Lexington, KY – August 2, 2024 – It was all about the Junior Hunters in the Stonelea Ring as riders showcased their mounts during the Kentucky Summer Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. As the divisions closed out the day, RJ Maya and Cassario 8 returned to the ring to accept the Grand Junior Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The duo’s stylish performance in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division earned them the championship prize and with top ribbons across the board they also nabbed the grand championship title.
“It’s a great honor to be grand champion here at this show,” expressed Maya after he accepted the award. “We had a really good round today. I want to thank the owner Zoe Wolf for letting me ride this beautiful horse.”
Over the last two days, Maya and Cassario 8 were smooth and stylish in each of their rounds, making a clean sweep of the over fences classes in the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter division, and also placing second in the under saddle. After securing the division’s championship tricolor they were also honored to win the Grand Junior Hunter Championship.
Cassario 8 is a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cassin that Maya began riding in California a few weeks ago and they have quickly developed a solid partnership. “Corinne Bevis had me come out to California and we were also champion,” he explained. “This is the second time I’ve shown him and we were grand. I just try to be one with the horses and try to stay out of their way.”
Maya has enjoyed his trip to the Kentucky Summer Series concluding, “The grounds are so great, there’s so much to do here, and the animals really love it too. The fields, they’re beautiful, they really give them a chance to stretch. It’s what a lot of other shows don’t offer, so that’s what makes it so special here.”
The Kentucky Summer Classic will feature more hunter action this week, including Saturday’s $7,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby. Many riders have gathered to prepare for the 2024 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, and the 2024 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.