The Kentucky Spring Horse Show continued today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the junior riders competed in the Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal. Rain began to fall at the Stonelea Arena as the first rider entered the ring, but by time the riders came back to test the sun was out again. Four riders returned for the final test and the top prize was awarded to Hayley Barnhill for her effort aboard Podest. The second place ribbon went to Alyssa Mansfield aboard Calice De Fuyssieu, Leylan Gleeson and Playboy took home third, and the fourth place honors were presented to Catherine Hanlon and Coronado.

Bobby Murphy designed today’s first round course. It featured numerous inside options, a double combination, and a bending line. For the test, riders had to begin by trotting to a single vertical straight from the lineup. They then had to make a roll-back turn and canter to an oxer before making another rollback turn and hand-galloping a vertical The riders finished by cantering over a single oxer coming towards the gate and halting.

Alyssa Mansfield was first to show over the test with Calice De Fuyssieu. The pair held the fourth position before the test, but their excellent trot jump and hand-gallop allowed them to finish in second.

Catherine Hanlon was next to leave the line-up aboard Coronado. The pair had a few minor errors and dropped to the fourth place position. Leylan Gleeson and Playboy held the second place position going into the test, but their errors earned them the third place ribbon when the final results were announced.

When the test got underway, Hayley Barnhill held the lead with Podest and she was determined to win the class. The pair was able to elegantly complete the trot fence and their wonderful hand-gallop to the third fence won them the first place prize.

“I thought Podest did a good job today, he felt really good,” commented Barnhill after her victory. “During the first round I wanted to jump the first obstacle nicely, rollback to the oxer, shape the bending line, and do some inside turns.”

When Barnhill was called back on top for the test she knew she would have to do well to remain in the first place position. “I thought it was a little tricky to trot straight to the first jump from the lineup,” she explained. “I like hand galloping on him though because he has the best canter. He needs a little feel, but he is really straightforward and he has a great canter.”

Barnhill began leasing Podest one month ago from Missy Cark because Barnhill felt that he was a good match. After Kentucky, the pair will compete at the Devon Horse Show before preparing for Indoors in the fall.

“I love the Kentucky Horse Shows,” noted Barnhill. “I love the show grounds and everything is beautiful. It is a very well run horse show.”

Earlier in the day the WIHS Equitation class held its Hunter Phase in the Stonelea Ring. Kalvin Dobbs took home the top prize with Accord after earning a score of 85. The second place ribbon went to Emily Van Der Walde with Gregor when the pair earned a score of 84, Catherine Tyree rode Lancelott to the third place honors with a score of 83. The WIHS Equitation Jumper Phase will be held on Sunday and the overall winner will be announced.

Tomorrow at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, the top hunter riders in the country will have the opportunity to showcase their horses during the $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Dietrich Insurance. The event will get underway at 6 p.m. in the Main Stadium. Next week the Kentucky Spring Classic will commence and riders will have the opportunity to compete for championship and reserve championship prizes in their divisions.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Hayley Barnhill and Podest

Photo Credit: Hayley Barnhill took home the top prize in the Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal with Podest at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

RESULTS:

Class 157, Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal 1 874 PODEST HAYLEY BARNHILL 2 949 CALICE DE FUYSSIEU ALYSSA MANSFIELD 3 32 PLAYBOY LEYLAN GLEESON 4 745 CORONADO CATHERINE HANLON 5 1027 DASILVA’S AMORE SARAH VAN DER WALDE 6 318 SALT LAKE LAUREN TYREE 7 366 STRIPTEASE ELIZABETH (ALI) BOONE 8 45 PROSECCO 24 PAULENA JOHNSON