Lexington, KY – Aug 2, 2022 – Competition returned to the Rolex Stadium on the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Classic with the 1.35m Open Jumper. Top up-and-coming mounts took to the expansive ring in hopes of proving their training and maturity to top the podium. In the end, it was Juan Rodriguez Silva and Il Etait Une Fois A Rivereuille who bested their competition and took the blue ribbon. Diana Conlon and PDR Pinion took second, while Richard Rinehart and Hendrik Wildricks rounded out the podium.
The developing mounts were given their time in the spotlight, taking to Bernardo Coasta Cabral’s (POR) 13-obstacle track. Featuring four rollbacks and four combinations, Cabral set a competitive track for the horse-and-rider pairs that featured winding turns and tricky bending lines to showcase their confidence and stride on the expansive track.
As it proved to be a competitive group of talented riders, Juan Rodriguez Silva and Il Etait Une Fois A Rivereuille took everything in stride and did not waiver at the chance to go fast and showcase their skills. The pressure was on for the duo to answer all of the questions of the technical course if they wanted to take the lead. Lumiere Horses Inc.’s 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, took to the track with the most pleasant expression and carried Silva to win as he made a turn untried by the rest of the field. The pair was victorious with a second round time of 38.367 seconds.
Following closely behind was Diana Conlon aboard PDR Pinion. The 9-year-old North American Studbook gelding showed experience beyond his years as Conlon guided him through all of the tricky parts of the track with composure, allowing him to jump in perfect form and give it his all to carry her all the way to the victory gallop. Conlon demonstrated flat work allowing PDR Pinion to jump straight off of the ground and leave all of the rails up in 41.368 seconds to secure their red ribbon.
Richard Rinehart and Hendrik Wildricks entered with their game faces on in an attempt to knock Silva out of the top spot. The duo was hopeful after an incredibly successful first round and went to step on the gas pedal to take the lead. Rinehart demonstrated flawless technique as Chris Richard’s 10-year-old showed his freshness as he was playful in the turns. Though the duo was quite quick across the ground, they unfortunately knocked a rail, costing them the first place title and finishing in 34.757 seconds to round out the podium.
Show jumping will continue throughout the week with highlight events in the Rolex Stadium including the $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic Thursday and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix taking place Saturday.
RESULTS
1.35m Open Jumper
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Time | R1 Faults / R2 Time | R2 Faults
1. Il Etait Une Fois A Rivereuille / Juan Rodriguez Silva / Lumiere Horses Inc. / 0 | 74.075 / 0 | 38.367
2. PDR Pinion / Diana Conlon / Palmer Divide Ranch / 0 | 73.418 / 0 | 41.368
3. Hendrik Wildricks / Richard Rinehart / Chris Richards / 0 | 71.129 / 4 | 34.757
4. Jackson VDL / Megan Bash / Cleveland Equestrian / 0 | 68.022 / 4 | 36.024
5. Bynamic’s Conthaloubet / Janet Hischer / OWNER / 0 | 74.114 / 4 | 39.075
6. Fernando / Michelle Navarro Grau / Michelle Navarro Brau / 3 | 78.522
7. Sunny Boy 372 / Shawn Casady / Rabbit Root Stables, LLC / 4 | 73.583
