Lexington, Ky. – July 31, 2017 – New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley has taken over the lead in the 2017 Hagyard Challenge Series after earning ribbons in all three of this year’s show jumping events. During the Kentucky Summer Classic, Wordley took over the top spot with two top ten placings on Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show also featured the fifth event of the series for the 2017 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, where Jeff Gogul continues to hold the lead in the standings.
Wordley’s consistent efforts in the Hagyard Challenge Series have him atop the leaderboard currently, but Thursday’s winner Pablo Barrios of Venezuela is in a close second, followed by David Beisel in the third place position after earning second and third in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.
The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes held during the 2017 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series. The series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic held during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be announced and presented with the cash prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
The Kentucky Summer Horse Show also featured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows. Jeff Gogul has earned the top spot in three of the events to have a strong lead in the standings. David Beisel is currently ranked second, followed by Victoria Colvin.
The $30,000 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows Leading Rider Awards will include a $20,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the 11 classes that make up the 2017 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows series. The series-leading amateur and junior riders accumulating the most points will each receive a $5,000 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 finale event during the WEC Invitational.
Lexington, Ky. – July 30, 2017 – David Beisel and Ammeretto led a ten horse jump-off to race home with the first place finish in the $50,000 Rood and Riddle Grand Prix. In front of a packed crowd in the Rolex Stadium, Beisel capped off a week of top finishes at Kentucky Summer Horse Show by also winning the Leading Rider Award presented by Envisian Products, LLC. Amaretto narrowly beat Australia’s Scott Keach on Fedor, with Beisel piloting the mount to a quick time of 39.230 seconds. Taking third place honors was Nicole Shahinian-Simpson on her mare Akuna Mattata.
Ammeretto, who is owned by Equine Holdings, LLC, has been with Beisel since he was a 3-year-old. The now 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion has had a very competitive summer with top place grand prix finishes at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival as well as the Tryon International Equestrian Center before coming to Kentucky. Beisel credits having the stallion his entire career for their unique ability to make quick adjustments while on course. It was one of those quick adjustments on the long gallop to the Rood & Riddle oxer that helped Beisel overtake Australian Olympic athlete Keach who had taken the lead in the jump-off round from Shahinian-Simpson with a time of 41.296 seconds.
With a lineup of 29 top equestrians, the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix was the perfect event to entertain the crowds who had amassed at the Kentucky Horse Park to enjoy ‘Hats Off Day.’ This annual event is held to pay homage to the equestrian industry which holds a very special place in the Bluegrass state. During the day-long event, visitors were able to enter the Horse Park free of charge and enjoy family friendly events throughout the park.
After winning three over fences classes, placing second in the handy and coming in third in the undersaddle during the Amateur-Owner Hunter division, Didi Mackenzie and MTM Inside Scoop claimed the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship. Mackenzie of Flower Mound, Texas and her 11-year-old gelding commanded both days of hunter competition and she was thrilled to receive the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship title, sponsored by Visse Wedell with Kirkpatrick & Companies.
The breezy and cool temperature on Saturday morning at the Kentucky Horse Park was the perfect weather to add spark to Mackenzie’s Inside Scoop, and her second horse, MTM Do Right, who won the division’s reserve championship. MTM Do Right placed second in one over fences class, placed third in two over fences classes and placed third in the handy.
Mackenzie purchased both geldings when they were pre-greens from Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney. She works with McCormick and Fenney when she is home in Texas, but spends her winter competing at HITS Thermal before heading to Kentucky where she spends the summer.
Lexington, KY – July 28, 2017 – Anna Dryden was the first rider to set foot in Rolex Stadium on Friday morning. The adult amateur competitor from New York had her second child just five months ago, but was determined to have strong finishes in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Speed class on both of her horses, Zartoes and Petrushka III. Although she lost her reins on the way to a fence on Zartoes, the pair still went clear in a time of 67.950. She continued to lead the class until she reentered the ring on Petrushka III and completed the course almost two whole seconds faster, in a time of 66.045. Charlotte Jacobs and Bartani S took home third place honors in the class of seventeen.
The early morning win held more significance for Dryden as it marks her return to serious competition after pregnancy. Although she normally trains with Allison Robataille, Dryden is working with Chilean Olympian, Samuel Parot during this trip to Kentucky. She credits Parot’s can-do attitude with giving her the confidence to go in the ring with an expectation to win and allowing her to enjoy the moment.
Dryden is no stranger to the winner’s circle in the High Amateur-Owner division. Before she gave birth to her second child, she and ‘Petra’ consistently had top placings together including a win in the same division on August 3, 2016. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Zartoes, is a slightly more recent acquisition to Dryden’s string, being purchased only a year and a half ago. Dryden is hopeful that once she regains her post pregnancy fitness she will have the opportunity to show Zartoes in bigger classes and put her extra scope to good use.
Alexandra Worthington Rules Friday Equitation
Since purchasing the 10-year-old gelding Outshine during the Florida winter season, Alexandra Worthington, 17, has enjoyed the experience of riding him in the equitation ring. The rising high school senior splits her time between New York and Las Vegas, and has trained with Beacon Hill Show Stables for over two years. On Friday, the pair dominated the Stonelea Ring by winning the ASPCA Horsemanship class and winning the WIHS Hunter Phase with a score of 90.
After 8 riders were selected to return for an undersaddle phase, Maverick Austin Helmar on Canterbury placed second in the ASPCA Horsemanship class. Grace Saad and Bond 016 finished in third place.
Annabel Revers and Contigo 37 followed closely behind Worthington in the WIHS Hunter Phase with a score of 88. Elli Yeager and Copperfield 39 received an 87 and placed third.
Meanwhile in the Claiborne Ring, the THIS National Child Medal 14 & Under took place on the third day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. Fifteen combinations competed and the top four were invited back for a work-off where they were asked to canter a handful of fences, trot one fence, halt at the end of the course and show a sitting trot. Augusta Iwasaki, 13, of Calabasas, California won the class aboard Cocktail 51, a horse she has only ridden twice. The duo earned a score of 83 and Jaden Porter on Dragonfly’s Corleone B placed second with a 79. Layla Kurbanov and Constantin FZ finished in third place with a score of 78.
Lexington, KY – July 27, 2017 – Pablo Barrios proved once again that he is the “King of the Ring” in the Rolex Stadium by besting a field of twenty-six competitors to win the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. David Beisel gave the Venezuelan Olympic veteran a run for his money by piloting two mounts to the jump-off and taking the second and third place ribbons. Lacey Gilbertson and Sharn Wordley rounded out the top five places in the ten horse jump off, placing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Athletes were especially competitive as the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic was the third class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. The series consists of seven grand prix classes held in 2017 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series.
Although Barrios was part of a handful of riders to only compete one horse in the class, he was confident that he and long-time mount Zara Leandra had what it took to win. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, who is owned by Barrios, easily navigated the course, designed by Oscar Soberon. The pair has already had a successful summer with a win in the $50,000 Country Heir II Grand Prix and a second-place finish in the $25,000 Rood and Riddle Grand Prix, both at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Barrios, who has previously received the $50,000 purse for winning the Challenge Series in past years, knows the cash prize is up for grabs as three different riders have won the three classes so far this year.
For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.
Jaime Gibson and Cora Win Grand Open Hunter Championship
As hunter competition continued on the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Jaime Gibson of Ocala, Florida rode the 9-year-old mare Cora to the Grand Open Hunter Championship. Owned by Debbie Smith of Beverly Hills, Florida, Cora won two over fences class and the handy, and placed second in an over fences and the undersaddle class in the Green Conformation Hunter division. They picked the division’s championship prize alongside Tim Goguen, who tied for the title with Garland Alban’s Decoy.
Gibson started riding the talented mare during the winter season and the pair competed in the Ocala circuit and at Devon before heading to the Kentucky Horse Park for their biggest win to date.
The Grand Open Hunter Championship is sponsored by Visse Wedell of Wedell Real Estate. Earlier this year, she noted, “I sponsor all of the Grand Hunter Championships at the Kentucky Horse Shows because I think it’s important to go back in history where they used to do it a lot. They don’t do it at many horse shows anymore and I thought that it would be a nice thing for riders to go home with a trophy.”
Lexington, KY. – July 26, 2017 – On the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, the Rolex Stadium played host to four show jumping classes that offered combinations the opportunity to warm up for an upcoming week of competition. David Beisel of Cincinnati, Ohio and Sharn Wordley of New Zealand both achieved blue ribbons and set themselves up for a successful week of showing at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Beisel and Colato Sabata were the fastest of seven entries in the 7-Year-Old Developing Jumper class, presented by Spy Coast Farm. The chestnut gelding navigated the first portion of the power and speed class with no faults, allowing him to move on to the speed phase, where he was also clear in a time of 33.094. In addition to Colato Sabata, Beisel rode two other entries in the class, which made for an exciting hour as he quickly dismounted one horse just to mount another that was being held for him at the ingate.
New Kentucky resident, Sharn Wordley, also found success in the Rolex Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in the $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m Speed class, besting a field of thirteen other competitors with his gelding Famoso D Ive Z. The pair completed the course, designed by Oscar Soberon, in a time of 62.934, a full three seconds faster than the next fastest competitor.
Hunter Divisions Kick Off on Opening Day
On the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park, top hunter competitors were eager to head into the Stonelea Ring to kick off competition. On Wednesday morning, Tim Goguen aboard Belhaven Stables LLC’s Perhaps led the way in the Green 3’6″/3’9″ Hunter division after placing second in the first over fences round, winning the second over fences round and placing third in the under saddle.
Goguen rode the talented gelding to a handful of championship titles at the Winter Equestrian Festival earlier in the season and he has mainly competed in the Pre-Greens. Robert Crandall and On the Slye are following behind in the division standings after winning the first over fences round and earning a red ribbon in the second round.
In the High Performance Conformation Hunter division, Kathryn Haley of Colts Neck, New Jersey won both over fences classes on Outshine, a 9-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Alexandra Worthington. The pair placed second in the under saddle behind Jeff Gogul and Cortese.
Gaston and Because Conclude Kentucky Summer Classic with Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship
Lexington, KY – Aug. 7, 2016 – On Sunday, 22-year-old Lindsey Tomeu added a sixth consecutive win to her summer streak of success with a victory in the Adult Jumper Classic aboard DBHC, Inc.’s Bonapart. In the Children’s Jumper Classic, it was Madeline Derose and Aberdeen Ventures LLC’s Jorno who bested the field of 32 to take home the win.
Tomeu and Bonapart were the last combination to attempt the course, and turned in a clear round to advance to the jump-off. Contesting Michelle Newman and the UK Equestrian Team’s Royal Blue lead, Tomeu and Bonapart shaved a full two seconds off the leading time to take over the lead in 31.103 seconds, leaving Newman and Royal Blue in second.
“It feels amazing to have won this class; we’ve had an incredible summer so far,” Tomeu said. “Bonapart is so special; he’s almost unstoppable. Today we originally planned to take a tighter inside turn to fence 10 in the jump-off, but he’s quick enough on his own, so we went wide instead. I’m happy we did, because it was a dicey turn. He’s always looking where he’s going, so once you do the first turn he has an idea. You have to think a little faster than him.”
Tomeu said she has had Bonapart, who is now 15, for two years, and considers him to be her horse of a lifetime. The duo recently earned reserve champion in the Adult Jumpers at the Devon Horse Show, and also had wins at Country Heir and the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
“This is my third summer with him, and we’ve formed an incredible bond,” Tomeu said. “He really is my horse of a lifetime, and I don’t think we’ll ever be able to replace him. He’s been there, done that. He’s won NAL Finals two years in a row; he’s just amazing. Today is our sixth Classic win in a row, which marks a record for me now. I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Tomeu is based in Lexington, Kentucky for the summer, and trains with Shane Sweetnam and Ali Oakley Sweetnam at Sweet Oak Farm.
“We love Kentucky,” Tomeu said. “It just doesn’t get any better than this.”
Earlier in the day, the Children’s Jumper Classic took the stage in the Rolex Arena. Madeline Derose and Jorno were one of seven horse-and-rider combinations to go clear in the first round and advance to the jump-off, which they completed faultless in a time of 33.097 seconds. Second place went to Sophia Zuckett and Stephanie Novas’ Aretina M with a time of 35.281 seconds.
“In the jump-off, we took two inside turns that helped us save time,” Derose said. “It feels great to win with him. I’ve won one other class on him at a smaller show, so it feels really good.”
Derose said her trainer, Aaron Vale, found Jorno during HITS Ocala in February.
“Jorno is so awesome for a 7-year-old,” Derose said. “I’ve only had him for a little while, but he’s been going really well. When we saw him going around at HITS, Aaron said, ‘I think that’s the one for you.’ He’s great; he’s super scopey, so that’s nice. He has a big stride, but he’s really collectable.
“I love showing here,” Derose concluded. “The facility is amazing. It’s really cool to go in the Rolex Arena, and it’s nice to be able to go around in a bigger ring like that.”
Gaston and Because Conclude Kentucky Summer Classic with Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship
Jane Gaston of The Plains, Virginia and her 9-year-old imported Dutch Warmblood gelding impressed the judges in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division and the pair earned the division championship on the final day of the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show.
“I am pretty happy with him,” Gaston said. “He is a really consistent horse. He is a good sport, so whatever they put out there I know that I have a good shot with him. He is such a good horse!
Jane Gaston and Because
“Because has a big slow step, I never have to hurry. He has a huge range so your options are endless. He doesn’t mind getting deep or long, and he is kind about either spot. He is very adjustable.”
Prior to Gaston purchasing the talented gelding in February from Daniel Geitner, Because was originally a jumper in Europe.
“When Daniel [Geitner] started riding him he thought he would excel in the hunter ring,” Gaston explained. “He went right into the hunter ring like he had been practicing all his life!”
The pair competed throughout the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida and they were champion or reserve champion during most weeks in the Amateur-Owner division.
Though they had a stellar winter season, their competition schedule has not gone as smoothly as they had originally planned. Gaston’s goal was to qualify for Devon, which they accomplished, but an unfortunate fall from another horse left Gaston with a broken collarbone that required surgery.
Though Gaston had a two month setback, she geared up better than ever at the beginning of summer and has been consistent winning tricolor ribbons. Her first show back in the saddle was at Lamplight Equestrian Center where she earned her division championship.
“I could not have had a better start back horse because he is so kind and gentle,” Gaston explained. “When I was a little iffy coming back, he was the perfect horse.”
On Sunday, Gaston won the under saddle class and the handy round, so with the addition of her wins form the previous day she clinched the Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship.
“In the handy I thought he was really good,” Gaston said. “There was one inside turn I decided not to do because I knew that a few riders had a rub there. I thought if I had a rub up to that point I could add the inside turn, but my round was going well and I wanted to be smooth through to the end.”
Gaston trains with Larry Glefke and Kelley Farmer, who are based in Lexington, Kentucky in the summer and Wellington, Florida in the winter months. Farmer competed Because in the first week of the Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s summer series and won the Green Hunter Championship.
“They were not here today because Kelley just won the $100,000 International Derby at Saugerties!” Gaston laughed. “Vanessa Brown, who works for Larry, and Debbie Buchanan helped me today. We had our instructions, we followed them and it all was good.”
Gaston and Because continue to add more tricolor ribbons to their collection, but her main goal is to stay healthy the rest of the summer season so they can compete in the indoor circuit.
“Thank you to my whole team who kept him going and helped him be prepared while I was off for two months,” Gaston explained. “It was hard to get going, then have a break from my injury, and then to get him going again full speed. They prepared him beautifully!
“I love showing at Kentucky,” Gaston concluded. “It is one of the most consistent rings and everything is high quality; the stabling, the footing, the courses. It’s a place I always look forward to coming to.”
In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ division, the top quality of the field made the judges opt for a California split. In Section A, Kristen Schnelle and Calena were crowned champions and Didi Mackenzie earned the reserve champion ribbon on MTM Do Right.
In Section B of the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3 division, Brittan Bailey and Jackman earned the tricolor ribbon and Lisa Butzer on Boca’s In Pursuit earned the reserve championship.
Bailey splits her time between West Palm Beach, Florida and Dallas, Texas, and she has owned the 10-year-old gelding for two years. They earned two blue ribbons, one in the handy and the other in the second hunter round, to clinch the section championship.
“My rounds were really great,” Bailey said. “I’m really excited for our consistency and I’m so pleased with him. We have come a long way since I’ve had him. It’s been a great partnership to bring him along. Win or lose he is so fun to show, but winning the division makes it even better!
“His favorite thing is to come to a show,” Bailey continued. “He loves his job. I know when I go out there I can always count on him.”
This is the first championship ribbon the pair has earned in an amateur division during Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s series. She enjoyed the handy course because it allowed her to show off Jackman’s handiness while maintaining a smooth round.
“I have a demanding professional job as CFO of Transworld Business Advisors, so it makes it even more exciting that I can put it all together for a show and balance everything,” Bailey concluded. “It’s a challenge of being an amateur, but it’s exciting when you can succeed!”
The Kentucky Summer Classic will wrap up on Sunday to make way for the 2016 United States Pony Finals. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show Series will resume on August 16 with the start of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, which will feature both the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Other highlight events include the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.
Lexington, KY – Aug. 6, 2016 – After winning the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix last Saturday, Shane Sweetnam and the Blue Buckle Group LLC’s Cobolt returned one week later to pick up another victory under the lights, this time in the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by GGT Footings.
Forty-seven horse-and-rider combinations attempted Marina Azevedo’s first-round track, with only four eventually advancing to the short course.
Mirroring Thursday’s grand prix, Sweetnam and Cobolt were again the first to go clear, and subsequently the first to return for the jump-off. Their jump-off time of 39.991 seconds would stand for the lead as the remaining three challengers fell short of taking over the top spot.
“Cobolt was brilliant,” Sweetnam said. “It was a difficult course; the designer did a really great job, as she did all week. For the jump-off I knew I had to go quick. The other day I went very quick, but I did get caught. I thought if I did a special turn from fence two to three that I could be the winner of the class. He did that no problem, but we landed and we slipped, which cost a few seconds to get organized. We still could have been beat, but the way it went, my lead stood.”
Sweetnam said he got the ride on Cobolt in January, and said he has been very happy with the horse’s progress. The pair has most recently finished in the top three during all four grand prixs during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show series.
“This summer Cobolt has been getting better and better,” Sweetnam said. “He is very competitive. He really loves his job, but he still has things to learn. We will see what he does when we go to the Hamptons and indoors, but he is really making a lot of progress.”
Finishing in both second and third place was Mavis Spencer on her own Cornetiero and Neil Jones Equestrian Inc.’s Disco Lady, respectively. Spencer returned with Disco Lady first, and an unfortunate refusal and rail down would leave the duo on an 8-fault finish in a time of 61.587 seconds.
“Disco Lady is only 8 years old,” Spencer said. “She jumped Thursday and that was her second night class, and this is her third one, so I’m really happy with her. On Thursday, we had a skinny down. There was a shadow that she looked down at, and I think she got a bit green, to be honest. She is so smart and she never makes the same mistake twice, so in the first round she just knew exactly where the poles were at and she jumped incredibly.”
With Cornetiero, Spencer outpaced Sweetnam with her time of 39.161 seconds, but an unlucky rail dropped at the penultimate fence to earn the duo the second-place spot.
“They are very different types of horses,” Spencer said. “Cornetiero has all the scope, and he’s super brave. He’s a little bit scrappy; he gets the job done. I only started riding Disco last week, and this was my fifth class with her. I rode Coronet last summer until the fall, and this was also my 5th class with him. He is my go-to horse at this level. But, overall, I was really happy with them both.”
Spencer said that just a few hours before the grand prix, a Facebook Timeline Memory reminded her that two years ago she was in Poland grooming for Neil Jones’ horses at a 3* event.
“To see the difference from two years ago to now is incredible,” Spencer said. “Just the fact that I rode three horses in this class is incredible for me. To be second and third, I would never have imagined that this afternoon. It’s an amazing feeling, and I really have a lot to thank Neil Jones for; it is a super support system to have for me.”
The final pair to compete in the jump-off, Juan Andres Rodriguez and his own Bugatti, collected a total of 4 faults and a time of 55.45 seconds to finish in fourth place.
Picking up only 1 time fault in the first round, Max Amaya and Meridian Partners LLC’s Bueno took home the fifth-place ribbon, while the fastest of the 4-fault rounds, Celso Ariani and Ricardo Romero’s Reus De La Nutria rounded out the top six.
Molly Sewell, a professional based in Orlando, Florida with Bill Schaub, was neck and neck with her two talented mounts, Acado and El Raymond, in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show. Less than two points separated the horses, but the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Acado came out on top with an overall score of 181.250.
Molly Sewell and Acado
His owner, Sydney Porter, is competing in her last junior year and earlier this week she was reserve champion in the Junior Hunter 3’3″ division with Acado at the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show. Sewell started riding the horse over a month ago, and is helping to prepare Acado to be Porter’s future amateur horse by giving him experience in the derbies.
“He is a lovely horse,” Sewell said. “He’s a pre-green horse, so it’s even better that he can go into the derby and be that amazing. I would not have changed a thing about the first round with Acado; there was there was nothing that needed to be different.
“Acado is really a lovely ride,” she continued. “He is very comfortable, soft in his mouth, has beautiful lead changes, and he is scopey.”
Sewell and Acado placed third in their first derby together in last week’s Kentucky Summer Horse Show, so she was thrilled that he stepped up to win the large class on Saturday. The pair earned a 93.000 in the first round and an 88.250 in the second round after jumping all three high options in each round.
“I think Acado was more confident this week,” Sewell explained. “He walked into the ring and rose to the occasion. He jumped the high options outstandingly. He just had a bit more mileage and confidence this week.”
Though Acado lead the way after the first round, Sewell’s other mount, El Raymond, had the experience to edge him out in the second round score by only 0.250 points. Owned by Leslie and Stuart Campbell, El Raymond is an 18-year-old Warmblood gelding who has quite an impressive derby record. Sewell and the chestnut gelding have won the Kentucky Summer Horse Show derby three years in a row, and they took the blue ribbon in last week’s derby.
“He was amazing as always,” she said. “I feel like my first round on Raymond today was by far one of the best first rounds I’ve ever had on him. Sometimes he can be too casual on the first round and he gears up for the second round and that’s when he shines.”
Though El Raymond came back to score higher in the second round with an 88.500, it was not enough to win the overall total score. Acado won Friday’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby with a total score of 181.50 while El Raymond placed second with a 179.500.
“I felt a little bit bad because I had to send Raymond back to the barn before the awards presentation…he really is not used to that treatment,” Sewell laughed.
Sewell praised the derby course and she felt the solid high options gave her the opportunity to show off her horses’ jumping talents.
“Raymond has a lot more shows under his belt with a lot more experience and wins,” she explained. “They are very different rides. Acado has a bigger stride, and he has a higher and slower jump compared to Raymond. Raymond is so tidy with his knees, so it depends on what you like.”
Sewell rides with Bill Schaub, and they discussed their strategy of the handy round, which helped solidify her win on Saturday. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a smooth round with quality jumping style.
“People can get carried away in the handy and they forget it is still the hunters,” Schaub explained. “It needs to be smooth and the horse must jump in good style. When you get too carried away you lose that.”
“In the handy a lot of people can get a bit too crazy and it can get messy,” Sewell explained. “I chose to ride more conservative and only do a couple of the inside turns in order to be smooth. It worked out for me today.”
Sewell came to Schaub her first year out of the junior division, and they have been working together for sixteen years.
“I always want Molly to be neat, tight, carry a gallop while having a smooth round,” Schaub continued. “Originally we had some ideas of how to ride the handy but after watching some rides we realized those options made it messy. We did not want to be too risky and lose the style.”
The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is part of the $40,0000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series which is returning for the fifth year in a row at the Kentucky Horse Park. The five-part series a $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus presented at the conclusion of the series.
The Kentucky Summer Classic will wrap up on Sunday to make way for the 2016 United States Pony Finals. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show Series will resume on August 16 with the start of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, which will feature both the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Other highlight events include the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.
Emma Kurtz and Patrick Win WIHS Equitation at Kentucky Summer Classic
Lexington, KY – Aug. 5, 2016 – Before heading to work at CMW Architects in downtown Lexington, Douglas Masters hopped on Chris Richard’s Uno Z to ride to the win in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers on Friday. In the High Junior Jumper division, which ran simultaneously, it was Emma Wujek and her own Ugaf who rode to victory.
In the speed class, Masters and Uno Z delivered one of only three clear rounds, stopping the clock in just 57.945 seconds to claim the top spot.
“I got Uno Z last year, and we’ve been working our way up,” Masters explained. “He is a very unorthodox horse. He goes in his way, and I put my own style into him. When I first saw him in Holland, I originally was not interested in him at all. After we jumped some really big jumps, I just had a huge smile on my face; it couldn’t be any better. He’s just a very talented horse, and it’s a privilege for me to be able to ride him.”
Masters said that balancing his professional career and amateur status as a rider has presented many challenges, but he is finally hitting his stride and finding a balance between both of his passions.
“I literally came right from work and walked the course and jumped around,” Masters said. “The schedule is crazy, but this isn’t anything new for me. I just moved him down here from my mom’s barn in Ohio, so I’ve finally been able to ride every day. We’re starting to get in our groove, and it’s a blessing that I have a job that will support me.”
Coming in second to Masters was Anne Gardner and her own After Eight, who clocked in a time of 61.493 seconds. The third and final clear came from David Oberkircher and Southfields Farm LLC’s Castelino Van De Helle, whose time of 67.28 seconds would earn them third place.
On the High Junior Jumper card, which also saw three clear efforts, Wujek and Ugaf’s clear round of 59.017 seconds proved to be unbeatable by the other challengers.
“My plan worked out today,” Wujek said. “I left out strides because Ugaf has the biggest stride in the world, and I also turned inside the timers to save time. It’s nice because he’s so balanced, I can really get up through those turns. It was amazing to win this class today; it’s a good feeling.”
Wujek, who trains with Tim and Kelly Goguen, said she purchased the stallion as her first Junior Jumper halfway through the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2015.
“Ugaf is awesome,” Wujek said. “He was my first Junior Jumper, and he is the best horse to learn on. He puts up with me so well. He takes a lot of leg, but you have to let him flow. He thrives with a challenge.”
Boggs Hill Farm is based just around the corner, giving Wujek the opportunity to enjoy Kentucky year-round, and she loves showing at the Kentucky Horse Show.
“I love the show grounds,” Wujek said. “The upkeep is awesome, and it’s really nice having a farm just down the road.”
Finishing in second place on the junior card was Claire McKean, who piloted Eregast Van’t Kiezelhof across the finish line in 62.64 seconds. Third place went home with Mary Elizabeth Cordia, who clocked a time of 65.338 seconds in the irons on Chelsie.
The 1.40m Open Jumpers kicked off Friday’s action in the Rolex Arena, and it was Sydney Shulman and the BCF Group’s Wamira who rode away with the blue ribbon. Finishing in second was Victor Amaya and Kristin Hull’s Arko, while third went to Alejandro Karolyi and Karolyi Showjumping Inc.’s Isibelle.
The Kentucky Summer Classic will continue on Saturday with the highlight $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, presented by GGT Footing and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Emma Kurtz and Patrick Win WIHS Equitation
Junior rider Emma Kurtz of Hudson, Ohio won both the jumper phase and the hunter phase of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation on Friday of the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show. She rode Dr. Betsee Parker’s gelding Patrick to the double win in the equitation division.
Emma Kurtz and Patrick
Kurtz first rode the chestnut gelding at the Maclay Finals last November and competed with him a handful of times at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, so she explained that she was still getting acclimated to his ride.
The pair had placed second in the WIHS hunter phase last week at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, and they returned this week focused on winning the blue.
“The jumper phase this morning was so fun!” Kurtz said. “I was really nervous going in because I could only watch two riders go through it.
“Patrick’s rhythm is different than other horses I typically ride, so it has taken a while for me to get used to it,” Kurtz continued. “I feel like I haven’t been really great on Patrick because he is a very different ride for me, but he is amazing! His stride is huge.”
The talented duo won the jumper phase with an impressive score of 94, which was five points ahead of the second place finisher, Casco M and Victoria Press’s score of 89.
“The only problem I usually have in the jumper phase is the time allowed,” Kurtz explained. “I always need to stay on my pace because I like to go slow.”
The jumper phase finished in the morning so the riders had the entire day to prepare for the WIHS hunter phase, which took place in the Alltech Arena.
“It was surprising that we had to ride in the indoor ring because we are not used to competing indoors quite yet in the season,” Kurtz said. “Patrick was holding back a bit, but he was perfect. He never does anything wrong. I could just tell a little difference in the way he went versus riding outside.
“It was great practice for us, especially since Maclay Finals happens there,” she continued. “We should all be ready!”
The hunter phase consisted of nine jumps with bending lines and a combination. Kurtz bested a field of 30 equitation riders to earn a score of 89. The top three finishers were within a point of each other with Madison Sellman and Alvarez L placing second in the hunter phase with a score of 88, and Samantha Cohen and Trump coming in third with an 87.
“My ride went well,” Kurtz said. “Patrick is so easy and sweet. Usually they have straight lines in the hunter phase, but today they made it a bit more exciting. It was fun to ride.”
Kurtz has been focusing on improving her equitation in order to stand out in a group of talented young riders. She rides often without stirrups and she laughed, “It’s not necessarily fun, but we have to do it!”
“I’ve been working a lot on my leg position because it sometimes slides back when I am in the air. Then sometimes it slides too far forward when I ride around so I’ve been focusing on keeping it more underneath me and keeping my legs where they should be.”
She plans on continuing to get to know Patrick through the summer by competing in the equitation divisions at the Blue Grass Festival Horse Show later in August before heading off to the Hampton Classic.
“He’s so sweet around the barn!” Kurtz said. “Today after our ride he got his favorite snack, a banana, as a treat!”
Feature events of the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show include the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Victoria Press Triumphs in Junior Hunter 16-17 Divisions
Lexington, KY – Aug. 4, 2016 – Following an intense jump-off race during Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, it was Benjamin Meredith who bested the field of horses and riders to celebrate the win aboard Shader Sporthorses LLC’s Anabelle 28.
“She did a fantastic job tonight,” Meredith said. “I was very impressed. I started riding her again at the end of Florida this season so it’s only been about five months. This is only the third time I’ve sat on her, and she’s been great.”
In the first round, Marina Azevedo’s course saw 58 entries. Rails dropped often at a difficult triple combination and the final fence, dashing many riders’ hopes for a clear round. Only nine horse-and-rider combinations were able to clear the challenging track to advance to the jump-off.
Among those nine was Shane Sweetnam, who piloted Saturday’s grand prix winner, the Blue Buckle Group LLC’s Cobolt, to the night’s first clear. Sweetnam and Cobolt were the first to return for the jump-off and delivered a quick, clear round to set the time to beat at 40.048 seconds.
“We jumped the first clear round, and I did everything exactly as planned,” Sweetnam said. “He jumped really nice, and I knew there was a strong group after me so I wanted to try to put as much of a target there as I could. I don’t think I could have been much faster. I thought he handled it great.”
Meredith and Anabelle 28 returned to the ring after several jump-off rounds fell short of taking over Sweetnam’s lead. Meredith saved valuable fractions of a second by taking a stride out, doing eight where Sweetnam had done nine to blaze past the timers in 39.423 seconds – just sixth-tenths of a second faster to take the lead.
“To the two last oxers, I just flew and it came up right,” Meredith said. “It was great. It was pretty much an all-around gallop in the jump-off, so we took the hackamore off and she was so solid.”
Meredith, who is based in Wellington, Florida, said his client, Meghan Shader, and her parents, Anna and Scott Shader, purchased the mare in 2014 as an 8-year-old.
“She’s done some young rider classes with Meghan,” Meredith explained. “We decided she has too much quality, and she’s too careful, so we put her in the grand prix. She needs to focus and listen; she likes to take over a little, which is why we bought her for her owner. We’re figuring out a happy medium, and it’s all coming together this year.”
Pablo Barrios also returned to challenge the leaders aboard his own A S D Farfala, finishing clear in 41.195 seconds to finish in third place, thereby regaining his lead in the Hagyard Challenge Series standings.
Finishing in fourth place was Lorcan Gallagher, who rode Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Venturo 9 to double clear rounds, finishing with a jump-off time of 41.929 seconds – just fractions behind Barrios.
Fifth place went home with Rebecca Conway and Blue Hill Farm LLC’s Tahiti Island, who turned in the final double clear round of the night in 46.722 seconds. The sixth place finishers were Francisco Zamudio and St. Bride’s Farm’s Caramello Z, who turned in a fast round at 39.904 seconds, but picked up an unlucky four faults for dropping a rail.
The title sponsor, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry. Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse.
The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 digital radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full medical and surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and hyperbaric medicine. The practice has performed veterinary medicine for more than 137 years and is currently composed of over 50 experienced veterinarians, with 13 board certifications in specialty areas of medicine, surgery and theriogenology. For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.
Victoria Press Triumphs in Junior Hunter 16-17 Divisions
Victoria Press’s rides impressed the judges in the Stonelea Ring on Thursday at the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show. She had wins on Eclypse in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, as well as earning blue ribbons in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division on Café Noir.
Press and Holly Orlando’s 8-year-old mare Eclypse kicked off the morning with solid rounds in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division and the pair earned two blue ribbons in the over fences classes.
Victoria Press and Eclypse
“It was an amazing feeling; she’s incredibly fun,” Press said. “I knew I was getting on a really special horse, so I trusted that she would figure out the jumps herself. I had fun with her.
“She has a huge stride and her jump is so nice it feels like you spend five seconds in the air every time,” Press continued. “I thought the courses rode nicely and I am still working on making sure the pace is even the entire time.”
Press, 18, of New York City, New York, has had recent success in the equitation and jumper ring, including clear rounds in various grand prix events. Though she is currently showing more jumpers, she is enjoying her last year as a junior by catch riding several hunters. Thursday morning was the first time she had ridden Eclipse before going in to win the over fences classes.
It’s an incredible opportunity and I am so thankful for every ride that I get,” Press explained. “I have not had my own hunter in a few years, so it’s nice to still be able to get into the hunter ring. I’ve been focusing on the jumpers recently, but I love coming to the hunter ring with a lot of nice people who support me.”
After the first junior division of the day, Press mounted her second horse of the day, Lily Gottwald’s Café Noir for the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. The duo won one of the over fences rounds and placed sixth in the other over fences class.
“I thought he was excellent today,” Press said. “I thought my ride improved immensely from the first round to the second round. He is small, but he has a huge stride and is incredibly scopey. He’s another horse who can find the jumps and it works really well.”
Press was more familiar with the ride on the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding since she competed him once last year in Kentucky. She explained that she competes in Kentucky every year “because she loves the show’s nice relaxed atmosphere.”
For the under saddle class, Press had to dash to compete in the jumper ring so Adam Edgar of Leesburg, Virginia hopped aboard Café Noir.
“He hacked super well!” Edgar said. “He has a nice floating trot and he is beautiful. I walked into the arena and I felt like a winner on him. He was great!”
Emma Kurtz found success in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division by winning one over fences class with David Gochman’s Dominik and won the second over fences class with Rose Hill Farm’s William Hill.
In the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division Emma Kurtz won an over fences class with Dr. Betsee Park’s Dedication, and Sloan Hopson won the second over fences class with her own Coachella.
Feature events of the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show include the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Tim Goguen and Ransom Claim Grand Hunter Championship on Day Two
Lexington, KY – Aug. 3, 2016 – After winning the 1.40m Open Jumpers during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show with Disco Lady, Mavis Spencer returned on Wednesday with her own Cornetiero to best a field of 27, again winning the 1.40m Open Jumpers during the Kentucky Summer Classic.
After Sharn Wordley and Caiman De Sequoias, who he owns with the Sky Group, set the time to beat at 35.558 seconds in the jump-off, it seemed their lead would not be overtaken, until Spencer entered the ring with Cornetiero.
Spencer put in a clear first round and advanced to the jump-off, where she opened her horse’s stride and stopped the clock in 33.801 seconds – two seconds faster than Wordley – to take over the top spot.
“Today Cornetiero was super,” Spencer said. “I didn’t get to see anyone go because we were busy changing bits. I know Sharn is a very fast rider, so my plan was to play to my horse’s strengths. We don’t turn very well, but he’s so quick across the ground, so I used that make up time.”
After Spencer got the ride on Cornetiero during the 2014-2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, the duo went on to jump clear rounds at top European venues during the following summer. After Cornetiero spent the past year in England, the owners recently gave him to Spencer.
“I just got him back two weeks ago,” Spencer explained. “He kind of likes to do things his own way, so we were still kind of getting back into the feel of things last week. Today I was really happy with him. He’s got a world of experience, and he’s very scopey, so I’m very glad to have him back.”
One final challenger, Pablo Barrios, entered the ring with his own Stackfleth. The duo also won a 1.40m Open Jumper Class during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, but today Barrios would settle for second after narrowly missing Spencer’s leading time by one-tenth of a second. Wordley and Caiman De Sequoias finished in third.
Following next, the 1.35m Open Jumpers took the stage in the Rolex Arena. The speed class saw 23 starters, and each round became progressively quicker until Rebecca Conway and Ark Partners LLC’s Farina stole the lead and held it. Keely McIntosh, who set the early pace to beat aboard Jenny Booth’s So Live Helau, finished in second.
“Farina is a really special horse; I really love her,” Conway said. “She’s very sensitive and careful, and she really anticipates where you’re going. She lands and she’s already turning, so you have to almost think about going straight, because otherwise she turns so quickly. When the jumps come up smoothly, she’s just such a fast horse, and it worked out for us today.”
Conway said she has the ride on the mare for the summer while her owners are in Europe, and this show marks the last week the two will spend together.
“It’s going to be sad not having her around the barn,” Conway expressed. “She’s really an awesome horse. She’s a hard worker and always tries in the ring. You can always depend on her for a good result.”
Conway, who spends the summer in Lexington, concluded by praising the Kentucky Horse Park and surrounding areas.
“It’s great for the horses to be able to jump on nice footing in big rings. It’s also nice for them to be able to go out on the cross country fields on their days off. Everyone here is also very helpful; I love the ladies in the show office. It’s just a nice atmosphere, and for me it’s like a second home.”
The Kentucky Summer Classic will continue on Thursday with the highlight $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Other feature events include the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Tim Goguen and Ransom Claim Grand Hunter Championship on Day Two of Kentucky Summer Classic
Tim Goguen dominated the professional hunter ring at the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show by winning four division championships in the Stonelea Ring. Goguen and Belhaven Stables LLC’s Ransom impressed the judges on Wednesday and claimed the Grand Hunter Championship, sponsored by Visse Wedell.
Tim Goguen and Ransom
Goguen won three over fences classes and the under saddle class in the Regular Conformation Hunter division with the 8-year-old gelding Ransom. Molly Sewell and Jamie Stryker’s Upcountry Charmer earned the reserve champion ribbon, while Goguen and Ransom captured the division rosette. Goguen and his wife Kelly were thrilled with the gelding’s performance.
“Ransom has a beautiful way of going, he is very athletic and scopey, and he always tries to jump in beautiful style,” explained Kelly Goguen. “He has been super this week after having a few weeks off. He picked off where we left off, which is nice.”
Goguen and Ransom have had a successful career with many wins as a First Year, Second Year and Junior hunter horse. Their most recent accomplishment was winning the Regular Conformation division in Traverse City at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival earlier in the summer. Tim and Kelly Goguen operate a training business two miles from the Kentucky Horse Park during the summer, and they reside in Wellington, Florida in the winter.
“He puts in a lot of effort to be a tight ball at the top of the jump,” Kelly Goguen continued. “He is always trying to do it right; either a horse has that, or they don’t. Ransom is very sweet and laid back around the barn, and he is fun to be around.”
Goguen also earned a tricolor in the First Year Green Hunter division on Garland Alban’s 6-year-old gelding Category. Their division highlights were winning two over fences classes, placing second in the under saddle, and finishing third in the handy round.
“Category has gone really well this week,” Goguen said. “He’s a good jumper and very balanced. He’s still a bit green in his mouth, so the turns in the handy can be more difficult for him, but it went well. Everything came up nicely for us in our rounds yesterday. He was good!”
Jane Gaston rode her KWPN gelding Because to the First Year Green Hunter Reserve Championship.
Goguen’s domination continued in the professional hunter ring by winning the Green Conformation Hunter division with Belhaven Stables LLC’s Splendid. The pair also won last week’s Conformation Hunter division championship at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. They won two blue ribbons in an over fences and handy class, as well as the second place in two over fences classes. Jeff Gogul and the 6-year-old Westphalian gelding Cortes were the reserve champions of the Green Conformation Hunter division.
Goguen and Capella continued yesterday’s lead in the Second Year Green Hunter division to clinch the division championship on Wednesday.
The day wrapped up Sydney Shulman winning the High Performance Working Hunter Championship with DK-USA Sporthorse’s Cosmeo for the second week in a row. Shulman and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion won blue ribbons in three over fences, and red ribbons in the under saddle and handy.
“I am extremely happy and satisfied!” Shulman said. “When you work so hard when you are home, it’s so nice to come to a show where the horse goes in and does everything you practiced at home and your work transfer to the ring. It feels like you did the right work!
“I always knew Cosmeo had the jump and the brain, and it has just been a matter of putting it all together,” she continued. “He is very smart! If I teach him something once he will do it perfectly the next 50 times. I am very lucky!”
The Kentucky Summer Classic will continue on Thursday with the highlight $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Other feature events include the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby.
