Lexington, KY – July 27, 2013 – Running in conjunction with today’s competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show is the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hat’s Off Day, a special celebration of the horse and it’s impact on the state of Kentucky. Sarah Sturges had extra reason to celebrate, as she and her horse One Shot dominated the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunters, winning the division championship.
Sturges and One Shot earned back-to-back blue ribbons over fences yesterday, and this morning they added a blue ribbon in the first class and a second place ribbon in the handy class to their collection, guaranteeing the division’s top tricolor award.
Sarah Sturges and One Shot were named Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter champions.
“I’ve never had a horse that shows up with as much integrity as he does. If he makes a mistake, it’s my fault, and I love that about him. There aren’t a lot of horses that always show up to win and he does,” said Sturges following her victory.
A Sunbury, OH native, Sturges has had One Shot, or “Clifford” for two years, during which time she has seen great continuous success under the direction of David Belford and Christopher Payne at New Hope Farm. With their home base just an hour away from the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are a convenient and much anticipated destination.
“I love this facility. I love being able to go out in the field; I love the footing, and I love the multiple rings,” smiled Sturges. “The management is great and you really get to know everyone.”
Sarah Sturges and One Shot
In addition to her successful showing with One Shot, Sturges is also competing this week, and throughout the Kentucky Summer Show Series, with her mount Sambalita in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Following the summer in Kentucky, Sturges and One Shot will gear up to take on the indoor circuit in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division.
Today’s Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter Reserve Championship went to Christina Fisher, of Alpharetta, GA and All the Best. Fisher also took the reserve championship award in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters aboard Johnny, while the championship went to Bianca Buschor and The New Yorker.
“I started with him in the Children’s Hunters. Then we did the Junior Hunters, and now we’ve moved on to the Amateur-Owners. Its been a long road, but he’s been great,” Buschor said of The New Yorker or “Vinny.”
Buschor purchased the now 10-year-old gelding five years ago, and their hard work since then clearly paid off this week as they won both of today’s Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter classes as well as one class yesterday.
Bianca Buschor and The New Yorker
“He’s gotten to the point where he’s really soft. I give him a little bit of support around the ring, but he doesn’t need too much hand holding anymore, which is really exciting,” Buschor shared. “He always loves going in the ring; he loves doing his job. It’s taken a lot of training, and to see this payoff is really exciting.”
Hailing from Solon, OH, 19-year-old Buschor also frequents the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, and she always enjoys her time here.
“The management is exceptional. The rings are always beautiful, and the management is so easy to deal with, from the ladies at the office to the ring crew. It’s always a pleasant experience, I love it,” concluded Buschor.
Competition continues tomorrow on the final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show with one of the week’s highlight events, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. Tomorrow’s derby is part of a seven class series presented by Hallway Feeds during which riders can vie for their share of $15,000 in Leading Rider Awards.
To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Show visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Photo Credit: Photos by Emily Riden. Photos may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.
