Lexington KY – July 27, 2012 – It was a moist morning as the Stonelea Arena awoke from a stormy night to the Amateur-Owner competitors ready to show off their dime piece horses in over fences this morning starting at 8am. The first division for the day was the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, where Caruso and Kelli Sherrill took the blue ribbon in the first class and a red ribbon in the second, earning the lead in the first rankings. In the Amateur-Owner 3’3 Hunters, the charming Dominus and owner Maria Takacs walked away with first and second place finishes from the Amateur-Owner 3’3 Hunters division, while Tuckahoe and owner rider Camille McNeill will be the pair to beat, earning first and third place in the Amateur-Owner 50 and Older Hunters division, as they head into tomorrow’s championship.
Today’s hunter rounds, designed by Joe Carnicom, consisted of two over fences courses at the Stonelea Arena, at the Kentucky Horse Park. Both courses contained two wide round turns leading to a single and double oxer combinations, beautiful lines of corner to corner fences, and a single oxer obstacle as the opening jump. In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Caruso ridden by Kelli Sherrill shined as they rode their way to a first place position in the first round. Natalie Allen-Barinnsky and Val D’isere, cleared fences in fine form earning the duo a second place ribbon for the class. Following suit, a gelding named Red Rooster ridden by Holly Labry placed third in the ranks.
The second round blue ribbon of the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters was pinned on the bridle of Ace of Spades, owner and rider Emily Morin. The two earned the first place, narrowly surpassing first round’s blue ribbon winner Sherrill and Caruso who are the leaders going into tomorrow’s second class. Holly Labry and Red Rooster reclaimed their ranking, earning another third place in the second round for their dedicated efforts.
Between morning showers Amateur-Owner 3’3 Hunters impressed judges with leaving most jumps unfaulted. It was Maria Takacs’s beauty Dominus, who showed with finesse, earning the round’s first place award. Lindsey Tomeu and Take Note delivered a notable performance, receiving a second place ribbon. Winning today’s third place in the first round was One Shot ridden by Sarah Sturges.
“Dominus is always good out there,” Takacs shared. “He’s come so far. He never would have been this great in the ring a couple years ago. You don’t have to keep your leg on him, he knows what he’s doing out there and performs well.”
“The footing was great and the course couldn’t have ridden better for me. Kentucky is beautiful; it’s a great place to show. The facility is great and we love coming here,” continues Takacs, sharing about her love for the show and state.
Second round of the Amateur-Owner 3’3 Hunters awarded Quite Simply and Elizabeth Degolian, with a first place ribbon slipping ahead of the first round’s winner. Dominus and Maria Takacs, staying true to form, received the second place position, also giving them the advantage heading into tomorrow’s competition. Third place ribboned horse and rider, Duly Noted and Lindsey Tomeu, also move into tomorrow with strong rank.
It was in the Amateur-Owner 50 and Older Hunter division that Joan Ehrhart rode Goodnight to a first class victory. Lescobar and Victoria Marraccini placed second in the division, delivering a smooth round. Camille McNeill rode her steed, Tuckahoe, to a third place finish.
“I was real pleased with my second round. I could have done better in my first round but overall I was pretty pleased. Tomorrow I hope I’m relaxed; if I’m relaxed, he’s relaxed,” McNeill explained. “He has always been a good horse, and he’s been there for me. He’s a perfect adult horse and we have a great time together.”
The second round brought on new results where McNeill and Tackahoe advanced in the ranks placing first among fellow riders. Hunt Tosh aboard Southern Comfort rode a clean hunt round claiming a second place ribbon. Putting down a stellar performance and completing with a third place finish, Valentino and rider Susan Stanley.
“I’m from Memphis,” McNeill shared as she pet her new pup, Buddy. “I love Kentucky. I love the farms, the facility and the cross country courses. It’s beautiful country out here. We come every year and it’s one of the shows we look forward to every year.”
Tomorrow will conclude the second day of the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Riders will vie for the top awards in the division’s classes as they aim for the championship prize. The Stonelea will also host the start of the Junior Hunters in the afternoon, and riders and spectators can look forward to Sunday evening when the $5,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will get underway.
For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
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