Lexington, Ky. – July 24, 2019 – Green Hunters took center stage in the Stonelea Ring on the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show held July 24–29 at the renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Champion hunter rider Kelley Farmer walked away with the win in the prestigious Green Hunter Incentive Stake 3’6”/3’9” aboard Witness, owned by David Glefke, to kick off the week’s hunter action.
The attractive 12-year-old bay gelding caught the judges’ attention with his powerful jump and elegant movement around the course, piloted expertly by Farmer. The judges rewarded the pair with a score of 90, edging out Farmer’s other mount owned by Glefke, As Quoted with an 87. Farmer had an outstanding day in the 3’6” Green Hunter Division, dominating both of the over fences rounds with a win for both Witness and Consent, also owned by Glefke, and earning a second place in the under saddle with Witness.
Only his third show since in the U.S. since being gelded and imported by Glefke, Witness has already made a name for himself. At his first horse show, he was champion at Tryon Summer 4 in the Green Hunter 3’6” and was champion in the High Performance Hunters division at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic. Witness will compete in Green Hunter Incentive Finals as well as the USHJA Hunter Derby Finals coming up next month.
The Green Hunter Incentive Program, which is open to horses eligible to compete in Green Hunters 3′, 3’3″, 3’6″ and 3’9″, is designed to encourage the development of green horses. The program is multi-faceted and concludes with the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, held during the same week and at the same venue as the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park August 13-18, 2019.
Hunter competition will continue on Thursday, July 25, at 8:00 a.m. in the Stonelea Ring with the Green Conformation Hunters.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Kelley Farmer – Green Hunter Incentive Stake 3’6”/3’9” winner
On Witness:
“Witness is new to us. This is his third show. We bought him in Europe and he just got gelded and shipped over. He showed at Tryon and was champion in the Greens and we showed him at Chagrin and he was champion in the High Performance. I’m really excited about him.”
On Consent:
“They’re both really super horses. Consent we’ve had since last year. He showed one show before Capital Challenge and then we’ve had him all year and he was circuit champion this year. He won the derby at Chargin two weeks ago. He’s phenomenal.”
On what’s next for Witness and Consent:
“They’ll both do Incentive Finals and Derby Finals. I’m really excited for both of those events at the Kentucky Horse Shows for both those horses, it’s going to be great.”
Green Hunter Incentive Stake 3’6”/3’9”
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / Score
1. Witness / Kelly Farmer / David Glefke
2. As Quoted / Kelly Farmer / David Glefke
3. Maverick / Jeff Gogul / Roberts Stables LLC
4. Gossi / Tim Gogen / Garland Alban
5. Closing Statement / Kelly Farmer / David Glefke
6. Untouched / Evan Coluccio / David Glefke
7. Balou Belle / Robin Rost Brown / Robin Rost Brown
8. Counselor / Jeff Gogul / Roaring Brook LLC
9. Consent / Kelly Farmer / David Glefke & Kent Farrington
10. Stellar / Scott Keller / Scott Keller