Alexandra Duvin and Jorge Gomez Win Jumper Classics on Final Day of Kentucky Summer Classic

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 6, 2017 – On the final day of the Kentucky Summer Classic, Alexandra Duvin bested a field of 41 horse-and-rider combinations to claim the victory in the WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic, sponsored by Equithrive, aboard King Chacco. In the WIHS/NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Classic, sponsored by Hallway Feeds, it was Dr. Jorge Gomez and Dallas De La Bonnett who topped the leaderboard.

Alexandra Duvin and King Chacco
Alexandra Duvin and King Chacco

Duvin, 16, of Cincinnati, Ohio, performed a double-clear effort on her 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding King Chacco, crossing the finish line in 33.127 seconds during the jump-off. Isabel Harbour placed a close second in the class on Fit to Print Farm’s 15-year-old Brandenburger gelding, Camera Ready, after jumping double-clear and finishing the jump-off in 33.961 seconds.

Following the Children’s Jumper Classic, the adults took over the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Gomez, originally from Colombia, went double-clear and raced to the finish in 33.464 seconds on his 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, Dallas De La Bonnett. The lifelong equestrian balances his riding with his career as an equine veterinarian and has been affiliated with Palm Beach Equine Clinic since 2011. He has represented the clinic at prestigious events around the world such as the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Along with taking home top honors in the classic, Gomez also topped the Adult Jumper division and was awarded the championship title.

Jorge Gomez and Dallas De La Bonnett

Samantha Hill rode Attack, a 17-year-old Belgian Warmblood owned by Andrea Simpson, to second place with a double-clear time of 31.123 seconds. The riders who won Sunday’s classics are now qualified to compete in the same division at the Washington International Horse Show as well as the NAL finals that will take place at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show this fall.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Alexandra Duvin – WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic winner

On King Chacco:
“I acquired him in January and we imported him from Germany – we didn’t even try him. Our broker knew him well and said he was the one so we just went for it. Every time he goes in the ring you can just tell that he wants it more than anyone. He wants to go clear and win. He loves his job.”

On her plan for the class:
“This is my last show of the summer and I wanted to secure my spot into finals this year. I just wanted a ribbon but I knew that I also needed to go for the win.”

On showing in Kentucky:
“The Rolex Stadium is so wonderful. The footing is amazing and there is so much room to gallop and do whatever is necessary to win. The classes are relaxed and the horses are happy here.”

On attending indoor finals:
“I haven’t been [competing] in the children’s jumpers that long – really only half the season. I didn’t expect the finals to be an option for me but I have won some of the more important classes and I am going to be there and ready to win.”

Alexandra Duvin and King Chacco
Alexandra Duvin and King Chacco

Jorge Gomez – WIHS/NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Classic winner

On Dallas De La Bonnett:
“He is 8 years old and I’ve had him for a year. I bought him from Europe after last year’s Florida winter season. He is a super horse. He is very willing to jump and is adjustable – he can go fast and he can go slow. He always goes forward. He is a pleasure to jump and ride.”

On his equestrian veterinary practice:
“I am an equestrian veterinarian at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, Florida. We are based in Wellington during the winter and then in the summer, we practice wherever the horses are – Europe, Canada, Tryon, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, etc. Being a horse person definitely, helps as a veterinarian. I’ve been a horse person my entire life and I’m a veterinarian because I love horses. I understand them and it helps me understand problems when I talk to their riders or owners. Having insight into the sport, I think, is a big advantage.”

On the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“I love the rings here and the Kentucky Horse Park is very comfortable. I have my horse based in Kentucky for the summer and it’s very refreshing for them. Having the horses in Florida year round can be hard for them. When they are in Kentucky, they can freshen up and I can keep them happy and willing to work.”

RESULTS

WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic:
1. King Chacco / Alexandra Duvin / Alexandra Duvin / 75.863 / 0 / 33.127
2. Camera Ready / Isabel Harbour / Fit to Print Farm / 71.522 / 0 / 33.961
3. Photobomb / Annalise Weither / Annalise Weithofer / 76.264 / 0 / 35.034
4. Zoodan W / Lilly Mack / Daniel Cyphert / 77.914 / 0 / 35.179
5. Ragazzo Carino / Adeline Pavlin / Adeline Pavlin / 73.737 / 35.736
6. El Casper / Alexandra Smith / Gut Einhaus LLC / 81.693 / 39.514

WIHS/NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Classic:
1. Dallas De La Bonnett / Jorge Gomez / Jorge Gomez / 75.719 / 0 / 33.464
2. Attack / Samantha Hill / Andrea Simpson / 75.455 / 0 / 34.123
3. Nanny Fine / Katherine Hartshorn / Katherine Hartshorn / 79.351 / 0 / 34.647
4. Gold Lux / Lindsey Tomeu / AM Free Inc. / 74.161 / 0 / 35.357
5. Carany / Anna Lerch / Anna Lerch / 76.94 / 0 / 36.331
6. Emilios / Angela Dominguez / La Primera Hacienda, LP / 81.474 / 0 / 41.383

Jorge Gomez and Dallas De La Bonnett
Jorge Gomez and Dallas De La Bonnett

Adam Edgar and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn Claim Grand Pony Hunter Championship

Small, medium and large ponies took over the hunter rings to compete for the sought-after Grand Pony Hunter Championship on Sunday at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Adam Edgar saved the best for last, winning the final pony hunter class of the day, the Large Pony B Hunters, aboard Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn, a 13-year-old owned by Dianna Orona. The pair also earned the Grand Pony Hunter Championship title in the Stonelea Ring.

Adam Edgar and Fox Creek's Antony Quinn. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Adam Edgar and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

The 18-year-old from Leesburg, Virginia, dabbled in a handful of different sports throughout his childhood but was inspired to try riding because his mother grew up with horses. Ever since, he was hooked and has been finding success in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. Edgar trains with Bill Schaub as well as Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms.

During the Large Pony B Hunter division, Edgar and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn won the handy, undersaddle and one over fences class, and the pair placed second in the other over fences.

Adam Edgar and Fox Creek's Antony Quinn.
Adam Edgar and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn

The reserve champion of the Large Pony B Hunter division and also the Reserve Grand Pony Hunter Championship was Jenna Drago on Rivers Edge’s Rivaldo, a 7-year-old Welsh Pony palomino gelding.

The Kentucky Summer Classic will wrap-up on Sunday to make way for the 2017 USEF Pony Finals. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series will resume on Aug. 15 with the start of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, which will feature both the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Other highlight events include the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows, the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Adam Edgar – Grand Pony Hunter Champion

On Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn:
“The thing I love most about Antony are his big strides. He moves like a horse, which is really nice for me to get on and show him. He canters around with such a big stride and is super fun to ride.”

On aging out of the juniors:
“This is my last junior year and my last year competing in the ponies. I would definitely say there are pros and cons to aging up but I am a little scared and nervous. I do a little bit of jumpers but mainly in the past two years I’ve been focusing a lot on the equitation. I’ve made so many good friends from my experiences in the hunter and equitation rings. When you go to horse shows every weekend, and this is what you do year round, they become a family.”

“On the other hand, I am really excited to go to college. I’m looking forward to new things but sad because this has been such a routine and big part of my life for so long. In the fall, I will be going to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia, and I’m going to major in advertising. I’ll keep doing the equitation finals and junior hunters, and will ride on the team at SCAD. Next year, I’ll hopefully do the adults and maybe a bit of the amateurs.”

On the Kentucky Horse Shows:
“Kentucky has to be one of my favorite horse shows! You don’t get the opportunity to hack in a field at most places. I think it’s really good for the horses’ minds to get out of the ring and go on trail rides every day. Overall, I think the horses present themselves much more relaxed here than at other horse shows. Plus, the weather has been great.”

RESULTS

Small Green Pony Hunters
Champion: Alexa Lignelli and Quicksilver Bells
Reserve: Libbie Gordon and Nickelodeon

Medium Green Pony Hunters
Champion: Alexa Lignelli and IApprove
Champion: Madeline Rubin and Exuberance

Large Green Pony Hunters
Champion: Adam Edgar and D’Artagnan
Reserve: Augusta Iwasaki and Persephone

Small Pony Hunters
Champion: Alexa Lignelli and IParty
Reserve: Jessie Spade and With Applause

Small Pony B Hunters
Champion: Alexa Lignelli and Rollingwoods Knee Deep
Reserve: Abigail Gordon and Farmore State of the Art

Medium Pony Hunters
Champion: Libbie Gordon and Astro Boy
Reserve: Grace Debney and Sterling

Medium Pony B Hunters
Champion: Tessa Downey and News Flash
Reserve: Libbie Gordon and Cleverist

Large Pony Hunters
Champion: Gabrielle Sokolow and Kingston
Reserve: Augusta Iwasaki and Persephone

Large Pony B Hunters
Champion: Adam Edgar and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn
Reserve: Jenna Drago and Rivaldo

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