Lexington, United States – July 31, 2025 – A field of top athletes gathered at the Rolex Stadium on Friday morning to compete in the $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic, part of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show Series presented by Rood and Riddle at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the first round of competition, five combinations returned for a test of speed and accuracy during the technical jump-off.

Course designer Jasen Shelley tested riders with a technical 12-obstacle track that utilized the expansive Rolex Stadium. It featured an oxer-vertical double combination in the middle of the arena, and riders had to finish over a delicate vertical-vertical double combination near the gate before galloping away from home over the final wide oxer. Five pairs advanced to the tiebreaker, which began with a sharp bending line to a tight rollback before going to the first double combination, and finished with a bending line to a new oxer.

Vanessa McCaughley (USA) and Eldorado’s Edition tried to challenge James Billington’s (GBR) round, but they also added 4 faults to their score after lowering the height of the second obstacle, and their time of 43.443 seconds would be just shy of Cannaert for third place.

The next highlight event in the Rolex Stadium will be Saturday night’s $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix. Show jumping riders will return for more exciting competition during the Bluegrass Festival and KHJA Horse Shows, which will be held in just a few short weeks. For more information on the Kentucky Summer Series please visit http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Final Results – $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic

1) James Billington (GBR) & Lemonade WB – 0 / 0 – 40.974

2) Loic Cannaert (BEL) & Vivianne Blue PS – 0 / 4 – 43.369

3) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition – 0 / 4 – 43.443

Source: Press Release from Kentucky Horse Shows

Photos: © KHS / Winslow Photography

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