Lexington, KY – August 1, 2013 – The Kentucky Summer Classic has been graced with beautiful weather, gorgeous hunter courses and top horses and riders. Today it was the junior hunters’ opportunity to take advantage of all that the competitive horse show has to offer. All four junior hunter divisions kicked off today and will continue tomorrow as the five-day show runs through Sunday, August 4 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Leading horse and rider combinations today included Megan MacPherson and Good Humor in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters, Kaitlyn Arnold and Dylan in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, Meredith Darst aboard both Chromeo and Val D’Isere in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters and Madison Maners and Blue Steel in the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunters.
Darst and Chromeo, owned by Peakewood Pharm, Inc. of Sanford, FL, kicked things off this morning in the Stonelea Ring, winning the first over fences class of the Small Juniors 15 & Under Hunters and returning to take the third place ribbon over the second Bobby Murphy designed course. Darst also claimed the blue ribbon in the second class aboard Val D’Isere, owned by Natalie Allen-Barinsky of Mendota Heights, MN.
In the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunters, Addy Howe and Playoff, owned by Howe Equine LLC of Cumming, GA, claimed the first blue ribbon, while Madison Maners and Blue Steel finished in a close second. Maners and the grey gelding then returned to best the field and win the next class.
Since beginning to show Blue Steel a little over a year ago, Maners has seen great success on the 12-year-old Zangersheide Warmblood, and the Charlotte, NC native is enjoying the opportunity to try for continued success in Kentucky.
“This is my second time coming to Kentucky, and I love it. I like that there’s a lot of competition here,” Maners shared. “It’s a really pretty show grounds. The footing is really nice, and the jumps are always beautiful and well decorated.”
Blue Steel seemed to be enjoying the Kentucky Horse Park atmosphere as well, which was evident in his two impressive trips today. “He goes in the ring, and he’s like ‘Okay, anybody watching me because I’m here to show,’” Maners commented. “He’s got a super cool attitude. He takes good care of me, and I’m really lucky to have him."
In the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, Kaitlyn Arnold and her horse Dylan dominated, earning back-to-back blue ribbons and leading the division in their Kentucky debut.
“This is our first time here, and we’re really enjoying it. I really like the way the rings ride, and Dylan really likes the open, outdoor spaces. We’ve been up on the cross-country courses, and he enjoyed that. He got a little frisky one time up there,” laughed Arnold.
In the ring, Dylan is all business, turning in two seamless rounds to win amongst a field of talented horses today.
“He’s just very responsive, and very wiling to do whatever I ask,” Arnold shared. “He has a great personality. He’s always wanting to be around you, always in your business. “
Rounding out the days leaders were Sydney Shulman and Deephaven, owned by Norgan, Inc. of Wellington, FL, and Megan MacPherson and Good Humor, owned by Meridian Partners LLC of Boulder, CO. Deephaven led the jog following the first class of the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters as Shulman picked up the blue ribbon, and it was MacPherson and Good Humor who returned with the top call in the second class.
“He’s 10-years-old, and he’s fantastic,” MacPherson said following her win. “We got him from Kenny and Douglas Wheeler when he was eight, and he’s been great for me in the junior hunters ever since then. He’s like a big pony. He just really takes care of you.”
MacPherson as enjoyed coming to the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows ever since she first came to compete in USET Pony Finals several years ago, and she’s here this year with trainer Stacia Madden and Beacon Hill Stables.
“I’m always glad to be here. The facility’s gorgeous, and the competition is great,” stated MacPherson. “Hopefully, we keep doing as well as we have been and see where it goes from there!”
The Junior Hunter divisions will continue tomorrow in the Stonelea Ring with the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunters kicking things off at 8 a.m. One of the week’s hunter highlights happens this Saturday, August 3, with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Hallway Feeds Hunter Derby Series consists of seven national derbies held during the 2013 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
