Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – The third day of the Kentucky Summer Classic welcomed Junior riders to the Stonelea Arena. The Kentucky Horse Park was alive with hunter action as the best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors during their respective divisions in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters, Small 16-17 Junior Hunters, Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters and Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. It was Vivian Yowan who made a first day impression, sweeping the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters with Parker.
Today, Vivian Yowan did not disappoint in the Small Junior Hunter divisions, shining aboard several top mounts. She rode two mounts to the peak of the standings in the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunters, securing the day’s top scores aboard Charming and Friday Night. Atop Charming, owned by Boggs Hill of Lexington, KY, Yowan rode to the blue ribbon in the first over fences. She also showed Friday Night, owned by KAR LLC of New York, NY, to the second place award just behind Charming, as well as the fourth place award for their efforts in the second round.
“They were both really good; Charming is a little green, but I think he definitely stepped up to the plate today and did a great job,” Yowan explained. “Friday Night was just a little fresh today, but he was really good. They were both really good; they did the Junior Hunter Finals last week, so they had a little time off and came back refreshed.”
Meredith Darst rode Un Noetzel, owned by Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH, to notable ribbons this morning, picking up the first place honors during the second round, and riding to the third place finish behind Yowan in the first round. Quigley, owned by Sweet Oak Farm of Wellington, FL, with Brett Burlington in the irons took the third and fourth place ribbons in today’s division.
Yowan also swept the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters with Parker, owned by Saddle Ridge LLC of Darien, CT. Coming off of a fantastic week of Junior Hunter Finals and the top awards last week during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, it was apparent that their success had no shortcomings.
“It felt great out there today,” Yowan described. “He was really good during the Junior Hunter Finals, but he came back this week still jumping great. I thought we could have used a little more energy in the first round, but he jumps so well and has a big stride with great scope, I think it might have given us a little extra.”
“He needs a nice soft ride; he has such a big stride that he just lopes around the ring, especially in the Stonelea where there is so much space. He has turned out to be a pretty wonderful Junior Hunter, and I hope that we can continue to do well in the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and eventually qualify for Indoors,” Yowan concluded. “He is a fairly recent mount, but we are learning more and more about one another. Every show our relationship and knowledge of what the other needs gets stronger.”
Katherine Strauss and Rapunzel also rode to good scores in the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunter division, taking home the second place ribbon over the first course. Abbygale Funk was rewarded for her efforts with CR Carolato II, riding to the third place ribbon. Kelly Arani also made her mark today with Stars Go Blue, owned by Marigot Bay Farm, LLC of Dover, MA, earning the second place award during the second over fences.
As the afternoon progressed, it was Shawn Casady who stole the show during the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. He rode Capstone, owned by Norgan, Inc. of Wellington, FL, to the first place ribbon during the first over fences, as well as picking up the second place aboard Savant, owned by First Partners LP of Valpairso, IN. Kelcie Brophy guide Cussini, owned by Pine Hollow Stables of Parkland, FL, to the third place award. Casady also took the first place ribbon with Savant in the second round, guiding Capstone to the third. Brophy guided a second mount, Due West, owned by Popish Farms, LLC of Palm Beach, FL, to the red ribbon.
“I went in and had a really nice, loose round, with good jumps and great efforts with Capstone; it was one of the best rounds I have had on him,” Casady explained. “Savant was also really good; I haven’t shown him in a little while, but he just went in and marched around. It was a great first day to the Junior Hunter divisions.”
The final division of the day saw Megan Davis of Cockeysville, MD, pilot Modern to the top awards in the Small 16-17 Junior Hunters with two first place finishes. Casady and Chromeo, owned by owned by Peakwood Pharm, Inc. of Sanford, FL, picked up the second place ribbon in the first round, while Kelly Joyner of Southlake, TX, and Now How Z were presented with the yellow ribbon. Casady and Chromeo were also awarded the third place award during the second round. Anna Cardelfe of Spring Lake, NJ, and Nadia also picked up good ribbons, riding to the second place finish over the second course.
“I love Kentucky; I am here all summer. The horses love it here, and I love it because not only is it competitive but it is also relaxing at the same time. There is a lot of space in the Stonelea Arena; it is nice to ride in here and have everyone sitting around the ring and watching. You just have great vibes here,” Casady concluded.
The Kentucky Summer Classic will continue tomorrow at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park with the conclusion of the Junior Hunter divisions. The $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby will get underway Saturday afternoon, seeing top riders of all levels. However, the USEF Pony Finals will get underway on Tuesday as the nation’s top competitors vie for the championship honors. The hunter/jumper action will get back underway the following week with the Bluegrass Festival Classic, which will be followed by the KHJA Horse Show.
For more information about the Kentucky Summer Series, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
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