Lexington, Ky. – July 31, 2017 – New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley has taken over the lead in the 2017 Hagyard Challenge Series after earning ribbons in all three of this year’s show jumping events. During the Kentucky Summer Classic, Wordley took over the top spot with two top ten placings on Thursday’s $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show also featured the fifth event of the series for the 2017 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, where Jeff Gogul continues to hold the lead in the standings.
Wordley’s consistent efforts in the Hagyard Challenge Series have him atop the leaderboard currently, but Thursday’s winner Pablo Barrios of Venezuela is in a close second, followed by David Beisel in the third place position after earning second and third in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.

The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes held during the 2017 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series. The series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic held during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be announced and presented with the cash prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry. Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse.
The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 digital radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full medical and surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and hyperbaric medicine. The practice has performed veterinary medicine for more than 140 years and is currently composed of over 50 experienced veterinarians, with 13 board certifications in specialty areas of medicine, surgery and theriogenology. For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.
Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include title sponsor MWI Animal Health and presenting sponsor Zoetis as well as Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, Audi of Lexington, Pike & Preston, Sallee Horse Vans, Central Kentucky Ag Credit and Hagyard Pharmacy.

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show also featured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows. Jeff Gogul has earned the top spot in three of the events to have a strong lead in the standings. David Beisel is currently ranked second, followed by Victoria Colvin.
The $30,000 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows Leading Rider Awards will include a $20,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the 11 classes that make up the 2017 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows series. The series-leading amateur and junior riders accumulating the most points will each receive a $5,000 cash prize. Riders will receive points only on their highest placed horse in each of the classes. The awards will be presented at the conclusion of the finale event during the WEC Invitational.
Driven by a passion for horses and a commitment to supporting equestrian sports in the United States, the World Equestrian Center aims to return horse showing to its former grandeur while incorporating an element of fun reminiscent of the horse shows of the past. Located in Ohio’s ‘Golden Triangle’ the venue is less than one hour from Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton airports and now with an exciting new venue planned for 2018 in Ocala, Florida. For more information please visit www.WEC.net.
To learn more about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Hagyard Challenge Series Standings
Place / Rider / Total
1. Sharn Wordley / 380
2 . Pablo Barrios / 320
3. David Beisel / 290
4. Eugunio Garza / 260
5. Eve Jobs / 250
6. Roberto Teran / 170
7. Santiago Lambre / 150
8. Aaron Vale / 140
9. Abigail McArdle / 120
10. Catherine Tyree / 100
10. Lacey Gilbertson / 100
National Derby Series Standings
Place / Rider / Status / Total
1. Jeff Gogul / PRO / 950
2 . David Beisel / PRO / 525
3. Victoria Colvin / PRO /475
4. Patricia Stovel / PRO / 425
4. Taylor Kain / PRO / 425
6. Nicole Lyvere / AM / 325
7. Alyssa Mansfield / AM / 275
8. Belynda Bond / PRO / 225
2017 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
Sponsors: A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hollow Creek Farm, CWD, World Equestrian Center, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, FarmVet, Johnson Horse Transportation, Visse Wedell, Envisian LLC, Equithrive, Dietrich Equine Insurance Services, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Inc., GGT Footing, Winners Circle Trailer Sales and Service, Luxe Eq, and the official hotel, the Clarion.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Parking: Horse show exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main horse park entrance for $15. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions: The Kentucky Horse Park is located eight miles Northeast of Lexington, Kentucky, at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before show – Phone: 859-233-0492; Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Phone: 859-281-7979; Fax: 859-231-6097
Stabling: Call Pat Duncan 503-510-8797
Stable office:
Before show – Phone: 843-269-4737
During Show – Phone: 859-255-0605
Prize list advertising: Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call 859-608-3709
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