Tag Archives: Ky. Spring Classic

Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 Capture $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 won the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2012 – It was another speedy night at the Kentucky Horse Park, as six double-clear finishers raced for the top prize in the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Proving that they are quickly reaching top form once again, veteran duo Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 galloped over the short track in 38.54 seconds with all the fences in place to earn the lion’s share of the prize. Reed Kessler, often nicknamed Speedy Reedy, lived up to her name with Cylana to place second, while Ireland’s Richie Moloney took home third aboard Slieveanorra.

Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for tonight’s 38 horse and rider combinations, featuring a vertical-vertical double combination, a wide liverpool oxer, an oxer-vertical double combination, a triple bar, and vertical-double combination. Ten pairs were able to complete the first round without fault and advance to the jump-off, where they had to show over two wide oxers to the vertical-oxer double combination, a skinny vertical, the wide liverpool, and finish over a vertical away from the gate. The course twisted and turned through the arena, and offered many opportunities to gallop across the ground and increase the speed.

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Lone Star Emerges Champion with Hunt Tosh in Performance Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hunt Tosh navigated Lone Star to his comeback, earning the Performance 3'6" Hunters Championship at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2012 – The day was filled with intense competition as top riders vied for the championship awards in their divisions today at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Louise Serio led the way with Casino, dominating the First Year Greens, while Scott Stewart earned the championships in his respective divisions aboard Beholden and Dedication. Hunt Tosh guided Cold Harbor to the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship and Rosalynn to the High Performance Hunters highest honors. The distinguished Lone Star returned to the ring for the second day of competition, earning a second day of straight 88s with Tosh in the irons, eventually taking the Performance 3’6″ Hunters Championship.

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, were victors at the end of the day in the Performance 3’6″ Hunters, as the veteran pair began their return to the show rung. The duo earned both blue ribbons in yesterday, and picked up the second place ribbon during their first round over fences today and the third place in the under saddle. Hayley Barnhill and Lennon, owned by Reid Patton of Nashville, TN, took the reserve award.

Continue reading Lone Star Emerges Champion with Hunt Tosh in Performance Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star Make a Sweeping Comeback at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star swept the Performance 3'6" Hunters on the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG’

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Today marked the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic as horse and rider combinations gathered at the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The professional divisions started out the morning, seeing some of the nation’s most talented riders vie for the top honors in their respective divisions. Riders who rode to the blue today included Victoria Colvin, Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt and Hunt Tosh. The competition was fierce, but it was Tosh who came out on top in three of his divisions, including with the infamous Lone Star, who made a clean sweep during his comeback in the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division.

Although it was the Performance 3’6″ Hunters who rounded out the day, the hunter excitement was nowhere near at an end. Tosh navigated Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, to a clean sweep of the division. It has been well over a year since Lone Star last showed; however, it appeared as though the horse did not miss a beat as he posted the division’s top scores of 88 in both rounds over fences. Havens Schatt guided Just Fred, owned by R. Bruce Duchossois of Aiken, SC, to scores of 87 and 85, taking the second place honors.

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Reed Kessler and Ligist Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Blue at Kentucky Spring Classic

Reed Kessler and Ligist won the 1.45m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today’s 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped to victory in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, just topping Kessler and Onisha, who placed second during the speed class.

Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for the 1.45m Open Jumper class that snaked through the Rolex Stadium and included a triple bar, two double combinations, and an open water option. Only two horse and rider combinations were able to master the first round and advance to the jump-off, which featured three new fences and a double combination.

Reed Kessler, of Lexington, KY, and Ligist were third on the posted order, and made the first round look easy as they made their way over each obstacle. Advancing to the short course, Kessler picked up a quick gallop, and despite a hard rub at the first part of the double combination, they left each rail intact and dashed across the finish line in 32.588 seconds.

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Hannah Goodson Earns Top Honors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Holly Whiteman

Lexington KY – May 21, 2011 – Today was another beautiful sunny day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park. The Stonelea Arena presented championship honors in the Junior Hunter Divisions as they wrapped up their second day of competition. Hannah Goodson-Cutt earned two tricolors with her mounts Caretano and Superman in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions. Catherine Tyree also earned championship and reserve championship awards with her mounts Savant and Concetto in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions.

The Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Division awarded championship honors to Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano. The duo earned three blue ribbons, and red and yellow ribbons to secure the championship honors.

“He was good in all his rounds,” noted Goodson-Cutt. “Yesterday, he was good in all his rounds. He went amazing and I was very happy with our results. Today was also good and he feels really great and feels soft and I am excited for how he will be at Devon.”

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Kentucky Spring Classic Wrap Up May 18-22

Lexington, KY – May 23, 2011 – As the Kentucky Spring Classic hosted another night of show jumping, the incredible duo of Kent Farrington and Uceko continued their complete domination of the last two weeks by securing the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix victory. Tonight’s event was sponsored by Audi of Lexington and honored Mary Rena Murphy, a horsewoman whose dedication to equestrian sport was unmatched. Once again, speed proved to be the determining factor during the thirteen horse jump-off, and that is something Farrington and Uceko are proving to master. The duo was a full two seconds ahead of second place finishers Ali Wolff and Lanoo, while Christian Heineking and River of Dreams took home third for the second time this week.

“During the first round, there were more clear than I expected,” admitted Farrington. “The outside line started with a wall and then an awkward distance to an oxer-oxer combination, and then a very steady distance to a liverpool. I thought that would catch more horses than it did. I think the footing here is excellent, and these horses have been here for two weeks now, so I think they are really comfortable in the ring. I think that’s why there were more clear rounds than Richard expected. It’s under the lights, so they are a bit impressed, and I think the horses were just really going well on the ground.”

For the final test, Jeffery had riders start over a single oxer to the liverpool and make a bending line to a single oxer. They then made a sharp roll back to a vertical-oxer double combination and galloped across the ring to a wide oxer. Finally, riders made another sharp turn to a tall vertical before they galloped towards the timers over the last oxer. Of the thirteen qualifiers, seven were able to make it a perfect night and finish without any faults added to their score.

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Unbelievable Uceko! Kent Farrington Takes $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix Win at Kentucky Spring Classic

Kent Farrington and Uceko won the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photos By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 21, 2011 – As the Kentucky Spring Classic hosted another night of show jumping, the incredible duo of Kent Farrington and Uceko continued their complete domination of the last two weeks by securing the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix victory. Tonight’s event was sponsored by Audi of Lexington and honored Mary Rena Murphy, a horsewoman whose dedication to equestrian sport was unmatched. Once again, speed proved to be the determining factor during the thirteen horse jump-off, and that is something Farrington and Uceko are proving to master. The duo was a full two seconds ahead of second place finishers Ali Wolff and Lanoo, while Christian Heineking and River of Dreams took home third for the second time this week.

Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, was tonight’s course designer and 32 horse and riders gathered at the Rolex Stadium to take their turn over the first round. There were 16 jumping efforts, which included a triple bar, a wall fence, a liverpool, an open water, an oxer-oxer double combination, and a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination. Thirteen of the entries managed to clear the course without fault and advance to the jump-off.

“During the first round, there were more clear than I expected,” admitted Farrington. “The outside line started with a wall and then an awkward distance to an oxer-oxer combination, and then a very steady distance to a liverpool. I thought that would catch more horses than it did. I think the footing here is excellent, and these horses have been here for two weeks now, so I think they are really comfortable in the ring. I think that’s why there were more clear rounds than Richard expected. It’s under the lights, so they are a bit impressed, and I think the horses were just really going well on the ground.”

Continue reading Unbelievable Uceko! Kent Farrington Takes $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix Win at Kentucky Spring Classic

Greer Hindle and Freedom Victorious in USEF Hunter Seat Medal at Kentucky Spring Classic

Greer Hindle and Freedom at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Holly Whiteman

Lexington KY – May 20, 2011 – Today, the sun was shining for competitors at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. In the Stonelea Arena, junior riders competed in the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal and the WIHS Hunter Phase. The USEF/Pessoa Hunter Medal title went to Greer Hindle, while the WIHS Hunter Phase was won by Hayley Barnhill.

Twenty-five riders showed over a course consisting of nine jumps. Riders started out down the diagonal away from the gate with a seven stride vertical to an oxer. Then, riders came up the opposite diagonal over the wall and back down the opposite diagonal over a single vertical, and around to the outside two stride vertical to an oxer. From there, they continued down to the single vertical on the diagonal line and up the outside five stride vertical to an oxer.

Four riders were invited back in the ring for the final test. After they lined up, the judges instructed them to canter fences four and seven, counter canter fence eight, hand gallop fence two, halt, and return to the line at a sitting trot.

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Scott Stewart Commands the Green Conformation Hunters aboard Empire at the Kentucky Spring Classic

Scott Stewart and Empire at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2011 – It was a dreary first day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, but that’s not keeping the competitors from boasting the beautiful courses here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today the Kentucky Spring Classic kicked off with the second week of the Kentucky Spring Series. This week features World Champion Hunter Rider Week. Riders will have the opportunity to earn quality points in various hunter divisions, excellent prize money, and year end awards. In the Stonelea Ring today, Green Conformation Hunters, First Year Green Working Hunters, Second Year Green Working Hunters, and Regular Conformation Hunters completed their first two courses. Tomorrow the professional hunter divisions will award champion and reserve champion honors.

Scott Stewart swept the competition in the Green Conformation with Empire owned by Becky Gochman. Stewart had an impressive score of 89 in his second round to secure his place in first for both classes. “I thought he was great because I haven’t shown him myself since the Derby in Florida. The course was really nice today; I thought it was very real. The lines were set nice. I think it’s one of the best places of the year to show,” said Stewart. Jennifer Alfano and her horse, Michigan Avenue, placed second in the first class with a score of 84 and third in the second class with a score of 84. Louise Serio earned the red ribbon in the second round with a score of 83 aboard Black Tie, owned by Blair Balmer. Maria Rasmussen took home third with San Diego.

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One for the Record Book! Minikus and Raether Tie for the Top in $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Classic

Todd Minikus and Pavarotti tied with Cara Raether and Ublesco for the first place prize in the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Lindsay Y McCall/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 22, 2010 – Tonight’s amazing finish in the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, will go down in history.  The crowd went wild when Todd Minikus and Pavarotti crossed the finish line in an exciting 35.24 seconds to take over the lead during the jump-off, but when Cara Rather and Ublesco managed to stop the timers at the same 35.24 seconds the night became historical.

The fantastic grand prix at the Kentucky Spring Classic was held in the Main Stadium, site of the show jumping events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with the course designed by Conrad Homfeld. The first round had 16 jumping efforts that included a liverpool, a double combination, and a triple combination. Ten riders were able to complete the first round without fault and advance to jump-off. The short course began over a single vertical and a made a sharp right turn to a single oxer before making a left turn to the oxer-vertical double combination. Riders then made a made dash to a single vertical, which they had to slice before continuing to a single oxer. Finally they made a full circle to a single vertical before galloping home over a large oxer towards the gate.

Continue reading One for the Record Book! Minikus and Raether Tie for the Top in $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Classic