Hunter competition continued Thursday, July 23, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. With a variety of divisions culminating in crowning their respective champions, the professional hunter divisions also wrapped up, naming Kelley Farmer Grand Hunter Champion, sponsored by Visse Wedell, on both In Writing and Undaunted. Farmer, in a tie with herself, swept both the Green Conformation Hunter and Green 3’6 Hunter divisions with back-to-back wins over the two days of competition for perfect scores of 50.
Kelley Farmer and In Writing. Photo by Georgie Hammond/Phelps Media Group.
In Writing, an 11-year-old Holsteiner owned by Larry Glefke and Wendy Hofmeister, has had great success in the hunter divisions since making his American show ring debut in January of this year. The gelding received scores in the 90s throughout the Green 3’6” Hunter division, including a 90 in the handy for their inside turns and seamless trot jump. Although Farmer is currently dealing with a bad back, In Writing did not miss a beat, besting the competitive field in every class.
Previous to her winning streak aboard In Writing, Farmer rode Undaunted, an 8-year-old KWPN gelding, in the Green Conformation Hunter division. Also new to the American show ring, Undaunted performed brilliantly, claiming multiple scores of 87 and 88 to pin first in every class. The winning streak came as no surprise to Glefke, who is a co-owner of the horse with Oakmont Stables LLC, as Undaunted has jumped to Championship ribbons in nearly every horse show he has competed in.
Kelley Farmer on Undaunted. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Looking forward, Farmer is excited to continue her journey with both talented horses. Undaunted is gearing up to compete in the 2020 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships in Lexington, Kentucky August 11-13. In Writing is also preparing for both the 2020 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and the 2020 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships in Lexington, Kentucky August 13-15.
Hunter competition will continue at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show on Friday, July 24, with the Green Conformation Hunters starting at 8:00am in the Stonelea Arena.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Kelley Farmer – Grand Hunter Champion with In Writing and Undaunted
On her handy round with In Writing:
“In Writing can do anything you ask. There is nothing that is not available to him. I always know that walking into the ring that there is nothing that he can’t do.”
On her handy round with Undaunted:
“I just try not to get in his way. He tries to win, he tries to be a good horse all of the time. He has such a beautiful way of going that I try not to interfere with him. They are both winners, they try to do the right thing every time. We don’t usually lose unless I get in their way!”
Larry Glefke – Co-owner of In Writing and Undaunted
On In Writing:
“In Writing is truly one of the finest horses I have ever owned, and I have been lucky enough to have plenty of nice ones. That’s just luck sometimes, but sometimes it’s a lot of hard work too! But he is truly one of the most quality horses. He tries to be good every time, he’s an outstanding derby horse, he’s an outstanding first year horse. He was Conformation Champion here too, he’s beautiful. He is a joy to have around the barn, he is all quality.”
On Undaunted:
“Undaunted has been amazing this year. He was Circuit Champion in Florida in the Green Conformation, he’s been Champion every week for the last 10 or 11 weeks in a row. Very uncomplicated, he’s just a nice horse. He’s a good guy all the time. He tries to be extremely consistent and he’s a very beautiful mover. One of the kinds that are a pleasure to have! He will make an amazing amateur/junior type of horse.”