Javier Fernandez Stays on Top to Claim $5,000 Open Jumpers with Diamond Dream

Javier Fernandez and Diamond Dream
Javier Fernandez and Diamond Dream

Lexington, Ky. – May 11, 2018 – Friday morning at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show welcomed the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumpers to kick-off jumper competition in the Rolex Stadium, where athletes were tested over Alan Wade’s (IRL) 15-effort track.

Javier Fernandez and Diamond Dream
Javier Fernandez and Diamond Dream

First to enter the ring, Javier Fernandez (MEX) and Diamond Dream, owned by Patricio Miguel Madero, laid down a clear round, designating the duo as the first to advance to the immediate jump-off. Fernandez and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare galloped through the timers in a speedy 33.073 seconds, which the following 34 athletes attempted to catch, but were unable to outdo, awarding Fernandez the victory.

Out of the remaining start list, only four additional horse-and-athlete combinations produced a clear round, allowing the opportunity to continue onto the second round, with one electing to withdraw.

Anselmo Alvarado and Inesse Van De Zijpe D’15
Anselmo Alvarado and Inesse Van De Zijpe D’15

Savannah Talcott (USA) followed just after Fernandez with Sea Investments LLC’s 12-year-old Westphalian mare, Espatako’s Electra R, generating another double-clear round in a time of 34.113 seconds, slating her into the second place position which she managed to hold until near the end of the class. However, Anselmo Alvarado (VEN) came close to the top time aboard his own Inesse Van De Zijpe D’15 with a clear round and jump-off time of 33.437 seconds. Alvarado and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare finished just behind Fernandez for the second place ribbon, while Talcott ended in third place.

Francesca Bolfo and Jadalco
Francesca Bolfo and Jadalco

Immediately following, 21 riders entered the stadium for the High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers speed-style class resulting in six clear rounds where Francesca Bolfo (USA) bested the competition aboard her own Jadalco in 66.101 seconds.

Sloan Hopson finished in a close second place in a time of 66.330 seconds aboard her own Dalida, while Marion Head and Carjo Z, owned by Scott Head, rode to a time of 68.690 seconds for third place.

Francesca Bolfo and Jadalco
Francesca Bolfo and Jadalco

Jumper competition resumes Saturday morning in the Rolex Stadium with the return of the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumpers and will highlight the $131,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3* beginning at 6 p.m.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Javier Fernandez – $5,000 1.45m Open Jumper winner

On his plan:
“I was the first one in the class. I knew the time was a little bit tight so I had to go a little fast and my horse jumped really well. I prefer to watch some riders first and then make my final decision, but when you’re first you have to do it and there is no choice.”

On Diamond Dream:
“She’s a 10-year-old mare. I bought her three years ago when she was 7 and we’re starting to do the 1.45m–1.50m classes. She’s very honest and a very good mare. We are going to be here for two weeks and then we will go to Tryon, maybe to Michigan and then go back to Mexico at the end of the season.”

Francesca Bolfo – High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper winner

On her plan in the class:
“This is our first show back since Florida so my main goal was maintaining a smoothness and rhythm to my track. Jadalco has quite a large stride so I knew he’d be able to leave out in certain places. For such a big horse, he’s really clever and also turns really well. With the speed, I just wanted to maintain an even, quick pace rather than trying to run in between fences and he’s such a wonderful horse that he makes it easy.”

On Jadalco:
“He’s just a remarkably consistent horse with a great heart, an incredible mind and really a winning personality. He’s really a lovebug. He’s sort of like a big dog.”

On the Kentucky Horse Shows:
“I haven’t actually been to the [Kentucky] Horse Park since I jumped [in the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships] in 2011 so it’s wonderful to be back. The weather is beautiful and the facilities are incredible. I got to take Jadalco out on the field yesterday and gallop him and get his stride opened up, which I think helped a lot in the class today. They do such a wonderful job maintaining the facility and provide such a fantastic atmosphere for us as riders.”

RESULTS

$5,000 1.45m Open Jumper
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Diamond Dream / Javier Fernandez / 0 | 76.663 / 0 | 33.073
2. Inesse Van De Zijpe D’15 / Anselmo Alvarado / 0 | 76.847 / 0 | 33.437
3. Espatako’s Electra R / Savannah Talcott / 0 | 76.957 / 4 | 34.113
4. I Dottori Vd Richter / Todd Minikus / 0 | 72.837 / 12 | 31.600
5. Silteplait De Circee / Darragh Kerins / 0 | 76.727 / WD
6. Beorn / Alex Granato / 1 | 77.004
7. Shorapur / Kevin Babington / 1 | 77.505
8. Vagabon De La Vallee / Pablo Barrios / 4 | 71.348
9. Juju VDM / Todd Minikus / 4 | 72.352
10. McGregor / Thomas Cerra / 4 | 74.595
11. Deejay / Stephen Moore / 4 | 74.909
12. Corento VH Dingenshof / Ramiro Quintana / 4 | 75.853

High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper
Place / Horse / Rider / Faults | Time
1. Jadalco / Francesca Bolfo / 0 | 66.101
2. Dalida / Sloan Hopson / 0 | 66.330
3. Carjo Z / Marion Head / 0 | 68.690
4. Luron S Z / Riley Newsome / 0 | 70.021
5. For Serrano SR / Anna Beth Athey / 0 | 76.310
6. Cantero Da Lagoa / Anna Beth Athey / 0 | 77.084
7. Indy Van De Roten / Catherine Wachtell / 4 | 62.760
8. Coverboy / Catherine Wachtell / 4 | 65.854
9. Atticus Diamant / Gabriela Reutter Juan Reutter / 4 | 68.613
10. Famoso D Ive Z / Nicole Loochtan / 4 | 68.782
11. Esprit / Kelly Arani / 4 | 68.872
12. Dutch Prints Z / Maria Luzardo / 4 | 69.412

Jennifer Speisman and Big Star Ace Ariat Adult Medal

Jennifer Speisman and Big Star
Jennifer Speisman and Big Star

Hunter competition commenced at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show on Friday in the Claiborne Ring with the Ariat National Adult Medal. Eight amateur athletes and their mounts vied for the top prize of the morning, but it was Jennifer Speisman and HC Sport Horses’ Big Star who put in a solid test that would give them the blue ribbon.

Riders in the Ariat National Adult Medal were first asked to compete over a course of eight fences, where they then received a numerical score that would dictate which four athletes would return to perform a specific test requested by the judge. Riders who scored 79 or higher during the first round of competition were asked to return to complete a test that involved three fences, a halt and a counter-canter.

Speisman and Big Star, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Verdi, expertly tackled both rounds of the medal class. In the first round, the team put in a score of 80, which put them in second place heading into the second round of competition. When asked to return to perform the test, they continued to work together to execute all elements of the work-off perfectly.

Lily Walton and Callahan
Lily Walton and Callahan

Second place was claimed by Lily Walton and her own Callahan, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding. Walton put in the highest first round score of the day with an 84. In third place was Emma Witham and Check It Out 5.

Hunter competition at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show will continue on Saturday morning in the Stonelea Ring at 8 a.m. with the Large Junior Hunters, and in the Claiborne Ring with the Adult Amateur-Owner 50 and Over Hunters.

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