Lexington, KY – August 19, 2012 – Along the fence line of the Stonelea Arena, people watched as the first competitor entered the ring for the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. In the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show welcomed riders of all experience to a challenging course, and a chance to earn qualifying points to win the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. At the end of two rounds, Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor rose to the occasion seizing the win, and the blue ribbon. Kelli Cruciotti and Promo put forth a determined effort to earn high scores and the red ribbon. Shawn Casady and Bolero rightfully claimed a score among the great, placing in the top three.
Participants definitely had their work cut out for them as they took on this week’s hunter derby course. Designed by Patrick Rodes, the top 12 horse and rider combinations qualified from the first round, returned to the ring to ride the skillful handy course and compete for the chance at the top honors. The course contained four option fences where the rider could navigate their horse to the higher option and receive additional points. The short course options where presented at the first, second, sixth and ninth fences while the trot jump presented itself later.