Lexington, Kentucky, USA – July 30, 2021 – Equitation riders dominated the Stonelea ring at the Kentucky Horse Park Friday afternoon for the 2021 Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Some of the country’s top junior competitors took to the stage to showcase their extensive skill sets in hopes of acquiring precious points towards the 2021 indoors season finals. In the end, Eleanor Rudnicki rode Jackpot to top honors in the ASPCA Maclay, while Jake Endicott stole the show, sweeping both the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3″ Medal and the USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal aboard Major OHF.
Rudnicki, who won the Hamel Foundation National Horse Show 3’3″ Equitation Championship in 2019, piloted Orpen Horses and Harry Harding’s, Jackpot, to the top of the class in Friday’s ASPCA Maclay. A completely new mount for the experienced equitation competitor, Rudnicki had ridden Jackpot for the first time just hours before entering the show ring Friday afternoon. The young Texan plans to summer in Kentucky before preparing for the 2021 Indoor Finals season. Rudnicki returned to the ring for the WIHS Hunt Seat Equitation taking home another blue ribbon, this time aboard a different mount, Travis Scott.
North American Junior and Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC) qualifier, Mackenzie Carreras, showcased her keen eye and effortless style on course aboard Sienna Keane’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding New England in hopes of earning points to aid her in qualification for her last equitation finals this fall. The Oklahoma State University Equestrian Team recruit laid down an impressive performance pulling from years of Big Eq experience, including a Top 25 Dover Hunt Seat Medal placing in 2020. Their rhythmic cadence and confidence on course awarded them a second-place finish.
Carlee McCutcheon, who hails from a family of FEI World Equestrian Games Reining medalists, rounded out the top three with her own standout performance aboard Michael Kirby’s 9-year-old KWPN gelding KT Hedwich earning the third-place ribbon. The versatile rider continues to expand her skill set, boasting titles such as becoming the youngest rider to make Level 4 National Reining Horse Association Non-Pro Futurity Finals in 2017 and 2020 Desert Circuit Low, Medium, and High Junior Jumper Circuit Champion. The eager young rider plans to continue the riding tradition in her family, having started her budding show jumping career just last year.
From The Winners Circle
Eleanor Rudnicki – ASPCA Maclay winner
On Jackpot:
“His name is Jackpot and he’s honestly so easy. I just got on him for the first time this morning as a catch ride and did a little schooling class that went well.”
On the Kentucky Summer Horse Show
“I’ve been here the past three years. It’s cool because I’m from Texas where it’s so hot during the summer, so it’s nice to be in cooler weather here.”
On the course:
“I thought it was a nice course. There were some good questions, but it wasn’t too hard.”
On future plans:
“I’ll be in Kentucky for the rest of the summer, then I’ll go to Indoor Finals. I’m showing Jackpot for the rest of this week and will do the USET equitation class tomorrow morning.”
Final Results – ASPCA Maclay
1) Eleanor Rudnicki & Jackpot
2) Mackenzie Carreras & New England
3) Carlee McCutcheon & Kt Hedwich
4) Caroline Tinsley & Zonder Z Quattro
5) Shiloh Roseboom & Venice
6) Adeline Pavlin & Ragazzo Carino
7) Reagan Royalty & Proxima Centauri SCF
8) Sarina Da Cruz & Elon HBC
9) Izzy Beisel & Caius
Source: Press Release from Kentucky Horse Park
Photo: © Cassidy Klein
Categories: Results
JUMPER NEWS USA 