Kentucky Spring Classic awards top riders,
series continues this week at Horse Park

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show at Kentucky Horse Park awarded thousands of dollars in prize money over a full weekend to top competitors from around the world, several hoping to qualify for the U.S. Olympics team for the 2012 London games.

Top winners were:

$75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, an Observation Event for the U.S. Show Jumping Team and a spot at the 2012 London Olympics, was won by Mario Deslauriers who piloted Urico to the fastest clear jump-off to claim the victory, while 17-year-old Reed Kessler of Lexington placed second aboard Mika. Beezie Madden also advanced to the short course with both Simon and Cortes ‘C’ and placed third and fourth, respectively.

Hagyard Lexington Classic honors went to Beezie Madden aboard Simon, owned by Abigail Wexner of New Albany, OH. Second place when to Margie Engle of Wellington, Fl., and Indigo and third to Charlie Jayne and Chill R Z. Reed Kessler of Lexington picked up a fifth place aboard Mika.

This competition was the first class in the Hagyard Challenge Series, where riders compete in seven grand prix events throughout the spring and summer for a chance to win the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. The $50,000 Hagyard Challenge was also the first event in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, offering $30,000 in bonus money, for the 2012 spring and summer horse shows. Riders wearing the SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible during all rounds of competition in designated events are eligible for the bonus. Unfortunately, Madden was not wearing the gloves, but the bonus will carry forward to the next grand prix event, bringing the total bonus offered to $4,000.

The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 16-20, will host the second Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday.

Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal went to Leylan Gleeson and Playboy of Wellington, FL.; Shawn Cassady and Nixon placed second; Vivian Yowan and Naf-Naf were third.

Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions were won by Tracy Scherrif-Muser (18-35) and Absolut and John Ingram (35 and Over) and Superman.

$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby was won by 14-year-old Victoria Colvin who went neck and neck against Jennifer Alfano.

$5000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby was won by Louise Serio aboard Corvine.

High Junior Jumper was Wilton Porter aboard Patriot; Low Junior Jumper winner was Emanuel Andrade and Le Fe Forli and High Amateur-Owner Jumper was Megan Nusz aboard Vesuvius.

NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic was won by Cassidy Zimmerman of Loveland, OH., who also picked up the reserve championship honors in the Children’s 15-17 Hunters.

In the Children’s 15-17 Hunter, Aleece Jarman and Vancouver, owned by Page Soper, made a clean sweep of the division earning all blues over fences, as well as the first place honors in the under saddle.

Hunter and jumper competitions continue in second week of the Kentucky Spring Series as the Kentucky Spring Classic starts Wednesday at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Spring Classic features the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week that provides top hunter riders the opportunity to earn prize money and points toward year-end awards in the Pony, Junior, Amateur, Professional, Adult and Children’s Hunter divisions. The highlight event of the week is the Hallway Feeds $5,000 National Hunter Derby, which will be held in the Stonelea Arena on Saturday.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows or to download the prize list, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.