Lexington, KY - The clouds loomed over the Kentucky Horse Park threatening rain throughout the morning and following through on the threat late in the afternoon. Many of the riders from the Junior Hunter divisions continued riding in the downpour; however, moods were not dampened from the rain as the championship and reserved championship awards were announced. The best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors in their respective honors in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, a World Champion Hunter Rider event.

Today, in the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division, Porter Allen of Boerne, TX, did not disappoint aboard her horse Gisele as they claimed the championship prize. The duo earned two first place ribbons and a fourth place ribbon during yesterday's classes as well as one fourth place ribbon today. "My rounds yesterday were great, and today they were awesome. It's been a long way getting here because she's still a First Year horse, but she's really improved quite quickly," said Allen. "She takes a lot of leg to hand connection to keep her collected because her stride is so big, but as soon as you get that down, she's pretty straight forward."

Even though the Small Junior Hunter divisions have come to a close, Allen is looking forward to the plans she and Gisele are already formulating. "We are qualified for Washington and Harrisburg and hopefully for the Alltech National Horse Show here," Allen described. "Kentucky is one of my favorite horse shows. I love the grounds and it's so close to everything."

Vivian Yowan aboard Whatever, owned by Boggs Hill of Wellington, FL, took home the reserve championship award during the Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. Yesterday they earned a second place ribbon, and followed with a strong conclusion today earning two second place ribbons.

Destry Spielburg aboard Rumba, owned by Dogwood Hill LLC of Los Angeles, CA, took home the championship prize for the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunter division. The talented duo snagged two first place ribbons yesterday and were consistent today, earning another first place ribbon with a score of 88.0 during their division. "The first round was brilliant. It was consistent; it was perfect in my opinion and my trainer agreed," Spielburg explained after claiming her championship award.

Yowan of Darien, CT, claimed her second reserved championship prize of the day behind Speilburg aboard her horse Ikarus 266. The pair earned a second place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon during yesterday's division, and continued to impress the judges today, earning a first place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon.

After the rain cleared and the sun began to appear again, Shawn Casady, riding Vida Blue, owned by Elm Rock LLC of Bronxville, NY, stole the spotlight and earned the championship award for the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division. The talented duo made their appearance known when they swept the over fences classes in the division over the last two days. "Vida Blue has an amazing feel at every jump," Casady said. "She went around in there and left probably a foot over every jump. It's amazing to feel her give that much effort at every fence."

Casady first began showing Vida Blue for Leah DeMartini while she was away at school. The duo has formed quite the partnership, and will continue competing together during the Indoor circuit. "They have been kind enough to let me show her through the season and next year," he said. "She's a phenomenal horse and thanks to everybody who puts all this together for me and allows me to do what I love."

Casady also earned the reserved championship award aboard Inside Scoop, owned by Chloe D. Reid LLC of Washington, D.C. After earning a first place ribbon, a second place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon in the division yesterday, he followed though confidently to attain another fourth place ribbon today. "I don't know too much about Inside Scoop because I just rode him for the first time yesterday, but he's very sweet, very soft," said Casady. "He has a great disposition in the ring and is a fabulous horse."

Laura Baginski showed Barbados, owned by Elsa Goding of St. Louis, MO, to the championship award in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division today. The accomplished pair accumulated two first place ribbons and a fourth place ribbon yesterday as well as another fourth place ribbon today, Baginski and Barbados were a hard team to beat. "I thought my rounds yesterday were better than today, but overall I felt like they were very consistent," explained Baginski. "Barbados loves the footing here, so he's jumping up and over with a real powerful jump."

Having been a team for the last year, Baginski admits to knowing Barbados a little too well sometimes. "He needs a consistent leg and connection through the corner and in front of the jump," said Baginski. "He thinks he knows his job, but he gets a little lazy and you have to remind him. He's a great horse, but he knows he's good."

Samantha Batt aboard Captain Nemo of Groton, NY, claimed the reserve championship award. Together, Batt and Captain Nemo won a second place ribbon yesterday, and a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon today to solidify the win. Tomorrow, the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions will award the championship and reserve championship honors as they wrap-up their second day of competition. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will come to a close following this week's highlight event, the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic in the Stonelea Ring. The exciting hunter/jumper action will resume on Wednesday during the Kentucky Summer Classic, which will be followed by the 2011 USEF Pony Finals, the Bluegrass Festival Classic and the KHJA Horse Show.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.