Tag Archives: Bluegrass Festival

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Sharn Wordley Snags 1.40m Open Jumpers Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Sharn Wordley on Popstar Lozonais soars to victory in the 1.40m and aims for the upcoming grand prix.

Lexington, KY – August 13, 2014 – Before he flies off to France to represent New Zealand in the World Equestrian Games, Sharn Wordley is aiming to take top prizes at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today he beat out all contenders in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers with Ashland Stables’ speedy stallion Popstar Lozonais. Shane Sweetnam was close on his heels with Rose Hill Farm’s Fineman in second place and Spy Coast Farm’s Solerina in third.

Wordley made his only ride of the class count when he produced a fault free run to try his hand at the immediate jump-off round. His tight turns and speed to the fences put Popstar Lozonais as the horse to beat.

“The course was really good today, very well-built,” said Wordley. “It was a fast jump-off, which suited my horse because there were a couple of tight rollbacks and he has great, quick turns.”

Wordley has been riding Popstar Lozonais for about six months and said the stallion can be a little difficult to ride.

“He’s a real quick-start stallion, but he is incredibly fast, and if he’s clean he’s very hard to beat,” he said.

Popstar and Wordley are aiming for the upcoming $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix. Wordley was proud of how Popstar handled the course noting how the triple combination had tripped up several of the other horses.

“He jumped the triple very well. He’s a pretty experienced horse so he can really handle this stuff,” said Wordley.

Following in his wake was Shane Sweetnam with the second, third and fifth place finishers. Fineman, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, jumped to second place with a solid ride, taking the tight inside turn to the last fence of the jump-off with ease.

Shane Sweetnam on Fineman puts in a quick showing for second place
Shane Sweetnam on Fineman puts in a quick showing for second place

“He’s a great little horse who has a lot of good results. He’s very easy to ride, very brave and careful. He really has a great brain, which makes my job easier,” said Sweetnam.

Fineman will be showing in the Grand Prix on Sunday, as will Sweetnam’s third place horse, Solerina, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse.

“Solerina’s an older horse who has won quite a few grand prixs. She’s very competitive and has always been a great winner for me,” said Sweetnam. “She’s won in Washington, at Spruce Meadows and WEF; you name it, she’s won it.”

With the 1.40m Jumpers Class, both Wordley and Sweetnam are gearing up for the grand prix classes later this week at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

Over in the Walnut Ring, the 1.35m Open Jumper class was contested by Emanuel Andrade’s mount Costa, who was the third place finisher in yesterday’s 1.30m Open Jumpers Class and returned today to take the blue. David Beisel and his mount Call Me Hannes took second while Alex Granato on Gangsta took third.

Tomorrow the jumpers will return for the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix. The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show features five days of jumper competition; the highlight jumper events in the Rolex Stadium include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday.

To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, 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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows

Darst Finishes One-Two in USHJA National Hunter Derby at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Meredith Darst and Lightning Z. Photo by Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – August 18, 2013 – A week of the nation’s best hunter derby competition came to a close today at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with the final hunter highlight event, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Today’s USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Horse Park marked the fifth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, throughout which Meredith Darst has been extremely successful. She currently stands as the leading junior in the series, and she widened that lead today. Darst finished first in the 42-horse class aboard Lightning Z and second in the class aboard last week’s second place finisher, Capstone. Finishing in third place were Kelli Cruciotti and Premonition, owned by Serenity Farm of Elizabeth, CO.

Following the completion of the first hunter round, Darst sat in the fourth place position aboard Capstone, owned by Norgan, Inc. of Wellington, FL, and in first place aboard Lightning Z, owned by her family’s Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH.

She and Capstone came into the second round with a score of 86 prepared to demonstrate their abilities over the handy course. The course utilized a trot jump, provided a number of opportunities for tight inside turns and set the high option fences in such a way that they were separate from the low options, requiring different tracks.

Again electing to take all four of the high options, Darst and Capstone moved into the lead with a handy round score of 89, for a 175 overall.

Kelli Cruciotti returned for the handy round in third place aboard rookie derby mount Premonition.

“This was his first time ever doing a hunter derby,” Cruciotti said of the 8-year-old gelding. “He’s rather green so I was very, very thrilled with how he jumped and handled all of the brush and the jumps.”

Cruciotti continued: “For the handy I obviously wanted to try to win and step up, but at the same time, I wanted to give my horse a positive ride that will teach him how to do it right. It was more about giving him a positive experience so that I can build a great derby horse.”

Cruciotti proved was able to give Premonition a confidence-building ride while also impressing the judges. The pair earned a score of 86.5, including the four high option points, to put them into position just behind Darst and Capstone in the rankings with an overall score of 174.5.

As the first round winners, Darst and Lightning Z were the last to return, and they pulled out all of the stops.

“Lightning lives with us so I know him really well,” Darst said. “I know I can do all of the turns with him. I was pretty tight to the first jump of the handy, and everywhere else that I could I took the inside turn options.”

Their expert handiness and high fence options resulted in a second round score of 91 and an overall total of 182, earning them the final victory gallop of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

Following the completion of the Hallway Feeds Series, the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Awards will present a $10,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the seven classes that make up the Series. The amateur rider and junior rider accumulating the most points will each receive a $2,500 cash prize. Riders will receive points only on their highest placed horse in each of the classes. The awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Hallway Feeds class at the Kentucky National Horse Show on September 21, 2013.

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success. For more information on Hallway Feeds, please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Central Equipment, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, KER Sport Horse Nutrition, The Tack Shop of Lexington, Turf Town Properties, Trouw Nutrition and PNC Bank.

While the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show has come to a close, competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows continues on Wednesday, August 21, with the KHJA Horse Show. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Reid Patton Prevails in High Junior Jumpers with Twisther at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Reid Patton and Twisther.

Lexington, KY – August 17, 2013 – Reid Patton is rapidly developing a strong partnership with new mount Twisther, and the pair demonstrated their promise with a convincing score in the High Junior Jumpers at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Allen Rheinheimer’s course proved to be a tough test for the High Juniors as well as the High Amateur Owner Jumpers: no riders in either division were clear in the first round.

Patton and five other riders who had achieved four-fault first rounds returned for the jump-off to determine the final placing. Patton went clear and fast in a time of 41.287 seconds to take the win. The High Amateur Owner Jumpers came down to three four-fault riders in the jump-off, where the best performance belonged to Mary Meghann Huitt and her own Honfleur, who finished in 42.415 seconds for the victory in that division.

Kelli Cruciotti and Zidante were the first to return in the jump-off for the High Junior Jumpers, and they set a solid pace of 43.135 seconds. Isabelle Caccamise and Catwalk 19 were next to go and finished in 43.136 seconds, just a thousandth of a second behind Cruciotti. Patton and Twisther then entered the ring and laid down their time of 41.287 seconds to best the leading score by nearly two seconds.

Two more pairs, Lucas Porter with Mill’s Georgia and Alexander Devries with Esquina Van Klapscheut, gave the course a shot but incurred jumping faults and fell behind the leaders. Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan were the last to go. They set a speedy pace that threatened Patton’s lead, but a rail at the final fence dropped them down to fourth and ensured the win for Patton.

Patton showed Twisther for the first time at Trader’s Point, competing in a High Schooling Jumper class and a Low Junior Jumper speed class. She moved him up to the High Junior Jumpers on Friday, and today marked their second class together at that level.

Reid Patton and Twisther
Reid Patton and Twisther

“I really clicked with him today,” Patton said. “The whole course rode pretty smoothly. I accidentally left out a stride in the five-stride line because his stride is so big. That was the only little blip in the first round.”

Patton was pleasantly surprised by Twisther’s effort when they returned for the jump-off. “I’d never done a jump-off on him before, so when I started turning, he just turned on his haunches and was so fast,” she said. “I was shocked that my horse was turning and going this fast! I’m so glad we have him in our barn.”

“We’re really excited about the new horse for next year for Reid,” Cara Cheska, Patton’s trainer, said. “He came from John and Chris McCrea, and my husband, Donald Cheska, owns him.”

Patton also rides with Tom Wright and Hayley Barnhill, focusing on the hunters and equitation with them and going to the Cheskas for guidance in the jumpers.

“It’s a team effort for sure,” Patton said. “It’s funny when we’re in the schooling area and everyone’s present. There are eight people standing by the jump – grooms, trainers, parents, barn members. It’s a posse.”

“Reid has a lot of trainers, and she does a good job keeping each horse with each trainer,” Cheska said. “It’s hard to have a lot of voices on you. But it’s very supportive. Everyone roots for each other.”

Patton has been getting to know Twisther with the help of her trainers. She looks forward to continuing to compete him in the High Junior Jumpers and then later moving into the High Amateur Jumpers.

“He’s a little bit more downhill than my other horses, but he has such a bounding stride,” she described. “When I first got on him, I thought that was a little off-putting because I didn’t think he’d be very adjustable. But although he has a huge stride, he’s very responsive. Anything I want to do, I trust that he’s going to be there for me. He’s very honest and scopey and careful, which is I think a perfect combination for a High Junior and eventually a High Amateur.”

Mary Meghann Huitt and Honfleur
Mary Meghann Huitt and Honfleur

Mary Meghann Huitt and Honfleur took home the prize in the High Amateur Owner Jumpers today, putting in a solid first round and then racing through a quick jump-off round against the other two four-faulters. Huitt said her first round went well, but a forward first line resulted in difficulty in the approach to the third fence.

“My horse was backing off the first jump a little, which is unusual for her,” Huitt explained. “I had to get after her and lengthen my stride and add a lot of pace to the first jump, which actually worked out well – that line walked a little long, so five strides worked well. We came off that line with a lot of pace, so the right turn back to jump three, which is a pretty tall vertical, just got too long. Unfortunately she rubbed that one and it came down. The rest of the course rode pretty smoothly.”

Huitt was on her way back to the barn when she got the word that there would be a jump-off between the three four-faulters to determine the winner. She returned to the ring with a plan to keep all the fences up while setting a good pace.

“In the jump-off, I decided to ride the first line the same way,” she said. “I rode in boldly and walked right down the five strides. We made a nice clean, quick turn to jump three, and she kept that one up. Then we did a quick turn back to 12 and had to land off that and do another quick turn. She recovered from a little slip and ran right down to the triple and jumped it great. I was glad to see her jump the last jump clear, especially with it being a plank.”

Haley Gassel and Quite Dark 2 also finished with a clear round in the jump-off, taking 44.576 seconds to complete the course. They took home second place. Anna Hallene and Wocello had jumping and time faults in the jump-off and settled for third.

Huitt trains with her mother, Robin Huitt, as well as Kels Bonham. She is based in Savannah, GA, and primarily competes in Florida and Georgia, but came to Kentucky for two weeks. She has had Honfleur for over a year, and her ultimate goal for the mare is to compete in 1.45m grand prixs.

“She’s awesome,” Huitt said of Honfleur. “She’s really brave. She is hot, and she’s got a lot of power and speed. She’s a really, really good horse and is super fun to ride.”

Junior and amateur riders return for the Amateur Owner/Junior Jumper High and Low Classics on Sunday. The final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show will also feature the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix and the USHJA National Hunter Derby Finals.

For more information on the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and all of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
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*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Liza Boyd Named 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Liza Boyd and Brunello. Photos by Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – August 17, 2013 – Liza Boyd and Brunello have consistently been top contenders at the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, but they have always come just short of the victory. Tonight at the Kentucky Horse Park Boyd and Brunello made the shot when it really counted, finally securing the win and earning the title of 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Tier I Champions. With a huge smile on her face, Boyd led the victory gallop in the Rolex Stadium with reserve champion Kelley Farmer following aboard Mythical.

“I don’t know where to start,” Boyd said following her win. “I’m really happy with the horse. He was third one year and second last year. He really deserves it; he’s amazing.”

Rounding out the top four in this year’s prestigious USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show were Kelsie Brittan on Argentum and Shawn Casady aboard Ascot. Their finishes also earned them the top two spots in the overall Tier II standings.

The tier system was newly introduced this year with the hope of creating opportunities for riders to vie for more prize money and for different riders to see a share of that prize money. The 20 highest money earning riders from throughout the year were placed into Tier I, while other contenders qualified as Tier II riders for the shot at additional prize money.

Following yesterday’s Classic Hunter Round, the 30 highest scoring riders, no matter what their tier designation, returned to compete in tonight’s Tier I Handy Hunter Round and vie for the overall honors.

Riders returned in reverse order of their rankings from yesterday to compete over tonight’s Steve Stephens designed course, which included four higher option fences. Prior to the start of the class, Stephens took the crowd and exhibitors alike through a narrated course walk, which eventual winner Boyd took to heart.

“I tried to listen when Steve talked about how he wanted the course to ride,” Boyd said. “He said, ‘This is a jumping contest. I don’t want the course to win. I want the riders and the horses to win.’ There were no traps. It was really, really well done. I kind of took that to heart, what Steve said. He designed it so he knew what he wanted and had in mind, and that helped me. You needed scope, and you needed to be careful, which is what these derbies are supposed to be.”

Of the eventual top four finishers, Casady and Ascot, owned by HJ Group LLC of Sewickley, PA, were the first to return. Casady picked up a strong canter out of the in-gate and headed straight to the first fence, positioned down the centerline of the ring. The pair continued seamlessly from there. They came into the day in seventh place, but their Handy Hunter Round scores of 84, 85, and 85.75 plus handy bonus scores of 4, 8 and 5 earned them a round total of 283.75, including all four high option fences. That score, coupled with their score of 266.10 from Friday’s Classic Hunter Round, shot them to the top of the leaderboard with an overall score of 549.85.

Kelley Farmer and Mythical
Kelley Farmer and Mythical

Farmer and Mythical, owned by Larry Glefke and Kenneth Garber of Keswick, VA, finished Friday’s round in sixth place, positioning them to return immediately following Casady.

Farmer is well known for her handiness and daring inside turns in the handy round, and earlier in the night she tried an extremely tight inside turn aboard her first mount, On Q. When that resulted in a rail down, she, and the other riders knew that option was better left alone.

“Liza and I were talking about that turn earlier,” Farmer said. “I said, I’m going to try it with On Q, and we’re all going to know a) whether it’s possible b) whether it’s going to work or c) whether we even need it.”

With Mythical, Farmer proved that the tight inside turn was not needed to still be extremely handy, as they earned handy bonus scores of 10, 8 and 8. Those were added to scores of 89, 88.5 and 89 plus all four high options for a Handy Hunter Round score of 304.50. Casady’s lead was short-lived as Farmer jumped straight to the top of the list with an overall score of 571.75.

“He’s an amazing animal,” Farmer said of Mythical, who is currently competing as a First Year Green Hunter. “He tries to step up on the biggest stages. Every time it gets hard or it gets big, you call on him, and he gives you his all. I can’t ask any more of him. He’s an amazing horse. He does not let you down.”

Returning in the fourth place position were 17-year-old Kelsie Brittan and her mount Argentum. The talented young rider soared over all four of the high options, earning handy bonus points of 6, 7 and 5 and scores of 85, 85.25 and 84.75 for a Handy Hunter Round total of 285. Their grand total of 553.50 earned them the third place finish.

“I’ve just been doing the Juniors Hunters on him this year,” Brittan said of Argentum.  “Every now and then there would be a derby in Texas or in Michigan, and I’d say, ‘Okay, well, I’ll do it.’ I’ve been a little chicken. I’ve been just doing the small options, playing it safe. I’m here, so of course I’m going to try and be like all of the top riders and do all of the big jumps. I just had to really trust him tonight, and yesterday too. I just had to let him show off, and not ride it like a Junior Hunter anymore. I had to ride him more like a derby horse. It’s a big adjustment for me.”

Her trust in Argentum and his trust in her were apparent throughout the class and did not go unnoticed by the judges.

“I saw them in the pouring rain in Florida last winter,” judge Danny Robertshaw said. “I was talking to her mother. I said it then, and I said it yesterday and today – it is so much fun when you see a horse that loves his rider as much as he loves her.”

Following Brittan and Argentum, last year’s defending champions Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy entered the ring. They looked like they could win it again until an unfortunate rail hit the ground midway through the course.

While luck sadly was not with Alfano, she did share some luck with the next to enter the ring, Boyd and Brunello, co-owned by Boyd and Janet Peterson.

“Jennifer Alfano called me this morning and said, ‘I have a gift for you,'” Boyd shared.  “She had found a ton of four leaf clovers, and she gave me one. That was so nice. It’s so much fun that the sportsmanship is that good. She was really genuine, and it was special to have.”

Boyd had another special token of good luck for her round: a necklace her mother purchased for her at last year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. The necklace reads, “Make the shot when it counts,” and that’s exactly what she did. She and Brunello earned scores of 84.25, 93 and 88.5 plus handy bonuses of 8, 9 and 7 for a round total of 301.75 and an overall total of 577.75.

Yesterday’s front runners, Scott Stewart and Garfield, had yet to return, but when their final overall score came in as a 535.50, it was apparent that Boyd and Brunello had earned the victory gallop.

Robertshaw had high praise for Boyd and Brunello’s round following her win. “I liked the gallop right from the beginning,” Robertshaw said. “The horse’s ears pricked looking for the jumps. There wasn’t a jump where his hind end wasn’t a foot and a half higher, finishing the arc and landing with his neck out and galloping away. She never pulled the reins and just went right to the next one. It was all forward movement like it’s supposed to be. She knows him, and she puts her heart right into it. He takes it and believes it, and it worked. It’s just exciting to watch that.”

Earlier in the day, those who did not make the top 30 cut for the Tier I Handy Round had the opportunity to compete in the $10,000 Consolation Round, sponsored by Moyer Farm LLC. Winning the consolation class was Scott Stewart aboard Declaration, owned by Fashion Farm LLC, while Victoria Colvin and Inclusive, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, finished in second.

The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show concludes tomorrow with highlight events for both hunters and jumpers. In the hunter ring, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds UHSJA National Hunter Derby will wrap up this week’s prestigious hunter competition. At 2 p.m., jumper riders will gather at the Rolex Stadium for the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, bringing the week to an exciting finish.

For more information on the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and all of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

To learn more about the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship Finals, visit www.ushja.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, USHJA

Scott Stewart Leads USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Scott Stewart and Garfield.

Lexington, KY – August 16, 2013 – The press conference at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show following today’s Classic Hunter Round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship bore a striking resemblance to that of last years. For the second year in a row, Scott Stewart sat in the winning seat at the Kentucky Horse Park with Liza Boyd to his right in second and Jennifer Alfano to his left in third. Stewart’s win today aboard Garfield, owned by Rose Hill Farm, also marked the talented riders third consecutive time winning the Classic Hunter Round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

The similarities for this year’s top three finishers don’t stop there. While it was Dedication, not Garfield, whom Stewart rode to the top of the leader board in last year’s round, Boyd and Alfano’s top three finishes today came aboard the same mounts as last year – veteran derby competitor Brunello for Boyd and last year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion Jersey Boy for Alfano.

Again for the second year in a row, the point differentials between the three riders were also strikingly similar – Stewart marginally out ahead and Boyd and Alfano neck-and-neck in the second and third positions. Stewart and Garfield jumped to the top of the list with scores from the three judging panels of 90, 92 and 92 plus four high option points added to each score for a 286 total. Boyd and Brunello, owned by Janet Peterson, finished their round with scores of 88, 90 and 86 for a 276 total including all four high options. Alfano was close on her heels with scores of 88.5, 87 and 87.5 plus the four high options for a 275 total.

“We like to really be close; we’re good friends,” Boyd joked about her and Alfano’s scores. “We like to keep it one point apart. Last year was only a quarter. This year we’re stretching it out. And then Scott’s 10 ahead of us. He is in his own league over there!”

Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello
Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello

From a field of 88 contenders, Boyd and Brunello were the first of the three top finishers to compete over the Steve Stephens designed course in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. The course featured fences meant to appear similar to what a horse and rider may encounter on a hunt field, including an airy, white plank fence, a large brush jump and another large brush and timber fence. The high option fences were also included throughout the course, presenting riders with the opportunity to earn additional points by jumping any or all of the four slightly higher obstacles.

Boyd elected to take all four of those high options, and she did so seamlessly and with ample room to spare as she and Brunello soared over the final fence in front of the in-gate. Their efforts earned them the 276 first round score and shot them to an early lead in the class.

“Brunello feels great and better than ever,” Boyd said. “You needed some scope out there and a super careful horse. Steve Stephens would do a big oxer and a careful vertical and then another big oxer. He led you into getting a little sloppy, and I think you saw some rails and rubs.”

While that was definitely the case, there were no rails or rubs for Stewart and Garfield as they maneuvered the course midway through the order of go to earn their score of 286.

Scott Stewart and Garfield
Scott Stewart and Garfield

Following last year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, Stewart had tentatively stated his retirement from the derby ring, but after his success in years past he was persuaded to return again this year.

“They twisted my arm,” Stewart said. “They asked me if I wanted to do it, and I wasn’t sure at that point. But we entered the horses, and I got to stay home and practice for two weeks so I felt comfortable enough to do it. I felt good last week and thought we’d give it a go.”

Stewart continued: “I haven’t ridden Garfield since the Alltech National Horse Show [in October], and he’s been doing the Junior Hunters. He was the best he’s ever been today. He was so relaxed. I didn’t really have to do anything. He likes me to just ride him once in a while. I think he was super.”

A dozen entries after Stewart and Garfield’s round, it was the defending champions Alfano and Jersey Boy’s turn to tackle the 13 obstacle course, and they proved that they are well within in the running for the top title again this year with their overall 275 score.

“I thought Jersey Boy was great,” Alfano said. “He made me a little nervous when I trotted in. He was pretty spooky. He sort of trotted toward the third jump and acted like he might want to spin around and go the other direction, which he can do. So I was maybe not all that confident heading to the first jump, but once he got going, he was really great.”

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy
Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy

Alfano continued: “I was thrilled with him. He’s had a lot of time off this year, and I wasn’t really sure he was ready fitness-wise and strength-wise, but I was really happy with him.”

Alfano, Boyd and Stewart will be lead the rankings as the top 30 riders return tomorrow night for the Tier I Handy Hunter Round and the crowning of this year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion.

Another hunter highlight at this week’s Bluegrass Festival Horse Show will be the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday, August 18. In addition to being the week’s premier hunter competition, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show offers top jumper competition throughout the week, attracting top riders from across the country. This week’s final jumper highlight will be the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday, August 18.

For more information on the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and all of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

To learn more about the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program and the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship Finals, visit www.ushja.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows

Hunt Tosh Tops USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship Opening Rounds at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Hunt Tosh and Casanova.

Lexington, KY – August 14, 2013 – The USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program is in its inaugural year, and based on the huge horse and rider turnout, large spectator draw and beautiful hunter rounds today at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, it is already an overwhelming success. Thus far, it has also proved to be particularly successful for Hunt Tosh. The USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship opened with two rounds of competition today at the Kentucky Horse Park, and it was Tosh who earned the top call in both of the rounds.

To earn the first place award in the first round, Tosh bested an impressive field of 107 horses aboard Casanova, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA. With two panels of judges scoring each trip, Tosh and Casanova earned scores of 88 and 86.25 for a combined 174.25. Tosh also rode to the second place position in the first round with scores of 87 and 86.5 for a 173.5 total aboard Crisp, owned by Douglas and Kenneth Wheeler of Keswick, VA. It was Crisp who then returned to top the leaderboard in the second round with scores of 88.5 and 87 for a combined score of 175.5.

“Crisp is a new horse for us,” Tosh said of the 6-year-old. “We’re quite excited about him, and I think he’s going to be a lot of fun. He’s very careful, and he’s beautiful going across the ground. I didn’t know if coming into this atmosphere would make him a little nervous, but he was great. He went beautifully today so we’re very happy with him.”

Hunt Tosh and Crisp
Hunt Tosh and Crisp

Tosh and Crisp’s two top two finishes also put them at the top of the day’s overall leaderboard with a combined two-round score of 349. Throughout today’s preliminary rounds of competition, riders were vying for a spot within the top 30, which would then allow them to move on to tomorrow evening’s final championship round.

While Tosh took the top two spots in round one and the first place honor in round two, the second place award in round two went to Peter Pletcher and Lucador. Pletcher and Lucador also finished in fifth in the first round class, putting them in the second place position overall with a two-round score of 343.05. Lucador is 5-year-old Oldenburg out of Lord Pezi and owned by Sagamore Farm Inc.

“He’s an amazing horse,” Pletcher said. “Brian and Sophie Walker asked me to show him for them when we were in Florida, and we had a great, great circuit there. I told them, ‘We really need to put him in the incentive program because he’s an amazing horse.’ So they did it, and he’s been great. He’s such a beautiful jumper and a beautiful mover.”

Pletcher, Tosh and the other top 30 riders returning tomorrow for the championship will have their score slate wiped clean, as day one scores do not carry over. However, the first day scores did have high value and payback today. 25 percent of the total prize money awarded throughout the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championships went to the top finishers in the first round, and 25 percent went to the top finishers in the second round, with over $9,000 presented to the winner of each round. The remaining 50 percent of the lucrative prize money will be presented to the overall top finishers following the championship round, which kicks off tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“This program is absolutely great for the sport,” Tosh said. “Anything we can do to get involved and help support the hunters coming along is great. This gives an added reason to have Pre-Green horses, and it gives you added incentive to bring them to the horse shows and try and earn their entry fees back and maybe even make a little money.”

Peter Pletcher and Lucador
Peter Pletcher and Lucador

Pletcher also commented: “I think this program is such a great thing; it’s great for the owners, the business and the buying and selling of the Pre-Green horses.”

The USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championships conclude tomorrow, and the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships officially get underway on Friday, August 16 at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.

Another hunter highlight at this week’s Bluegrass Festival Horse Show will be the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday, August 18. In addition to being the week’s premier hunter competition, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show offers top jumper competition throughout the week, attracting top riders from across the country. This week jumper highlights include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday, August 16 and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday, August 18.

For more information on the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and all of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

To learn more about the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program and the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship Finals visit www.ushja.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Uphill Farm Makes Its Mark on Kentucky during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Reid Patton guided Foreign Encounter to the championship tricolor in the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington, KY – August 23, 2012 – The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show was alive with action last week, and Uphill Farm did not miss a second of it. Earning top awards in both the hunter and jumper divisions, Tom Wright guided his students to consistent ribbons throughout the course of the week. Reid Patton took center stage with Foreign Encounter, riding to the top of the standings in the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. The pair was awarded the division’s championship for their outstanding efforts. In the NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic, Laura Karet piloted Caliber to the top scores for both rounds, capturing the first place finish and championship title.

Reid Patton showed nothing short of success in the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters this past week. Aboard her mount Foreign Encounter, she rode to the top of the standings and secured the championship tricolor. The pair picked up the first place finish in the handy round, as well as earning the first and two seconds for their efforts in the over fences.

“I have had him for quite a while, and it is so nice to know that we can go into the ring, and I know that he can hold a candle to all the other top horses,” Patton described. “He is one of those horses that I can trust that he is going to be there for me. I just have to put him in the correct area and he is never going to let me down. I have so much confidence in him and in myself on him.”

Continue reading Uphill Farm Makes Its Mark on Kentucky during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Shane Sweetnam and Shawn Casady Cash In with SSG Riding Gloves

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Shane Sweetnam of Ireland won a $2,000 bonus in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion after winning the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington, Kentucky – Shane Sweetnam of Ireland and Shawn Casady of Midtown, Tennessee, both picked up bonus money in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion during the Bluegrass Festival held August 15 to 19 in Lexington, KY.

Sweetnam won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday, August 17, with a double clear performance aboard Amaretto D’Arco, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Spy Coast Farm.  Posting one of four double clear performances, Sweetnam’s time of 39.95 seconds gave him the victory over Kaitlin Campbell of Brookeville, MD, riding Rocky W, who stopped the clock in 40.24 seconds.

“I have been using the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves for quite a while, and I have really grown to like them,” said Sweetnam.  “They have a really good grip, are comfortable, and work no matter what the weather is like.  I am thrilled to have earned the bonus money again.”

Continue reading Shane Sweetnam and Shawn Casady Cash In with SSG Riding Gloves →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Paige Johnson and Chiron S Secure $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 19, 2012 – It was the final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and the excitement was high as the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was a bittersweet finale to the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, with 41 entrants competing for the top prize. Paige Johnson and Chiron S were one of only four to move into the short course, stealing the show and riding to a double-clear effort with a blazing jump-off speed of 38.371 seconds. Although trailblazer Andrew Welles piloted Boo Van Het Kastanjehof to a clean short track, they fell a nick shy of the winning title to collect the second place award.

Allen Rheinheimer created a course that took on a life of its own this afternoon. He included an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, a vertical-liverpool double combination, an open water jump, a triple bar opening to a vertical, as well as numerous turns, rollbacks and technicalities that could challenge horse and rider.

Each rider entered the Rolex Stadium with the hopes of securing the winning title on the final day; however, it was not until the eighteenth in the order, Andrew Welles and Boo Van Het Kastanjehof, that anyone was able to tackle the track. The only other rider to come close was Shane Sweetnam and Siri, owned by Spy Coast Farm. The pair had made it through the course with a clear effort, but a tick over the time earned them two time faults, and the eventual fifth place honors.

Continue reading Paige Johnson and Chiron S Secure $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor Validate Victory in $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show of Kentucky Summer Series. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 19, 2012 – Along the fence line of the Stonelea Arena, people watched as the first competitor entered the ring for the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. In the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show welcomed riders of all experience to a challenging course, and a chance to earn qualifying points to win the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. At the end of two rounds, Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor rose to the occasion seizing the win, and the blue ribbon. Kelli Cruciotti and Promo put forth a determined effort to earn high scores and the red ribbon. Shawn Casady and Bolero rightfully claimed a score among the great, placing in the top three.

Participants definitely had their work cut out for them as they took on this week’s hunter derby course. Designed by Patrick Rodes, the top 12 horse and rider combinations qualified from the first round, returned to the ring to ride the skillful handy course and compete for the chance at the top honors. The course contained four option fences where the rider could navigate their horse to the higher option and receive additional points. The short course options where presented at the first, second, sixth and ninth fences while the trot jump presented itself later.

Continue reading Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor Validate Victory in $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show →