Lexington, Kentucky, United States – April 24, 2025 – Fifty-four horses came forward Thursday evening for the $75,000 Welcome Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5* – 1.50m for the Kentucky International CSI 5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. When all was said and done, the USA’s Aaron Vale (USA) rose to the top of the 11-horse jump-off to take the win in 35.09 seconds aboard Gray’s Inn.

The Kentucky International CSI 5* is hosted as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE). Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the K3DEfeatures one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L and the Kentucky International CSI 5* show jumping event, the K3DE also features the Cosequin^® Lexington 4*, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier.

Vale is known to be a speedy rider, and his experience showed when he cut more than 1.6 seconds off Kenny’s time. “I got from [fence] one to two in nine [strides], which most of the fast ones did. Then I made a real effort to stay extra wide in the six [strides] from [fences] two to three, and I put a big curve in it. I could see I was inside everybody else’s tracks; I was in fresh dirt there,” a breathless Vale said after his win. “Not only was I tighter around, but then I found a forward distance to the oxer, so I knew if stayed on the strides coming home, he’d be quick enough.”

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (IRL) was second with Eddy Blue (0/0/36.71) while Alex Matz (USA) was third with Ikigai (0/0/36.83).

Vale was especially excited to take the win on a horse that’s been in the family for quite some time; the horse is owned and trained by his wife, Mallory. “We’ve had him since he was a 4-year-old, and my wife’s done 90% of the work on him,” he said of the 11-year-old gray Warmblood. “So to have one like him since he shipped in from Slovakia, it’s just fun.” 

Clean rounds were hard to come by in the initial course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), with time faults breaking as many hearts as jumping faults. Fourteen horses qualified for the jump-off, but three American entries (Laura Kraut (USA) & Bisquetta, Kent Farrington (USA) & Greya, and Charlotte Jacobs (USA) & Playboy JT Z elected not to return, preferring to save themselves for Saturday’s $400,000 Kentucky International Grand Prix CSI 5* . 

Thursday’s $75,000 1.50m Welcome was the qualifier for Saturday’s $400,000 1.60m Grand Prix, with the top 40 in this class moving on. Additionally, three riders — Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER), McLain Ward (USA) and Alessandra Volpi (USA) — prequalified for Saturday’s Grand Prix based on their FEI rankings.

Final Results – $75,000 Welcome Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5* – 1.50m

1) Aaron Vale (USA) & Gray’s Inn – 0 / 0 – 35.090

2) Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Eddy Blue – 0 / 0 – 36.710

3) Alex Matz (USA) & Ikigai – 0 / 0 – 36.830

Source: Press Release from Classic Communications for the Kentucky International

Photos: © SRJT / Winslow Photography

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