Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Week 2 Wrap-Up
RELEASE: May 22, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Jenny Ross and Rebecca Walton
On Sunday, May 18, Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, led her third victory gallop in two weeks at the Kentucky Spring Classic. She piloted Hidden Creek's Pamina L to another incredible finish in the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI***, topping a field of 36 entries for the win. They took home top honors in the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI*** on Thursday, May 15, and they sealed the win on Sunday, May 11, in the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI***.
The $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix was held in the indoor arena, and Guilherme Jorge of Brazil designed the course. Eleven horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off.
Engle's outstanding ride held up for the win, against Mario Deslauriers' clean round aboard Obelix R.
"The course rode nicer than I thought," Engle said after her victory lap. "I thought there would be fewer clean. I think it was a little bigger than the other day, but now horses have been in there a bit. The last line rode a little technical; it was a triple bar to a very steady four to the last jump, a liverpool vertical."
Jumper HighlightsOn Wednesday, May 14, the Kentucky Spring Classic launched into action at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 1.40m Open Jumpers were met with cold rain and wet conditions. Despite the storms, the Sheila C. Johnson Arena held up well, and Alison Robitaille took first and third place with her mounts Pourquoi and Garfield 211, respectively.
With a time allowed of 76 seconds, exhibitors participated in the 1.40m speed class over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Fifty horse and rider combinations were signed up for the class.
Robitaille of Upperville, VA, earned top honors with her mare Pourquoi after they executed a smooth, clear round, coming home in 62.273 seconds. Shane Sweetnam and Houston, owned by Casey Curtis of Palm Beach, FL, finished in second place with their quick time of 62.706 seconds, and Robitaille also captured the yellow ribbon with her second mount Garfield 211 in a time of 63.160, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone. She guided Garfield home in 63.160 seconds.
On Thursday, May 15, the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI*** in the indoor arena. Originally scheduled for the spacious Johnson Arena, rainy conditions prompted management to relocate the class. Margie Engle and Hidden Creek's Pamina L overcame the chilly weather and venue change to carry out a picture-perfect ride for the grand prix win.
Thirty-six competitors went to post for the class. In the jump-off, Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui executed an extraordinary round with a fast time of 36.75 seconds, which set an exciting pace for the rest of the riders.
Ireland's Kevin Babington on Souvenir, owned by Barbara Wall Roux, successfully completed the course without fault in 39.10 seconds. Their clear, fast round placed them in third.
"Today was great," Engle said."Pamina's getting really consistent, and she feels like she's learning her job. I'm thrilled to have a new horse that's competitive." Engle teamed with her winning mount earlier this year, and they won their first grand prix in April at the Tampa Equestrian Festival.
On Friday, May 16, rain once again changed the plans of the show. Originally scheduled for the Johnson Arena, the $1,500 1.35m and the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumper classes were moved to the indoor arena.
The 1.45m Open Jumper course proved to be very difficult, with only six of the 23 entries qualifying for the jump-off.
Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Ormsby Hill entered the ring ready for action. After a clear first round, they moved into the jump-off with confidence. Torano tightened the turns and took risks, and they paid off when he finished with a time of 35.905 seconds, only four one-thousandths of a second faster than Aaron Vale and Danacar's time of 35.909. To