Lexington, KY – August 13, 2014 – Showing the competition just how it was done, Emanuel Andrade was the pilot on all three of the top horses in the 1.30m Open Jumpers Wednesday at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. His quick trips in the speed class were three of only four scores to break the 50-second mark. Ramiro Quintana claimed the fourth spot in the 1.30m, but he came back in the 7-and 8-Year Old Jumpers to beat out Andrade for first and second place.
Andrade began his string of dominating performances with the nimble Hanoverian gelding Carboni 3, whose score would hold as Andrade’s and the class’s fastest time.
“The first time out I went really fast because I wasn’t sure how the rest of the competitors were going to go,” said Andrade who noted that Carboni began his showing career as an equitation mount for one of Andrade’s close friends.
“Carboni was not the best at equitation,” Andrade said. “But I’m so happy with his performance today. It was our first class of the day, and I’m excited to see how he continues to go.”
Andrade was also pleased with the performances of his second place mount Black Pearl and the third place Holsteiner mare Costa.
“The other two horses have been jumping really well in the 1.30m classes with me these past few weeks,” Andrade said. “Overall today was a very good day.”
The 7- and 8- Year Old Jumpers took to the arena next in the Rolex Stadium. Young horses maneuvered the course with speed and exactness in hopes of competing in the immediate jump-off round and ultimately gaining the top spot.
Again Andrade showed off his impressive string of horses, but he was bested in the class by Quintana’s mounts Tua Efele, a Selle Francais mare, and Bialda, a Dutch Warmblood mare. St. Bride’s Farm in Upperville, VA owns both of the impressive mares.
Quintana said the two horses, which he has been bringing up the ranks for several years, have completely different personalities.
“Tua, the little mare that won, she’s very spicy, but she’s so small,” said Quintana. “I’m scared to measure her because I’m afraid she might be a pony She’s got a great big heart and a very big jump. I really hope she turns into one of those great small jumpers. Bialda is more of a warmblood-type; slower but vey competitive. We also have big hopes for her.”
Quintana was glad for the friendly course, as this is Tua and Bialda’s last tune-up before they compete at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.
“It was a really great course for the young jumpers,” said Quintana. “I really liked that there was a triple combination. It was nicely sized to get the horses’ confidence up for the next time they might face a big, bigtriple.”
Andrade closed up the top three in the class with his mount C Jack Sparrow.
The Young Jumpers return to the Rolex Stadium tomorrow beginning with the 6-Year-Old Jumpers at 8 a.m. The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show features five days of jumper competition; the highlight jumper events in the Rolex Stadium include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday.
