Lexington, KY – July 29, 2026 – The professional hunter divisions kicked off World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week, as the Kentucky Summer Classic, presented by Rood and Riddle, got underway at the Kentucky Horse Park. The best of the best proved to be Michael Britt-Leon with Kelly Sims’ talented mount Cannon Beach. After sweeping the Green 3’9” Hunter division and claiming the championship prize, the duo also returned center ring to accept the Professional Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The duo’s victory comes just ahead of the 2026 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships and 2026 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, which will be held in August during the Bluegrass Festival.
“Cannon Beach is doing both Green Incentive and Derby Finals, so it feels fantastic to be Grand Hunter Champion,” expressed Britt-Leon. “I think there’s so much timing that’s involved with this. You want to make sure that you don’t peak too early or peak too late, and I feel like this is a great setup for that. I feel confident going in now, because I know that the Cannon Beach is really trying and wants it.”
Michael Britt-Leon and Cannon Beach. Photos by Winslow Photography
During the first two days of competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic, Cannon Beach showcased brilliance and consistency throughout two divisions. Britt-Leon and Cannon Beach swept the Green 3’9” Hunter division, winning each class to claim the championship tricolor in both divisions. Cannon Beach’s impeccable performance was also rewarded with the Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Cannon Beach is a 9-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Canturano, owned by Kelly Sims. He had the last month off to rest and be ready for the upcoming weeks of shows, and Britt-Leone is thrilled with his performance this week.
“Cannon Beach is a horse that I’ve been developing for the last year and a half,” explained Britt-Leon. “He’s a green horse, but he’s extremely willing. He’s quite brave, and he’s beautiful to look at – he’s beautiful across the ground, and he jumps in that classic hunter style. I like that he’s a quiet horse because I like to kick more than I like to pull. Most that know me know I don’t like to pick up my reins, so he lets me do that quite a bit, which is nice. He even lets me do that in the International Derbies, which is pretty cool!”
The Kentucky Horse Shows are a favorite for Britt-Leon, who concluded, “I love Kentucky Horse Park. I think my horses like it here a lot. It is nice to get back in the groove here and have a horse show like this that you get to use as your setup for what’s coming up in two weeks.”
The Kentucky Summer Classic will feature more hunter action this week, including Saturday’s $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby and $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby. Many riders have gathered to prepare for the 2026 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, and the 2026 USEF Pony Finals, which will all take place in August at the Kentucky Horse Park.
For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.