aboard Even Par.

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