| Lexington, Kentucky – November 8, 2012 – As Saturday night concluded an amazing showcase of world-class talent at this year’s Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider – or should we say riders – were named. Lauren Hough and Christine McCrea tied for the coveted title. Hough also was awarded the Audi Leading Rider Award, taking home a brand new Audi Q-7 from Audi of Lexington.
The Alltech National Horse Show concluded on Sunday, November 4, after a highly successful six-day run at the Alltech Arena at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
 Christine McCrea and Lauren Hough stand with Martha Jolicoeur as they are presented with the 2012 Leading Lady Rider Award at the Alltech National Horse Show. Martha Jolicoeur’s award was presented on Saturday night, following the victory gallop for the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix. McLain Ward riding Antares F, raced to a brilliant win. Christine McCrea’s second place performance, with her highly competent and talented mount, Romantovich Take One, was an amazing attempt to best Ward. McCrea managed to produce the only other faultless effort, but was just a touch off of the pace with a time of 49.81 seconds. It did, however, give the Pan American Individual Gold Medalist enough points to tie with Olympian Lauren Hough.
Although Hough had a single rail at the double combination after a big stumble cutting one of the turns with Quick Study, they clocked in at 50.99 seconds with four faults, which was good enough sixth place in Saturday night’s $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix. Hough had proven herself consistent throughout the week aboard Ohlala, winning both the Double H Farm $75,000 Time First Jump-off and the Chartis Insurance Company $50,000 International Open Jumper Speed class.
Jolicoeur sponsored the Leading Lady Rider award in memory of her dear friend, Dale Lawler. After presenting the award to Jessica Springsteen during last year’s Alltech National Horse Show, there was no question that Jolicoeur would sponsor the award for a consecutive year.
“The National Horse Show has always been very special to me. I am excited, with the Leading Lady Rider Award, to be able to continue my support of this great American tradition and at the same time, recognize some of our finest women athletes,” said Martha Jolicoeur. “This year’s co-winners, Lauren Hough and Christine McCrea, are two of the most competitive ladies in our sport and are very deserving of the title and I wish them both continued success.”
At the end of the night, although both McCrea and Hough posed for the presentation of the Martha W. Jolicoeur Leading Lady Jumper Rider Award, it was Hough who was awarded the Audi Leading Rider Award. It was due to Hough’s fantastic placings aboard OhLaLa earlier in the competition that she was presented with the Audi Q-7 from Audi of Lexington.
 Lauren Hough is awarded the Audi Leading Rider Award, taking home a brand new Audi Q-7 from Audi of Lexington. The Leading Lady Riders took the Audi for a test drive around the ring to celebrate their victories.
“It was a night for the ladies,” National Horse Show Association President, Mason Phelps, Jr. said. “We are so honored to be able to offer the Leading Lady Rider Award for our talented female riders, as well as having the support of Audio of Lexington to reward the overall Leading Rider from the Alltech National Horse Show. We are very grateful to Martha Jolicoeur and Audi of Lexington for this important sponsorship.” Working with Illustrated Properties, an established independent real estate brokerage firm, Jolicoeur is the ‘go-to’ broker in the Village of Wellington, Florida. Recognized as the leader in preferred properties in the Palm Beaches since 1975, Illustrated Properties generates over 1.2 billion dollars in sales annually. In addition to being an exclusive affiliate of “Christie’s Great Estates,” the premier luxury real estate network. The Alltech National Horse Show, 130th edition, will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2013. For more information, please visit www.nhs.org. Photos courtesy of Rebecca Walton and Shawn McMillen Photography. These photographs may only be used in relation to this Phelps Media Group press release. |
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