Todd Minikus and Quality Girl win the $25,000 Blue Grass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show (Photo courtesy of Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group)
Lexington, KY (May 12, 2015) – International show jumping veteran and trainer Todd Minikus knows quality when he sees it – and three years ago he started a winning streak synonymous with the word, thanks to a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare known as Quality Girl. Since then, man and mare have tallied some of the biggest wins in the sport – including the 2014 Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-Saugerties and Horse of the Year honors. Just this weekend, Minikus and Quality Girl once again surpassed competitors when they won the $25,000 Blue Grass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park. Now, just five months into 2015, the veteran of more than 75 Grand Prix wins has added enough victories to this season’s tally to keep show office calculators busy and international competitors nervous.
Neither Minikus, nor Quality Girl and his other exceptional equine partners, are showing any signs of slowing down.
Minikus is strategically based in the Homeland equestrian development just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds, where his 2015 victories began. In January, he led a 22-horse jump-off to win the $30,000 WEF Week 1 Grand Prix on Cordonos and set the pace for an epic season.
February’s Week 8 at the Winter Equestrian Festival saw Minikus ride his “greener” grand prix partner, Babalou 14, and anchor a winning Team USA effort against nine competing countries in the $100,000 Nations Cup presented by Kingsland Equestrian. The first to jump for his squad in each round, he delivered double clears on Two Swans Farms’ 10-year-old Oldenburg mare who – in lieu of his stand-out star, Quality Girl – Minikus had asked U.S. coach Robert Ridland for permission to use in the Nations Cup. “I really appreciate the fact that I have had the opportunity to bring her from a schooling jumper to winning a Nations Cup. That’s pretty special – she’s got a big future.”
His astute eye for rising talent was further confirmed in March with a second big win for Two Swans Farm on Babalou 14 against a starting field of 49 in the Winter Equestrian Festival’s $150,000 Grand Prix CSIO4*, presented by Lugano Diamonds.
As April action heated up along Miami Beach for the Longines Global Champions Tour, Minikus kept winning form against a world-class field. He rode Quality Group’s Oldenburg, Quality Girl, to win the $34,000 Elm Rock Prix 1.45/1.50m CSI5*. “I just let her do her thing,” he said. “Normally, it turns out well.”
Turning out “well” is an understatement for the pair, whose history last year includes winning the opening leg of FEI World Cup Jumping qualifiers in Bromont, Canada, finishing sixth at Harrisburg in October, and closing the year with enough points collected after the Washington International to win the FEI World Cup Jumping 2014/2015 North America East Coast League standings.
Minikus’s impressive results prompted HorseTalk of New Zealand reporters to note that all that was left this year was for Minikus to “sit back and let the rest catch up to him.”
Never one to sit still, though, Minikus sprang into Spring with two rising new talents to mark his third consecutive decade of winning performances in Kentucky. He scored a May 6 win for Plum Creek Hollow Farm in the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumper class on Westphalian stallion, Con Capilot, plus a win for Two Swans Farms in the Six Year Old Jumpers on Maharaja Del Juncal.
“I’m still experimenting with him,” he said of Con Capilot, after going in second in the order and setting a 42.680 effort too fast and too flawless for Aaron Vale and Bonzini S to catch.
“This was a great kick-off for Team Minikus in Kentucky. I’ve been coming here before it was the Kentucky Horse Park, when it was grass rings and they used gas station flags to separate them! It’s great to see how much it has grown.”
It’s just as great to watch how this American show jumping celebrity continues to grow a talented string of jumpers. To the thrill of fans, Minikus did not disappoint when he entered the arena on May 10 with Quality Girl to win the $25,000 Blue Grass Classic.
“This will be my third year with her, so it’s always nice to establish a partnership with a horse like this. You really think of her as a veteran of the sport, but it’s just her third year doing this sport at an upper level, so she’s just now really coming into her own, even though she has already had great success.”
The $25,000 Blue Grass Classic win has prompting pulling out those calculators again as Minikus tallies still more points on the USEF/Rolex Show Jumping Ranking List, where he has been seeded eighth on Babalou 14 and 23rd on Quality Girl.
Follow Team Minikus (hint, in his ‘spare time’ Todd Minikus’s hobby is bull riding) on Facebook or visit www.ToddMinikus.com and don’t miss a minute of the international news and action that keeps Florida and the world jumping.
Horses from left to right: Alpine, Mingulay, George (named after Her Majesty the Queen’s Father), Anson, Dawn and Emma (Her Majesty The Queen’s Riding Pony). Grooms from left to right: Harriet White, Zoe McDonald, Christopher Allen and Sadie Henderson.
May 12th 2015 – The Queen’s horses, of all shapes and sizes, are on parade to welcome over 50,000 visitors to the private grounds of Windsor Castle for the UK’s largest outdoor equestrian show, Royal Windsor Horse Show, which starts this Wednesday 13 until Sunday 17 May. Her Majesty The Queen, who has attended the show every year since it began in 1943, has several entries including her home bred Highlands and her former racehorse, Barber’s Shop. For more information on the show, please visit www.rwhs.co.uk.
For more information, please contact Hollie Bostock, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: hollie@revolutionsports.co.uk, T: +44 207 592 1207.
Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place on 13-17 May 2015. Over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the 72nd year of the Royal Windsor Horse Show which offers its audience astounding displays in the main Castle Arena, such as The Musical Ride from the Household Calvary and The King’s Troop Musical Drive, the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 230 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of goods for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. HM The Queen has attended every year since it started in 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.
Royal Windsor Horse Show’s official charity is the ABF Soldiers Charity. The show was first set up in 1943 by King George VI in order to raise funds for the war effort and has ever since continued to donate thousands of pounds to veterans and serving soldiers in need of help.
Victoria Colvin and Ovation Add Old Salem Farm Grand Junior Hunter Champion to Their Trophy Case
North Salem, NY – May 10, 2015 – The first week of competition at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows wrapped on Sunday with Mclain Ward and Double H Farm’s HH Azur besting 39 contenders in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group. Also highlighting the final day of competition, Victoria Colvin and Ovation scored the Grand Junior Hunter Championship for the first time in Colvin’s career at Old Salem Farm.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows run May 5-10 and May 12-17 at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The shows feature over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from all corners of the country to compete for more than $500,000 in prize money.
The jump-off was not yet in Mclain Ward’s future as he entered the ring to bat cleanup in the afternoon’s featured class, but HH Azur had plans to change that. Clean, smooth and within the time allowed, the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare carried Ward to the jump-off where they again returned last and scored the double-clear win in 34.096 seconds.
Georgina Bloomberg was second aboard Caleno 3 for Gotham Enterprizes, LLC in 34.365 seconds after giving the impressive crowd that lined The Grand Prix Field their third clear of the day in the original order. Third fell to Peter Leone and My Pleasure, LLC’s My Pleasure who jumped first in both rounds and crossed the jump-off timers clear in 34.730 seconds.
Leslie Howard and Martin Guerra’s Balboa 6 were fourth after securing a jump-off in the first round and finished with the fastest four-fault trip of the day in 37.051 seconds. Howard also piloted Genrille Van Spiedveld for GJ Stables & Peter Howard, marking her return to the grand prix on multiple mounts after undergoing hip surgery this winter.
Capping the top five, Devin Ryan piloted his own Cooper to an eight-fault jump-off performance in 34.151 seconds as the youngest horse in the field at eight years old.
Still a new mount for Ward, HH Azur is a promising one. “My reaction to how Azur jumps every day is amazement,” he said. “I probably don’t often say it, but I am very lucky to have the horses I have and this one is something very special.”
Ward actually sat on Azur as a five-year-old and decided not to buy the mare, but the opportunity came again at the end of last year. Ward jumped at the prospect and just several months later, he is confident the horse is destined for greatness. “I think this horse could win the Olympic Games,” he said.
Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC set his final course of the week in the grand prix and saw five clear. “We had a fantastic week of weather and that makes my life so much easier,” said Vaillancourt. “The field was in absolute perfect shape and I know there’s another week coming up so, I wanted to leave it the same – I always keep that in mind when designing my tracks and jump-offs. Earlier in the week we had a fantastic welcome, great numbers, and the climax of it all was a super ride from Mclain.”
While a true test, Ward was pleased with the course presented by Vaillancourt and admits his only goal was to stay out of Azur’s way. “It was a really good course, and Michel is one of my favorites,” said Ward. “He is always challenging while being fair. It’s a National Grand Prix, so you have some developing horses. The hills, terrain and natural environment already takes a toll. For these young horses, it’s a phenomenal stepping stone.”
Next week, HH Azur will return to The Grand Prix Field with Ward in the irons and again challenge the big money in the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group. Ward’s win tightened his grasp on the $20,000 Leading Jumper Rider Challenge, which he has led all week.
Before the grand prix took the stage, junior and amateur riders closed out their jumper classics for the week with Victoria Colvin and Take The High Road, LLC’s Don Juan winning the $7,500 Medium Classic, presented by Town Vibe Media. Lucy Deslauriers and Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester jumped to top spot in the $15,000 High Classic, presented by Miller Motorcars.
Victoria Colvin Wins Grand Junior Hunter Champion
Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL added to her list of incredible junior career accolades as she swept the Small and Large Junior Hunter 16-17 divisions, won the Grand Junior Hunter Championship, and was named Best Junior Rider on a Horse.
Colvin has only shown occasionally at Old Salem Farm, having competed with ponies four years ago and at the ASPCA Maclay Regionals in the fall. She was very pleased to have done so well at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show. “I don’t have much of a history here,” she confirmed. “It’s a nice set up and beautiful. They give great ribbons and prizes, and it makes it feel like a big event.”
Victoria Colvin and Ovation
She had success at every discipline this week, having won the Equitation Challenge, presented by EquiFit, and the Medium Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. “Every horse I did this week has been really great,” she said.
In the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, she and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Ovation won two and placed second in two over fences classes. They also took the blue ribbon in the under saddle class, which gave them the division championship and the Grand Junior Hunter Championship. She was reserve champion in the division on Parker’s Canadian Blue, winning first, first, and second over fences and third under saddle.
In her last year as a junior rider, Colvin is preserving bittersweet memories of riding her junior hunters. It is planned for Ovation to retire at the end of the year as one of the winningest junior hunters in history.
Colvin related, “Every round that I do, he’s so beautiful, so when we’re going around, I’m thinking, ‘This is so pretty. This is the last trip (on him) I’m going to have here.’ He’s just so elegant as he goes across the ground. I have to smile when I’m on him because he’s so beautiful. He can still be naughty sometimes, but he’s gotten older and a little wiser. He’s just an amazing horse to ride.”
In the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division, she was champion on two more Parker-owned rides, Small Affair and Way Cool. Small Affair placed first and second over fences and second in the under saddle for the championship, while Way Cool was reserve champion after placing first and second over fences.
This was Way Cool’s first show back since the Hampton Classic in August. “He felt amazing. His jump is unbelievable. I was very happy to have him back, and hopefully he’ll be back and ready for Devon (Horse Show),” she said. “I hope he goes like that at Devon.”
Colvin’s hunters will take next week off before contesting the Devon Horse Show, “so they’ll be fresh and happy”.
In the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, Akinda and Coco Fath, riding for Hillside Farm, Inc., were champions. They were first, first, second, fourth, and fifth. Lilli Hymowitz and Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy were reserve champions with first, first, second, and fourth place ribbons.
Boneparte Z and Ellie Ferrigno, riding for Kristi C. Siam, took the championship in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Hunters. They won three classes and placed third in the remaining over fences class. The reserve championship went to Cassanto and Emily Perez, who were first, second, third, and sixth over fences and won the under saddle.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows continue on May 12-17 with another week of exciting competition, including Saturday’s $20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem and $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby as well as the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix presented by The Kincade Group on Sunday.
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group in 2011-2014. Host of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.
Badminton, UK, 10 May 2015 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) claimed his second Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials title riding Chilli Morning after a thrilling final day’s competition. Germany’s Ingrid Klimke was second on Horseware Hale Bob and New Zealand’s Jonathan Paget was third riding Clifton Lush.
It was 11 years since Fox-Pitt last won Badminton back in 2004 and he was not going to squander the chance to claim his second victory despite the strong opposition from the high-class field of international riders, with Germany and New Zealand taking four of the other top five final places.
Andrew Nicholson (NZL) had led from Day One and he was focused on claiming his first ever Badminton title after 31 years of trying. With the cross-country phase not causing too many challenges for the top-placed riders after dressage, the Kelvin Bywater designed show jumping course was to change everything on the leaderboard. The packed grandstands around the main arena saw only five clear rounds before the final top 10 placed riders jumped, and even two of those clears incurred a penalty time fault. It could not have been more tense going into the final five riders, with just three penalties covering them, the cost of one pole down.
Lying in fourth position overnight, Ingrid Klimke came agonisingly close in the end to becoming the first ever German rider to claim the title for a second time, having previously also finished in second place back in 2006. Klimke delivered a perfect clear round to ultimately move her up two places to finish second. Next to go was Great Britain’s Oliver Townend riding Armada who were the 2014 runners-up. Sadly a disastrous round with four poles down took them out of the placings down to 11th position.
Both Fox-Pitt and Nicholson, knew they each had to jump a perfect clear to prevent Klimke from winning, but despite this added pressure, Fox-Pitt delivered a faultless performance to the delight of the home crowd who took to their feet to applaud their British hero. This set up an electric climax to the competition as Nicholson entered the arena on his edgy 15-year-old horse Nereo. The crowd collectively held its breath for Nicholson, but it was not to be as the pair crashed through the second fence to hand Fox-Pitt the Badminton title once more.
A delighted Fox-Pitt said, “It’s been a long time since I won with Tamarillo [in 2004], which makes you realise how hard it is and how everything has to go right. Chilli has had a fantastic week; he’s gone wonderfully well. It hasn’t been a very relaxing day today, but it was my lucky day and Chilli jumped brilliantly.”
Previous Badminton winner Jonathan Paget (NZL) finished in third place despite hitting one pole down, while eventing legend Sir Mark Todd produced a brilliant clear round of show jumping to move up from joint 15th after dressage to fourth overall; and he could have even claimed third place if not for one time fault in the final phase. Rolex Testimonee Pippa Funnell, riding Redesigned, finished in 12th position overall having climbed from 17th place after a superb ride in both the cross-country and show jumping phases.
The win for Fox-Pitt now puts him on course for the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize with one step towards claiming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Trophy, which was officially unveiled at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event by Rolex Testimonee Zara Phillips. Fox-Pitt now heads to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September, as the live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize.
TOP 5 PLACINGS AFTER THE FINAL DAY, SHOW JUMPING
1st William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Chilli Morning, 39.0
2nd Ingrid Klimke (GER), Horseware Hale Bob, 40.2
3rd Jonathan Paget (NZL), Clifton Lush, 44.8
4th Mark Todd (NZL), Leonidas II, 48.0
5th Bettina Hoy (GER), Designer 10, 48.4
When Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam in 2001, it was immediately apparent that it would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete to complete the challenge.
Kentucky, and Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded – run two weeks apart in the spring, and Burghley, in the east of England, is the autumn highlight of the global sport. All three have stunning settings and attract vast crowds over the four days of competition.
To date, only one rider – Rolex Eventing Testimonee Pippa Funnell – has won this most prestigious series. In 2003 the much-medalled mainstay of British teams for many years took the Rolex Kentucky crown on Primmore’s Pride. She progressed to Badminton a week later and won there on Supreme Rock, her double European Champion, and added the Burghley title that autumn on Primmore’s Pride – beating Zara Phillips into second place on her four-star debut at the same time. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats, respected by her peers and the media alike as an exceptional athlete.
Since then, two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing have been won by four riders: the Australian Andrew Hoy, Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Oliver Townend, and the New Zealand hero of six Olympic Games and current live Rolex Grand Slam contender, Andrew Nicholson. None of these top-class riders have yet succeeded in triumphing over the series and winning the final element of the Rolex Grand Slam.
ABOUT ROLEX
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Allentown, N.J. – The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event concluded Sunday with CCI3* and CCI2* competitors completing the show jumping phase of competition. Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM held the lead all three days to take home the three-star title with a final score of 41.6. Michael Pollard and Cyrano Z also led the field through all three phases of two-star competition, winning with a score of 36.9.
Matt Brown (Petaluma, Calif.) and Mary McKee’s 2006 Holsteiner gelding, Happenstance, had an excellent round with just one rail down and a time fault, giving them a total score of 52.7 to maintain fifth place. Happenstance is a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipient competing in his first CCI3*. Brown also placed 10th with BCF Belicoso.
View complete results from the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event here.
Lexington, KY – May 10, 2015 – In the world of hunter derbies, one name always stands out: Jersey Boy. Today, the 13-year-old chestnut gelding, better known as Lewis, delivered two textbook rounds with Jennifer Alfano during the WCHR Member Event, the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, earning a total of 401 points to capture first place overall.
Rider Jennifer Alfano was skeptical about the class, due to the fact that Jersey Boy was so well behaved in the schooling ring. “Lewis is a little temperamental at times; you never really know with him,” Alfano laughed.
From the moment the duo stepped in to the ring, however, it was obvious that Jersey Boy had decided he wanted to impress. Taking all the higher options, Alfano navigated Jersey Boy smoothly through Bobby Murphy’s course, earning a 94 and 96 for the classic round.
“I haven’t ridden a lot of horses that can gallop and jump like he does,” Alfano said. “He is one of those that can stay on the gallop and turn and jump. He is so naturally balanced that I think the turning comes so easy for him.”
The pair especially excelled in the handy, pulling in scores of 92 and 94 from the judges. Adding on 4 points for taking the high options, and 9 and 8 handy points, respectively, Jersey Boy delivered the highest-scoring round of the day. “He definitely excels at the handy,” Alfano said. “That’s his thing.”
Alfano also impressed the judges on Miss Lucy, another mount she holds dear to her heart. Miss Lucy is back after almost two years, and has not slowed down a bit. Coming off of a derby win at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, the mare put in another outstanding performance today to secure second place overall with a score of 374.
Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy
“It’s awesome to have Miss Lucy back,” Alfano said. “Aside from what she does in the ring, she is just a special horse. I’m very lucky to have the two of them.”
Tammy Provost and Kallisto earned a total score of 366.5 to claim third place, with Alfano back atop Miramar earning a 365.5 for fourth place. Fifth place was awarded to Havens Schatt, who piloted Savannah to a score of 360 points. Sarah Young and Gabriella rounded out the top six with a score of 357.
Alfano’s four entries all placed in the top 12 and will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in August for the long-anticipated 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.
Earlier in the day, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby was underway, with Sarah Sturges leading the event from start to finish aboard Jessica Blum’s Conan. A smooth opening round resulted in a score of 93, and the pair retuned to the handy, receiving a 92 and utilizing the high options for a four-point boost.
“He likes to jump the jumps,” Sturges explained. “If I get him where he needs to be, he takes care of the rest of it. He’s pretty straightforward. He coasts around and he does his thing and I try to stay out of the way.”
Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole gave Sturges a run for her money, coming in second by a 2.5-point differential. The judges awarded their efforts with scores of 92 and 90.5 for a 182.5 total.
“Totem Pole was fantastic,” Cruciotti said. “He’s been a work in progress for the last three years. We bought him, and then he got hurt. We almost had to put him down. We redid everything and now he is coming back, so it’s kind of like a fairytale that he is being a super star. I cannot thank my sponsors and my team enough, it has been a wonderful day, and I love this class; it’s my favorite.”
Havens Schatt returned next riding Sans Souci for CH Farm LLC, having received a score of 90 in the first round. The pair earned a score of 91 in the handy. However, Cruciotti’s classic round score would give her a leg up for the second place honors, while Schatt would settle for third place today.
Sturges’ victory has her sitting at the top of the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus leader board, a place she knows all too well. In 2013, Sturges was awarded the $2,500 bonus as the leading amateur rider, and last year her trainer, Christopher Payne of New Hope LLC captured the $10,000 professional leading rider bonus. As an event of the five-part series, the Hallways Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby has become a staple at the spring and summer shows, and will continue into the summer series. The leading riders will be presented with the cash prizes at the end of the Bluegrass Festival on August 16, 2015.
“It definitely helps to start out on top,” Sturges said. “We are only an hour away, so we will definitely compete in the series, but whether or not I win the bonus, it is a fun class. I turned professional at the end of 2013, so it is fun trying to rack up the points for the professional bonus.”
The final day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show concluded with the Grand Championships, sponsored by Visse Wedell of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Emma Kurtz was awarded the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Grand Championship for her efforts in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division with Frederick, owned by David Gochman. The Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Reserve Grand Championship went to Vivian Yowan and Ransom, owned by Saddle Ridge LLC.
It was the Gochman sisters, Sophie and Mimi, who snatched up the Pony Hunter Grand Championship and Pony Hunter Reserve Grand Championship, respectively. Sophie rode Bit of Love to the high point award during the Small Pony Hunters, while Mimi took the second tricolor for her efforts in the Large Pony Hunters.
The Kentucky Spring Classic will continue May 13-17, 2015, with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby in the Stonelea Ring. Both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will offer WIHS & NAL classics for Children’s & Adult hunter and jumper riders as well as $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics.
Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows
What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter 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:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition
KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program 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
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.
Lexington, KY – May 10, 2015 – The $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix saw a start list of 33 horse and rider combinations gather at the Rolex Stadium for the pilot event on the final day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. It was Luifer Larrazabal of Venezuela who dashed for the cash Sunday afternoon, winning the majority of the purse with recent mount, Atlodetto FZ.
The 22-year-old consistently showed throughout the Wellington and Ocala circuits, even riding for his country’s team during the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* in at HITS Ocala. The young talent has been working to build a partnership with new mount, Atlodetto FZ, owned by San Francisco Stables LLC of Wellington, FL. The 8-year-old gelding showcased his impressive skills over Richard Jeffery’s track, becoming the final of only six pairs to qualify for the speed round.
“He’s very small actually; he was gelded very late, so he’s kind of like a stallion,” Larrazabal said of his winning mount. “He’s very sensitive, but he’s lazy; he doesn’t put out much effort when he jumps. He is a small horse, and he jumps little as well. When he goes in the ring, he tries to do the job very carefully, and he’s very quick. This is the best thing I’ve done with him since I got him in December; we have been working on building a relationship and improving.”
Wilton Porter was the first to return for the jump-off. Aboard Patriot, owned by Sleepy P Ranch of Bartonville, TX, he navigated the course to finish with the first of four double clears in 35.168 seconds. He continued to lead the way with Sophie Simpson and Why Not falling just behind his time with a clear effort in 35.353 seconds, and Kelli Cruciotti and Chamonix H tripping the timers in 36.523 seconds.
Larrazabal was the last in the ring, and he knew that he had to take some risks on the track in order to catch Porter’s pace. It was a little over one second that would separate the two in the end, and it was only one turn that made the difference.
“Today I didn’t how it was going to be, because this horse is kind of new for me,” Larrazabal explained. “The first round, I didn’t know what to expect in the ring, but he was super. In the jump-off there were only six, and I was last to go. I didn’t know I was going to go clear, but I knew I had to try a risk and try to win. I was lucky today.”
Larrazabal said, “I was a little bit risky to the last jump; it was a very tight turn, but that’s where I made up the time. A little bit risky, but I mean, he was super. He was jumping great; he felt so much better today, and I think he improved a lot, so maybe next week I will try to do the Grand Prix.”
Today marked Larrazabal’s first Under 25 Grand Prix, yet the series is not on his radar for the future. Although he thinks that the series is beneficial for up and coming riders, his aims are set on the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada this summer. The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are Larrazabal’s first stop in preparation for the Pan Ams, with Spruce Meadows next on his tour.
“I love Kentucky, and even more after you come from the Winter Equestrian Festival, after all those intense 12 weeks that you never stop, you know, over there it’s a little busy. Here it’s quieter; I only have four horses here, by myself, so here you can relax. It’s very nice; there are fields where you can flat the horses, and they don’t think that they are at a show. It keeps them fresh, and they feel like they’re at home resting.”
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
International Grand Prix rider Todd Minikus knows quality, and three years ago he recognized it in the 12-year-old mare, Quality Girl. Since their partnership began, they have risen to the top of the ranks, capturing the win during the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties, NY and earning Horse of the Year last year.
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl
The formidable rider took Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group of Loxahatchee, FL, to the top of the leader board Sunday during the $25,000 Bluegrass Classic, besting a field of 37 contenders.
Only three would clear Jeffery’s course and move into the jump-off, with Shane Sweetnam and Eregast Van’t Kiezelhof, owned by Spy Coast Farm of E. Setauket, NY, finishing second with a time of 34.055 seconds, less than half of a second shy of Minikus’ speedy 33.609 seconds. Third place was awarded to Roberto Teran and Farina, owned by Ark Partners LLC of Wellington, FL.
“To tell you the truth, I would have been jumping off the top of the building there if Quality Girl hadn’t gone clear,” Minikus laughed. “With that being said, she went beautiful out there. I kind of went medium knowing that Shane’s horse is not a speedster; it’s a power jumper. It worked out well.”
“This will be my third year with her, so it is always nice to establish a partnership with a horse like that,” Minikus acknowledged. “You really think of her as a veteran of the sport, but it is just her third year doing this sport at an upper level, so she just now is really coming into her own, even though she has had such great success. It’s nice to have a horse like her; I know every move that is going to happen. She is comfortable; it is like putting on that old leather jacket; it is comfortable and just kind of feels right.”
The $25,000 Bluegrass Classic helped Minikus earn valuable points for the USEF/Rolex Show Jumping Ranking List, where he currently sits in in the eighth position with horses Babalou 41 and Quality Girl listed in the ninth and 23rd positions, respectively.
The Kentucky Spring Classic will kick off next week with a CSI3* rating. The $34,000 Welcome Speed will be held on Wednesday, followed by the $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday, as riders try to accumulate valuable points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. On Saturday, May 16, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix. All three of these FEI classes will count for the Longines Rider Ranking List. The $34,000 Hagyard Classic and the $127,000 Hollow Creek Grand Prix will also count for the USEF/Rolex Show Jumping Ranking List as will the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday, May 17th.
Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows
What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter 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:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition
KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program 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
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.
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the stallion Chilli Morning make history by winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)
Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2015 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) re-wrote the record books when he became the first rider in history to win a CCI4* on a stallion, jumping a magnificent clear round in today’s final phase on Christopher Stone’s Chilli Morning to capture the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.
The popular German rider Ingrid Klimke finished runner-up by just 1.2 penalties on her new star Horseware Hale Bob, and New Zealander Jock Paget was third on Clifton Lush, a great achievement on a horse coming back after a year’s lay-off for injury.
The finale could not have been more tense, with three penalties – less than the cost of a rail down – covering the first five riders, and all attention on the great Kiwi rider Andrew Nicholson aiming to win Badminton for the first time in 31 years of trying.
Paget, lying fifth after Cross Country, eased the pressure on his rivals when Clifton Lush hit the 11th fence to pick up four faults. Klimke, next into the arena, was immaculately prepared, having been competing her German Thoroughbred gelding in Jumping classes over the winter, and they produced a confident clear.
Next to go were the 2014 runners-up, Oliver Townend (GBR) and Armada, but the Yorkshireman had humorously predicted that he wouldn’t be taking home any trophies as the 16-year-old gelding is notoriously difficult in this phase. Four fences down dropped the pair to 11th.
Fox-Pitt is known for his ability to deal with extreme pressure and the generous Chilli Morning more than rose to the occasion, jumping as if on springs to record a clear and switch the burden onto the shoulders of his New Zealand rival.
As the crowd erupted, Nicholson entered on an unsettled Nereo, the 15-year-old chestnut clearly unnerved by the electric atmosphere, and when he hit the second fence it was all over. Two more rails went as well and the pair dropped to sixth place, but the New Zealander somehow managed to find a smile. “I’ll live to fight another day,” he promised.
Fox-Pitt, the first British rider to win Badminton for six years, last triumphed here in 2004 on Tamarillo. “That was a long time ago, and it makes you realise how hard it is,” he said. “It was very easy to think it was all over with a rider like Andrew in front. He doesn’t make many mistakes.”
Chilli Morning will now return to stud duties and will not compete again this year. “He’s a fantastic horse with a brilliant brain and he wants to work.” Fox-Pitt was quick to heap praise on Nick Gauntlett, the rider who produced the stallion up to four-star level.
Ingrid Klimke said Horseware Hale Bob had given her a great ride in all three phases and she was keen to pay tribute to Chris Bartle, the German team trainer “because he always had faith in us”.
Jock Paget, who withdrew his 2013 winner Clifton Promise (10th after Cross Country) before Jumping, said he’d had “a good feeling” about Clifton Lush, a ride he took over from fellow Kiwi Joe Meyer. “He did his maximum in every phase,” said Paget. “I knew that even if he jumped clear, I wouldn’t catch the other two.”
Kelvin Bywater’s Jumping track proved influential, with clear rounds at a premium. Sir Mark Todd (NZL) rose from ninth to fourth with just one time penalty on the German-bred Leonidas ll and Bettina Hoy (GER) had her best ever Badminton result with fifth place on Designer 10 after incurring only four faults.
Nicola Wilson (GBR) rose 11 places to seventh with a clear round on One Two Many; Aoife Clark (IRL) climbed three places to eighth with four faults on Vaguely North and fellow Irishman Michael Ryan shot up from 21st to ninth with a penalty-free round on Ballylynch Adventure. Last year’s winners, Sam Griffiths (AUS) and Paulank Brockagh, were 10th.
Klimke’s second place at Badminton added to her win at Pau (FRA) last year propels her into first place on the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 leaderboard and she has a good ride, Escada JS, for the fifth leg at Luhmühlen (GER) next month. Fox-Pitt, now second in the rankings, following a fourth place in Kentucky (USA) recently, is also planning to compete at Germany’s premier event, so the contest should go right to the wire at Burghley (GBR) in September.
About the winner
William Fox-Pitt, 45, has won 55 CCIs, including a record 14 CCI4*s: Badminton (2004 and 2015), Burghley six times (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Luhmühlen (2008), Kentucky three times (2010, 2012 and 2014) and Pau twice (2011 and 2013). He is the only rider to have won five out of the world’s six CCI4*s. Currently the world number two, he won the FEI Classics™ in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
He has represented Britain 18 times in championships, winning Olympic team silver (2004 and 2012) and bronze (2008), world team gold and individual silver on Cool Mountain (2010) plus team silver in 2006, team bronze in 2002 and team silver and individual bronze in 2014 on Chilli Morning. He has six European team gold medals, one team bronze, two individual silvers (1997 and 2005) and an individual bronze in 2013 on Chilli Morning.
Fox-Pitt is married to Alice, a television racing commentator. They live near Sturminster Newton, Dorset, and have two sons, Oliver and Thomas, and two daughters, Chloe and Emily.
Chilli Morning is a 15-year-old German-bred stallion by Phantomic, a thoroughbred, out of a Jumping-bred mare, Koralle. He was bought in Germany as a youngster by Christopher Stone.
Lexington, KY – May 9, 2015 – Capturing the first place finish was no easy feat during Saturday night’s $85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Forty-four starters contended for the lion’s share of the earnings in the FEI CSI2* event, but when nine qualified for the jump-off, it came down to the wire. Besting the clock and the short course was Aaron Vale aboard Quidam’s Good Luck, tripping the timers in 37.800 seconds for the first place finish. Charlie Jayne and Valeska followed closely in second with a clear effort in 39.29 seconds, while Andrew Welles and Boo van het Kastanjehof earned the third place in 39.610 seconds.
Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England set an inviting course for the CSI2* event at the Kentucky Horse Park. The first round included an open water option, a vertical-oxer double combination, and a tricky oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination. Nine were able to traverse the track and advance to the jump-off, where speed and accuracy could not be compensated in the attempt to win.
Eventual winner Aaron Vale said of the course, “Richard [Jeffery] is a master. I know he could only build to 1.45m specs, so his hands were tied a little bit, but he did a beautiful job with this class, as well as the Hagyard Classic on Thursday. I had just a green rail the other night with Quidam, but it was probably a blessing that I didn’t go in that jump-off. Everything works out the way it is supposed to. I may not have had the brain available tonight that I did for this class had I made it into that jump-off. We got the bigger purse, so it all worked out for us.”
Only four of the nine were able to ride both courses without fault. Jayne was second in the order to return, and set the pace at a speedy 39.29 seconds as he broke the beam with no faults.
Jayne said, “I thought Richard Jeffery did a great job tonight with the 2* specs of making it a horseman’s course, a rider’s course. There were a lot of options, and it was really about knowing your horse. I thought it was very technical in that aspect. Most of the options today you had a water, skinny, a liverpool, a hedge oxer underneath, so you had basically all the tools out there, and I thought he did a great job and had the right number clear.”
Andrew Welles was hot on Jayne’s heels, riding Boo van het Kastanjehof to a fault-free round in 39.61 seconds. Just a nickel off Jayne’s pace, it seemed as though with only three left to go that victory was in sight, yet Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck were in it for the win, leaving no stone unturned.
Charlie Jayne and Valeska
Jayne said, “It’s a little tough, the position that I drew going second in the jump-off out of nine. The footing is so fantastic here; we can really pick up some speed, and the class got quicker and quicker. I knew I needed a little luck on my side, but I thought she jumped fantastic. If anything, maybe at the end I took it a little conservative, and that’s where I could have made up the second and a half that Aaron caught me.”
Vale caught a good first fence, heading forward through the opening line where he stuck to the nine strides that Charlie did, finding a deep distance. After landing from the oxer, he did a very fast and long five strides to the vertical, clearing the line and gaining enough momentum to have spectators on the edge of their seats as he more than a second ahead of Jayne’s pace. He was able to clear the final efforts in 37.800 seconds, setting an untouchable time.
“We didn’t come to canter around and look pretty; we were in it to win,” Vale said. “I knew Charlie has a quick time tonight, and that he got everything the way he wanted for it to appear. The only thing: I got kind of tricked. I thought when I was walking the course that I could get eight strides from one to two when I watched Charlie go, but somebody dissuaded me from that decision. I had a lot of momentum after doing the long five, and he is a thoroughbred-like galloper with a lot of foot speed. I could have done eight, it would have been smoother, but the momentum I had out of the five carried me over the next jumps. I had to get going. The big share of the prize money goes for first, so usually I like to try for that portion if it is possible.”
Quidam’s Good Luck is a 9-year-old who still has a few green moments, but Vale said that when the jumps stay in their cups, he can usually win the class. With the added FEI CSI2* events, his knack for clearing rounds with speed is proving useful. Vale plans on staying through the Kentucky Spring Classic where he will compete with his string of mounts in the CSI3* events.
“This is how the sport is going,” Vale said. “With the influx of foreigners, the way the world ranking list is working, I think that this is going to stick here in Lexington. There is enough depth of people who need it. It looks like there is enough support.”
Jayne agreed with Vale’s sentiments. “It’s fantastic having the FEI competition reinstated in Lexington. You know, going from last year at this time, where we had no FEI shows, to now competing in five weeks consecutive weeks of FEI events, you can’t beat that. Now we have the opportunity to stay in North America-I’m not planning on going to Europe this summer, there are options now. I just thank the Kentucky staff. I think this is great for the organizers and the riders; it was a win-win situation. A lot of new riders came here this year for FEI, and I’ve only heard good things.”
Juan Ortiz aboard D’Ulein van de Smeets and Jorge Matte with Perle du Marisas were the only others to jump double-clear, completing the night in the fourth and fifth place, respectively. Sixth place was awarded to Margie Engle and Royce, the fastest of the four-faulters.
The grand prix was held in memory of the late Mary Rena Murphy, one of the horse industries’ most influential people. She worked diligently to promote the Kentucky Horse Park and was a big influence upon the first hunter jumper shows at the venue. Her vision for an exhibitor-friendly competition at a world-class facility helped shape the Kentucky Horse Park into what it has become today.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will conclude tomorrow with the $25,000 Bluegrass Classic and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix set to start at 8 a.m. in the Rolex Stadium.
Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows
What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter 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:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition
KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program 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
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.
Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo retain their lead after a perfectly judged Cross Country round at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)
Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2015 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) joked that he was “still living the dream” after judging his Cross-Country round on Nereo to perfection at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.
The brilliant New Zealand rider finished one second inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 27 seconds to remain on his leading Dressage score of 37.8. But the six-time Olympian has no room for error to realise a great ambition nurtured since he first competed here in 1984. He has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping phase over four riders who, like Nicholson, all know what it takes to win a CCI4*.
William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who beat Nicholson into second place at Badminton in 2004, is in the runner-up spot after a thrilling round on the stallion Chilli Morning. Oliver Townend, the last British rider to win Badminton, in 2009, is third on Nicholson’s former ride, Armada, a full-brother to Nereo.
Ingrid Klimke (GER) is fourth on her 2014 Pau winner Horseware Hale Bob and the 2013 Badminton winner Jock Paget (NZL) is fifth on Clifton Lush. None of them can afford the tiniest mistake in what promises to be a thrilling Jumping finale. “The crowd will love it,” said Fox-Pitt.
The 2010 winner Paul Tapner (AUS), who proved a masterful pathfinder on Kilronan, 22nd, is in close contention with his second ride, Indian Mill, sixth.
There are five New Zealand horses in the top 10. Nicholson is also seventh on the Thoroughbred Calico Joe and Paget is ninth on Clifton Promise after picking up 6.4 time penalties. Sir Mark Todd is ninth on Leonidas ll with 1.2 time penalties and earned an enormous cheer from the crowd when he finished on the last horse of the day, Oloa, 43rd.
“The course rode really well and the going was perfect,” said the four-time winner who, at 59, was the oldest in the field of 78 Cross Country starters. “Even now, I can say that you still get just as nervous and it’s still just as much a thrill. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Nicholson has won eight CCI4*s, including Burghley five times, but the Mitsubishi Motors trophy has eluded him so far. In 2014, he was last to go on the Spanish-bred Nereo and appeared to have the competition at his mercy, but was unseated midway round at a rail out of the Gatehouse Pond.
“I’ve had a year to contemplate that,” Nicholson said ruefully. “Until I managed to fall off, Nereo was making it feel easy. So this year I made a conscious effort to have him jumping every fence right. It perhaps didn’t feel as smooth, but I’m sure he realised that I was using a bit more pressure from the leg and a stronger rein contact and I think he sensed that each fence mattered.”
With only one ride, Fox-Pitt endured an anxious wait for his turn towards the end of the day, and revealed that he’d been “playing in the Wendy house and on the bouncy castle” with his young sons. “With the course riding so well, I knew that just a few seconds wasted would mean it was all over.”
The performance of Fox-Pitt’s mount, Chilli Morning, was the best by a stallion in the history of Badminton. “When he argues, it gives me confidence that he’s up for it,” said Fox-Pitt, a reference to the time the chestnut stopped at a ditch at Kentucky in 2013. “It’s not poetry in motion, but he’s very genuine, a super horse.”
Bettina Hoy (GER) produced one of her best ever Badminton performances to lie eighth on Designer 10 with just 1.6 time penalties. “He’s never jumped anything that big before and I don’t think I’ve been that fast for a while,” said a delighted Hoy, “I was getting lots of texts and positive messages from riders at Marbach [the German national championships] telling me to kick on.”
Course Designer Giuseppe della Chiesa (ITA) had reduced the intensity of his track, but it still exerted an appropriate influence and, despite the perfect weather and footing conditions, riders had to be completely focused to achieve the optimum time. There were 52 clear rounds, 13 of which were inside the time.
“It was really wonderful to ride,” said an effervescent Ingrid Klimke, who could be the first German to win at the world-famous Gloucestershire venue. “Congratulations to the designer. It had big fences and technical questions which were appropriate for four-star level and it motivated the horses.”
The huge crowds waiting to see thrills and spills at the Lake were not disappointed. Three veteran riders, Kristina Cook (GBR), 11th after Dressage on De Novo News, fellow Briton Gary Parsonage (Sligo Luckyvalier), who last rode at Badminton in the days of long format, and triple Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy (AUS) on Rutherglen all got a soaking when their horses pitched over the curved willow “wave” fence into the water.
“I’m so annoyed with myself,” said Cook when she’d dried off. “He was going so well and for some reason I decided I wanted another stride and got the horse too close to the fence.”
The 2014 winner Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying 16th on Paulank Brockagh, retired his second ride Happy Times after nearly falling and missing his line in the Lake.
The step out of the Lake also proved influential and ended the challenge of young German rider Niklas Bschorer who had been eighth after Dressage. He performed heroics to stay on when Tom Tom Go 3 stumbled up the step, but had to retire when his air jacket inflated.
Andrew Hoy (AUS), who first rode at Badminton in 1979, had a particularly damp day. He was having trouble anchoring first ride Lanfranco TSF, the horse previously ridden by Bettina Hoy, when the onward-bound gelding ran past the narrow brush in the Gatehouse Pond (fence 20) and dislodged him.
Experienced New Zealander Caroline Powell, 23rd after Dressage, also got wet here when Onwards and Upwards tripped on landing.
Christopher Burton (AUS), now 40th, finished 15 seconds inside the optimum time on TS Jamaimo but incurred 20 penalties when taking the alternative route at Huntsman’s Close, which cost him 11th place.
When asked how he was going to keep calm overnight, the leader Andrew Nicholson replied that he was going to return to his home near Marlborough, Wiltshire. “My youngest two children, Lily and Zach, will bring me back to reality, and we’ve also got a few problems with our chickens,” he said.
Find the start list, drawn order, rider biographies and live results on www.badminton-horse.co.uk, and watch the full Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.
Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.
By Kate Green
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