Lexington, Ky. – Aug 4, 2021 – The 6-Year-Old Jumper class took place in the Rolex Stadium Wednesday afternoon during day two of the Kentucky Summer Classic. These special classes allow riders the opportunity to expose their up-and-coming jumper prospects to the sport of show jumping in a formal setting. The courses are specifically designed to be educational and age-appropriate for both horse and rider. Irish rider David O’Brien added two more wins to his name, coming off of a one-two shut out yesterday in the 7-Year-Old Class. He triumphed over his fellow competitors taking home a first-place podium with Olivia SCF and a second-place finish aboard Out Of The Blue SCF.
David O’Brien and Paraselene SCF
The majority of the young horses in the 6-Year-Old Jumper class navigated Bobby Murphy’s 1.30m track with little issue posting several clears across the board. Second in the lineup, O’Brien and Paraselene SCF, the 6-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, took the early lead on a time of 71.621 seconds. Five competitors would eagerly follow to tip the timers under O’Brien’s lead but would be unable to do so.
David O’Brien and Paraselene SCF
USA’s Kelly Arani took over Irishman Shane Sweetman’s Belgian Warmblood gelding, Procyon SCF, placing second in the 6-Year-Old Jumper class Wednesday afternoon. Opting to use speed to try and leave the remaining riders to catch her, Arani stopped the clock with an impressive 81.620. Although going clear, Arani fell just shy of the quickest time.
Kelly Arani and Procyon SCF
Heren Lee and Kobalt Blue CKV, the 6-Year-Old gelding owned by Selena Salzburger, gave it their all in the Rolex Stadium. Eager to see their name at the top of the leaderboard, Lee took daring turns and gustier gallops, making sure to stay clean and tidy over the fences. In the end, the duo was quick, posting a time of 83.620, but was unable to beat O’Brien’s time.
Heren Lee and Kobalt Blue CKV
Show jumping will continue throughout Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park, with the Open Jumper 1.40m kicking off Thursday morning in the Rolex Stadium. Highlight events of the week include the $5,000 USHJA National Derby, $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic and the $50,000 Hagyard Grand Prix.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
David O’Brien – 7-Year-Olds Jumper winner
On Paraselene SCF:
“Paraselene is Diktator’s (van de Boslandhoeve) baby, bred just next door at Spy Coast. She’s been jumping consistently all year in the six year-olds.”
On showing at the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“It’s great. The show is great exposure to get the horses off the property and get them some ring time. With the variety of rings and course designers, it really gives them more experience.”
On his future plans:
“The young horses will have a day off tomorrow and we’ll bring them around the racing gallop here and trot them around the hills. Then on Friday they will jump again.”
On competing young horses versus Grand Prix horses:
“For me it’s quite easy. It’s not much pressure and it’s really about taking your time and giving the horse a chance. The older horses that we jump in Grand Prix’s and stuff, we have a bit more pressure to get a win in those but the young ones, it’s really about teaching them the turns and speeds in the clock rounds and getting them to get their eye on the jump.”