Lexington, Ky – May 21, 2017 – The Kentucky Spring Classic came to a close today with a full day of Grand Prix show jumping action in the Rolex Stadium. The final day of competition held not only the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Hollow Creek Farm, but also the $40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, presented by Audi of Lexington as well as the jump off round for the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI3* Grand Pix. Alex Granato was the quickest ride in the jump off class, earning him the win in the event that was originally scheduled to be held on Saturday evening after the Preakness Stakes. Eugenio Garza took home the blue ribbon in the Under 25 Grand Prix and Santiago Lambre stole the win in the Bluegrass Grand Prix to finish two weeks of top notch hunter and jumper competition. Lambre was also awarded the Kentucky Spring Classic Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC.
D’Artagnan, the 9-year-old KWPN gelding, who helped Lambre fly to the win in the $40,000 1.45m Grand Prix with a time of 30.592, is part of a newer string of horses for the Brazilian athlete. The pair have previously won several 1.40m and 1.45m classes during the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, before making their way to the Kentucky Horse Park. Lambre, who has spent a good portion of his career competing in Europe, recently transitioned to the United States full time to live in Wellington, Fla. The 2017 Kentucky Spring Series marked the first time Lambre had competed at the Kentucky Horse Park and after his numerous successful rounds of the past two weeks, the Brazilian athlete is looking forward to more trips to the area.
Earlier in the afternoon, Eugenio Garza piloted his own Barino to the top of the leader board in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Hollow Creek Farms, with a double clear ride and jump off time of 41.675. Garza, who won big on Friday night in the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix on Armani SL Z, was the fastest of twenty-two starters in the class. Mavis Spencer and Chacco were second with a double clear effort and a jump off time of 41.834.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show Series saw awards go to athletes from all over the world who gathered in the Kentucky Horse Park for the annual event. Professionals and amateurs alike were able to compete in top level hunter and jumper classes, all while enjoying the world class facilities at the of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Horse Show’s, LLC is looking forward to hosting their competitors again during their Summer Series that will take place from July 26, 2017-August 6, 2017.
Santiago Lambre
On The Prize Money and Awards presented During the Kentucky Spring Classic:
“It’s amazing the prize money here. I have spent a lot of my career in Europe and you do not have very many CSI3* classes that offer $130,000 in prize money. I think they what they are is fantastic for the sport and really encourages people to make a stop here.”
On D’Artagnan:
“This horse that won today has won four or fivr 1.45m classes this year at WEF and also won a few classes in Tryon. He is just a winner and I knew going in that we could be faster then the others.”
Alex Granato
On Winning the Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix:
“I love winning this class for Mary Rena because it just means that much more. Every win is exciting, especially when it is on a horse that you have had for a long time but when it is a special class for the crowd it feels like they get more involved which make the horses and riders try harder and then it is just that much more special.”
Eugenio Garza
On competing in the U25 Division:
“I think it’s a great division that helps us Under-25 riders that either aren’t ready for the bigger classes or just need a bigger step up from High Jr/AO. It’s a great class and there is always incredible camaraderie at every show. You always feel supported by your peers.”
3. CHANCE Ste. Hermelle / Michael Morrisey / QBS Equestrian, LLC / 0 / 43.450
3. Basimodo / Eric Navet / Signe Ostby / 0 / 31.661
Lexington, Ky – May 21, 2017 – On the final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic, talented junior rider Emma Kurtz claimed the Large Junior Hunter division championship as well as the Grand Junior Hunter Champion title aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Dedication. Accumulating 46 points with the judges, Kurtz consistently placed at the top of the leaderboard on multiple mounts in the Stonelea ring and won the championship sponsored by Visse Wedell of Wedell Real Estate.
On Saturday, Emma Kurtz of Hudson, Ohio executed two precise rounds in the Large Junior Hunter classes, landing Dedication, a bay Holsteiner, in second place after the first day of competition. Showcasing his reliability to perform well in the show ring, the 12-year-old gelding returned on Sunday and jumped his way to second place in the over fences classes, coming in third in the under saddle class.
Although the pair had not shown together since the Winter Equestrian Festival where they regularly ribboned in the large junior hunter classes, the break between Florida and Kentucky did not prevent them from outshining the competition across the division. In addition to Kurtz, Dedication has also been shown by top hunter athletes Scott Stewart and Victoria Colvin in the professional and junior divisions.
Competitive National and International hunter and jumper competition will resume at the Kentucky Horse Park in July with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, presented by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC.
On Dedication:
“Dedication likes to land on his right lead after the jumps. I just do lead changes instead of trying to land on the left lead because he prefers his right lead. With those quarter line singles we were a little nervous, but he was awesome. I’m really grateful to Betsee Parker, Scott Stewart and Amanda Lyerly for giving me such amazing opportunities to show these horses and it’s been a lot of fun for me.”
On the Kentucky Horse Park:
“I really like competing at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s such a nice venue because when you’re not showing you can go for a walk in the field or go in the cross country course. You aren’t confined to one ring which is really nice. The footing is also super nice and the jumps are beautiful; they always do a really good job.”
RESULTS
Grand Junior Hunter Champion
Dedication / Emma Kurtz / Dr. Betsee Parker
Small Junior Hunters
Champion – Ransom / Emma Wujek / Belhaven Stables LLC
Reserve – Casares / Emma Kurtz / Claire Azar
Large Junior Hunters
Champion – Dedication / Emma Kurtz / Betsee Parker
Reserve – Casallo / Wynne Weatherly / Erin McGuire
Junior Hunter 3’3
Champion – Humor Me / Madison Arani / Marigot Bay Farm, LLC
Reserve – Market Trend / Adam Edgar / Tanna Seltzer
Junior Jumper Low
Champion – Twitter / Natalie Jayne / Natalie Jayne
Reserve – Lux Like Clover / Marlo Williams / Marlo Williams
