Lexington, KY – August 3, 2024 – Hunter action continued on Sunday during the Bluegrass Classic as professional and junior/amateur riders gathered to compete in the $5,000 Open National Hunter Derby and $5,000 Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby in the Alltech Arena. Jake Evans showed the way in the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby with San Angelo, while Macquarie Simon and Call Me Cool scored the top honors in the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby.
“This is a dream come true,” smiled Evans after his win. “This is only San Angelo’s fifth horse show. We did Green Incentive this week and he was nothing but amazing – the second day he absolutely shined. I knew this class was going to be in the Alltech this week and he’s such a good, brave horse and he’s so careful that I wanted him to do the derby. So far we’ve done three derbies and he’s been second in each one. So this is awesome that he gets to come to Kentucky his first time here and win – I’m so excited for him. It is just magical when it all comes together like it did!”
Jake Evans and San Angelo
The courses for Sunday’s highlight events were designed by Jasen Shelley. The welcoming first round allowed riders to showcase their horses’ brilliance over the fences. The handy round included four high options, a trot fence, several inside rollback options and an in-and-out as the final two fences.
Ryan Kenny and Outshine
During the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, Evans held the lead from start to finish with San Angelo, earning an 89.5 in the first round coupled with a 91.75 from the second round. Their two round total of 181.25 would rank them just ahead of second place finishers Ryan Kenny and Outshine, who finished with a score of 181. Following just two points behind the leaders was Colin Syquia with Saloua, earning a score of 179 for third place.
Colin Syquia and Saloua
Evans was thrilled with San Angelo, an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Empire Lane, who he just began riding a few short months ago. “Honestly, I wasn’t planning on going as tight as I did, but then I watched Colin go and Colin went really tight and I’m not one that’s going to let someone else go tighter than me,” he laughed. “So I knew I had to do all the inside turns, even though I was a few points ahead in the lead and I’m very glad that I went inside everywhere. He is such a good handy horse, and I was going to play it a little safer, but I decided to go for it and I’m very glad I did!”
Winning in Kentucky was extra special for Evans, who has been showing at the venue for many years. “I love the atmosphere when you’re walking in the ring, it makes you almost hold your breath for a second because it’s such a magical type of feeling,” he concluded. “It feels special, the crowd, the arenas, everything. It’s such a unique type of feeling.”
Macquarie Simon and Call Me Cool
During the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby where riders competed over the same courses as they vied for the top honors. Macquarie Simon piloted Call Me Cool to scores of 90 and 94, for a total score of 184. Augusta Iwasaki was close behind her for second place with Small Love, receiving scores of 92 and 90. The third place award went to Grace Russo and Double Fantasy after they earned scores of 87.75 and 88.
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Love
Competition during the Bluegrass Festival has come to a close, but hunter/jumper action will continue next week at the Kentucky Horse Park during the KHJA Horse Show. Feature events will include the $30,000 KHJA Grand Prix, $15,000 KHJA Welcome Stake and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.
For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.