Lexington, KY – May 21, 2021 – Friday afternoon in the StoneLea Ring, equitation riders took center stage to compete for the top prize in the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal, ASPCA Maclay, and the USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal. Showcasing some of the nation’s top junior athletes, the competition was tough in the ASPCA Maclay as 20 horse-and-rider combinations tried their hand at the eight-obstacle course, hoping to acquire points towards the 2021 indoor season. In the end, Alivia Kohus laid down a jaw-dropping course aboard her mount, Cristallo’s Carlchen P, which helped earn her the blue ribbon. Taylor Cawley dominated the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal aboard Quax for the second week in a row, while Campbell Brown claimed victory in the USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal aboard SWS Questionnaire.
Alivia Kohus and Cristallo’s Carlchen
Kohus is a seasoned equitation rider, having qualified for nearly all of the major equitation finals several years in a row. She piloted her longtime mount Cristallo’s Carlchen P, a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, to the top of the class in the ASPCA Maclay. Kohus and Cristallo’s Carlchen P came into the Kentucky Spring Classic with huge success from last week’s Kentucky Spring Horse Show, including winning the USHJA National Derby. The dynamic pair continued to impress the judges in the equitation Friday with their incredible form and fluidity throughout the course. Kohus spoke highly of her longtime mount and looks forward to finishing out the week competing in the USHJA National Derby Sunday, hopeful to nab another win.
Quax and Taylor Cawley
Cawley continued her success from the Kentucky Spring Horse Show by winning the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal for the second week in a row aboard Quax, an 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Kimberly Griffiths. The pair once again wowed the judges with their rhythmic pace and textbook position over each jump. Cawley is no stranger to the medal classes, having received top honors in the THIS Children’s Medal and the 3’3” Medal classes throughout the past year. The young rider has made a name for herself in the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal and USHJA 3’3” Hunt Seat Medal, having won several classes throughout the 2021 show season.
Brown took the victory in Friday’s USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal aboard SWS Questionnaire, a 12-year-old Hanovarian gelding owned by MMK Equestrian LLC. Brown is a well-known competitor in the 3’3” medal classes, having recently been in top placings at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in the THIS Medal, USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal and the Junior 3’3” Hunter division. Olivia Galley aboard Callahan, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Lily Walton, laid down a beautiful round to help her secure a second place finish. Cawley and Quax were right behind Galley in the ranks to also add a third place finish under their belt, while Kohus notched another top placing with Cristallo’s Carlchen P earning fourth.
Hunter competition will continue in the StoneLea Ring Saturday, beginning with the Junior 16-17 Hunter division at 8:00a.m. and concluding with the Children’s 15-17 Hunter division.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Aliva Kohus – ASPCA Maclay winner
On Cristallo’s Carlchen P:
“I got him when he was 5 years old, and he had just come from Germany I think three weeks before. He had never seen true hunter jumps and had never been to a hunter show before. I was about 11 years old when I got him so we’ve come a long way since then. We’ve gone to almost all of the major 3’6’’ equitation finals and now I’d say we’ve figured each other out. I’m leaving in August to go ride for Auburn’s [NCEA equestrian team], so I’m super excited about that but sad that he is going to be leased out. I’m really proud of him and he’s really come a long way.”
On the course:
“I usually have problems with the end jumps, just keeping my canter energetic and keeping my impulsion around the turns. I’d say the second end jump bending to the forward eight-stride line to the two-stride line was tricky, but I just landed and kept my leg on, we continued and got out nicely.”
On her upcoming plans:
“On Sunday we are doing the [USHJA National Hunter Derby] and the jumper phase of the WIHS Equitation. I’m hoping the derby goes as well as it did last weekend because I won it for the second time!”
On Kentucky Horse Shows:
“It feels so good [to be at the Kentucky Horse Park], I missed it here so much. I went down to [the World Equestrian Center] Ocala over the winter, but this is my favorite place to show.”
RESULTS
ASPCA Maclay
Place / Horse / Rider
1. Cristallo’s Carlchen P / Alivia Kohus
2. Ucatoni / Libbie Gordon
3. Maximus TMF / Caroline Mawhinney
4. Coppertone / Olivia Sweetnam
5. Cyrus / Gwyneth Babington
6. Heartbeat Z / Abigail Gordon
7. Hidalgo Van de Boslandhoeve / Caroline Nadalin
8. Worthy / Gabrielle Morinn
9. Temptation / Abigail Roberts