Santiago Lambre & D’Artagnan. Ph. ©Lenore Phillips/Phelps Sports
The Kentucky Spring Classic came to a close on Sunday, May 21, 2017 with a full day of Grand Prix show jumping action in the Rolex Stadium. The final day of competition held not only the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Hollow Creek Farm, but also the $40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, presented by Audi of Lexington as well as the jump off round for the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI3* Grand Pix.
Santiago Lambre of Mexico stole the win in the Bluegrass Grand Prix to finish two weeks of top notch hunter and jumper competition. Lambre was also awarded the Kentucky Spring Classic Leading Rider Award, presented by Envisian Products, LLC.
D’Artagnan, the 9-year-old KWPN gelding that helped Lambre fly to the win in the $40,000 1.45m Grand Prix with a time of 30.592, is part of a newer string of horses for the Brazilian athlete. The pair have previously won several 1.40m and 1.45m classes during the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, before making their way to the Kentucky Horse Park. Lambre, who has spent a good portion of his career competing in Europe, recently transitioned to the United States full time to live in Wellington, Fla. The 2017 Kentucky Spring Series marked the first time Lambre had competed at the Kentucky Horse Park and after his numerous successful rounds of the past two weeks, the Brazilian athlete is looking forward to more trips to the area.
“It’s amazing the prize money here. I have spent a lot of my career in Europe and you do not have very many CSI3* classes that offer $130,000 in prize money,” Lambre commented. “I think they what they are is fantastic for the sport and really encourages people to make a stop here.”
With a full roster of thirty-nine horses, the $40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix only saw eight clear rounds to return for the jump-off. Although Eric Navet of France held the early lead on Basimodo with a clear time of 31.661, Luis Biraben and Colorado 210 eventually stole the 2nd place honors by putting in a faultless effort and time of 31.557, sending Navet home to California with a 3rd place ribbon.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show Series saw awards go to athletes from all over the world who gathered in the Kentucky Horse Park for the annual event. Professionals and amateurs alike were able to compete in top level hunter and jumper classes, all while enjoying the world class facilities at the of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Horse Show’s, LLC is looking forward to hosting their competitors again during their Summer Series that will take place from July 26, 2017-August 6, 2017.