Lexington, KY – May 19, 2021 – Show jumping competitors kicked-off the Kentucky Spring Classic Wednesday, May 19, at the Kentucky Horse Park. Young jumper horses were spotlighted in the Walnut Ring Wednesday morning as athletes piloted the rising stars with the hope of emerging victorious in their respective divisions. Claiming first place honors in the 6-Year-Old Jumper was Germany’s Söhnke Theymann riding Platinum Capital Management LLC’s Henrietta. Earning victory in the 7-Year-Old Jumper was Alex Granato (USA) aboard his own mount Cupcake.
Söhnke Theymann and Henrietta
A field of 15 talented 6-Year-Old horses showcased their skills across a 10-obstacle track, moving immediately into the jump-off in an attempt of producing a double-clear round. In the end, Theymann took home the blue ribbon with Henrietta, navigating a double-clear effort and a jump-off time of 31.98 seconds. Theymann spoke highly of the talented mare and his partnership with her.
Mark Kinsella and Perfect Match D
Second-place finisher Mark Kinsella piloted Perfect Match D, owned by Sarah Hellman, to a clear 32.63-second jump-off time. Rounding out the top three in the 6-Year-Old Jumper was Sandra Dalman riding Dalman Show Jumping’s Kilimanjaro to a fault-free time of 33 seconds in the jump-off.
Sandra Dalman and Kilimanjaro
Earlier in the day, the 7-Year-Old Jumpers took to the Walnut Ring to contend for their shot at a first place finish. At the conclusion, it was Granato and his own mount Cupcake who took top honors to best the field of 14 competitors. Ireland’s David O’Brien took home both second and third place to round out the top three of the class, riding Spy Coast Farm LLC’s One In A Million SCF and Octavius SCF, respectively.
In the Rolex Arena, the $35,000 1.45m Welcome Speed welcomed 40 international competitors Wednesday afternoon for a race against the clock and a shot at the winner’s circle. Ken Krome put forth a challenging course, and just 17 athletes managed clear efforts. Ultimately, Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Brighton, owned by Artisan Farms, LLC, came out on top with a speedy jump-off time of 59.61 seconds.
Show jumping competition at the Kentucky Spring Classic will continue Thursday, May 20, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The highlight event of the week, the $137,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3*, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, will take place Saturday, May 22.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Söhnke Theymann – 6-Year-Old Jumper winner
On Henrietta:
“This mare was bred in California and I got her as a 5-year-old. The owner and breeder is Thea Sprecher of Platinum Capital Management LLC. I also compete with her full sister in the 7-year-old classes; her name is Greta Garbo PCM, also born and bred in California. Henrietta has been a very special horse. She has been winning a lot of 6-year-old classes and she was second place in the [Developing Jumper Series Final] in Wellington [at the Winter Equestrian Festival]. I’m thrilled with her. She is very game, a very good horse. The dam, called Black Cherry, jumped up to the 1.60m level, and the sire is Contefino, a Holsteiner stallion. We are very thrilled, it’s been a good partnership and it’s been fun to compete in the young horse classes, especially here in Kentucky. Great conditions, great course design, it’s been a fun ride.”
On plans for Henrietta moving forward;
“We are going to stay in the 6-year-old division with Henrietta. I’m usually based in California but I am going to stay out on the East Coast this summer. We are probably preparing for the [USHJA Young Jumper Championship] in Traverse City, Michigan and possibly in Princeton. That is going to be our plan with Henrietta. The full sister, Greta Garbo PCM, also placed in the top in the finals in Wellington, so she will probably move up to the 1.40m classes this summer. That’s our goal. The horses have been great and I really enjoy working with such talented young horses.”
On Kentucky Horse Shows:
“It’s fantastic. It’s great that we get to work on the cross country field. I think it’s one of the top venues for horses in the world. They learn so much and just get to do different things every day so it’s not like a normal horse show. With the 7-year-olds, you can jump in the Rolex Arena, so it’s amazing and can’t be any better in my opinion. We really enjoy coming out east and doing these shows.”
RESULTS
6-Year-Old Jumper
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / Faults | Time
1. Henrietta / Söhnke Theymann / Platinum Capital Management LLC / 0 | 31.982
2. Perfect Match D / Mark Kinsella / Sarah Hellman / 0 | 32.631
3. Kilimanjaro / Sandra Dalman / Dalman Show Jumping / 0 | 33.002
4. FF Buttercup / Jill Gaffney / Freestyling Farms LLC / 0 | 33.410
5. Hobbs / Eric Glynn / Donna Struve / 0 | 33.438
6. Paraselene SCF / David O’Brien / Spy Coast Farm LLC / 0 | 33.438
7. Grizzly HH De Tiji / Taylor Kosek / Taylor Kosek / 0 | 36.006
8. Procyon SCF / Shane Sweetnam / Marigot Bay Farm LLC / 0 | 36.508
9. Sleipnir Z / Karen McFarland / Karen McFarland / 0 | 40.439
10. Chill N / Eric Glynn / Donna Struve / 0 | 41.132
11. Conajita / Cathleen Driscoll / Dorothy Cox / 4 | 37.150
12. Polaris SCF / David O’Brien / Spy Coast Farm LLC / 4 | 37.150