Lexington, KY – July 29, 2022 – Equitation riders took to the Kentucky Horse Park Friday afternoon in the StoneLea Ring for the 2022 Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Showcasing some of the top young junior athletes, the competition was stiff as several horse-and-rider combinations competed in several medal classes to acquire points towards 2022 indoors season finals. In the end, Sterling Malnik rode Automatic to top honors in the ASPCA Maclay while Katelyn Martin dominated the USHJA Hunt Seat Medal.
Sterling Malnik is a seasoned equitation rider, earning several big wins including the Split Rock Equitation 15-17 Championship and the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. She and her mount, Automatic, a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding gracefully met each jump and navigated the course smoothly as possible. They took a slightly more inside-track ride, opting for inside turns, helping them to secure the leading title in Friday’s ASPCA Maclay.
Katelyn Martin made waves in Friday’s USHJA Hunt Seat Medal, delivering two picture-perfect rounds aboard her own, Sensation, a 7-year-old Selle Francais gelding. The equitation course at hand was technical and gave the riders many options to showcase their handiness and technique around the ring. Martin was one of the few riders that took the inside turn route to almost every fence and was able to execute her plan successfully. Maintaining her momentum with another seemingly effortless round, Martin was able to secure the blue ribbon, concluding equitation competition in the StoneLea Ring Friday evening.
Hunter competition will return to the StoneLea Ring Saturday, July 29, beginning at 7:30 a.m. EST featuring children, junior and amateur competitors.
