The Kentucky National Horse Show was held September 16-20 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Lucille Oken Wins Grand Slam with Land's End Mad Hatter
Lucille Oken and Land's End Mad Hatter were unstoppable at this year's Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show. The pair completed a clean sweep of the Large Pony Hunter division, taking home each of the blue ribbons and the championship award. Oken rides at her family's Hi Hopes Farm in Charlotte, NC, with trainers Steve Heinecke and Jeff Wirthman.

Oken and Land's End Mad Hatter claimed all five of the first-place ribbons in the Large Pony Hunter division. They outshone the competition in the under saddle, three over fences classes, and the handy. Their outstanding performance easily earned them the division's championship tricolor to add to their long list of achievements.

"Lucille was very excited about the win," noted Heinecke. "She rode beautifully, and she truly deserved it. I think this was a great prep for the Indoors season because it was a very good confidence builder."

Oken later transitioned to the Junior Hunter ring, where she also had excellent results. She competed in the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division with Southern Style. The pair earned a first-place ribbon and three second-place ribbons to garner the reserve championship prize.

Meredith Darst also competed with Hi Hopes this weekend aboard Goliath, owned by Katie Fisher. The duo took home the Medium Pony Hunter reserve championship after earning two first-place ribbons and a second-place ribbon.

Kelsey Thatcher Dominates Older Junior Hunter Divisions
Sixteen-year-old Kelsey Thatcher of South Jordan, UT, ruled in the older Junior Hunter divisions at this weekend's Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show, as she earned championship honors in both the Large and Small Junior Hunter 16-17 divisions. Kelsey showed alongside her 13-year-old sister Madeline and trainer Maggie Jayne of Our Day Farm in Elgin, IL. Kelsey and Madeline ride out of their family's Pony Lane Farm, which has locations in South Jordan, UT, and Wellington, FL.

Kelsey Thatcher competed against over 30 of the country's top horses and riders in each of the show's older Junior Hunter divisions. After earning multiple blue ribbons with both of her horses, she ended up dominating the competition, winning the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 championship riding Gianni, and then earning the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 championship with Mirasol.

The Kentucky National Horse Show was also host to the Region 8 ASCPA Maclay Regionals over the weekend, where Kelsey earned herself a spot to compete in this year's finals after winning the ninth-place prize aboard Raven, owned by Missy Clark and North Run.

Along with Kelsey's successful weekend, trainer Maggie Jayne had an excellent time in Kentucky competing with several of Pony Lane Farm's horses in the hunters and jumpers. Riding against a class of over 40 of the top competitors in the country, and then returning to an extremely fast jump-off round, Jayne and Pony Lane Farm's newest jumper, Esquilino Bay, galloped to victory in the Kentucky National's feature event, the $25,000 Prix de Lexington. Returning fifth in the order to jump-off with about 10 competitors to follow, Jayne and Esquilino Bay left out strides, made tight turns, and left many of show jumping's top competitors scratching their heads, wondering how she went so fast. No one could beat the pair's time, and they earned the top prize of $7,500 for the victory.

Jayne also had great success showing Pony Lane Farm's horses in the hunter divisions this week. She dominated the Regular Conformation Hunters, earning the championship tricolor with Francesca and riding Milous de Fontaine to the reserve championship. She had a hand in preparing Gianni for his big win in the Junior Hunters with Kelsey as well, preparing the horse