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Henri Kovacs and Sassicaia II Flash Through the Finish Line in the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show |
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Written by Bobby Murphy
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:30 |
Lexington, KY - May 10, 2009 - It was a beautiful, sunny day at the Kentucky Horse Park for Henri Kovacs' first grand prix victory gallop aboard Sassicaia II following the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The pair was faster than five other horse and rider combinations during this afternoon's ten horse jump-off in the main outdoor stadium. Rebecca Johanson Hofmann riding Corona, and Mario Deslauriers aboard Vicomte D both attempted to catch Kovacs' time, but were unable to do so and followed with second and third place honors during today's class.
Richard Jeffery designed today's course, which featured 13 fences and 16 jumping efforts. The first round began over a triple bar and also included a vertical-to-vertical plank double combination, a triple combination, and a wide water jump. The jump-off course began with a single oxer to a single vertical, followed by two more oxers on a bending line. Riders then continued across the arena to a single vertical and made a tight turn to the second half of the triple combination. Finally riders made a final turn for home over a large orange and black oxer towards the gate.
The first horse and rider combination to have the opportunity to compete over the short course was Todd Minikus and Presidente, owned by Sleepy P Ranch of Bartonville, TX. The pair had an unfortunate fall at fence 14, a single blue and green vertical, and despite both horse and rider emerging unscathed, they were eliminated and placed tenth in the competition. Next on course was LaGran, owned and shown by Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL. The duo had an unfortunate rail at fence 14 for four faults and stopped the clock at 39.67 seconds to earn seventh place. Angela Moore and Claus, owned by Stealaway Farm of Wellington FL, would be the next pair to compete over the short course but they also had difficulties, finding faults at the end of the double combination and the last oxer, for an eight-fault total and the ninth place award.
Henri Kovacs and Sassicaia II, owned by Plain Bay Farm of Middleburg, VA, were the next to enter the ring to compete in the jump-off. The pair picked up a gallop and soared over the first jump with ease. As they continued over the course their pace picked up and the crowd began to hold their breath as they left each jump standing. Kovacs and Sassicaia II raced through the finish line in a blistering 38.84 seconds to take over the lead and win the class.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:31 |
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Todd Minikus and Chellapo Z Show the Way in the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at Kentucky Spring Horse Show |
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Written by Bobby Murphy
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:26 |
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Lexington, KY - May 9, 2009 - It was all about speed for Todd Minikus and Chellapo Z during their winning jump-off round in the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The duo was able to edge out Chistine McCrea riding Twister, and Beezie Madden aboard Play On during the nine-horse jump-off held this morning in the new outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Six horse and rider combinations completed double-clear efforts, but it was Minikus and Chellapo Z's 35.396 second time that earned the opportunity to lead the victory gallop.
Thirty-four horses competed over Richard Jeffery's first round course, which consisted of a water jump with pole and lath scored, a double combination, and a triple combination that’s first jump was a triple bar followed by two tall verticals. The jump-off course began with a vertical followed by the double combination. Then riders continued to a single vertical and rode to the last element of the triple combination, another single vertical. Finally riders finished over two wide oxers located on the far end of the arena.
The first rider to complete a clear first round and have the opportunity to compete in the jump-off was Keean White riding Whisper of Mazour, owned by Anglestone Farm of Rockwood, ON. The pair made a good attempt but had a rail coming out of the double combination, stopping the clock in 41.328 seconds to finish in ninth place. Next to compete over the short course was Jeanne Hobbs, of Southern Pines, NC, and Nielson B. The duo was the first to successfully complete a fault-free jump-off round and set the time to catch at 42.677 seconds, which would hold up for the sixth place award. James Benedetto was quick to takeover Hobbs' lead when he and Trulli, owned by Equinmity LLC of Stonybrook, NY, also left all jumps standing in a time of 37.905 seconds. Their score would earn them the fourth place honors. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:30 |
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Mary Jane King Wins Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over Championship at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show |
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Written by Bobby Murphy
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:25 |
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Lexington, KY – May 7, 2009 – Kentucky Horse Shows LLC, hosted its third day of competition for the 2009 Kentucky Spring Horse Show series today and awarded championship honors to Rigoletto and Mary Jane King for their two days of competition in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over division. The Kentucky Horse Park’s scenic facility will host two weeks of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, May 6-10, and the Kentucky Spring Classic, May 13-17.
This week’s hunter divisions are featured as World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) recognized competition with some of the best horses and riders in the country participating and this afternoon’s top horse and rider combination in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over division was Mary Jane King and Rigoletto. King, of St. Louis, MO, had two very successful days with her eight year-old gelding Rigoletto to win the division’s championship honors. Monopoly and Margaret O’Meara were awarded the reserve championship tricolor.
Mary Jane King just bought her horse Rigoletto in June of last year with the help of her trainer, Rick Fancher, who keeps her horses at his farm in Louisville, KY. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:26 |
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Henri Kovacs and Cermit Top 1.45m Open Jumper Class at Kentucky Spring Horse Show |
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Written by Bobby Murphy
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:23 |
Lexington, KY - May 8, 2008 - Henri Kovacs galloped away with his first victory aboard Cermit today in the $5,000 1.45 Open Jumper Class at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The pair beat out six other double clear jump-off contestants in the class, held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. Kovacs and Cermit were two seconds faster than Amanda Knowles and Julizi Du Brio to take the lead during today's class in the new outdoor stadium. Margie Engle and Hidden Creek's Campella also competed a fault-free short course and finished in the third place position.
Richard Jeffery designed a long course that covered the entire length of the new outdoor stadium for today's 1.45m Open Jumper Class. The first round course included a triple bar, a water jump option with only the pole scored, a vertical-to-vertical double combination, and a triple combination. The jump-off course began with three large oxers, followed by a red and white vertical off a sharp turn, to a fourth oxer. Riders then continued to the triple bar fence and finished over a tall oxer going towards the gate. The time allowed for the first round was 71 seconds and the time allowed for the jump-off was 45 seconds.
Beezie Madden and Onlight, owned by Team Onlight of Cazenovia, NY, were the first to compete in the class and after a successful first round they advanced to the jump-off. The pair would set the tone for the rest of the class when they were fault-free during the short course as well. Madden and Onlight stopped the timers in 39.205 seconds, which would hold up for fifth place honors. Next in the ring was Amanda Knowles riding Julizi Du Brio, owned by Bayshore Farms of Toronto, ON, and the duo quickly took over the lead from Madden after posting a double clear effort in a time of 37.618 seconds.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:25 |
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