Lexington, KY - There was a huge crowd gathered at the Rolex Stadium Saturday night to witness the $50,000 Rood and Riddle Grand Prix during the Kentucky Summer Classic. The event was held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park's "Hats Off Day," and the audience had the opportunity to witness a very exciting grand prix event. Michael Morrissey and Vorst topped the eight-horse jump-off with a very fast double clear effort, and Morrissey took home the winning prize for the second year in a row. The duo surpassed Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z who took home second, while Rebecca Conway showed Twister to the third place honors as the only other fault free horses over the short course.

Ashlee Bond was the first to make an attempt over the shortened course and she set the time to beat aboard Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA. The duo was very speedy to each obstacle and took a sharp route to the final vertical, cutting through the double combination. Their efforts paid off with a fault free score in 37.583 second, which would eventually net them the second place honors.

Rebecca Conway and Twister, owned by Blue Hill Farm of Salt Lake City, UT, were next in the ring, but after Bond set such a quick time, Conway chose to be conservative with her young mount. They had a slight bobble at the second obstacle, but managed to leave all the rails in tact. The pair stopped the clock at 43.805 seconds to score the third place award.

Samuel Parot of Wellington, FL, tackled the track next riding Al Calypso, but their turn to the vertical-vertical combination was too sharp and the lowered the height of the first fence to incur four faults in 40.767 seconds for seventh. Derek Braun and Lacarolus, owned by the MRN Family Group of Great Neck, NY, placed sixth after swapping leads in front of the liverpool oxer and adding four faults to their time of 40.459 seconds.

Last week's winning duo, Christian Heineking and River of Dreams, owned by Kai Handt of Wylie, TX, managed to post the fastest time of the night after breaking the beam at 35.921 seconds, but they met the final vertical on a half-stride to add four faults to their score and place fourth overall. Angela Moore and Claus, owned by Stealaway Farms of Wellington, FL incurred four faults at the same obstacle, finishing in a time of 48.428 seconds for the fifth place title. Erin Davis and Alamo, owned by October Hill Farm of Hudson Oaks, TX, had the slowest of the four fault rounds after the horse hit the first portion of the final oxer and tripped the timers at 42.380 seconds.

Michael Morrissey knew that he had a quick mount under him when entered the jump-off aboard Vorst, owned by Mrs. E.H. Redman of Paris, KY, and the talented rider had all the tools under his belt to win after claiming the victory in the same event last year aboard Crelido. The duo picked up a very quick pace to the first fence and was able to hold it to the wide oxer that was next. They then managed to open up their stride down the oxer-oxer line to leave a stride out. To the final bogey fence, Morrissey opted to keep a smooth turn and go around the double combination. His choice proved to be successful as they blazed across the finish line in 37.121 seconds, just four-tenths ahead of Bond, and eventually lead the victory gallop.

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

Jumpers Highlights: Wednesday-Sunday

Early thunderstorms could not stop the exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium for the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. Wednesday afternoon, riders had the opportunity to compete in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class and the 1.35m Open Jumpers. Angel Karolyi led the way in the 1.40m Open Jumpers aboard long-time partner Galant, while Michael Morrissey sped to victory in the 1.35m Open Jumpers, completing the fastest double clear effort with Vorst.

Angel Karolyi and Galant, owned by McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, were only the third horse and rider combination to enter the ring during Wednesday's 18-horse competition, but they easily jumped to the top of the leaderboard. The talented rider guided his nimble mount over each obstacle, and with each rail intact they crossed the finish line in 70.183 seconds to eventually earn the winning title.

Chloe Field and Luxtria Van T Gelutt Z also made a dash for the cash and left each fence standing, but their time of 74.024 seconds would only be good enough for third. The final rider in the ring was Derek Petersen and he very nearly took over the lead with Via Dolorosa. The pair did not accrue any penalties and tripped the timers at 70.349 seconds, just two-tenths away from Karolyi for the second place award.

Earlier in the day, riders had the opportunity to showcase their mounts during the 1.35m Open Jumper class with 21 entries. Michael Morrissey and Vorst, recently purchased as of last week by Mrs. E.H. Redman of Paris, KY, proved to be unstoppable during Wednesday's class. With a clear first round they quickly advanced to the jump-off where they picked up a very quick gallop, made sharp turns, and took all the inside options. The duo left each fence intact and broke the beam in a stunning 35.556 seconds to garner the winning title.

Debbie Stephens took home the second and third place honors during Wednesday's event aboard Swagger and FYI, owned by owned by Centennial Farm of Palmetto, FL, respectively. She showed FYI first and completed the short course in 39.287 seconds. Stephens then had an even better round aboard Swagger, showing over the jump-off in a clear time of 37.103 seconds.

It was a beautiful Thursday night at the Kentucky Horse Park as the nation's top horses and riders gathered at the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Summer Classic. Venezuela's Angel Karolyi and James T Kirk proved to be the best of the best, topping the two-horse jump-off with the only double clear effort. Lauren Tisbo was the first to tackle the short course with Coco 135, and their four-fault round netted them the second place prize.

Junior rider Christina Kelly had the quickest four-fault round aboard Camirage, owned by Diamond Edge Farm of Nicholasville, KY, taking off the back rail of fence 10, but crossing the finish line in a speedy 71.858 seconds for the third place prize. Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farms of Hidden Hills, CA, were close on her heels, catching four faults at the first part of the double combination to finish in 72.572 seconds to take home the fourth place award. The fifth place honors went to Debbie Stephens and Swagger, owned by Centennial Farm of Palmetto, FL, who added four faults to their score at the plank fence with a time of 75.202 seconds.

Only two riders were able to show over the course without penalty and advance to the jump-off. Lauren Tisbo was the first to attempt the shortened course with her talented mount Coco 135, owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC of Wellington, FL. The duo had an excellent ride through the double combination, but after a long gallop to the next oxer, they hit the back rail and added four faults to their score. They crossed the finish line in 47.05 seconds for the second place honors.

The final horse and rider combination in the ring proved to be the best of the day. Angel Karolyi knew he just needed to leave all the fences standing with James T Kirk, owned by Abigail Walker of Montpelier Station, VA, but it was no easy task with such a technical track. The pair was very conservative, but their effort was not wasted when they managed to leave each rail intact and break the beam at 54.52 seconds. They jumped to the top of the leaderboard and claimed the winning title.

There was nothing but sunshine at the Kentucky Horse Park for the third day of the Kentucky Summer Classic. Friday, talented horse and rider combinations competed at the Rolex Stadium during the High and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes. Taking home the blue ribbon in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class was Christina Kelly aboard Creata Van Ten Biesen, posting the target time for the jump-off as the first duo to compete in the class. Michael Murphy mirrored her success aboard Ultrafox in the Low Junior Jumper class, claiming the blue with no pair coming near his jump-off time.

Twenty-four horse and rider combinations attempted the first round in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch; however, sixteen succeeded into the jump-off with an amazing eleven riders going double clean. Christina Kelly was the first to do so with Creata Van Ten Biesen, owned by Diamond Edge Farm of Nicholasville, KY, setting the jump-off target time from the start at 36.864 seconds.

Third place honors went to Quintos 2 piloted by Lucille Oken and owned by Berkley Stables of Charlottesville, VA. The pair sliced turns and went double clean; however, their time of 40.115 seconds could not catch Kelly's blazing pace. Even though every consecutive rider attempted to gain enough speed, Kelly and Creata managed to keep the target time in place and finish with the top honors.

The Low Junior Jumpers were all about accuracy as the fourth rider, Gabriela Mershad and HH Cadans Z posted the first to go double clear in the division. The need for accuracy changed once Michael Murphy and his mount Ultrafox, owned by Hampton Farms of Wellington, FL, triumphed in the jump-off with a time of 34.755 seconds. Although 17 horses advanced to the jump-off and seven completed double clear rounds, Murphy's time stood alone, three seconds faster than Quebon and Chloe Reid who claimed the second place honors with a time of 37.998. The third place award went to Hayley Banas and Limelight owned by Brampton Woods Farm of Lake Forest, IL. The pair did not touch a fence; however, they stopped the clock at 38.845 seconds.

The Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers wrapped up the day, where six of the 25 horses showed over the short course and only one went double clean. Juan Andres Larrazabal and Remonta Jedive, of Wellington, FL, finished with the fastest time of 35.824; however, a four-fault penalty kept them from going double clean and claiming the top honors. It was Karina Busch aboard Contempo, owned by Halcyon Hill LLC of Elizabethtown, KY, who took the first place award finishing with a double clean round and a time of 38.069 seconds. Mahala Rummell and Celano took home the third place award finishing with four-faults and a time of 38.476 seconds.

Junior rider Christina Kelly has had a stellar two weeks at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, taking home major victories aboard her talented mounts Camirage and Creata Van Ten Biesen. Sunday, Kelly piloted Camirage to the fastest double-clear effort during the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Sleep P Ranch. The duo took home the winning honors, while Chloe Reid and King of Hearts placed second over Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z, who took home the third place award. Later in the day, Caroline Lynn and Kalvinretto won the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, with the class's only double clear round.

Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, and Chellando Z were the fourth pair to return to the ring and they posted the first fault-free jump-off. The duo was slightly conservative as they tried to leave all the rails intact, breaking the beam at 40.479 seconds for the third place honors. Chloe Reid of Washington, D.C., and King of Hearts also managed to clear all of the obstacles, stopping the clock at 39.441 for an excellent effort that garnered the second place prize.

Once again, the winning honors were presented to Christina Kelly of Nicholasville, KY. She was aboard her talented mount Camirage, who is currently leading the Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior standings. They had a hard rub coming out of the double combination, but the rail stayed in place. The mare easily opened her stride to each fence and left their competition in the dust, tripping the timers at 36.542 seconds, three seconds ahead of Reid.

The High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was next and this time only three horses were able to best the opening track and advance to the short course. Sarah Sturges of Sunbury, OH, aboard Kick Az and Paris Sellon of Los Angeles, CA, riding Orlando LA each incurred four faults as they tried to race around the course, placing second and third respectively. The winning honors went to Caroline Lynn and Kalvinretto, owned by the C & M Partnership of Paradise Valley, AZ, who chose to be more conservative but left each rail in its cups, producing the lone double clear effort.

Earlier in the day, the Amateur Owner riders competed in the Low Jumper Classic, where Kenzie Donovan of River Hills, WI, and Volarnah claimed the blue ribbon prize for a quick and clean short course in 38.049 seconds. Juan Andres Larrazabal of Wellington, FL, was quick on Donovan's heels with Remonta Jedive, but they stopped the clock at 39.109 seconds for second. The third place ribbon went to Saree Kayne of Santa Monica, CA, and Saphir, who left each fence standing in 40.875 seconds. Mahala Rummell of Jacksonville, FL, riding Celano and Olivia Herbert aboard Breeze, owned by Mimi Herbert of Houston, TX, had the slowest double clear rounds to place fourth and fifth, respectively.

The first class of the day was the Low Junior Jumper Classic and the jump-off was very competitive as 13 horse and rider combinations attempted the track. Katherine Strauss eventually took home the winning title after a double clear effort aboard Fardela. Chloe Reid claimed another second place ribbon, this time aboard Quebon. The third place honors went to Hayley Banas for her ride on United.

Hunters Highlights: Wednesday-Sunday

The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic started with a bang! Thunderstorms filled most of the morning, however riders in the Stonelea Ring rode without hesitation both before and after the storm. Opening day marked the beginning of the First Year Green Working Hunter, Second Year Green Working Hunter and High Performance Hunter classes.

Havens Schatt piloted the eight-year-old stallion Macallan, owned by Tracy Scheriff-Muser of Wellington, FL, to a first place ribbon in the First Year Green Working Hunters, as well as a third place ribbon. She also had success on her second mount of the day, Valencia, owned by CH Farm, LLC of Delano, MN, earning a first place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon.

Next to compete in the Stonelea Ring were the Second Year Green Working Hunters where Holly Orlando and Sailor's Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm, of Unionville, PA, garnered two blue ribbons.

The final class to compete was the High Performance Hunters, where Havens Schatt took home the top awards. She earned a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon for her return to the ring with Valencia. Schatt was followed closely by Jordan Siegel and her mount CR Carolato II, owned by Buddrus Equine, LLC of Dallas, TX, who secured a first place ribbon in the first class and a third place ribbon in the second class. When not competing in the High Performance Hunters and the Derby classes, the talented mount and his owner show in the Pre-Children's Hunters.

Thursday in the First Year Green Working Hunters division, Havens Schatt, did not disappoint aboard Macallan, owned by Tracy Scheriff-Muser of Wellington, FL, as they claimed the championship prize. The duo earned a first place ribbon and a third place ribbon during Wednesday's classes as well as a second place ribbon and a fourth place ribbon Thursday.

Bel Canto, piloted by Sarah Young and owned by Sarah Rubenstein of St. Louis, MO, took home the reserve championship award during the First Year Green Working Hunter. Wednesday the pair earned the second place ribbon and the fourth place ribbon. Thursday, they followed with a strong conclusion earning them the first place ribbon and the fourth place ribbon, garnering the reserve champion tricolor.

Holly Orlando and Sailor's Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm of Unionville, PA, won the Second Year Green Working Hunters championship award. The consistent duo took home the blue ribbon prize in all four of the classes, as well as the under saddle.

Kelci Crenshaw and Lead Story, owned by Fit to Print Farm of Woodstock, GA, claimed the reserve championship prize behind Orlando. The horse and rider combination earned two second place ribbons during Wednesday's division, and a second place ribbon and a third place ribbon Thursday.

Next to show in the Stonelea Ring was the High Performance Hunter division. Schatt continued her winning streak aboard Valencia, owned by CH Farm, LLC of Delano, MN. Valencia secured the championship award with a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon in Wednesday's divisions, followed by a strong finish including a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon over fences Thursday with a first place ribbon in the under saddle class. Yes Indeed ridden by Sarah Mechlin and owned by Olivia Weaver of Cincinnati, OH, took home the reserve championship prize following behind Valencia.

Evan Coluccio aboard Batman stole the show in the Medium Performance Hunters sweeping over the course effortlessly. The talented duo made their appearance known when they earned two first place ribbons Wednesday and stayed consistent Thursday finishing with two more blue ribbons and eventually earning the championship tricolor.

Jordan Siegel followed behind Batman with Jet Set, owned by Castle Point Farm, LLC of Collierville, TN, garnering the reserve championship award finishing with a second and fourth place ribbon in Wednesday's classes and three second place ribbons Thursday.

Lori Christman of Atlanta, GA, proved to be unstoppable with Nice on Friday, sweeping the two over fences classes and the under saddle in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters. Their smooth and elegant trips earned them two blue ribbons, and they then took home the top prize in the under saddle.

Earlier in the day, the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters took center stage. Natalie Allen of Mendota Heights, MN, and Val D'Isere claimed the blue ribbon prize in the first over fences class, while Arly Golombek and Ralando Z took home a second place ribbon and then went on to win the second class. The winner of Friday's under saddle class was Alise Oken of Charlotte, NC, aboard Take Away.

The final division of the day was the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunters. Cece Williamson of Gordonsville, VA, and Northstar dominated the competition, taking home the blue ribbon prize in both over fences classes, as well as the under saddle class for their excellent efforts.

On Saturday in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Pure Abundance, ridden by Wesley Newlands of Toronto, Canada, made a strong comeback and eventually took home the top honors. Friday, the pair won the fourth place ribbon over fences as well as the second place ribbon in the under saddle. Combined with the duo's third place ribbon in the over fences class and the first place ribbon in the handy Saturday, the talented combination garnered enough points to bring home the championship tricolor.

Olivia Herbert of Houston, TX, aboard Capistrano took home the reserve award in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters. Consistency was key with Capistrano, as Herbert piloted him to the first place award in the first class and the second place ribbon shortly after in the handy. Due to their two fourth place ribbons Friday and their solid rounds Saturday, Capistrano posed for the cameras as he was awarded the honors of reserve champion in the division.

Emily Morin of McLean, VA, aboard Ace of Spades claimed the first place ribbon and third place ribbon in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters classes Saturday. Even with her first place win, Ace of Spades was awarded the honors of reserve champion. It was Lori Christman of Atlanta, GA, who finished strong with Nice, bringing home two second place ribbons, and garnering the championship award. The duo swept the two over fences classes and the under saddle in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters Friday, and continued with their solid finish Saturday.

The final division of the day was the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunters. Cece Williamson of Gordonsville, VA, and Northstar were the ones who had stolen the show the previous day, and their efforts did not go unwarranted. Friday, Northstar dominated the competition, taking home the blue ribbon prize in both over fences classes, as well as the under saddle class. However, it was Patron owned and ridden by Dawn Fogel of Louisville, KY, whose solid efforts landed the duo the championship award. Fogel took home the third place ribbon in Friday's over fences class; however, Saturday Patron was in the spotlight nabbing the first place ribbon and second place ribbon, eventually garnering enough points to win the reserve championship honors.

Sunday, Catherine Tyree did not disappoint, as she brought home not only the championship award for the Small 16-17 Junior Hunter division, but also the reserve championship honors for the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters. Aboard Concetto, owned by First Partners Inc. of Chicago, IL, Tyree won two first place ribbons in Saturday's Small 16-17 Junior Hunter Division and the fourth place ribbon Sunday. In the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter Division Tyree and Savant earned the third place ribbon and fourth place ribbon in Saturday's classes as well as two second place ribbons and the fourth place ribbon in the under saddle class Sunday.

Following behind Tyree in the Small 16-17 Junior Hunter Division, Samantha Batt aboard Captain Nemo garnered enough points to take home the reserve champion award. Later in the day it was Tyree and Savant, owned by First Partners LP of Valpairso, IN, who fell in the position of reserve champion when Shawn Casady and Vida Blue took the top honors as champions of the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter division.

Earlier in the day, out of the sun and tucked away in the Covered Arena, the Small 15 & Under Junior Hunters division got underway. It was Vivian Yowan aboard Whatever, owned by Boggs Hill of Wellington, FL, who stole the show and brought home the championship award. Although Lucille Oken piloted Cool Blue over the fences seemingly effortlessly, her three third place ribbons in Sunday's class and fourth place ribbon in Saturday's division were not enough to catch up with Yowan, eventually earning the duo the reserve champion honors. Yowan and Whatever won both over fence classes Saturday as well as the first place ribbon in another class Sunday.

Pavarotti, piloted by Chloe Reid and owned by Terri Kessler of Armonk, NY, took home the reserve championship award during the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division. Saturday, the pair earned the first place ribbon and the third place ribbon over fences. Sunday they followed with a solid conclusion earning them the third place ribbon and the fourth place ribbon over fences and winning the third place ribbon in the under saddle class, eventually garnering enough points to claim the reserve champion tricolor following closely behind championship duo Victoria Colvin and Knob Creek.

The talented pair only began their relationship Friday when Colvin's trainer, Scott Stewart, informed her that she was going to ride Knob Hill. Together, Knob Hill and Colvin earned the third place ribbon and the second place ribbon in Saturday's division. Sunday, they swept over fences to finish with two blue ribbons. With all points totaled, the duo earned the championship tricolor.