Tosh and Cold Harbor sweep the Regular Conformation Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG.)
The assembly of the course today varied with single vertical to oxer lines. Designed by Danny Moore, the picturesque arena was designed with bright shrubbery and natural arrangements, and a log trot jump, which loomed as the closing obstacle of the handy class.
In today's classes Hunt Tosh saw favorable scores from judges while riding Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, receiving high marks to win the championship title in the Performance 3'6'' Hunters division. Lone Star has had a legendary career, recently coming back after experiencing an injury, which had him out of the ring for a year's time. With the right care and training he is on his way to making a prominent return, seeing consistent wins with every showing experience. According to Tosh, Lone Star is said to be right on track for the Professional Working Hunters this winter.
"He rode well today, we had a little rub in the first class, which is unlike him-we took second there. Other than that he did really well in the handy," Tosh explained. "We got a ribbon in the hack and he's so easy to ride, a real 'Steady Eddie'. We're only showing him a couple times this year before we get in in the four-foot. We'll start with the Working Hunters this Winter Circuit in Florida."
The duo placed admirably during the first day of the Performance 3'6" Hunter over fences, making a sweep of the division, and approached today's classes with a comfortable leeway in rankings. Tosh and Lone Star rode to second place finishes in the first round over fences and the handy class, complimenting yesterday's scores to equal the championship tri-color ribbon. The reserve championship was awarded to Erica Quinn and Chit Chat, owned by Centennial Farms and Company of Palmetto, FL.
It was another one of Tosh's geldings that stole the spotlight in the Stonelea Arena. Cold Harbor showed his warm side with a burst of pronounced showmanship to streak across all five classes of the two-day competition, earning the top honors in the Regular Conformation Hunters.
"In the first class on the second jump he had a small rub, but after that he jumped outrageous," recalled Tosh. "He was really sharp and jumped beautifully. He tries hard and goes in to win every time. He always jumps really hard and high, he's a really good show horse. He's elegant and really fun to ride."
Cold Harbor, also owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, put on a valiant display, earning the limelight in the ring, and the rights to be honorably pinned as champion. Effortlessly excelling through the course, the pair owned onlookers' attention and respect for dominating the over fences, handy and the under saddle, sweeping all blue ribbons throughout the Regular Conformation Hunter division.
Shawn Casady exhibited Picasso, owned by Emmy Trussell of Lexington, KY, to top placings today. The pair earned the third place ribbon in the over fences, the first in the handy round and the second in the under saddle. They were dually awarded with the reserve championship.
Other notable top ranks for today's events include the championship placing by Christopher Payne and Lugano, owned by Susan Moriconi of St. Louis, MO, in the Green Conformation Hunters. Lugano respectively received top prizes in four out of five classes earning the tricolor ribbon in the division.
Also looking to join the upper-echelon, Kelly Mullen and Modern, owned by Megan Davis, delivered a nearly flawless show, missing the mark ever so slightly, and receiving the reserve championship honors.
Payne continued with great success in the Second Year Green Working Hunters aboard Holden. The pair showed beautiful over the courses, and earned the judges' nod. Holden, also owned by Susan Moriconi, held his own, winning high ranks-first place in the handy, and second place in the over fences to total a championship standing.
"Holden goes in the ring to win every class. I really mean it," Payne excitedly described upon just earning his championship ribbon. "He is such a professional in the ring and loves to show. I'm very lucky to have wonderful horses like both Holden and Lugano to show. It is so comfortable and close to home for the horses and for us here in Kentucky; it makes the showing experience magical."
Cody Lewis-Schultz rode Wish List to the reserve championship honors for the Second Year Working Hunters. Lewis-Schultz rode to the first and fourth place finishes over fences, as well as the first in the under saddle.
Tomorrow will commence the Junior Hunter divisions in the Stonelea Arena. The Kentucky Summer Classic holds many exciting hunter features, including the upcoming $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby on Saturday, August 4, 2012. The Kentucky Summer Series will continue with the 2012 USEF Pony Finals, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show.
For more information about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com