Tag Archives: Hagyard Lexington Classic

Pablo Barrios Debuts ASD Farfala with $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* Victory

Pablo Barrios and ASD Farfala.

Kelley Farmer and It’s Me Claim Grand Hunter Championship on Day Two of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Lexington, Ky. – May 12, 2016 – The 2016 Hagyard Challenge series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, kicked off its eleventh year at the Kentucky Horse Shows on Thursday evening with the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Sixty-six horse and rider combinations went head-to-head in the CSI3* competition, but it was Pablo Barrios (VEN) who took the victory with ASD Farfala. The talented pair beat out of a field of 14 during the jump-off, tripping the timers in a speedy 37.940 seconds.

Riders battled the elements during Thursday’s class, but the rain did not faze ASD Farfala, owned by Barrios, who has only been riding the 12-year-old Warmblood mare for a month. The Kentucky Spring Series marks their first horse show together, but the two are already demonstrating a winning partnership.

“I’ve known the mare for a long time,” said Barrios. “It belongs to a very good friend of mine, Americo Simonetti. He is a legend in the sport in South America from Chile and he kindly let me ride this wonderful mare that I’ve known for a long time.

“The mare came to the Winter Equestrian Festival with a rider from Chile and when she was about to go back to Chile I called him and asked if they could leave her with me,” continued Barrios. “I love the mare and I think I can do a great job with her. It’s amazing, when you have a good horse, how easy it is to go clean and fast. This is my first horse show with her. I was concerned about whether to put her in a lower class, but she’s so smart and talented I thought, ‘Why hold her back?’ So I went straight to it. When I call [Americo] again he is going to be very happy!”

Aaron Vale (USA) and Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, were the early pathfinders as well as the fastest pair to navigate the technical first round track, designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral, finishing in a fault-free effort of 74.100 seconds. The two later returned to the jump-off finishing double clear in 38.210 seconds, just one second behind Barrios claiming second place honors.

“Quidam’s Good Luck is a fast horse,” said Vale. “It was a nice galloping track with smooth, sweeping turns, which really suits him. We just took a shot. He feels like he’s going well and he likes this ring, so we took a shot. We had a really quick round. I just couldn’t leave one out to the last on him. We put in a great round and Pablo just beat me by fractions, so can’t complain too much!”

Vale also finished double clear again placing third with his second mount of the evening, Finou 4, owned by Thinkslikeahorse, in 39.540 seconds.

“I saw Aaron and I knew he was very fast,” said Barrios. “I knew he had a horse behind me and I really tried. I saw him doing seven strides one to two. My plan was to do six or seven with her and I made it and I think any other horse would have had fence 15 down but she just left it up because she is amazing. I’m so excited with this mare and I’m thankful to get to ride her.

“The winners always say that the course is really good, but we were talking before the class with all of the riders and I mentioned that every single class has been very well designed so far,” said Barrios. “I think this is one of the difficult classes to build. He had a great jump-off, a great class and I was very excited. Not because I won but because I like it, and it’s always very nice to beat Aaron because he is very fast!”

Barrios is no stranger to the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Horse Shows. He won the Hagyard Challenge series back to back in 2013 and 2014 and is already off to a strong start in the 2016 series.

“I have a good vibe here; I feel like this is home,” said Barrios.

“Every time you come they have done something new” said Vale. “The rings are great, they always get top-notch course designers and they have a great set of jumps. It’s a top quality product and it’s great to be here. I showed here for the first time in 1988. Jumpers back then were on the grass where the Claiborne Ring is now!”

Barrios is also set to compete on the Venezuelan team at the Rio Olympic Games this summer with Antares, his 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

“I’m going with Antares,” said Barrios. “I’m showing him very lightly. He showed three times at WEF. I used him a lot last year because my mare got hurt. I’m starting to use him a little bit more and working on the fitness when I run him so he gets a little cardio. This is the time to do it before the Games.  Then, I’ll keep him a little fresh for the Games; that’s the plan.

“I want to thank Devoucoux, Purina and MDC Stirrups – without those stirrups it’s very hard to ride in the rain so that’s very awesome that I was wearing them tonight. Also Animo, my new sponsor of boots, Parlanti and Choice of Champions.”

The Hagyard Challenge series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2016 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 as well as a $10,000 prize for the reserve champion.

“Anything that gives us a chance to make a little extra money you have to appreciate,” said Vale. “They have been great supporters for 11 years. It sure is a nice thing for us to have a chance to get a rider bonus at the end of the year. It’s good for the horse show, good for Hagyard and good for the riders.”

Throughout the summer, the top riders from across the nation will gather to compete over challenging courses and vie for the winning title and valuable points toward the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 18-22, will host the second $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* on Thursday, May 19. Four more Hagyard Lexington Classic grand prix events will be held during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, the Kentucky Summer Classic, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. The series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic 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.

New this year to the Hagyard Challenge series is the $200 Best Turned Out award, sponsored by Bob Mickler’s. The award goes to a well-deserving groom following each grand prix. Following Thursday’s competition Andre Luis, groom to Mark Bluman and Uitteraard of Stransky’s Mission Farms, won the first Best Turned Out award of the series.

Kelley Farmer and It’s Me Claim Grand Hunter Championship on Day Two of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and It’s Me had another banner day in the Stonlea Ring at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show Thursday claiming the Hunter Grand Championship sponsored by Visse Wedell at Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Kelley Farmer and It's Me (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography)
Kelley Farmer and It’s Me (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography)

Farmer swept the over fences classes in the Green Conformation Hunters with the 8-year-old Warmblood stallion It’s Me, scoring the division championship and going on to claim the Grand Hunter Championship.

Wedell has been a great supporter of the Kentucky Horse Shows sponsoring grand championship prizes in multiple divisions. “I love that a stallion won,” Wedell said. “Kelley actually rode a horse of mine a long time ago for me so I’m thrilled that they were able to be Grand Hunter Champion at the first horse show here in beautiful Kentucky.

“I love this facility so much,” added Wedell, who recently purchased a property nearby. “It’s such a pleasure to be here I’ve officially decided to based myself here for the season, so I’ve invested myself personally in the area because I love it here so much.”

Farmer was thrilled with her win today as It’s Me is a special horse for her. “He belongs to Sue [Pinney] and my mom [Bibby Hill] and I,” Farmer explained. “The last one my mom owned was Scripted. It is really special for mom to own a part of him with us.”

Farmer was full of praise for the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. “I love this horse show,” She said. “They do such a nice job, the jumps are beautiful, the footing is beautiful, the horses go perfectly and this is home for us now.”

It’s Me is clearly a fan of the show as well. “He’s been fantastic from the first day he’s been here,” noted Farmer. “He tries hard. He finds ways to win and he tries to win blue ribbons. He’s a great horse. I’m excited for Devon!”

Scott Stewart scored a hat trick today winning championships in three divisions. He won the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship aboard First Light, the Second Year Green Championship on Catch Me, and finished out the day winning the High Performance Hunter Championship with A Million Reasons, also bringing home the Reserve Championship with Cameo.

“We always come here because we stay in Florida and this is sort of on the way home,” Stewart explained.  “We take a little break after showing and this is our first time back. It’s always a nice place to come to get ready for Devon. Florida is great, but there’s so much going on. When they get here they get to be turned out and relax more. A lot of the young horses really mature and when they come here, they just relax.”

Catch Me clearly benefitted from this stop on the way home from Florida. “Catch Me is awesome,” Scott said.  “He hasn’t shown since the night class in Florida. He was good there so we stopped showing. He had a month of just hacking and then I jumped some little jumps with him after that, so this was his first time back and it was great!”

Friday will see the Amateur Owner Hunters taking over in the Stonelea Ring. Sunday is “Derby Day” with the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby taking place.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Andres Rodriquez Takes Over Hagyard Challenge Series

Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111.

Kelli Cruciotti Leads Hallway Feeds Standings

Lexington, KY – May 19, 2015 – Andres Rodriquez has taken over the lead in the 2015 Hagyard Challenge Series by placing fourth during Thursday’s $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*, which is combined with a second place finish during the first event. In the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, junior rider Kelli Cruciotti has jumped to the top of the standings after earning two second place ribbons during the Kentucky Spring two-week series.

In the Hagyard Challenge Series, Thursday’s winner Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela is tied for second place with Argentina’s Ramiro Quintana, who claimed the first victory in the Series. The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2015 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, as well as a $10,000 prize for the reserve champion.

The Series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider will be announced and presented with the prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. New this year, Brook Ledge Horse Transport will be awarding a $1,000 shipping voucher to the Leading Rider and a $500 shipping voucher to the Reserve Champion Leading Rider.

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 wellbeing 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 surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine since 1876 and is currently composed of over 50 experienced veterinarians, with 13 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology. For more information about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit http://hagyard.com.

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 Pharmacy, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, Hallway Feeds, Pike and Preston, and Stoll Keenon Ogden.

Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole
Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole

The Kentucky Spring Classic also hosted the second event in the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series. After earning second place in both events with Totem Pole, Kelli Cruciotti holds the lead. There are three junior riders at the top of the standings, with Helen Voss ranked second over Emma Kurtz in third. Professional riders David Beisel and Sarah Sturges, who each claimed a blue ribbon, are tied with Amateur-Owner rider Missy Luczak-Smith for fourth place.

The five-part series will feature a $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby throughout the spring and summer, and at the conclusion of the series the Leading Rider Awards for the Series will be presented. 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 five 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 Bluegrass Festival Horse Show on August 16, 2015. Returning for the second year, the winning professional rider will win a free flight for a horse in the continental U.S., thanks to Tex Sutton.

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.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, Trouw Nutrition, EquiVision, Fenwick Equestrian Products , Tack Shop of Lexington, Tex Sutton, Turf Town Properties and PNC Bank.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Emanuel Andrade and Clouwni Win $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Challenge CSI3*

Emanuel Andrade and Clouwni.

Lexington, KY – May 14, 2015 – The flashy 12-year-old chestnut gelding Clouwni has seen the world. He helped Brazil place fifth at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France and jumped double-clear at the 2013 FEI Furrisyya Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona. Thursday night, Clouwni showcased his speed and scope during the $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* with rising talent and new owner Emanuel Andrade (VEN), as the pair raced to the win with an untouchable 37.690-second jump off time.

“We just got him in December of last year,” Andrade smiled. “Clouwni is a very good horse, very competitive. In the beginning, I didn’t know how to ride him; we needed to learn each other a little bit more. After a little time, I learned how to ride him and he’s incredible; I’m very happy and proud of him.”

Out of a start list of 61 horse and rider combinations, only 17 were able to master Bernardo Cabral’s opening track to take on the seven obstacles in the speed course. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Chaqui Z, owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC of E Setauket, NY, were the first to break the 40-second pace set early by trailblazer Eugenio Garza and Bariano, owned by El Milagro of Hickory Creek, TX, stopping the clock in 39.870 seconds.

Fellow Irishman Kevin Babington challenged Sweetnam with Shorapur, owned by Shorapur LLC of Antioch, IL, slicing the turns and racing to the time of 38.540 seconds.

“The jump-off was very tough,” Andrade said. “I knew Kevin was fast, and honestly, I was thinking that it would be impossible; I can’t beat his time.”

That did not keep Andrade from trying. Andrade began the course with a speedy opening line where he left out a stride, doing six instead of seven to the oxer. He was on pace with Babington throughout the course until he landed from the vertical and saw the distance that would make the difference.

“I got a very good distance to number three, which helped carry us through the course,” Andrade said. “But, I think that I won time with a very nice distance to the last jump. It was a tough course, and I saw the last jump – it was huge and wide, so it was very difficult, but Clouwni jumped it great and gave me everything I asked for.”

Andrade landed from the signature Hagyard Lexington oxer in a much quicker 37.69 seconds, a time that the remaining five riders could not touch. Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111, owned by ARAO Enterprises LLC of Wellington, FL, broke the beam in 38.860 seconds, but were still more than a second from catching Andrade’s time.

David Beisel was one of the last to challenge with the little 10-year-old stallion Amaretto, who set off down the first line, bucking and kicking out as they approached the first fence of the jump-off track.

David Beisel and Ammeretto
David Beisel and Ammeretto

“He got a little too playful to start,” Beisel laughed. “I was planning on doing six up the first line, which I think he could have gotten up there in six nice enough to do the rollback well and still do the six to the other in-and-out, but I couldn’t get rid of the playfulness.”

Although doing seven down the first line may have lost Beisel the time he wanted, his time was impressive enough to take over second place in front of Babington with 38.110 seconds. He may have been the smallest horse in the class, but at barely 16 hands, Ammeretto has proven himself to be a formidable competitor with Beisel in the saddle – what he lacks in height, he makes up in speed and agile turns.

“I got him as a 3-year-old,” Beisel said affectionately of the stallion. “I brought him along from the Baby Green Hunters. He did his first Grand Prix as a 7-year-old, and hasn’t looked back.”

Beisel continued, “I always really enjoy Bernardo’s courses. I’ve done super well with them. I was first and second this morning in the 7-year-old Jumper division, so I figured tonight might be pretty fun, too. I’m very, very appreciative of having FEI competitions right here in Kentucky. I couldn’t ask for a better place to have these kinds of events.”

Tonight’s victory will earn Andrade valuable points towards the Hagyard Challenge Series, with seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2015 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, as well as a $10,000 prize for the reserve champion.

Andrade said, “This was my first Hagyard Challenge Series win, and I couldn’t be more excited. We love this show; it’s always so nice, and that is why we are such big supporters of the show, as well as sponsors. I plan on competing in all of the classes of the series, and I definitely have my eye on the bonus.”

The jumper action at the Kentucky Spring Classic will continue tomorrow with the $20,000 1.45m Bluegrass Classic in the Rolex Stadium. This week’s highlight events also include Saturday evening’s $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3*, and the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI3* on Sunday.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Ramiro Quintana and Whitney Claim $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI2*

Ramiro Quintana and Whitney.

Lexington, KY – May 7, 2015 – Seventy-four horse and rider combinations faced off Thursday evening in the first $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2* of the season, but it was Ramiro Quintana (ARG) who took the night’s victory with Whitney. The talented combination beat out a field of 24 during the nail-biting jump-off, tripping the timers in a speedy 41.27 seconds.

Quintana and Whitney, owned by St. Bride’s Farm of Upperville, VA, have proven their partnership over the last two years, claiming top honors at shows across the country. They are now amping up for the Pan American games in Toronto, Canada this summer. Their efforts kicked off the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series featuring the $50,000 Leading Rider Award.

“She’s a really seasoned horse,” Quintana said of his winning mount. “We’re campaigning her for the team to make the Pan Ams, so this is kind of like her preparation. It’s a bit of similar venue for what we’re going to see in Toronto in July, so this is why we’re here. The courses, the competition and the venue all put our training on the right path for Toronto.”

Richard Jeffery designed the long track, creating a course that would ask the right questions without over facing the horses. He utilized a water jump, liverpool oxer, three double combinations and long stretches of the Rolex Stadium to challenge the pairs.

Alise Oken and Kaid Du Ry, owned by High Hopes Farm LLC of Charlotte, NC, were the first to post a double clear effort over the shortened track. Their time of 46.56 seconds set the pace to beat; however, it would prove conservative with the South American riders hot on her heels. Three trips later, Daniel Zetterman (SWE) surpassed her time with Chellana B, owned by Gyllebo Farm of Wellington, FL, soaring over the final oxer in 43.34 seconds to take the lead.

Wilton Porter was in hot pursuit of Zetterman’s time, but he was a fraction off with Patriot, owned by Sleepy P Ranch of Bartonville, TX, finishing in 44.680 seconds without fault. It was not until Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111, owned by Arao Enterprises, took their turn at the track that defeat seemed a possibility. They put in a blazing time of 41.64 seconds, surpassing Zetterman by nearly two seconds to take the lead.

Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111
Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111

“It was a great round,” Rodriguez said. “I knew there were two very fast guys, Roberto Teran and Ramiro [Quintana], at the end, and Kaitlin [Campbell] also; there were many fast horses after me. I was really pleased with her round; she jumped amazing. She’s been great this year; she won at WEF and she won a ranking class in Wellington. I’ve had her since she was 5 years old, and this year everything seems to be coming together, and she’s bringing home great results. We’re using her more and more, and we’re counting more on her as one of the main horses for the string. I think she’s going to keep getting better and better.”

Three-time Hagyard Challenge Series winner, Pablo Barrios, attempted to catch Rodriguez’s time, and he did. An unfortunate rail in the double combination, as well as a final nick on the final fence would cost Barrios and Antares the victory, even with their faster time of 40.68 seconds.

Quintana and Kaitlin Campbell were the final two of the class, and as the penultimate rider, Quintana knew he had to leave no stone unturned. He kept a consistent pace from beginning to end, however, and early distance to the second to last fence would shave off the crucial four-tenths of a second that would knock Rodriguez out of the lead and have Quintana’s name take the top spot on the leader board.

“It was really close; I honestly wasn’t sure how fast I was going,” Quintana laughed. “I think maybe I was a bit quicker than Andres [Rodriguez] to the last jumps. I was lucky I saw an early distance, and I took it, and it was quite a severe angle; it was risky, but it paid off. I think to win tonight you had to take a shot like that. This was our first class back from Wellington, so it is nice to be back in the winner’s circle.”

Campbell and the 17-year-old Rocky W were the last to go, but they were a nickel shy of the top two times, breaking the beam in 42.71 seconds for the third place.

This is the first time in two years that the Kentucky Horse Shows have reinstated the FEI competition, offering two weeks of CSI2* and CSI3* classes.

“This is the way the sport is going,” Quintana said of the FEI competition. “Congratulations to Hugh Kincannon for getting the FEI status here once again. It’s nice to see the managers catching up to which direction the sport is going. The Europeans show pretty much every week at the highest level under International rules, and I think that’s a good step for the shows here, especially in the summer. In the summer it’s a little bit hard to find shows, and I like that this venue is doing the FEI shows.”

Quintana continued, “Just look at the numbers. It’s been incredible, the effect; the show is sold out. It proves that people want the points, and they don’t want to get left behind in the FEI ranking list. I think a lot of the riders that stay home and they don’t go to Europe, they get left behind in the ranking, and it’s really hard to get to shows when you’re not in the top 50 in the world.”

Tonight’s victory will also earn Quintana valuable points towards the Hagyard Challenge Series, which seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2015 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, as well as a $10,000 prize for the reserve champion.

The jumper action at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show will continue tomorrow with the 1.45m Open Jumpers and the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers in the Rolex Stadium. This week’s highlight events also include Saturday evening’s $85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*, the $25,000 Bluegrass on Sunday and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Back to Back Wins for Barrios in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Pablo Barrios and Antares soar to victory.

Lexington, KY – August 15, 2014 – Who ever said lightning never strikes the same place twice has not met Pablo Barrios. The Venezuelan rider once again piloted Antares to the top of the pack in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic presented by Zoetis, mimicking his effort two weeks prior in the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix.

The win comes just in time for Barrios to add to his stockpile of points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus before he jets off to Normandy for the World Equestrian Games. The $50,000 bonus is given to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the Hagyard Challenge Series, a summer-long set of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Friday night’s prix marks the fifth class in the series.

“I’m really, really happy with the result today, because I was looking for this from the beginning to make sure I got the bonus,” Barrios said of the win. “I’m not going to be able to go to the last two Hagyard Series prixs because I’ll be in Europe, so I wanted this to happen and I think I’ve done all I can to keep the bonus.”

That’s an understatement. Barrios has more than twice the number of points as the next closest rider, and he has earned them on a number of different horses, Antares being his most recent victor. The 9-year-old bay gelding is getting ready to compete in the WEG with Barrios, and looks to be in fine form.

“Antares is a new mount for me. I just got him in April, but we have already developed a very good relationship,” Barrios said. “I was a little concerned if he would be fast enough, because he’s a big horse, but he’s really fast. He turns really well. He moves quick off the ground. He’s pretty special to me.”

Barrios is not kidding when he says the big gelding is quick and agile. Thirteen horses jumped clean over the Allen Rheinheimer designed course, and Antares went early in the jump off with plenty of speed horses behind him, including second place finisher Ramiro Quintana on Caramello Z. Barrios shaved seconds off his time by taking an inside turn coming out of a one stride combination to a vertical before galloping for the finish over the Hagyard fence.

“He’s so clever,” Barrios said of Antares. “I mean when I turned to that vertical after the in and out, I found the vertical at the last minute after the inside turn, and he just pats the ground and jumps beautiful.

He also has a big stride, so I could leave a stride out to the last fence, and he still tries to leave the rails up,” Barrios continued. “I’m very happy with that horse.”

In sharp contrast to Barrios’ big horse was second place finisher Ramiro Quintana’s mount Caramello Z. The short and spicy 9-year-old mare missed the winning time in the jump off by fractions of a second.

Ramiro Quintana and Caramello Z put in a speedy jump off round to grab second place
Ramiro Quintana and Caramello Z put in a speedy jump off round to grab second place

“Her grandmother is Ratina Z, so she’s got a lot of blood in her breeding,” Quintana said of the mare. “She’s definitely has a lot of blood and a lot of character, which is a good thing, but you have to keep her contained, because otherwise she’s like a loose cannon.”

Quintana is pretty confident he could have outpaced Barrios and Antares, but a momentary lapse in focus cost him in the jump off.

“I was planning on doing six strides one to two,” Quintana said of his jump off plan, “but I had a hard rub at the second fence, and after that it was an inside turn. I lost my concentration for a second because I was listening to hear if the pole was coming down.

So I couldn’t really cut the stride going into the horseshoe jump,” Ramiro continued, “and I lost the class there. I just lost my concentration for a fraction of a second, and it cost me.”

Speaking of the horseshoe jump, the fence Quintana is referencing caught a fair number of horses and riders off-guard in Friday’s class, collecting more than its share of rails and refusals. Designed and built by Steve Stephens, the uniquely shaped jump was used earlier in the day in the first round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, and both Quintana and Barrios admit they made an error in how they approached it with their first mounts in the class.

“It’s not a fence we’re used to jumping, but I made a mistake with my first horse and with Antares to go show them that fence,” Barrios said. Both he and Quintana let their horses halt and sniff at the fence prior to starting the course.

“They really got very nervous; I think I shouldn’t have shown them it,” Barrios continued. “I think they were expecting for the whole course when that jump was coming, and they were jumping a little tense. The last horse I didn’t show it, and he looked at it but he jumped it really well.”

Quintana is in agreement on both the challenge of the fence and how to address it, though he learned the hard way. He rode Versus before Caramello Z in the first round, and chose not to continue on Versus after running thorough the top rails of the horseshoe fence.

“I had a lot of problems there with my first horse; he spooked really hard there,” Quintana said. “When I went in with Caramello Z, I didn’t even show it to her. With my first horse I went in and I showed it to him and it almost spooked the horse even more.

“She went around and came to the fence and saw it at the last minute and jumped, and it was too late to do anything,” Quintana continued. “Sometimes that’s better – if you address it too much they get scared and they don’t know why you’re shoving this jump in their face.”

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 wellbeing of the horse for more than 130 years.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.

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.

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

Kentucky Summer Series Fast Facts

Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.

What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2014 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:

NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 15-20, 2014
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 23-27, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29 – August 3, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

2014 USEF PONY FINALS – August 5-10, 2014
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 12-17, 2014
USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event

KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 20-24, 2014
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, GGT Footing, Equestrian Services International, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch, and the Official Hotel The Clarion

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709

Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs:

The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:

Stonelea: 140′x 280′, Murphy: 135′x 280′, Stonelea and Murphy Schooling: 110′x 400′
Walnut: 300′x 370′, Claiborne: 140′x 270′, Annex 130′x 250′, Covered Arena (old): 145′x 285′ Rolex Stadium: 360′ x 384′, Alltech Arena: 132′ x 265′

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Pablo Barrios Reigns with Zara Leandra in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra.

Lexington, KY – July 24, 2014 – Pablo Barrios will soon be crowned king of the Kentucky Horse Park, and Zara Leandra will be his queen. Tonight, the dynamic duo notched yet another $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic victory. The Venezuelan native won both of the events during the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and that was following his domination of the series in 2013. It appears to be a repeat year, as Barrios grabs a firmer hold on the 2014 Hagyard Challenge Series, which awards a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus to the top finisher following the culmination of the series in September.

Forty-eight horse and rider combinations gathered at the Rolex Stadium for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. World-renowned course designer Steve Stephens tested entries with 13 numbered obstacles that included three double combinations, an aqueduct wall and a liverpool oxer. The technical lines had many of the riders leaving the ring with faults next to their name, but nine made it to the jump-off.

The final test featured multiple rollbacks and opportunities to gallop across the ring and slice fences. Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam was the pathfinder as the first to return with Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Spy Coast Farm. They were able to quickly navigate the track without error and set the pace to beat at 36.600 seconds.

Three rounds later, Chris Ewanouski entered the arena with Orbetello, owned by Hampton Farms. Although they are still forming a partnership, Ewanouski and Orbetello proved they were up to the challenge when they made a hard slice across the ring after the wall. With all the rails intact they broke the beam at 36.285 seconds.

“When you start going fast with Orbetello, he gets even more careful. He gets sharp, so I knew I could be really fast at the beginning of the jump-off,” explained Ewanouski. “I really caught Shane to the wall and then to the last jump. We really tried to fly there. I just got the ride on him this spring, and he’s done a lot so far in his career, so I’m very lucky and fortunate.”

Unfortunately for Ewanouski, Barrios was the final rider to compete with his veteran mount Zara Leandra, and as they landed off of one of the middle verticals it was clear why they are leading the Hagyard standings. They raced over the final obstacles without touching a rail and blazed across the finish in 35.350 seconds to capture the victory, relegating Ewanouski to second place and Sweetnam to third place.

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina
Shane Sweetnam and Solerina

“I was very tight to the combination,” admitted Barrios. “She jumped the combination in the first round really, really good so I took advantage of that, that she would jump it again good. She jumped it really good.”

Despite her victory tonight, Barrios will not be entering Zara Leandra in Saturday’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. “I did this class with her because I really want to win the bonus,” he commented. “I’m taking her and Antares to the World Equestrian Games and the Nations Cup Finals, and they will each jump in one. Then she will rest until the Central American Games in November. We need to qualify for the Pan American Games there, and we’re the defending champions, so I really want to take my best horse. I think that is Zara Leandra.”

Barrios added, “She should be resting right now, but she’s in top shape. I knew that this class wouldn’t affect her, but for the moment I will only do the grand prix with Antares.”

Before he goes abroad, Barrios is focused on winning the $50,000 Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. “It’s a little more pressure with this class with Zara Leandra because I feel like she should automatically go clear,” he said. “It’s so nice to have a horse that you know her percentage of clear rounds is higher than the rounds that she has faults. The Hagyard series puts a little more pressure on, but I think I’m better under pressure.”

Barrios concluded, “I really want to thank my sponsors and my team. My sponsors include Purina, Der Dau, Choice of Champions, Healthy Coat, Animo and Devoucoux, and this would not be possible without them.”

The next event for Barrios will be Saturday night’s $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 about the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Summer Series Fast Facts

Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.

What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2014 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:

NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 15-20, 2014
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 23-27, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29 – August 3, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

2014 USEF PONY FINALS – August 5-10, 2014
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 12-17, 2014
USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event

KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 20-24, 2014
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, GGT Footing, Equestrian Services International, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch, and the Official Hotel The Clarion

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs:

The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:

Stonelea: 140′x 280′, Murphy: 135′x 280′, Stonelea and Murphy Schooling: 110′x 400′
Walnut: 300′x 370′, Claiborne: 140′x 270′, Annex 130′x 250′, Covered Arena (old): 145′x 285′ Rolex Stadium: 360′ x 384′, Alltech Arena: 132′ x 265′

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Pablo Barrios & Romeo Race to Victory in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Spring Classic

Pablo Barrios and Romeo.

Lexington, KY – May 15, 2014 – It has become a Thursday tradition to see Venezuela’s Pablo Barrios in the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Horse Shows, and today was no exception. The speedy rider once again topped the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, this time aboard the Romeo Group’s Romeo, while the ZL Group’s Zara Leandra settled for third. Todd Minikus slipped into the second place position with a quick and clear jump-off riding the Quality Group’s Quality Girl.

Fifty-three competitors turned out for the second event in the Hagyard Challenge Series, but Michel Vaillancourt’s challenging track only yielded 11 clear rounds. The jump-off included three new fences, as well as double combination with a triple bar to vertical, followed by a short turn to a wide oxer.

Emanuel Andrade set the original time to beat with a clear round on Hollow Creek’s ZZ-Top VH Schaarbroek Z in 41.830 seconds, which held up for sixth place. Callan Solem bested him with Horseshoe Trail Farm’s VDL Wizard in 40.752 seconds; Andrade’s second mount Hardrock Z was even better in a clear 40.106 seconds to have them finishing fifth and fourth, respectively.

Pablo Barrios was the next rider to enter the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. His top mare Zara Leandra is no stranger to laying down a blazing pace. They were right on the money despite a wide turn after the combination, and they went straight to the top of the leader board in 39.389 seconds.

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl

Todd Minikus did not let Barrios hold on to the lead for long though, making a smoother rollback after the combination with Quality Girl and dashing through the timers in 38.128 seconds to take over the top spot.

Barrios was the last to return, this time with the ride on Romeo, and with nothing to lose he put the pedal to the metal. The pair galloped full speed at each obstacle, and they were able to turn even tighter inside after the combination. The risk paid off when they left each rail intact and zipped through the time timers in 37.525 seconds. Romeo led the victory gallop, while Quality Girl and Zara Leandra took home second and third, respectively.

“It’s never over until the last horse goes,” admitted Minikus. “Pablo had the benefit of going last. He obviously did a good job with that horse and just nipped me. Nevertheless, my mare was awesome. My team did a great job.”

Barrios admitted that he had the advantage going after Minikus with Romeo. “I was the last to go, and I was sitting second, so I had nothing to lose,” he explained. “I really tried to go for it, and he’s a very fast horse. I turned very tight to the oxer, and Romeo moves very quickly across the ground.”

Romeo is normally ridden by Hollow Creek’s Victor Segovia, but after injuring his knee he asked Barrios to take over the ride for the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. “He’s a very nice horse for this class,” said Barrios. “Our first show was last week. We did the Bluegrass Classic, and he was fourth. Then I did another 1.40m class with him.”

Barrios added, “Romeo is fun to ride. He reminds me a little bit of my old mare Quick Star. He’s very hot, brave and careful, but he wants to go quick and wants to leave all of the rails up.”

Tonight marked the second event in the seven-part Hagyard Challenge Series, featuring a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. Barrios was the winner in 2013, and he is aiming to defend his title. “During the jump-off with Zara Leandra, I was thinking a little bit about getting points for the Hagyard,” he commented. “With a clear round I knew would be in the top five, and I still have another horse coming. I knew it was good enough for top three.”

Barrios concluded, “Of course I am aiming for the bonus; that’s why I rode five horses tonight! I am going to bring all of them this summer. If Zara Leandra goes to the World Equestrian Games, she is going straight from here. I am not going to do any shows in Europe.”

On Saturday night, riders will return to compete under the lights during $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Saturday will also feature the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic in the morning. The jumper action at the Kentucky Spring Classic concludes on Sunday with the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior and Amateur-Owner Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch & Audi of Lexington in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, 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

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

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

Pablo Barrios Claims Early Lead in Hagyard Challenge Series Standings

Pablo Barrios won Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic with Zara Leandra at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and currently leads the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Photo: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Lexington, KY – May 11, 2013 – Pablo Barrios has taken an early lead in the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios took home the top spot during Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. The Venezuelan native rode Zara Leandra to a dominating first place finish with a double clear effort in 38.258 seconds.

Richie Moloney is holding the second place position in the standings after claiming the second place award on Thursday aboard Slieveanorra. Olympian Margie Engle is currently ranked third in the standings after she went double clear with her veteran mount Indigo to earn the third place honors.

The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long series of seven show jumping events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The rider who accumulates the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Award, presented during the Kentucky National Horse Show in September. The second event in the series will be next Thursday during the Kentucky Spring Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park.

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.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour ambulance and emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.

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.

For more information about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit http://hagyard.com.

For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, please go to 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

Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D’Arco Capture $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D'Arco rode to the top of the leaderboard during the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 17, 2012 – The lights were bright in the Rolex Stadium as the onlookers cheered on their favorite horse and rider combinations in a highly competitive 14-horse jump off. It was the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic that took center stage tonight, seeing a field of 50 entrants vie for the top prize and valuable series points. Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D’Arco jumped to the fastest of only four double-clear efforts, leading the night’s victory gallop. Kaitlin Campbell was just a hair shy of Sweetnam’s time, finishing in the second place spot with Rocky W.

Tonight’s class was the fifth of seven grand prix events that make up the Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by Hagyard Medical Institute and presented by Pfizer Animal Health. 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.

Allen Rheinheimer designed the track tonight, utilizing standalone verticals, rollbacks, technical lines, an oxer-oxer double combination, a vertical-oxer double combination, and a tight oxer-vertical combination leading into a daunting oxer. Riders had to navigate the course within the tight time allowed of 95 seconds, treading carefully with the agility to leave all the rails in their cups.

Continue reading Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D’Arco Capture $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Victory at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show