Shaw Johnson Price and Costello Overtake Competition for A-O Championship at Kentucky Summer Classic

by: Gillian Ellis

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2009 – The Kentucky Summer Classic concluded today with the awarding of the championships in the Amateur-Owner divisions. The divisions wrapped up with the final three classes: an over fences class, a handy hunter class and an under saddle class.

Competition for the Amateur-Owner Over 35 division championship was a close race. Both Shaw Johnson Price and Stacey Arani had won a total of two classes with their respective mounts, Costello and Bolero. Price took home two blue ribbons today in the over fences class and the under saddle. Arani won the handy hunter today and an over fences yesterday. Aside from their wins, Price had one better placing than Arani, which made the difference. Price of Chestertown, MD, and her own Costello took home the championship, and Arani secured the reserve championship. Bolero is owned by Arani and Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA.

Price said of Costello, “He was really, really good. He was right on it today, and he jumped really high and slow. He was very rideable.”

She compared today to yesterday and stated, “He was good yesterday. There were a couple things; he had a little swap and a rub. Yesterday the class was at the very end of the day, which made it hard. Today the class was at a better time of day for him.” Price continued, “I thought the course was hard, but good. It was long and there was a downhill oxer. But it rode very well.”

Tracy Scheriff piloted Donovan to the championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ division. Scheriff of Wellington, FL, sealed the championship title with two wins today and a win yesterday. Taking home the reserve championship was Mary Jane King, who rode her own horse, Rigoletto. The pair traveled all the way from Town & Country, MO, to compete at the Kentucky Summer Classic.

The Amateur-Owner 18-35 division championship was won by Clara Lindner aboard In The Black. Lindner won the handy hunter and the under saddle today. In The Black is owned by Four Seasons Farm of Wellington, FL. These two wins, combined with her win from yesterday, gave her the advantage. Reserve championship went to Stephanie Riggio of New York, NY, and her own horse, Indian Summer.

The Kentucky Summer Classic came to a close today. Hunter/jumper competition returns to Kentucky Horse Park on August 12-16, 2009, with the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, put on by Kentucky Horse Shows LLC.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Classic, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Photo Caption: Shaw Johnson Price and Costello competing in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 division at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo C 2009 Gillian Ellis. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.