Lexington, KY – July 28, 2017 – Anna Dryden was the first rider to set foot in Rolex Stadium on Friday morning. The adult amateur competitor from New York had her second child just five months ago, but was determined to have strong finishes in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Speed class on both of her horses, Zartoes and Petrushka III. Although she lost her reins on the way to a fence on Zartoes, the pair still went clear in a time of 67.950. She continued to lead the class until she reentered the ring on Petrushka III and completed the course almost two whole seconds faster, in a time of 66.045. Charlotte Jacobs and Bartani S took home third place honors in the class of seventeen.
The early morning win held more significance for Dryden as it marks her return to serious competition after pregnancy. Although she normally trains with Allison Robataille, Dryden is working with Chilean Olympian, Samuel Parot during this trip to Kentucky. She credits Parot’s can-do attitude with giving her the confidence to go in the ring with an expectation to win and allowing her to enjoy the moment.
Dryden is no stranger to the winner’s circle in the High Amateur-Owner division. Before she gave birth to her second child, she and ‘Petra’ consistently had top placings together including a win in the same division on August 3, 2016. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Zartoes, is a slightly more recent acquisition to Dryden’s string, being purchased only a year and a half ago. Dryden is hopeful that once she regains her post pregnancy fitness she will have the opportunity to show Zartoes in bigger classes and put her extra scope to good use.
Amateur and professional show jumping competition will continue through the weekend as part of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Spectators who are interested in seeing all the action up close are invited to come to the Kentucky Horse Park tomorrow to participate in ‘Hats Off to Kentucky’s Horse Industry’ Day. The all-day affair offers fun family activities including arts and crafts, pony rides, educational booths, and equestrian competition, and it’s all free! Hats Off Day is the only day of the year an entire family can enjoy the Kentucky Horse Park and all it has to offer, at no cost! Spectators are encouraged to stick around for the main event in Rolex Stadium, the $50,000 Rood and Riddle Grand Prix that will begin promptly at 7:30pm.
For more information on ‘Hats Off Day, please click here
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Anna Dryden
On Petrushka III:
“The horse that I won on is named Petrushka and I bought her from Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast two years ago. I just had a baby five months ago and am coming back and she is just coming back so it was great to get a win under our belt.”
On her plan in the High Amateur Speed class:
“My plan was to ride tough and Samuel (Parot) just kept saying that I could do it, and giving me confidence. I am a rider that really needs confidence and Samuel does a great job of telling me that I could do it and to be tough.”
On traveling to Kentucky to horse show:
“I show here a lot and it’s one of my favorite shows. The footing is perfect and I love the big ring because I can gallop and that really helps me perform. It can sometimes be hard to fly back and forth from New York but it is definitely worth it.
RESULTS
Class: High Amateur Owner / Junior Jumper Speed
1. Petrushka III / Anna Dryden / 0 / 66.04
2. Zartoes / Anna Dryden / 0 / 67.95
3. Bartani S / Charlotte Jacobs / 0 / 69.66
4. Lisanto 2 / Briley Korner / 4 / 61.48
5. Cesar VDB Z / Megan Davis / 4 / 62.51
6. Contenance 15 / Kaely Tomeu / 4 / 64.03
7. Darthus / Charlotte Jacobs / 4 / 64.44
8. Charles Pinkney Z / Jesse Smith / 4 / 65.79
9. Columbus 82 / Daniel Morales / 4 / 71.32
10. Esquina Van Klap / Sedona Chamblee / 8 / 60.26
11. Carjo Z / Marion S. Head / 8 / 62.42
12. Alligator / Benjamin Simpkins / 12 / 69.16
Alexandra Worthington Rules Friday Equitation at Kentucky Summer Horse Show
Since purchasing the 10-year-old gelding Outshine during the Florida winter season, Alexandra Worthington, 17, has enjoyed the experience of riding him in the equitation ring. The rising high school senior splits her time between New York and Las Vegas, and has trained with Beacon Hill Show Stables for over two years. On Friday, the pair dominated the Stonelea Ring by winning the ASPCA Horsemanship class and winning the WIHS Hunter Phase with a score of 90.
After 8 riders were selected to return for an undersaddle phase, Maverick Austin Helmar on Canterbury placed second in the ASPCA Horsemanship class. Grace Saad and Bond 016 finished in third place.
Annabel Revers and Contigo 37 followed closely behind Worthington in the WIHS Hunter Phase with a score of 88. Elli Yeager and Copperfield 39 received an 87 and placed third.
Meanwhile in the Claiborne Ring, the THIS National Child Medal 14 & Under took place on the third day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. Fifteen combinations competed and the top four were invited back for a work-off where they were asked to canter a handful of fences, trot one fence, halt at the end of the course and show a sitting trot. Augusta Iwasaki, 13, of Calabasas, California, won the class aboard Cocktail 51, a horse she has only ridden twice. The duo earned a score of 83 and Jaden Porter on Dragonfly’s Corleone B placed second with a 79. Layla Kurbanov and Constantin FZ finished in third place with a score of 78.
Additional Grand Hunter Championships will be awarded later this week to the top Amateur-Owner, Junior and Children’s Hunters. Additional hunter highlights include the $5,000 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows USHJA National Hunter Derby on Sunday in the Stonelea Ring.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Alexandra Worthington
On Outshine:
“I’m feeling really happy with Outshine! He was a hunter so he’s great at the hunt seat medals. He likes to float around and it’s really nice. I love how smooth he is. I love the fact that he’s more of a hunter and just transitioning to the equitation as it allows me to be really smooth and his jump is super soft. Once he’s quiet he’s easy to do whatever test you want on him.”
On her equitation:
“Since getting Outshine I’ve mostly been working on my upper body. I’m very tall and when I used to see my distances I would kind of gun it and make it very visible, so he’s helped me a lot with being smooth. I’ve also worked on keeping my upper body very still. With him, he has a tendency to look at things outside the ring so I have to keep him focused on the track and not overreacting if he spooks a little bit.”
On the course strategy:
“There were a few inside turns that we were considering, but since this is our first class here in Kentucky, we just wanted to go around very smooth and not take too many big risks.”
Augusta Iwasaki
On her rounds:
“I thought my rounds went really well, and I wanted to stay calm and do what I have to do. It was a pretty good test. I’ve been doing the THIS Medal all year. I’ve been working on keeping my heels down and my reins shorter.”
About the Kentucky Horse Shows:
“I’ve been coming to Kentucky for a while because I love the shows here. I love the competition, the grounds and facility. I have a lot of friends here who show with me too, so that’s fun.”
RESULTS
ASPCA Horsemanship
1. Outshine / Alexandra Worthington
2. Canterbury / Maverick Austin Helmer
3. Bond 016 / Grace Saad
4. Odyssey / Lolly McLellan
5. Empire / Caroline Weaver
6. Connaro / Mimi Gochman
WIHS Hunter Phase
1. Outshine / Alexandra Worthington / 90
2. Contingo 37 / Annabel Revers / 88
3. Copperfield 39 / Elli Yeager / 87
4. You Wish / Grady Lyman / 86
5. Carl / Emma Kurtz / 85
6. Odyssey / Lolly Mclellan /82
THIS National Children’s Medal 14 & Under
1. Cocktail 51 / Augusta Iwasaki / 83
2. Dragonfly’s Corleone B / Jaden Porter / 79
3. Constantin FZ / Layla Kurbanov / 78
4. Zandor / Maura Lautenbach / 77
5. Calvaro II / Ellie McIntyre / 76
6. Heartbeat Z / Karen McFarland / 75
