Lexington, KY – May 16, 2024 – The second week of the Kentucky Spring Series is underway at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park, where top hunter competitors gathered for the professional hunter divisions. With a brilliant performance in the Green Hunter 3’9”/High Performance Hunters, Kelley Farmer and Verified captured the division championship, as well as the Professional Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
During the first two days of competition at the Kentucky Spring Classic, Verified showcased style and consistency by winning both over fences to start off the Green Hunter 3’9”/High Performance Hunter division. On Thursday, they returned to complete a final sweep of the division to garner the championship prize after winning both over fences classes, as well as the under saddle. Their performance was also rewarded with the Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Verified, an 11-year-old Westphalian Gelding bred by Alexander Müller, was imported last year by Farmer, Vanessa Brown, and Larry Glefke, and has stayed at Lane Change Farm after being purchased by junior rider Emma Vandenhouten. The young rider earned the Large Junior Hunter Championship during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show last week. She is attending her high school prom this weekend, so Farmer took the opportunity to compete with Verified in the Green Hunter 3’9”/High Performance Hunters ahead of the 2024 Devon Horse Show.
Farmer is happy to be back in the saddle after taking most of the winter off due to an injury. “I have not gotten to ride much since I’ve been broken,” she explained. “I’ve been on crutches all winter and I had cataract surgery after Indoors. My vision is better, I’m getting stronger and better and feeling like I can actually ride again. I have some young horses that I’m excited about!”
Lane Change Farm plans to spend their summer at Kentucky Horse Shows LLC, culminating in the Pre-Green Championship during the Bluegrass Horse Show. “They always do a lovely job here in Kentucky,” she concluded. “The footing is great, the jumps are beautiful.I love walking into this ring jumping bright green brush and the horses have something to jump over every fence. Hugh [Kincannon] runs a great horse show.”
The Kentucky Spring Classic will feature more hunter action this week, including Friday’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and Saturday’s $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.