Brett Burlington Bests the Field in $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Molly Sewell and El Raymond Conclude Kentucky Summer Horse Show with Win in $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA Hunter Derby

Lexington, KY – July 31, 2016 – On Sunday, Brett Burlington continued her success at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, winning the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix aboard Bluf.

Burlington was one of four riders to turn in a clear first-round effort over Alan Wade’s course and advance to the jump-off.

„The first round felt really good,“ Burlington said. „I almost had a time fault, so I was just a little bit casual in the first part of the course, but then I realized I needed to pick up my pace. It was a really smooth round; he jumped great.“

Last in the order, Burlington returned for her jump-off ready to stick to her plan without seeing her fellow competitors‘ rounds. Her plan paid off, as Burlington completed the course in 42.51 seconds, blazing past Spencer Brittan’s leading time.

„Bluf is really fast and really good at turning, so he’s great for the jump-offs,“ Burlington said. „He’s really good at listening, so if you tell him to turn one way, he’s responsive and will just go. He doesn’t try to argue. I just went in and did my original plan and clearly it worked out today. When I go fast, all the distances show up, and if not, he’s easy to adjust so I don’t have to worry about if I’m going too fast.“

Burlington also won the U25 Grand Prix last year during the 2015 Kentucky Summer Horse Show, repeating history with Sunday’s win.

„It was the same grand prix,“ Burlington added. „I went last in the jump-off in that one, too.“

Burlington said her family purchased Bluf after she clicked with the 10-year-old gelding after riding him last summer. Burlington and Bluf had success during the Winter Equestrian Festival in the High Junior Jumper division and the Under 25 division.

„I bought him a couple of weeks after the first time I showed him,“ Burlington explained. „I originally started showing him so other people could see him and he could be sold, but we ended up being a really good match, so I ended up getting him.“

Earning second place was 18-year-old Brittan, who rode Paradise Farms‘ Unico to the second clear round of the day, following up with a clear jump-off round and time of 43.702 seconds, ending on a good note for his first appearance in the U25 division.

„I’m feeling good, and Unico jumped really well,“ Brittan said. „He’s 16, but he still has a lot of pace, and he’s also really adjustable. I think he has a couple of more good years in him. I thought I made it down the course quick enough, but Brett came in and just rode it so fast. She did really well.“

Keely McIntosh was the next to attempt the short course, again going clear aboard Jenny Booth’s So Live Helau. Her time of 44.511 seconds would be enough to secure the duo third place.

Mavis Spencer and Neil Jones Equestrian Inc.’s Disco Lady finished fourth after being the first to jump off and setting the pace to beat at 44.845 seconds. Spencer, coming off a win in the $5,000 Open Jumpers 1.40m with Disco Lady, said she loves the U25 division and is enjoying her last year showing in it.

The fifth place ribbon was awarded to Adrienne Sternlicht and Starlight Farms 1 LLC’s Helios, who turned in a clear round, but did not advance to the jump-off due to an unfortunate time fault. In addition to her fourth place ribbon, Spencer also took home sixth place with Neil Jones Equestrian Inc.’s Irea Van De Eilandhoeve, who had an unlucky rail at the last fence in round one.

To conclude, Brittan added, „The U25 division is so competitive, honestly. All the riders always lay it down, and there are really good horses in this class. I like it. It’s always a good jump-off. Plus, I love the Rolex Stadium. Kentucky is probably my favorite show, and my horse loves it here, too.“

The action on Sunday wrapped up week one of competition during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show series, but the top-quality horse show will resume on Tuesday to mark the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic.

Molly Sewell and El Raymond Conclude Kentucky Summer Horse Show with Win in $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA Hunter Derby

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show wrapped up today with Molly Sewell clinching the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. Sewell was aboard Leslie and Stuart Campbell’s El Raymond and pair earned an impressive score of 186.00 to best a field of 36.

„I thought my rounds went really nicely today,“ Sewell said. „The first round was quite smooth. Raymond was wonderful and the handy is usually his best round where he really shines. He always delivers in the handy.“

This year marks the third year that Sewell, who is a professional based in Orlando, Florida, has won the Kentucky Summer Derby on El Raymond. Last year Sewell captured the $10,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Professional Rider Award for the 2015 USHJA National Hunter Derby Series. She returned to the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to defend her derby domination on the 18-year-old Warmblood gelding.

„You would know never know he was 18! I swear he has found the fountain of youth and I want to drink whatever water he is drinking,“ Sewell laughed. „He is the best horse and you can count on him for anything, especially when the pressure is on, he always rises to the occasion.“

„I really liked the course today; it flowed nicely and the handy had a lot of different options,“ she explained. „Raymond is a seasoned, been there, done that horse and if there is an inside turn, he can do it.

The duo delivered a fluid first round and lead the pack with a score of 90 from earning an 86 plus an additional 4 points for taking the high options. In the handy, they received a score of 96, which gave them a total score of 186.00.

„Raymond is amazing, but his real job is actually as an Adult Hunter for his owner, Leslie Campbell,“ Sewell said. „He is very special and she has owned him around five years. Leslie is the most generous person. If it means sacrificing showing in her classes in order for me to compete, she would rather have me ride, and there are not many people who would do that. I feel so lucky to have her support me as a professional.“

Throughout August Sewell plans on competing El Raymond in the derbies of Kentucky Horse Show LLC. Sewell placed third in the derby on her other mount, Acado, with a total score of 179.00. Acado is owned by Sidney Porter,

„Kentucky Summer is 100% my favorite show of the entire year,“ Sewell explained. „I love the facility, especially that you can ride out in the fields. It is so great for the horses, the footing is immaculate, and they do a great job running the show. I love it here!“

Taylor Kain came in second on Daryl Ziegler Henning’s Rio’s Figaro. Based in Wellington, Florida for the winter and Lexington, Kentucky for the summer, Kain has been riding the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding for nine months. Kain started off the first round with a score of 88 and returned in the handy to score a total of 94 with four high option points. The pair’s total score was 182.00.

„This was our first derby together,“ Kain said. „Rio’s Figaro felt great! I wanted to practice galloping, setting the pace and not doubting myself in the turns. He jumped incredibly! He is brave and scopey. He is fun like a rocking horse and has a big stride.“

„I was not expecting the 90,“ she continued. „That was shocking, but he was unbelievable and he is always really game.“

She plans on doing more derbies with him in the future, while his owner competes him in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over division.

„I’d like to thank his owner, Daryl,“ Kain concluded. „She has been the most amazing person that has come into my life. She is fully supportive and I would not be here without her.“

The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is part of the $40,0000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series which is returning for the fifth year in a row at the Kentucky Horse Park. The five-part series a $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus presented at the conclusion of the series.

Results
1. El Raymond/Molly Sewell/186.00
2. Rio’s Figaro/Taylor Kain/182.00
3. Acado/Molly Sewell/179.00
4. Fondant/Blythe Marano/177.50
5. Phantom/Leylan Gleeson/173.00
6. Almost Royal/Sydney Shulman/169.00
8. Symbolic/Catherine Stafford/168.50
9. Rubix/Taylor Kain/161.00
10. Front Page/Daniel Bedoya/152.00
11. BeforeAnythingElse/Christina Kelly/136.50
12. Beckham/Victoria Watters/132.00

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

2016 KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOWS SERIES FAST FACTS

Events: 2016 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows

What: The 2016 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the months of July and August. The Kentucky Horse Shows series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series.

Where: The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ and home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:

KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW I – July 27-31, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – Aug. 2-7, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – Aug. 16-21, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
A WCHR Event
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship

KHJA HORSE SHOW – Aug. 24-28, 2016
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors: A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hollow Creek Farm, CWD, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, FarmVet, Johnson Horse Transportation, Visse Wedell, Dietrich Equine Insurance Services, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Inc., Equestrian Services International (ESI Footing), GGT Footing, Winners Circle Trailer Sales and Service and the official hotel, the Clarion.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Parking: Horse show exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main horse park entrance for $15. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions: The Kentucky Horse Park is located eight miles Northeast of Lexington, Kentucky, at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Shownet: www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Source: Press release