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Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Colin Syquia and Apropos Win USHJA National Hunter Derby at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Colin Syquia and Apropos.

Lexington, KY – July 28, 2013 – The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is a hunter highlight during each week of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, and this week it was also a highlight for Colin Syquia and Apropos. Following two seamless rounds under beautiful, sunny skies, the pair earned the victory gallop around the golf-cart lined Stonelea Ring on the final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Today’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby was the fourth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds Series. The series runs throughout both the Kentucky Spring and Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, culminating with the awarding of $15,000 in Leading Rider Awards at the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show on August 25, 2013.

The popular series attracts horses and riders from across the country, and today 39 horses competed over the classic first round course, designed by Joseph Carnicom with the top 12 horse and rider combinations returning for the handy round. Both rounds featured an in-and-out, a number of bending lines, tight turns and four high-point fence options. For the handy round, Carnicom added a trot jump and switched the direction from which riders took all of the oxers, allowing for some additional tight turn options.

Syquia and Apropos, owned by Chiddingstone Farms LLC of New York, NY, maneuvered the first round course with ease, earning a judges score of 86, plus four points for electing to take each of the high options for a first round total score of 90. Syquia was one of the last to go over the first round course and jumped straight to the top of the leader board, but just two rounds later Meredith Darst and Lightning Z took over the top position with a first round total score of 91. After their beautiful first round course, including each of the four high options, she and Lightning Z, owned by Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH, would hold their position to return for the handy round as the leaders.

Working backward from the twelfth placed rider to Darst in the first place position, Shawn Casady and Stars Go Blue, owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC of Dover, MA, were the seventh to return, as they finished the first round in the sixth place position with a score of 86. A second round score from the judges of 85 plus all four of the high option points would earn them a total second round score 89, moving them up from sixth to a final fourth place position with a grand total score of 178.

Returning in fourth place were Molly Sewell and Zin Zin, owned by Travis Lingenfelter of Saginaw, MI. They too were able to work their way slightly up the leader board, moving from fourth into the final third place slot by earning a second round total score of 90 and a grand total of 178 points.

Coming down to the final two riders of the afternoon, Syquia returned second to last, just before Darst. He and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Apropos, pulled out all the stops, delivering a round that would be tough to beat with a total score of 92 and with his grand total from the two rounds coming in at 182.

“I was in second by one point going back into the handy round, so I figured I was really going to take a shot and turn as tight as I could and keep galloping,” shared Syquia.

Meredith Darst and Lightning Z
Meredith Darst and Lightning Z

Darst and Lightning Z returned to defend their position at the top, and they delivered a seamless round that definitely gave Syquia and Apropos a run for their money. Following a brief deliberation from the judges, Darst’s second round score was announced as an 86 plus the four point high options for a second round total of 90 and grand total of 181, just one point behind Syquia, cementing her second place finish and his win.

“We went quick and tight to the last jump, and I think that probably was the difference for us. That and a real tight roll-back to the oxer. Apropos really a traditional hunter. You just put a loop in the reins, use a little bit of leg and just keep pushing him right up to the jumps. He loves to get deep, and he really uses his front end well when he gets down to the base,” Syquia explained. “He was great; I was really happy with him.”

Darst was also extremely happy with her horse’s performance, particularly because today marked Lightning Z’s first time ever competing in a derby.

“This is the first time that he’s done anything like this before so we were just kind of going for fun, and it ended up going really well,” smiled Darst.

Both riders hope to return for next week’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby as competition continues on Tuesday, July 30 with the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic, running through August 4. To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Series, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Competitions, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Haley Gassel’s Double Clear Effort Wins High Amateur-Owner Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Haley Gassel and Quite Dark 2.

Lexington, KY – July 28, 2013 – As the first week of competition at the Kentucky Summer Series concluded, it was Haley Gassel who stepped into the center of the Rolex Stadium to claim her winning prize for the $5,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. The talented young rider piloted Quite Dark 2 to the lone double clear effort to capture the victory. In the $7,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Mexico’s Juan Pablo Gaspar and his lucky mount Shamrock dashed through the finish to best a seven-horse jump-off.

For today’s High Amateur-Owner and Junior Classics, Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England set a track mimicking’s last night grand prix. The test included an open water, a vertical-vertical double combination, and the triple bar-oxer-vertical triple combination. For the jump-off, riders had to show over a wide oxer and roll-back to a vertical before turning to a new oxer and jumping the last two parts of the triple combination. Then they continued over a single oxer, rolling back to another vertical with a bending line to an oxer and finishing over a single vertical just passed the gate.

Only four horse and rider combinations managed to best the course and advance to the tiebreaker during the High Amateur-Owner Classic. Friday’s winners Haley Schaufeld of Leesburg, VA, and Harley 86 were the first to return. They had the pace, but they made an error coming across the single to the single oxer after the combination. Their four-faults in a time of 37.810 seconds would hold up for second place.

Chelsea Moss of Medford, NJ, attempted to catch Schaufeld’s time with Dolce D’ive Z, but after rolling back to the first vertical they lowered the height of the new oxer, incurring four faults as well in a time of 41.305 seconds, which was good enough for third place.

Haley Gassel, of Lenoir City, TN, was only focused on one thing with Quite Dark 2: going double clear. Although the pair had a conservative pace as they made their way through the track, the scopey horse left each rail in place, tripping the timers at 44.620 seconds.

Although Gassel had left the door open for the final competitors, Wilton Porter of Bartonville, TX, and Neolisto Van Het Mierenhof, they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity. The win was almost in their grasp, but a miscalculation to the final oxer sent rails flying, and they finished in fourth place with a time of 45.109 seconds, sealing Gassel’s victory.

“Quite Dark 2 is a little bit slower. I try to go double clean before I think about the pace, and double clean won today,” said Gassel. “The course was definitely a little bit technical. Some of the lines walked on the half stride, but it was doable. My horse is used to a big German guy, so he takes a lot of leg and a little hand to keep him up and going forward. If he gets too low that’s when he has the rails. If you ride him right he won’t touch the rails.”

Gassel imported Quite Dark 2 from Germany in February, and the college junior is now focused on the 2014 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). She noted, “He originally was my backup horse, but now he is my number one horse. He’s definitely capable of doing it. I plan to go to Midway College for Equine Rehabilitation after Young Riders.”

Today’s winner in the Junior Jumper Classic just finished competing in the NAJYRC last week for Mexico, where he finished seventh individually. Today though, all the luck was on Juan Pablo Gaspar’s side with talented mount Shamrock. Seven horse and rider combinations returned to the Rolex Stadium to compete over the short course, but only three could leave the rails intact a second time.

The first to do so was Friday’s winner and NAJYRC Individual Junior Silver medalist Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, with her veteran partner Chellando Z. They quickly made their way through the course, jumping each fence with room to spare and clocking in at 39.252 seconds.

Juan Pablo Gaspar and Shamrock
Juan Pablo Gaspar and Shamrock

Gaspar was not willing to let Strauss have the victory today though. He picked up a very quick pace and spun through each of the tight turns, never touching a rail and dashing across the finish line in 38.043 seconds, a full second faster. Strauss attempted to catching Gasper with her second mount, Capacity, and although they were clear she fell short of the time again in 40.289 seconds. Capacity and Chellando Z would take home third and second, respectively, but the blue ribbon went to Gaspar and Shamrock.

“I am very happy, and I thank my horse,” smiled Gaspar. “I think the jump-off was really good, very competitive. Shamrock is a little bit strong sometimes, but I’ve had only him six times, so I am very happy with him.”

Gaspar continued, “I think he is my grand prix horse now. Next week I am looking to do the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, and if he jumps really well then hopefully the grand prix as well.”

Earlier in the day, Lizzie Van Der Walde took home both first and second place competing the NAL/WIHS Low Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation. She qualified for the jump-off with her first mount Zibon 2, owned by 2VR Showjumpers of Morriston, FL, setting a clear time to beat of 40. 397 seconds. When Van Der Walde entered the ring with her second mount Zadermus, owned by Dasilva Investments of Ann Arbor, MI, though, there was no stopping them. They left all the fences in place and blazed through the timers in 37.003 seconds, a winning time by three seconds. The third place award went to Andre Mershad and Laqueria, owned by Juan Ortiz of Wellington, FL, while Lucas Porter of Bartonville, TX, and Patriot placed fourth, each producing double clear rounds as well.

“I thought both horses jumped really well,” expressed Van Der Walde. “Zadermus is a little faster naturally; he’s quick-footed. He’s really hot, so it took a little while to get used to him, but we’ve clicked now. He’s really forward and he turns really well, so in the jump-offs you can get him to the long distance and he’ll leave them all up.”

Van Der Walde trains with grand prix rider Aaron Vale, and always enjoys coming to the Kentucky Horse Shows. “I love Kentucky; it’s one of my favorite shows that we come to all year,” she stated. I love the competition and the classes are big enough to be challenging. It’s a really nice show.”

The first class of the day was the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. There were three riders that produced double clear efforts, but a winning time meant Kenzie Donovan of River Hills, WI, and Colando rode home with the blue ribbon. Anne Gardner of Charlotte, NC, and Cassandra Z were just one second shy of the lead for second place, while Cindy Fuller and Ingaletta, owned by Full Stride Farm of Cumming, GA placed third.

Today marks the conclusion of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, but the Kentucky Summer Classic will get underway on Tuesday. The highlight events in the Rolex Stadium will include the fifth $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

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

Sweetnam Soars to $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix Victory at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Shane Sweetnam and Fineman – Photo By: Shawn McMillen.

Lexington, KY – July 27, 2013 – The Rolex Stadium was full of excited spectators as they gathered on Hats Off Day to watch the country’s top horse and riders compete during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The international riders gave them exactly what they were looking for: an exciting tiebreaker between five-horse and rider combination dashing to the finish. In the end it was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman that led the victory gallop after besting Argentina’s Max Amaya and Cartier by two seconds, while New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley and Derly Chin De Muze claimed third place.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England set a technical track for tonight’s competitors which included an open water, a vertical-vertical double combination, and the most challenging test: a triple bar-oxer-vertical triple combination. Only five riders managed to leave all the fences intact and advance to the speed round. For the jump-off, they had to show over a wide oxer and roll-back to a vertical before turning to a new oxer and jumping the last two parts of the triple combination. Then they continued over a single oxer, rolling back to another vertical with a bending line to an oxer and finishing over a single vertical just passed the gate.

Angel Karolyi of Venezuela was the first to return for the short course with Amigo, owned by Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, SC. They tried to put the pressure on the riders following them, but Amigo lowered the height of the new oxer and finished in 48.159 seconds for fifth place. Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena, owned by Campos and Miranda Investments of Ocala, FL, were next, and although they had a faster time of 45.180 seconds, they had the same rail down for four-faults and fourth place.

The luck of the Irish proved to be with Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman, owned by Sweetnam and Sweet Oak Farm of Wellington, FL. The pair picked up a quick pace and never held back, finding each fence easily and leaving each rail in place as they sped across the finish line in 44.442 seconds. Their time could not be beat, and Sweetnam claimed the winning title.

“I think he was quick to the first few fences, as well as the in-and-out to the oxer,” explained Sweetnam. “I was also quick rolling back to the vertical, so I think that won it for me. Fineman is a quick horse in general. He won a good class up in Spruce Meadows, and he’s been very consistent, so I knew that if I could be clear I could be quick enough.”

Sharn Wordley attempted to best Sweetnam’s effort with Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables of Wellington, FL. He was able to leave all of the fences intact, but a clear time of 47.851 seconds was only good enough for the eventual third place.

Max Amaya and Cartier
Max Amaya and Cartier

The final rider to show was Max Amaya with Cartier, owned by Stonehenge Stables of Ocean, NJ. They put on the gas and cleared all the obstacles in their path, but fell two seconds short of Sweetnam with a time of 46.620 seconds to earn the second place honors.

“I think I was very quick at the beginning, but unfortunately I could not see a better distance to the double, and that kind of slowed me down a little bit,” noted Amaya. “For a little horse he has a big stride, and I ended up getting there a little bit slow in the seven so that put me a little bit behind Shane. He gave his best as always, and I did the best that I could. My horse was exceptional.”

Amaya began riding 12-year-old Cartier, previously owned by Alexa Lowe, in the fall of 2012. “Cartier had a very successful amateur and beginning of Grand Prix career,” he said. “He’s a very, very funny horse because he has a lot of personality. He’s very laid back and lazy in the barn, but when he goes in the ring he’s full game face and you have to be paying attention 100 percent.”

Winners Sweetnam and Fineman are a new match, as he just purchased the Swedish Warmblood in June from Maria Gretzer. “She had showed him wonderfully, and since I’ve got him he’s just been great,” smiled Sweetnam. “He’s a 10-year-old, but he doesn’t have all that much mileage. His first 1.50m was here in June, so he still has to get going, but I think he should jump some of the bigger grand prixs toward the end of the year.”

Sweetnam added, “He makes life easy. You just pick up a rhythm, and you stay with him. He wants to please, and I really enjoy him.”

Today’s event was a part of Hats Off Day, a special celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky hosted by the Kentucky Horse Park. A large crowd filled the Rolex Stadium to cheer ton Sweetnam during his winning round. “The crowd was brilliant and I really enjoyed it,” said Sweetnam. “It is one of the biggest crowds we get for a jumping class here in Kentucky so it’s neat to see, and I hope they come out to more weeks as well.”

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are always on Sweetnam’s calendar during the year. “Hugh Kincannon and the Murphy Family do a great job,” he commented. “We’ve shown here the last eight years, and we always bring all of our clients. We really enjoy it, and the standard is very high. They really look after you here.”

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will conclude tomorrow with the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics for the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions, as well as the Low Junior Jumper Classic and the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Riders will return next Tuesday for the kick-off of the Kentucky Summer Classic, featuring the fifth $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

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

Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z Capture High Junior Jumper Win at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z.

Lexington, KY – July 26, 2013 – It was another picturesque day at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took center stage in the Rolex Stadium. Only two riders produced perfect rounds in the High Junior Jumpers, and it was Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z who had the time in the jump-off to capture the win. In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers Haley Schaufeld aboard Harley 86 won a foot race between five riders.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England presented the same test for the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers, which included an open water option, an oxer-vertical double combination, and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination. For the jump-off, riders began with bending line, followed by a tight rollback to a second bending line before showing over the double combination and finishing over a tall vertical.

The first rider to advance to the short course in the High Junior Jumpers was Sydney Shulman and HH Narcos Du Marais, owned by Back Country Farm of Greenwich, CT. In an attempt to lay down a quick time they had a rail coming into the combination. Their four-fault effort in 37.492 seconds would be good enough for third place.

Katherine Strauss was the next to show over the short course with her veteran partner Chellando Z. The duo had all of the answers, easily galloping through the turns and clearing each obstacle. They broke the beam at 33.125 seconds to post a fault-free time that could not be beat, winning the class.

The top rank became a battle between Strauss, the Individual Silver medal winner at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) in the Junior Jumper division, and Individual Junior Jumper Gold medalist Eugenio Garza of Mexico. Garza tried to catch Strauss aboard Huapango, owned by El Milagro of Dallas, TX. The pair produced a clear round, but their time of 33.911 fell just short of the lead, putting them in second place.

Gabrielle Bausano of New York, NY and Zibon HC also qualified for the short course, but a four-fault round placed them fourth, while Adrian Berganza of Mexico and Corlando Van Koekshop placed fifth after incurring eight faults during the tiebreaker.

Strauss was thrilled with Chellando Z’s performance during the jump-off. “We did eight strides in the first line, even though we planned nine; it just lined up perfectly,” she smiled. “I feel really comfortable spinning him back to the jumps. I also felt comfortable flying into the double because I knew he would pat the ground and clear ‘B’.”

Chellando Z and Strauss have been partnered together for two years and have been successful all over the country. “I know Chellando Z like the back of my hand, and I really trust him,” she explained. “He likes a really connected ride coming up to the bit. Everything we do works together; we’ve always clicked.”

The NAJYRC Individual Silver medalist and Team Gold medalist added, “The courses at Young Riders were all really challenging; there was no place to make a mistake. You have to be riding your best everywhere. It was nice coming back today and being able to take a breather.”

In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, seven riders made it to the final round and five were double clear, creating a race for the winning prize. Chelsea Moss of Medford, NJ, and Lorena 90 were the first in the ring and had a target on their back as they left all the fences intact and finished in a tidy 35.902 seconds, which held up for third place. Liz Atkins and L’Etoile, owned by Benchmark Stables of Hampshire, IL, followed them with a clear round, but their time of 36.727 seconds was only good enough for fourth. Whitney Lyon and Bugs Bunny V Overis Z, owned by Coniston Farm of Marengo, IL, had the slowest double clear in a close 36.905 seconds for fifth place.

Haley Schaufeld and Harley 86
Haley Schaufeld and Harley 86

Rogelio A Pellerano Heinsen of Miami, FL was the first to best Moss’ time, clearing all of the fences and breaking the beam at 34.642 seconds with Precieuse Platiere. Unfortunately, his leading time was short lived, and he had to take home second place when Haley Schaufeld of Leesburg, VA, entered the ring with Harley 86. The pair was on point and easily galloped over the winding course, leaving each fence in place and dashing through the finish in 33.765 seconds to capture the blue ribbon.

“I made up time in the line down the middle because the other people I saw did seven and my horse has such an open stride that I decided to do six,” explained Schaufeld. “Sometimes we have trouble with the sharp turns, but I feel like Harley was spot on today. We just really tried to go for it.”

Schaufeld has owned Harley 86 for about a year and has great chemistry with the talented mare. “Harley is really spectacular in the ring. She has a lot of blood, but when she sees the fence you feel totally confident because you know she’s going to try her best to go clear. She just loves her job,” said Schaufeld.

On Sunday, Schaufeld and Harley 86 will compete in the High Amateur-Owner Classic. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are one of her favorite stops on the circuit each year. “The facility is amazing, the footing is great, and the courses are really good,” she smiled. “This is one of my favorite shows.”

Earlier today, the Open Jumpers divisions were held in the Rolex Stadium. Sayre Happy and HC Woopy 14, owned by HC Sport Horses of Wellington, FL, showcased their talent with a double clear round in 35.107 seconds to win the 1.30m Open Jumpers. Callie Schott of Versailles, KY, and Shaamen posted the first faultless round during the jump-off, tripping the timers in 38.100 seconds for third place. The second place award went to Lucas Porter and Patriot, owned by Sleepy P Ranch of Bartonville, TX, who left all the fences standing in 36.245 seconds.

Jumper action will continue tomorrow with the week’s highlight event, the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. The class will get underway at 7:30 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium, and is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Barrios Launches to Lead in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra.

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2013 – The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion’s share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The pair was two seconds faster than Kaitlin Campbell of Georgetown, KY, and her veteran partner Rocky W, who placed second, while Germany’s Christian Heineking picked up third place with NKH Selena.

The first round for tonight’s highlight event was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England, and featured an open water with a scored pole and lath, an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, and a final vertical-oxer double combination. It eventually yielded fifteen clear rounds for the jump-off.

“When I walked I was expecting seven or eight clear. I didn’t think it was that easy, but the time allowed was very friendly,” noted Barrios. “The footing made the horses jump really well.”

For the speed round, riders began with an oxer-vertical rollback to the first two fences in the triple combination. They then galloped across the ring to two single oxers, before finishing over a skinny plank to the final oxer.

Ireland’s Richie Moloney was the first to leave all the fences intact over the short course with Let’s Go, owned by Equinimity LLC of Stoneybrook, NY, but finished a fraction over the time allowed. They incurred one time fault to net the fifth place award. Moloney had a repeat performance with his second mount, Call Me Number One, once again leaving the rails in place but going too slow and adding a time fault to his score for sixth place.

The first rider to finish the course without a single fault was Blythe Marano and Urban, owned by Riverview Farm of Franklin, TN. They easily cleared the obstacles, but broke the beam at a slow 51.246 seconds for fourth place. Christian Heineking made a statement when he entered the ring with NKH Selena, owned by NKH LLC of Dallas, TX, picking up a strong gallop and never holding back. The duo soared over each fence and stopped the clock at 47.676 seconds for an early lead that eventually claimed third.

The winners of the first $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic in May were ready for action today. Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra, owned by the ZL Group of Wellington, FL, had a blazing pace and as they wound their way over the track they were able to find each distance to create sharp angles and easily leave a stride out at the final oxer. They zipped through the timers in 43.662 seconds to lead the evening’s lap of honor.

“I came very fast to the Hagyard vertical, which made me catch the next vertical very quickly too,” explained Barrios. “I caught the perfect distance to the last line that even with a tight turn let me do six strides. I think that was the key.”

Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W
Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W

Twenty-one-year-old Kaitlin Campbell was not going to give away the win though when she had her chance next with Rocky W. She has owned the Dutch Warmblood for six years and knows him inside and out. Campbell quickly steered her mount over the fences and managed to cross the finish line in 45.662 seconds for the second place award.

“Pablo was really fast, and his horse is a little more careful than Rocky is, especially to the skinny jumps,” explained Campbell. “I just wanted to go in and jump a neat, fast clear round, but I wasn’t going to try and kill myself. Rocky is really good about all the tight turns back since he’s so experienced. The inside to the skinny is where I think I lost my two seconds. Rocky was a little bit fresher than I would have liked him tonight, but he figured it out in the jump-off.”

Zara Leandra and Barrios have just returned from five weeks in Spruce Meadows, which made the mare very ready for tonight’s class.

“I think it was a super jump-off for her,” he smiled. “This is the best horse I’ve ever had and she’s only 9 years old. She came with a huge stride from Calgary and she was leaving strides out. She was a little high over the fences, so I struggled a little bit the first round, but I think it helped in the jump-off. She had that big pace already from the last five weeks in Calgary. This is the fastest I have gone in jump-off with her. She has more confidence doing the angles and the tight rollbacks. She’s getting better and better.”

Tonight’s class was the third event in the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series, which features a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus to the top rider at the end of the season. In 2010, the winner of the Series was Barrios, who has made it goal for this year as well.

“I won it three years ago and I think it’s a nice opportunity for the riders to compete for more money,” he commented. “It’s a good incentive and I am definitely trying to win this year.”

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, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include: title sponsor MWI Veterinary Supply, and presenting sponsor Zoetis, as well as Audi of Lexington, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, Hagyard Flex-tra HA, Johnson Horse Transport, Hallway Feeds, Kirk Horse Insurance LLC, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.

The next event for Barrios and Zara Leandra will be Saturday night’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. The class will get underway at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium, and is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a celebration of the horse and its impact on the state of Kentucky.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows

Professional Hunters Top Leader Board on First Day of Kentucky Summer Horse Show

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Kelley Farmer and Skorekeeper. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Lexington, KY – July 24, 2013 – Beautiful, sunny skies, inviting hunter courses and top levels of competition greeted riders at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The Green Hunters kicked off the competition in the Stonelea Ring, where Colleen Acosta and Kelley Farmer each earned blue ribbons, while Molley Sewell dominated the Green Conformation Hunters. Shawn Casady and Ascot wrapped up the day with wins in the High Performance Hunters, while Kelly Mullen and Donato scored top calls in the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division.

Kelley Farmer took home the first blue ribbon of the day in the Green Hunters riding Skorekeeper, owned by Larry Glefke and the Quail Run Partnership of Keswick, VA. The victory in the second round went to Colleen Acosta, riding with Limbo, owned by Sophia DePumpo of South Lake, TX.

“Skorekeeper has been fantastic,” Farmer shared. “Every time that he goes, he just gets better and better. He’s becoming more and more made and more straightforward all the time.”

The seven-year-old Skorekeeper made his First Year Green Hunter debut with Farmer earlier this year, and he has since racked up multiple impressive derby finishes including a recent win in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show presented the perfect opportunity and venue to get another show under the horse’s belt before gearing up for USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, which will also be held at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, August 13-18, 2013.

Shawn Casady and Ascot. Photo by Emily Riden
Shawn Casady and Ascot. Photo by Emily Riden

Also performing well in the derby ring is rider Shawn Casady, who is currently atop the 2013 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Leading Rider standings. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of seven national hunter derby events held during the 2013 Kentucky Horse Shows, two of which were completed during the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Casady will return to attempt to hold on to his title this coming Sunday, July 28, but for today he was topping the leaderboard in the High Performance Hunters. Casady swept all three of today’s High Performance Hunter classes with Ascot, owned by the HJ Group LLC of Sewickley, PA.

Casady first got the ride on Ascot during the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and the pair has only continued to perform better and better since then, winning both the two over fences classes today and the under saddle.

“We’ve definitely gotten closer and are learning each other more and more each week that we’ve been working together,” Casady commented. “He’s a fun horse.”

Molly Sewell and Satisfaction, owned by Peakewood Pharm, Inc. of Sanford, FL, also delivered an impressive clean sweep as well this morning. The pair won two blues over fences, as well as during the under saddle, in the Green Conformation Hunter division.

In the Performance 3’6″ Hunters, Donato, owned by Katie Ramsey and ridden by Kelly Mullen, leads the way heading into the second day of competition. Mullen and Donato finished first and third over fences before picking up an additional blue ribbon in the under saddle.

“He goes in there, and he tries hard every single time,” Mullen said of Donato. “Outside the ring maybe it can be different, but I always know that when I walk in the ring I have a show horse underneath me. He’s very business-like in the ring.”

Kelly Mullen and Donato. Photo by Emily Riden
Kelly Mullen and Donato. Photo by Emily Riden

Mullen continued, “The first jump today had a roll-top on both sides, so he looked at it and just gave an amazing jump. The course had enough for them look at so they all jumped really, really well today.”

Donato will return tomorrow with Mullen in the Performance 3’6″ Hunters and later this week with owner Ramsey, of Mt. Juliet, TN, in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters. Hunter competition continues tomorrow in the Stonelea Ring with the conclusion of the Green Hunters, the Green Conformation Hunters, the High Performance Hunters, the 3’6″ Performance Hunters and the 3’3″ Performance Hunters.

To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Show visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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

Louise Serio Captures $10,000 Hallway Feeds Professional Leading Rider Bonus during Final 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby

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Louise Serio was awarded the $10,000 Professional Leading Rider Bonus for her efforts in the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series. Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington KY – August 28, 2012 – Lexington KY – August 28, 2012 – The Alltech Arena was filled with top competitors as the final $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby got underway during the KHJA Horse Show. Junior rider Kelli Cruciotti overtook fellow contenders with Promo, moving into the third place overall in the rankings, but falling shy of the Junior Leading Rider Bonus behind Shawn Casady, who took the $2,500 bonus after leading the Junior Ranks for all six derby events, while Sarah Sturges collected the Amateur Leading Rider bonus. Louise Serio was awarded the $10,000 Professional Leading Rider bonus, completing the $45,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby series with an astounding 1,075 points.

The Hallway Feeds Series consisted of six national hunter derby events that were held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 were awarded to the series’ leading riders. The Kentucky Summer Series was held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and featured four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies.

Continue reading Louise Serio Captures $10,000 Hallway Feeds Professional Leading Rider Bonus during Final 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby →

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

Shane Sweetnam Takes the Lead in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series

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Shane Sweetnam took the lead in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series during the $10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake at the KHJA Horse Show. Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington KY – August 28, 2012 – It was a thrilling Welcome Stake for the final week of the Kentucky Summer Series, during the KHJA Horse Show. It was Shane Sweetnam who rode to the top of the standings for the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series. Sweetnam’s first place finish knocked Kaitlin Campbell into the second place position, with Reed Kessler holding strong in the third place position.

Consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, offers a $50,000 Leading Rider Award. The rider accumulating the most points throughout the series will be presented with the bonus during the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier at the Kentucky National Horse Show in September 2012.

On Friday, August 24, 2012, Sweetnam piloted Solerina to the first place finish in the $10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake, and also picked up the first place award with his other mount Amaretto D’Arco during the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival. After Friday night’s win, Sweetnam now holds the lead with 830 points.

Continue reading Shane Sweetnam Takes the Lead in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series →

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

Shawn Casady Leads Junior Ranks with Overwhelming Lead Heading into the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series Final Derby

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Shawn Casady tops Louise Serio in the overall $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider rankings. Casady leads the Junior standings with 1050 points, aiming to capture the $2,500 bonus. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 21, 2012 – Sunday afternoon saw great competition from 42 competitors as the fifth $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby got underway during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Kelley Farmer rode Act of Valor to the top of the leader board, moving into the fourth place in the overall standings. Shawn Casady was awarded third place with Bolero, taking a 75-point lead above Louise Serio, who has now fallen into the second place in the standings, but still continues to lead the professional ranks. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The final event of the series is approaching this Saturday, August 25, 2012 during the KHJA Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. This will be the riders’ final opportunity to move ahead in the ranks, competing for the winning title and valuable points toward the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Leads Junior Ranks with Overwhelming Lead Heading into the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series Final Derby →

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

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

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

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

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

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

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