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Matthias Hollberg and Lauren Hester Speed to Top Placings during Kentucky Summer Classic

Matthias Hollberg and Mr. Sydney Rocks.

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2017 – Matthias Hollberg and Lauren Hester both had blazing fast rounds in the Rolex Stadium, helping them to win the 1.35m and 1.30m classes, respectively. Both professionals were showcasing the strong talents of the sales horses that they currently have in their programs.

Matthias Hollberg, who owns and operates Hollberg Equestrian with his wife Thaisa Erwin in Middleburg, Virginia, came to the United States from Germany. Since that time, he has competed successfully in shows up and down the East Coast. Hollberg showcased his unique ability to successfully navigate a competitive course with a horse that he does not have much experience riding. The Kentucky Summer Classic marks the first horse show that he has competed Mr. Sydney Rocks. Although it was only their third class together, the pair has yet to knock a rail out of the cups. Hollberg attributes the 13-year-old Westphalian’s talent to his training as an eventing horse. Previously shown by Allison Springer, the bay gelding is fast and fearless, allowing Hollberg to leave out strides that other riders could not in the 1.35m speed class. The pair topped a field of 31 competitors in a time of 72.492 seconds, a whole three seconds faster than the next fastest rider, Daniel Bedoya, who was aboard Abracadabra.

Kentucky native Lauren Hester was also using the classes in the Rolex Stadium to help prove the talent of the sales horses that she currently has at her business, Hester Equestrian. Clueless P, whom Hester showed to double clear rounds in the 1.30m class, was previously a grand prix mount for Hester and is now hoping to find a new career as a successful junior jumper. Hester shows at the Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC frequently, as the Kentucky Horse Park is right around the corner from her farm. It is not uncommon for crowds who gather to watch Saturday night Grand Prix competition to cheer a little more enthusiastically for Hester as she is widely recognized as their hometown girl. Last week, Hester piloted her mare Warinda B to a seventh place finish in the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix.

Jaime Gibson Claims Grand Open Hunter Championship Two Weeks in a Row

Jaime Gibson made the long trip up from Ocala, Florida to the Kentucky Horse Park worth it with Debbie Smith’s 9-year-old mare Cora. After claiming the Grand Open Hunter Championship last week at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Gibson and Cora returned to Stonelea Ring to sweep the professional divisions during the Kentucky Summer Classic to win a back-to-back grand title. In the Conformation Hunter division, the pair dominated and won blue ribbons for all the over fences, the handy and the under saddle.

The owner, Debbie Smith, purchased the jumper mare from Wendy Peralta of Seabreeze Farm, and since she is an exceptional mover decided to transition her into the hunter ring. Gibson started riding the talented mare during the winter season and the pair competed in the Ocala circuit and at Devon before heading to the summer series at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Next up, Gibson plans on showing Cora throughout the indoor circuit and has her eyes set on moving up to the 3’9″ and derbies next season.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

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

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