Lexington, KY – July 28, 2021 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Show kicked off Wednesday morning as hunter riders descended upon the Stonelea Ring at the famed Kentucky Horse Park. Jimmy Torano and Laskano started their first of four weeks off with a bang, taking home top honors in the Green Hunter Incentive Stake. As the last horse and rider pair to enter the ring, Torano and the 9-year-old Westphalian gelding saved the best for last, bringing home a score of 86.00.
Jimmy Torano and Laskano
The Green Hunter Incentive Program is open to horses eligible to compete in the Green Hunters 3’0”, 3’3”, 3’6”, and 3’9” heights. The program is designed to encourage the development of green horses and is multifaceted to include the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships, regional championships, and stake classes throughout the year and across the country. The program and stake classes bring forth some of the top hunter athletes across the country.
Vivian Yowan and After Hours
Vivian Yowan and Saddle Ridge LLC’s, After Hours, showcased their textbook form and effortless grace on course leading the pack for a majority of the class. Coming off of a third-place finish in the $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake at the Brandywine Summer Valley Series, the duo one-upped their previous performance bringing home a red ribbon. Yowan and the 7-year-old warmblood gelding held the lead in the class with a score of 85.00 until the very last trip, only to be edged out by one singular point.
Julie Cleveland Beam and CR Cresus ES
Rounding out the top three was Julie Cleveland Beam aboard CR Cresus ES, owned by Meghan Looney. The 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding scored an 82.00 with Beam, continuing their trend of scoring in the top three, making it a trifecta following a first-place finish in the Green Hunter Incentive Stake at Brownland Farm Summer as well as a second-place finish in the Green Hunter Incentive Stake at the Mid-South Classic.
Jimmy Torano and Laskano
Christopher Payne, who placed third in the Green Hunter Incentive Stake during The Kentucky Spring Horse Show aboard Still Water Farm LLC’s Gratitude, returned for the summer series sweeping theGreen 3’6” Division aboard Still Water Farm LLC’s 8-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Reign taking home both blue ribbons in the over fences portion. The pair also secured the highest scores of the day from the division posting an impressive 88.00 and an 87.00
Hunter competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will continue in the StoneLea Ring Thursday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m., with the crowning of the Green and High Performance Conformation Hunter Champions as well as the Kentucky Summer Classic in the Rolex Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Jimmy Torano – Green Hunter Incentive Stake winner
On Horse:
“Laskano is an 8-year-old, he’s a horse we purchased about a year and a half ago I would say, and he’s won from the day we got him. He was circuit champion in Palm Beach, and he basically wins everywhere we go. He’s just very reliable, you can count on him every time. He’s a beautiful mover, he’s a beautiful type. He’s a very appealing hunter.”
On the Kentucky Horse Show Series:
“We love it here. We come every year for these four weeks. We don’t make it in the spring, but that will probably make it on our calendar sooner or later. But we love being here in the summer, the two weeks here, and the pony finals are obviously a big deal for us, and the final week that we do, with the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships and the Green Incentive. Big weeks here with great competition. This is the best footing in the world. For me, this is still the best facility that we have here in our country.”
On their upcoming plans:
“The rest of the week I’ll continue with this horse in the green hunters. We have several jumpers. I’ll do a couple in the Grand Prix tomorrow night. I plan to do probably two in the Grand Prix Saturday night, and my wife will do the Grand Prix Saturday night. We have an action-packed week. My son has several ponies he has to show. We have a little bit of everything.”