Lexington, KY – August 2, 2022 – Talented equestrians returned to the StoneLea ring at the Kentucky Horse Park for another week of jam-packed hunter competition. The Kentucky Summer Classic kicked off Tuesday with the Green Hunter Incentive 3’6” and 3’9” where top hunter horse-and-rider combinations tried their hand at the beautiful course designed by Jasen Shelley (USA). The 8-effort track featuring a double combination, challenged the athletes to present exceptional form both in the tack and over fences, while piloting their mount with an elegant, consistent pace throughout the track. Ultimately, Kelley Farmer and Knowingly executed their plan seamlessly, earning them the top spot on the leaderboard with an impressive score of 86 points.
The Green Hunter Incentive Stake is open to horses eligible to compete in the Green Hunters 3’, 3’3”, 3’6”, and 3’9”. The program is designed to encourage the development of young, green hunters. It is multi-faceted and includes the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships, regional championships, and stake classes all throughout the country, year round.
Farmer and the 8-year-old KWPN gelding, owned by David Glefke, laid down yet another impressive performance and stood out amongst the competition that saw all top eight combinations. The winning duo jumped in top form while showcasing a rhythmic cadence throughout the entirety of the course. With Farmer in the irons, Knowingly is no stranger to the spotlight and has most recently put up several top scoring rides at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I and II. The veteran duo has developed a trusting partnership and continues to perfect the hunter tradition, adding to their long list of wins.
Putting together an impressive performance of their own was Maria Rasmussen and Maya Grove’s 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Goodfella. Set for the middle of the pack in the order-of-go, the pair was able to put together a solid plan and execute accordingly, coming up just shy of the top spot with a score of 85 points. The accomplished duo is continuing to turn heads, coming off either a first or second place finish in their last six Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” classes in the WEC Ocala Summer circuit. Rasmussen and Goodfella didn’t skip a beat, entering the ring in Kentucky with a confident stride and jumping style. Their established partnership has continued to propel them in this division, proving they are a force to be reckoned with.
Jimmy Torano, familiar with the leaderboard in this division, rounded out the top three in the brilliant class aboard Isalou Inc.’s, Moonlight. With Torano in the irons, Moonlight laid down two nice rounds with a perfectly even rhythm and top jumping technique to impress the judges and put together a total score of 81. Torano continues to exert his dominance in the hunter divisions, piloting his mounts to a multitude of ribbons at all levels of competition.
Hunter competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will continue in the StoneLea Ring Thursday morning with the Green Conformation kicking off at 8am.