Lexington, Kentucky – May 21, 2017 – The Kentucky Spring Classic came to a close today with a full day of Grand Prix show jumping action in the Rolex Stadium. The final day of competition held not only the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Hollow Creek Farm, but also the $40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, presented by Audi of Lexington as well as the jump-off round for the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI3* Grand Pix.
Alex Granato was the quickest ride in the jump off class, earning him the win in the event that was originally scheduled to be held on Saturday evening after the Preakness Stakes. Eugenio Garza took home the blue ribbon in the Under 25 Grand Prix and Santiago Lambre stole the win in the Bluegrass Grand Prix to finish two weeks of top notch hunter and jumper competition. Lambre was also awarded the Kentucky Spring Classic Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC.
Santiago Lambre on D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan, the 9-year-old KWPN gelding, who helped Lambre fly to the win in the $40,000 1.45m Grand Prix with a time of 30.592, is part of a newer string of horses for the Brazilian athlete. The pair have previously won several 1.40m and 1.45m classes during the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, before making their way to the Kentucky Horse Park.
Lambre, who has spent a good portion of his career competing in Europe, recently transitioned to the United States full time to live in Wellington. The 2017 Kentucky Spring Series marked the first time Lambre had competed at the Kentucky Horse Park and after his numerous successful rounds of the past two weeks, the Brazilian athlete is looking forward to more trips to the area.
With a full roster of thirty-nine horses, the $40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix only saw eight clear rounds to return for the jump-off. Although French National Champion Eric Navet held the early lead on Basimodo with a clear time of 31.661, Luis Biraben and Colorado 210 eventually stole the second place honors by putting in a faultless effort and time of 31.557, sending Navet home with a third place ribbon.
Eugenio Garza Wins $25,000 U25 Grand Prix
Earlier in the afternoon, Eugenio Garza piloted his own Barino to the top of the leader board in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Hollow Creek Farms, with a double clear ride and jump off time of 41.675. Garza, who won big on Friday night in the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix on Armani SL Z, was the fastest of twenty-two starters in the class. Mavis Spencer and Chacco were second with a double clear effort and a jump off time of 41.834.
Eugenio Garzo and Barino
Alex Granato Wins $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix
The highlight event of the Kentucky Spring Classic, the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3*, was won by American rider, Alex Granato and Carlchen W with faultless jump off round and a time of 41.73. Granato competed against forty-eight other riders during a class that was split between Saturday night and Sunday morning due to unexpected storms. Aaron Vale and Finou 4 finished just off the lead time in 42.36 and Michael Morrissey and Chance Ste. Hermelle rounded out the top three spots with a clear round and time of 43.45.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show Series saw awards go to athletes from all over the world who gathered in the Kentucky Horse Park for the annual event. Professionals and amateurs alike were able to compete in top level hunter and jumper classes, all while enjoying the world class facilities at the of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Horse Show’s, LLC is looking forward to hosting their competitors again during their Summer Series that will take place from July 26, 2017-August 6, 2017.
Santiago Lambre won the Leading Rider Award presented by Envisian Products, LLC
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Santiago Lambre
On The Prize Money and Awards presented During the Kentucky Spring Classic:
“It’s amazing the prize money here. I have spent a lot of my career in Europe and you do not have very many CSI3* classes that offer $130,000 in prize money. I think they what they are is fantastic for the sport and really encourages people to make a stop here.”
On D’Artagnan:
“This horse that won today has won four or fivr 1.45m classes this year at WEF and also won a few classes in Tryon. He is just a winner and I knew going in that we could be faster then the others.”
Alex Granato
On Winning the Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix:
“I love winning this class for Mary Rena because it just means that much more. Every win is exciting, especially when it is on a horse that you have had for a long time but when it is a special class for the crowd it feels like they get more involved which make the horses and riders try harder and then it is just that much more special.”
Eugenio Garza
On competing in the U25 Division:
“I think it’s a great division that helps us Under-25 riders that either aren’t ready for the bigger classes or just need a bigger step up from High Jr/AO. It’s a great class and there is always incredible camaraderie at every show. You always feel supported by your peers.”
RESULTS
$130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3*
1. Carlchen W / Alex Granato / Page Tredennick / 0 / 41.730
2. Finou 4 / Aaron Vale / ThinksLikeAHorse & Don Stewart / 0 / 42.360
3. CHANCE Ste. Hermelle / Michael Morrisey / QBS Equestrian, LLC / 0 / 43.450
$40,000 Blue Grass Grand Prix 1.45m
1. D’Artagnan / Santiago Lambre / Santiago Lambre / 0 / 30.592
2. Colorado 210 / Luis Biraben / Luis Biraben & M. Madero / 0 / 31.557
3. Basimodo / Eric Navet / Signe Ostby / 0 / 31.661
$25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
1. Bariano / Eugenio Garza / El Milagro / 0 / 41.675
2. Chacco / Mavis Spencer / Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc / 0 / 41.834
3. Bente / Briley Koerner / BKS Horse Farms, LLC / 79.448 / 0 / 43.297