Lexington, Kentucky – July 26, 2025 – It was all about speed and accuracy on Saturday night during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix. A huge crowd gathered at the Rolex Stadium during the highlight event, which was also a part of the Kentucky Horse Park’s annual “Hats Off Day.” A talented field of athletes was narrowed down to six combinations for the jump-off, where only the fastest had a shot at the podium. Summer Justus (USA) of Lexington, Ky, galloped home with the winning prize aboard her partner of four years, Lausbub 458. Kady Abrahamson (USA) with Martini VDL and Jodie Camberg (USA) with Hendrick des Forets were hot on her heels, but finished just off the pace to place second and third, respectively.

“He is really special to me,” expressed Justus. “It always feels good to have a good result with a long-time partner. It’s nice that there’s a little bit more atmosphere during this class. We also train one of the podiatrists from Rood & Riddle, so it’s kind of a family affair. It’s fun to have everyone out here to watch!”

The Anderson Lima-designed course tested riders from start to finish with precise distances and delicate fences. The 13-obstacle track also required stamina, with a final oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination toward the gate before finishing with a careful line away from the gate. Six riders returned for the tiebreaker, which asked new questions, including a new rollback early in the jump-off, before a tight turn to the first part of the triple combination. After two more turns, the athletes galloped home over the final wide Rood and Riddle oxer towards the gate.

Hayley Barnhill was the pathfinder with Kalief de Brinco, returning first in the order and producing a clear round in 43.368 seconds. Abrahamson was next in the ring aboard Martini VDL, and they were able to up the ante as they left all the rails intact in 41.593 seconds.

Their time did not stay on top for long though, with Justus tackling the track next on Lausbub 458. The quick duo never let off the gas and made tight turns to stay just inside of Abrahamson’s track. A big gallop to the final oxer made all the difference as they stopped the clock at 40.485 seconds and went to the top of the leaderboard.

The only other paid to produce a clear round was Camberg with Hendrick des Forets, but their time of 42.094 seconds would move into the third place slot.

“My horse has got a little bit of a character to him,” laughed Justus. “I don’t count in a jump off like that. It’s forward and it’s fast and the jumps come up on the fly – that’s where I can be really quick on him. I’m never riding for a distance – I’m riding off of one fast rhythm, and smooth is fast.”

Lausbub 458 is a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Simpson-Justus Show Jumping, and has been ridden by Justus for the last four years as they have slowly developed him after a very successful young jumper career. “It’s been a really positive and a really bumpy road at times,” she explained. “It’s the sport. He is really quite simple in a lot of regards. He’s really kind, he’s really trusting, but he’s got his things that he can be a little bit temperamental about. It’s just figuring out a way to work with him to have him as a teammate, not your enemy. When he is on your side you can’t beat him.”

Justus grew up in California but has been living in Kentucky for 10 years and calls Lexington home. She was honored to earn a win in front of the large crowd gathered for Hats Off Day as a “hometown hero.” “The horses love it here,” she concluded. “The people love it. The atmosphere is great. It’s like riding in your backyard for me. My farm’s 15 minutes down the road, so it’s really special to be here. We love it!”

Show jumping will continue next week during the Kentucky Summer Classic, which will feature Thursday’s $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix on Saturday night. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series presented by Rood and Riddle please visit http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Final Results – $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix

1) Summer Justus (USA) & Lausbub 458 – 0 / 0 – 40.485

2) Kady Abrahamson (USA) & Martini VDL – 0 / 0 – 41.593

3) Jodie Camberg (USA) & Hendrick des Forets – 0 / 0 – 42.094

Source: Press Release from Kentucky Horse Shows

Photos: © KHS / Winslow Photography

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