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Lexington, KY- August 4, 2008- The feature classes of the week at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show were the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby, and the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix. Top honors in both Grand Prix events went to Debbie Stephens. Aaron Vale won the International Hunter Derby by just one point.

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show started with an exciting opening day at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Walnut Arena debuted exceptional new footing by Otto Sport- und Reitplatz GmbH. Funded by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Otto Riding Arena Mat System is a state-of-the-art surface that has been proven all over the world including the 1996 Olympics, the 1998 World Cup, and the 2006 World Equestrian Games.

Debbie Stephens and Callaway 4, owned by Centennial Farm of Palmetto, FL, jumped their way to victory in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. The class was scored under Table II .2 - a timed first round, with those jumping clear advancing to the jump off.

Stephens and her mount, Callaway 4, rode to victory with a clear round in 39.456 seconds. "Callaway is such a tryer, every time he walks in the ring he fights to go clear," Stephens described.

This was the third of seven events in the Hagyard Challenge Series. At the end of the seventh event, the rider who has earned the most money throughout the Hagyard Challenge Series will earn a $50,000 leading rider bonus. Debbie Stephens came close to winning the challenge series last year and with a win on Callaway 4 today, she is hoping to come from behind and take home the prize this year. "I'm going to get in the lead and keep the lead," Stephens expressed, "I'm riding well and my horses are going well, so bring it on!"

Aaron Vale, of Ocala, FL, rode Second City to an exciting win, beating Jennifer Waxman, of Chargin Falls, OH, and Falcon by just one point in the International Hunter Derby.

Aaron Vale and Second City were second to last to compete. He knew that he would have to be handy and take all the 4' options if he wanted to beat Waxman. His choices paid off with a score of 178, moving him to the lead. Jennifer Waxman entered the ring last with Falcon. Their round was good, but a rough trot jump and the decision not to take more difficult routes would leave the pair with a score of 172. The combined score was 354, just one point away from Vale's sore of 355.

Vale has been competing at the Kentucky Horse Shows for years. "It's a great place to show. You also have great footing, permanent stabling, great course designers, and great service from the staff. It's a top class horse show," said Vale.

Saturday, August 2,, 2008 marked the second Grand Prix win of the week for Debbie Stephens, in the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix. Stephens galloped to victory aboard her mount All Star.

The course was built for him," explained Stephens, "It was built for one type of horse. Not that a little horse didn't go clear, but I think it was easier for a big, scopey horse." Stephens went double clear with a time of 39.919 seconds.

Jumper Highlights

Angel Karolyi had two mounts in the 1.40m Open Jumper class. He came away with the win aboard Galant, owned by Mclain Ward of Brewster, NY. The pair went around the 11-fence course in 64.032 seconds.

The 1.45m Open Jumper class was won by Sinatra, owned and shown by Aaron Vale of Ocala, FL.. The pair was one of two to go clean. Vale had eight faults in the jump off but with a time of 71.063, he was fast enough to win.

Paige Johnson and Amagedon 3, owned by Salamander Farm of The Plains, VA won the first class of the High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers. The class was held in the Walnut Arena at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. The pair galloped their way to victory in a time of 32.588, winning by 1.076 seconds.

Paige Johnson and Chiron S, owned by Salamander Farm of The Plains, VA took top honors in the Amateur Owner/Junior High Classic. Johnson and Chiron S went double clear with a time of 33.002 seconds. Johnson ended up champion of the division on Amagedon 3 and was reserve champion aboard Chiron S.

Championship and reserve championship honors were awarded in the low amateur owner/junior jumpers. Marque Cincotta aboard Chappie, owned by Centennial Farm of Palmetto, FL garnered the championship prize. Happy Hour, owned and shown by Jessica Leto of Foxpoint, WI was awared reserve champion tricolor.

Hunter Highlights

The First Year Green Working Hunters took place in the Indoor Arena. The championship award went to Penny Lombardo and Bring It On, a 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Ellen St. John of Delray Beach, FL. The reserve championship tricolor was awarded to Terry Brown and her mount Ferragamo, owned by Libba Fisher of Alpharetta, GA. 

Next to go were the Green Conformation Hunters. The top prize went to Terry Brown, of Canton, GA, and her horse Tasty, a 7-year-old Dutch Wamblood. Steinway and Kathy O'Connor also put in excellent rounds and came away with the reserve championship award. Steinway is owned by Jessica DiCampli of Seabrook, TX.

The Second Year Green Working Hunters followed in the Indoor Arena. Haven Schatt and Glass Castle, owned by Shaw Johnson Price of Chestertown, MD, proved unstoppable with flawless rounds, sweeping the division and taking home the championship ribbon. The reserve championship prize went to All the Best with Megan Udelson, of Russell, OH, in the irons.

The Regular Conformation Hunters and The Regular Working Hunters were the last to go. Kelly Farmer garnered both championship tricolors. In the Regular Conformation Hunters Farmer won the championship award with Mio, owned by Rosalie Mortin of Charlottesville, VA. The reserve championship award also went to Farmer, this time with her mount Intermezzo, owned by Lucy Blundon of Chevy Chase, MD. Intermezzo then went on to claim the Regular Working Hunter Championship prize. Haven Schatt rode Olivier, owned by Pinecroft, LLC & Annie Frazier of Wellington, FL, to win the reserve championship ribbon.

In the Stonelea Ring junior riders competed in the ASPCA Maclay, followed by the Children's 14 and Under Hunters, and the Children's 15 - 17 Hunters. Grace Witherwein, of Carmel, IN, and her mount Marley, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood, had a picture perfect round, and came home with the blue ribbon in the ASPCA Maclay. Elizabeth Patz, of Windermere, FL, and her horse Valentin 88 garnered the second place ribbon. Alyssa Mansfield, of Wellington, FL, also had an excellent trip on Lord Lorenzo, and was awarded third place.

Next were the younger Children's Hunters. L.A. and Lisa Zimmer, of Wycoff, NJ, had a top-notch performance and earned the championship tricolor. Caroline Nicewonder and Starbound, owned by Don Stewart of Ocala, FL, took home the reserve championship prize.

The older Children's Hunters followed. Annie Cosby was aboard Artimus, owned by Ada Cosby of Manakin-Sabot, VA, and captured the championship award. After Dark and Eleanor Rosier, of Columbus, OH, also performed well and earned the reserve championship ribbon.

The sun shone over the Stonelea Ring, where the Amateur Owner 18-35 Hunters and Amateur Owner 35 and Over Hunters championship prizes were determined. The Amateur Owner 18-35 Hunters were the first of the two divisions to compete.

Tracy Scheriff, of Ramsey, NJ, had very successful trips with her mount Lavari, and earned the championship ribbon. Clara Lindner rode In the Black, owned by All Seasons Farm, LLC of Wellington, FL, to the reserve championship prize.

The next to go in the Stonelea Ring was the Amateur Owner 35 and Over Hunters. Chris Brown, of Oakland, NJ, would come out on top with his seasoned hunter Carpaccio. The reserve championship tricolor was awarded to Glass Castle with Shaw Johnson Price, of Chestertown, MD, in the irons.

The Kentucky Summer Classic will be held August 6-10, 2008. The Kentucky Horse Park is the host of the Kentucky Summer Series, and will also be hosting the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

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