Kentucky Summer Classic Wrap-Up
RELEASE: August 3, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
The Kentucky Summer Classic was held at the Kentucky Horse Park from July 26-August 2, 2009. The competition was managed by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, and jumper highlights included the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $40,000 Kentucky Classic Grand Prix sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington.
Jumper HighlightsOn Wednesday, the Kentucky Summer Classic launched into action at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 1.45m and 1.40m Open Jumper classes started off the morning in the Sheila C. Johnson Ring at the New Outdoor Stadium. Aaron Vale and Chellapo Z scored top honors in the 1.45m class after they jumped penalty free in 33.532 seconds. Chellapo Z is owned by Mimi Abel-Smith of Middleburg, VA.
In the 1.40m Open Jumpers, Angel Karolyi and Galant earned the blue ribbon over the Table II, Sec 1, Time First Round course. They won the same class last week on opening day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Galant is owned by McLain Ward of Brewster, NY.
On Thursday, July 30, Margie Engle added another victory to her extensive list of grand prix wins at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Engle and her mount Hidden Creek's Campella were a force to be reckoned with in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, surpassing 42 other entries for the win. Engle and Campella were one of nine horse-and-rider combinations to qualify for the jump-off. The course was designed by Michel Vaillancourt and scored under a Table II.2(A) format.
Chris Kappler and VDL Oranta were the first pair to take on the short course. They lowered the height of the vertical at fence 12 and came home with four faults in 41.193 seconds. Mike McCormick and MTM Remington had an unlucky rail at the first oxer, crossing the finish line in 41.686 seconds. Remington is owned by MTM Farm in Flower Mound, TX. Margie Engle and Tosca 290 had a beautiful ride, leaving all of the fences intact for the first double-clear finish of the night. Tosca, owned by Hidden Creek Farm of Oak Creek, WI, galloped home in 41.682 seconds. Engle resides in Wellington, FL.
Ricardo Villa and his horse VDL Bubalu never touched a rail; however, they were penalized with one time fault for exceeding the 44 second time allowed. They stopped the clock in 44.223 seconds, which would hold up for fourth place. Tracey Fenney of Flower Mound, TX, and MTM Centano had a fast time of 38.929 seconds, but unfortunately they received four faults for pulling a rail at fence 11A.
Nick Dello Joio of Wellington, FL, and Wembley Farm's Draco revisited the arena next. The pair tightened up the turns and moved quickly across the ground, coming home with a fast clear round in 39.999 seconds. Dello Joio and Draco skyrocketed to the top of the leader board, momentarily ranking in first place. Their lead quickly changed hands as Engle piloted her second mount, Hidden Creek's Campella, to a speedy, fault free finish. Campella soared home in 38.782 seconds, edging Dello Joio's Draco into second place. Hidden Creek's Campella is also owned by Hidden Creek Farm.
Daniel Bluman of Weston, FL, accrued eight faults aboard Fatalis Fatum with a fast time of 38.991 seconds, and Robin Sweely captured four faults in 43.872 seconds on Acorn Hill Farm's Corolato. Acorn Hill Farm is located in Madison, VA.
Engle's incredible ride aboard Hidden Creek's Campella secured her the victory, and her second grand prix mount had a solid third-place finish. "I thought the course was nice," revealed Engle after her victory gallop. "It's funny, the gray mare (Campella) hasn't done many jump-offs. She was doing 1.30m and Young Horse classes. I just started doing the grand prix classes with her in Saugerties in June. I'm really happy with her. She's a big horse. She's over 17 hands, but she rides very nice and is really scopey."
Engle continued, "She turns really well, so she was very quick from one to two in the jump-off. I really took a