Lexington KY – August 15, 2012 – It was Shawn Casady who once again rose to the top of the standings during Saturday’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. Now only 50 points shy of the overall leading rider, Casady is going head to head with professional rider Louise Serio in the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Series. Although the $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series is taking a short intermission, and will resume during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with the fifth event of the series. 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 stakes are high as the top riders in the nation prepare for the final two events of the series, to take place during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. With only two chances left to rise to the top, hunter riders of all levels are competing for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.
Shawn Casady and Bolero, owned by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA, led the victory gallop for the Kentucky Summer Classic’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby on Saturday evening. It was Louise Serio and Corvine, owned by Timothy Wickes of Unionville, PA, who rode to the second place finish.
Serio has held the lead in the standings since the first $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and continues to lead with 900 points after taking home the second place aboard Corvine during the Kentucky Summer Classic. Casady continues to hold the second spot in the standings overall, as well as the first place position for the juniors with a 850 point total. Should Serio continue to hold the lead, she is eligible for the $10,000 Professional Leading Rider Bonus to be presented at the end of the KHJA Horse Show held from Aug. 22-26, 2012. Mackenzie Maclean is now tied with Sarah Sturges to lead the top amateur ranks, each with their eyes set on the $2,500 Amateur Leading Rider Bonus with 175 points.
The USHJA National Hunter Derby program is in its third year, and is growing in prestige and popularity. Amateurs, Juniors and Professional riders are eligible to compete, giving it a broad base of support and interest. The $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Awards will present a $10,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the six classes that make up the Series. The amateur rider and junior rider accumulating the most points will each receive a $2,500 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 Hallway Feeds class at the KHJA show on August 25, 2012.
As the series continues, only two more Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derbies will take place during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. The Series concludes with the winners for the $15,000 Leading Rider Bonuses being announced and presented with the prize by representatives of Hallway Feeds.
Supporting sponsors for the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series are KER Sport Horse Nutrition, Sweet PDZ Stall Refresher, PNC Bank, Alfagreen Supreme, Biederman Real Estate and Auctioneers, Trouw Nutrition, and Caddel Equine Therapy Center.
KER Sport Horse Nutrition is a new joint venture between Kentucky Equine Research (KER) and Hallway Feeds. This partnership melds the technological and nutritional expertise of KER with the globally recognized horse feed manufacturing reputation of Hallway Feeds.
Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success.
For more information on Hallway Feeds please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.
For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
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