Lexington, Ky. – July 30, 2017 – After earning impressive scores of 93 in the classic round and 94 in the handy, Jeff Gogul and Cortese, a 7-year-old gelding owned by Stadium Horses LLC, won the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC. In addition to Cortese’s first place finish, Gogul rode two other horses, Snowbird and Quite Ruffy, to fourth and tenth place finishes, respectively. Gogul, who recently moved to Wilmington, Ohio, rode Snowbird to the derby win during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.
Out of 29 entries in the Stonelea Ring, only the top twelve combinations from the classic round were invited back to the handy. During the first round, Gogul and Cortese scored 89 plus 4 additional points for taking all of the high options. In the handy round, Gogul took a chance by taking an inside turn by the log to the high option oxer. Gogul explained that he was worried about risking a rub, but could count on Cortese to not spook at the obstacle. The pair scored a 90 in the handy, plus four extra bonus points for the high options, which solidified their victory and earned Gogul a pair of F. Lli Fabbri tall boots with his commemorative blue ribbon.
Daniel Bedoya, who placed fifth in the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix on Saturday night, enjoyed competing in the Stonelea Ring aboard Carolyn Elsey’s 6-year-old gelding Gabli. Bedoya was not the only one who had to transition from the jumper ring as Gabli only began doing hunters this year. In 2016, the gelding won the 5-year-old Young Jumper Championships, but Bedoya decided because of his laid back personality, Gabli might enjoy the hunter ring more. In today’s derby, the pair finished second, earning an 89.50 in the classic and a 91.00 in the handy after jumping all high options.
Isabel Harbour placed third with Fairfield Farms LLC’s Fitz with an 89 in both the classic and handy rounds.
Even though Sunday marked the last day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, hunter and show jumping competition will resume on Tuesday morning with the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic. The six-day long show will feature the fourth leg of the Hagyard Leading Rider Challenge as well as the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footing.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Jeff Gogul
On his three horses placing in the Top 10:
“All three horses were really good today. It is only the third derby for Cortese. When he started in the 3’6″ last year his eyes were rolling during the handy because he could not figure out after months of working on going straight, why the heck we were mixing it up. Now that he understands, he’s been quite good at the handy. He has found his calling. He’s very brave – I can point him to anything and I trust him explicitly. He’s so much fun. The first one he did was with one of my junior riders at the World Equestrian Center, and then I rode him in one and he scored 100 in the handy.”
“I have a lot of experience with Snowbird, he was great today, but he made a little mistake in the bending line with the lead change. Quite Ruffy actually won the derby in Cleveland last week, and I made a mistake in the first round today and he spooked a bit away from the logs.”
On Cortese as a winning derby horse:
“His bravery is a key ingredient. He is lovely to flat and we’ve put our time in with his flat work. He’s become very elastic and rideable. He is relatively easy to move forward and bring back. If I relax and think slow down, he would come back from a gallop into a walk just on the buckle. The adjustability is there to make quick adjustments on course. Cortese is light to my leg and hand, which makes him very pleasant.”
On the Kentucky Horse Shows:
“Kentucky feels like a second home to me. Now that I am located in Wilmington, Ohio, which is less than two hours away, it’s even more convenient. How can you not enjoy the beauty of this venue? It was a stunning day and when Snowbird won in May it was a beautiful day too. We are getting spoiled with the derby weather here in Kentucky. Also a huge thank you to the Roberts family [of World Equestrian Center], not only for their sponsorship of me, but of their sponsorship of the derby series. It’s great to have such wonderful people support the sport.”
Daniel Bedoya
On his plan for the handy round:
“I didn’t want to risk too much because this is only his fourth derby and because there are always really good riders here and this is a class that is very competitive. I wanted to play it a little safe, that is why I went around in the last turn but I think it worked out well in the end.”
On transition between hunters and jumpers:
“I used to have a hard time. It used to be harder but honestly, it is never easy. This horse is small and quiet and my jumper is 18 hands, so the transition can be challenging, but I think with practice anything can be done.”
On showing in Kentucky:
“I love Kentucky Horse Shows, it is a great facility with even better competition. The place is beautiful and it is way better than Texas this time of year! The horses love it and the clients love it and there is nothing not to like here.”
RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
1. Cortese / Jeff Gogul / Stadium Horses LLC / 93.00 / 94.00 / 187.00
2. Gabli / Daniel Bedoya / Carolyn Elsey / 89.50 / 91.00 / 180.50
3. Fitz / Isabel Harbour / Fairfield Farms LLC / 89.00 / 89.00 / 178.00
4. Snowbird / Jeff Gogul / Sofia Robert LLC / 89.50 / 86.00 / 175.50
5. Fondant / Blythe Karolyi / Virginia Ingram / 88.50 / 86.50 / 175.00
6. Rio’s Figaro / Taylor Kain / Daryl Ziegler Henning / 88.00 / 85.00 / 173.00
7. Sagaro / Amanda Dougherty / Mindy Hildebrand / 84.00 / 88.00 / 172.00
8. Crescendo / Diana Conlon / Meredith Frank / 87.00 / 82.00 / 169.00
9.Lavish / David Beisel / Phyllis Harlow / 83.00 / 75.00 / 158.00
10. Quite Ruffy / Jeff Gogul / Pamela Kahn / 79.50 / 78.00 / 157.50
11. Subtil / Erin Floyd / Blue Ridge Sport Horses LLC / 79.00 / 73.00 / 152.00
12. Levland / Christina Fisher / Christina Fisher / 81.00 / 64.00 / 145.00
Sharn Wordley and Sydney Shulman Take Home Top Honors
The final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show got off to a fast start this morning with the $10,000 Bluegrass Classic Speed class held in Rolex Stadium. Sharn Wordley was the first rider in the ring on Famoso D’ Ive Z and laid down a blistering pace that proved to be unbeatable by the other horse and rider combination. Wordley completed the course in a time of 70.444 seconds, a full 10 seconds faster than runner up Nicole Shahinian on Cassi who finished the class in a time of 81.033 seconds. Later in the day, the U25 Grand Prix, which hosted the up-and-coming grand prix hopefuls, was ultimately won by Sydney Shulman aboard Curby Du Seigneu with a clear jump-off that stopped the clock at 39.648 seconds.
To say that Sharn Wordley has had a busy week at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show would be an understatement. The New Zealand Olympian has had three horses in both the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic as well at Saturday night’s $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix and has other horses showing in divisions throughout the horse park. Earlier in the week, Wordley piloted Famoso D’ Ive Z to a win in the $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m, but has since been unable to recreate their top place finish until Sunday. Nicole Shahinian of Wellington, Florida, has also had multiple horses showing in the top classes this week and has consistently placed in the top three spots. Placing second to Wordley today was a repeat for of the $5,000 Open Jumper for Shahinian-Simpson as well.
The $10,000 U25 Grand Prix was a very competitive class, seeing only have three of those combinations return for the jump off: Sydney Shulman, Spencer Brittan and Summer Hill. Shulman was the first to return to the ring for the short course, aboard Curby du Seignue who is owned by Helen Patten. Although this was only the pairs second time competing in a Grand prix together, they put down a fast and flawless effort. Brittan and Hill both also put in clear rounds, they simply could not match the early pace set by Shulam and the 10-year-old chestnut gelding. The U25 Grand Prix Series has become a popular staple of the Kentucky Horse Show, LLC events because of the opportunity it presents for riders whose goal is to compete successfully at the National and FEI grand prix level. The class routinely proves to be the perfect opportunity to gain invaluable experience who helping riders to maintain the confidence level.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Sharn Wordley
On his plan for the speed class:
“Famoso D’ Ive Z is an extremely fast horse but there is no point in going fast if you don’t need to because you have to consider preserving your horse. That being said, it is hard when you are going first because if you want to win you have to lay it all on the line and that’s the position I was in this morning. Luckily it worked out for us just the way I planned.”
Sydney Schulman
On Curby Du Seignu:
“I am so grateful to the Patten family for letting me ride him and help further his career. I picked up the ride at the Fairfield Hunt Club this spring where we did his first grand prix and he was second. This is only my second time showing him and I think he is an incredible horse! He is like a bouncy ball. and the rideability is phenomenal. He is hearty and definitely thinks he is still a stallion, which I think helps make him as good as he is.”
On competing in the U25 Grand Prix’s:
“I love the U25 series because it is a great opportunity for horses like this, a younger horse, to get some experience while the move up to the bigger more professional classes. It is a great stepping stone to National and FEI grand prix classes without over facing horses and riders.”
On competing at the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“This is my fifteenth year showing in Kentucky, I started here when I was seven. I think horses thrive off of the footing. I have never had more horses jump well anywhere else like they do here. The show is run beautifully and they offer a ton of classes with great prize money for each. We (Back Country Farm) brought 26 horses here and we have everyone from short stirrup to High Amateur to it is very inclusive for my entire program.”
RESULTS
$10,000 Bluegrass Classic
1. Famoso D’ Ive Z / Sharn Wordley / Sharn Wordley and the Sky Group / 70.444
2. Cassi / Nicole Shahinian-Simpson / Lisa Kerkorian / 81.003
3. Figeac De Reve / Blythe Karolyi / Virginia Ingram / 83.924
4. Corleone / Martien Van Der Hoeve / Mary Tyree / 4 / 76.345
5. Woopy 14 / Francisco Zamudio / Claudia Villamil / 4 / 81.974
6. Hey Joe / Tony Font / Kelsey Van Ackeren / 4 / 83.119
$10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
1. Curby Du Seigneu / Sydney Shulman / Hannah Patten / 83.780 / 39.648
2. USA Today / Spencer Brittan / Spencer Brittan / 84.000 / 40.659
3. Quester De Vitro / Summer Hill / Meredith Darst LLC / 82.834 / 41.809
4. Just A Jet / Hayley Alcock / Nicole Perry / 2 / 85.848
5. Venice / Sydney Shulman / Jill Shulman / 4 / 78.505
6. Johnny B Good / Summer Hill / Summer Hill / 4 / 79.2232017
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOWS SERIES FAST FACTS
Events: 2017 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Series and Bluegrass Festival
What: The 2017 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the months of July and August, followed by the Bluegrass Festival mid-August. The Kentucky Horse Shows series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge series and the USHJA National Hunter Derby series.
Where: The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ and home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 26-30, 2017
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – August 1-6, 2017
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
BLUEBRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 15-20, 2017
A World Championship Hunter Rider Event
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship
When:
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 26-30, 2017
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – August 1-6, 2017
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
BLUEBRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 15-20, 2017
A World Championship Hunter Rider Event
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by World Equestrian Center / Kentucky Horse Shows
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship
Vendors: Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call 859-608-3709
Shownet: www.shownet.biz
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Shopping: Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels: Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn North)
Website: clarionhotellex.com
Phone: 859-233-0512
Approximately four miles away from the horse show, discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of two double bed, two queen bed, king rooms or suites and exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet. Home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.
Campground reservations: Reservations may not be made through the horse show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground Store at 800-370-6416 or 859-259-4157, or email Ryan McGaughey at ryan.mcgaughey@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2 p.m. and checkout is noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground Store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2 p.m. or stay later than noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by checkout time will be towed.
Management: Kentucky Horse Shows LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Media contact: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 201
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
Email: info@phelpsmediagroup.com
Website: phelpsmediagroup.com
