Lauren Kay and Lord Oliver SR Steal the Show in High 1.40m JR/AO/AM Jumpers during Temecula Valley National Premier I Presented by Interactive Mortgage

Temecula, Ca. – April 23, 2021 – Amateur and Junior riders took their turn in the spotlight as they descended upon the Grand Prix Arena Friday afternoon for the Temecula Valley National Premier I presented by Interactive Mortgage High 1.40m JR/AO/AM Jumpers. Coming off of the first installment of the division on Thursday, riders were eager for another opportunity to compete at Galway Downs. Gerardo Pasquel Mendez dominated in the first class of the division held Thursday, stealing the blue ribbon and setting a ten-second gap between first and second place aboard El Conde. Though, he would not make it a two for two as Lauren Kay and Lord Oliver SR stole the show Friday afternoon with their fast and efficient performance.

Lauren Kay and Lord Oliver SR

Kay was the first rider to pioneer the 1.40m Table II.2.d course aboard her own mount, Lord Oliver SR. The duo showed in the 1.35m jumper class on Thursday in preparation for Friday afternoon’s class. With larger fences and more difficult questions to be asked of them, Kay entered the ring with confidence as she immediately took to the first jump. The pair were efficient around the X obstacle course turning in a clear round with a time of 38.50 seconds.

Lauren Kay and Lord Oliver SR

Though their partnership is a new one, Kay is eager to continue to grow with the eight-year-old Warmblood gelding in hopes of contesting a few grand prix classes with him in the future. His cheeky personality makes him an entertaining addition to the barn, and Kay has been more than pleased with his performances since their partnership began earlier this year.

Clea Caddell and Da Vinci

Coming in just behind Kay in second was Clea Cadell aboard Spyglass Hill’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Da Vinci. Wrapping up the podium in third was Nicole Peterson riding her entry Ramona de Flobecq, a 16-year-old Selle Francais mare.

Nicole Peterson and Ramona De Flobecq

In the Medium 1.30M JR/AO/AM Jumper division it was NAME and NAME who would top the field of NUMBER to emerge victorious. Earlier in the morning, Marissa Maas and Anotonio added a blue ribbon to their collection after conquering the Low 1.20 JR/AO/AM Jumpers.

Jumper competition will resume Saturday, April 24th, in the morning with the third installment of the Junior/AO/AA divisions, followed by the $5,000 1.35m NEEd for Speed Qualifier later in the day. The highly anticipated $40,000 National Grand Prix closes out jumper competition for the evening and is followed up by the Junior/AO/AA division finales Sunday afternoon.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

On Lord Oliver SR:
“He is actually a new horse for me, this is about our fourth show together and today was our first 1.40M class. He has a ton of blood and really good scope. We are just figuring each other out and I think once we do we will be having a really good time. We are having a great time together already! He is a ham. We call him the shark and we say, “don’t feed the shark,” because he tries to nibble everything. Not in a bad way, he is a very good-minded horse. He is just full of himself, he has a little cheekiness to him.”

On her plan for the course today:
“My plan going in was to not be fast, just to be conscientious. We are working on our turns a little bit since he is a little green. It really wasn’t to go in and win, it was to go in and have a solid first 1.40m class together.”

On future plans with Lord Oliver SR:
“Hopefully he will be my second grand prix horse! At this point, I do up to the 1.50m with my other mare, Bambali, who I have had for two and a half years. [Lord Oliver SR] is eight, so he will come along more slowly. We will keep our fingers crossed!”

On Nilforushan Equisport Events:
“I will be back for the Memorial Day show and in June. I love being here. Ali [Nilforushan] does a great job and really makes it about the exhibitors, which is really nice and refreshing.”

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