Lexington, KY - August 18, 2010 - Cooler climates welcomed competitors to the first day of the 2010 Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. While the highlights of the week include the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and the $50,000 CSI-W Haygard Lexington Classic, the first day brought its own excitement when Antonio Maurer scored a one-two finish in the first 1.40m Open Jumpers class of the week. Merely looking for a warm up class for the upcoming events later in the week, Maurer’s two promising jumpers seem to be on their A-game.
Just prior to the 1.40m Jumpers was the 1.35m Open Jumpers with a competitive 18 riders and horses entered for the Table 2(b) track. Riders showed over a course designed by Richard Jeffery that involved a vertical-to-vertical double combination and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination. Aany competitors found themselves with faultless first rounds automatically taking them into the jump off where another handful came out with double clean rounds.
Audrey Coulter and Rodenburgh’s California, owned by Copernicus Stables, LLC, tripped the wire in 29.691 seconds, well under the time allowed of 38 seconds, but was only quick enough for sixth place. Just a few hundredths of a second in front of Coulter was Chris Ewanouski and Montoga Inc.’s Vertigo who went fault free in 29.336 seconds, settling for fifth place.
Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Lonesome Boy took a very daring route around the course but crossed the wire in 28.837 seconds, taking home the fourth place ribbon. Andres Rodriguez and his mount, Da Vinci, rode a very speedy first round and looked promising the clinch the lead with a jump off time of 27.585 seconds, but it eventually held up for the third place honors. Audrey Coulter came back with her second mount owned by Copernicus Stables, LLC, October, to stop the clock in 27.56 seconds, resulting second place finish.
The top horse and rider duo was Aaron Vale and Cartier, owned by Hampton Farms, LLC. They crossed the wire in a blazing 26.953 seconds with ease as they left all the rails in their cups, earning them the first place ribbon.
“The course was set up perfectly for us,” stated Vale. “The ring was decorated so beautifully and the course was technical but the lines set up well for us.”
“We are considering the $30,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday,” added Vale. “Cartier is a little too green for anything more than that but hopefully he will move into the 1.40m classes soon.”
After a quick reset of the course, the 1.40m Open Jumpers got underway with Antonio Maurer first on course with mount Callao, owned by Francisco Del Rio. Maurer easily set the bar with a clean round in 64.398 seconds, leaving numerous rider and horse pairs to try and pass them over the timed first round course. Lauren Crooks and Cincinatti La Silla, owned by Glen Youell had a clean trip but was not quick enough in 68.252 seconds, settling for fourth place.
Norman Dello Joio also had a bold trip on Notre Star but could only stop the clock in 67.252 seconds, good enough for third place. Nearing the end of the entries, it looked like only Antonio Maurer would be able to surpass himself on his second mount, Charro, owned by Enrique Conzalez. The pair tripped the wire in 64.398 seconds, just two hundredths of a second quicker than Callao to take home the first place prize.
“It seemed simple going first and second, but for the first day it was tricky,” explained Maurer. “My plan was to ride normal, not too fast. I chose to take one stride out of a combination and it was the right choice because it gave us the fastest times for both.”
Maurer continued, “Callao will jump in the $30,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday and Charro will show in the $50,000 CSI-W Haygard Lexington Classic on Friday. If Charro gets better, he will go with me to the World Equestrian Games.”
The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show will continue through Sunday August 22. The highlight events will include the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Saturday evening, the $50,000 CSI-W Haygard Lexington Classic on Thursday evening. Compeition will wrap-up with the $30,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday.
For more information about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.
Photo Credit: Aaron Vale and Cartier topped the 1.35m Open Jumpers with a double clear round at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Whitney Campbell/PMG. Photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.
