Only one hunter division had a championship presentation on Friday at the Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show, but Bruce Duchossois of Aiken, SC, made it worth his while. Duchossois and the aptly named chestnut gelding Regall had all five of their classes in one day, but it did not make a difference to the veteran horse and rider.
Due to inclement weather yesterday, the first two over fences classes for the Adult Amateur 50 & Over Hunters were held first thing this morning in the Claiborne Ring. Later in the afternoon, the more mature riders returned for two more jumping classes and an under saddle.
Duchossois and Regall started the day off on the right foot by taking the blue ribbon in both classes. Duchossois said he did not feel pressure after winning. “Oh no, not at all,” he acknowledged. “With him, I just let him do his thing and hope for the best. Regall was great. He’s a dream. It’s like not riding. The less you do, the better he likes it.” They came back and received first and third over fences and then were second under saddle for the championship.
They had tough competition with Glory Road and Carol Cone, who were fourth and fifth this morning, first again in an over fences class this afternoon, and third in the under saddle. Cone was champion last week, and she and Glory Road picked up the reserve championship this week.
“We’ve been going since Florida, so we won’t show until the Biltmore show in Asheville, North Carolina,” Duchossois added. “The boys are going to get a well-deserved six weeks off!”
In the Ariat Adult Medal class, Maria Nicholson and Agent 89 of Chicago, IL, showed versatility and impressed the judges. Agent 89 has not shown in a year and Nicholson has only shown once this year, but the 12 year old grey gelding and his rider were right on the money. The medal class called back the top four riders, and Nicholson came back last in the order. Riders were asked to test over a shortened course that included a rollback and a trot jump. Nicholson laid down a sound trip, was awarded with the blue ribbon, and was ecstatic with her win today. “I just get so excited when I’m at a horse show. It’s such a good break from working all the time,” she exclaimed.
Nicholson took a break from riding during high school and does not have a lot of experience in the equitation classes, but stated, “I think it’s the greatest class. I wish more adults would come out and try it because it’s so much fun! If they had more stuff like that for adults, I think it would really work out. I wish they still did handy hunter courses for the Adult Hunters. I thought everybody did a really good job, and it looked like everyone had a really good time.”
Although her horse had not shown in some time, Nicholson was confident in his abilities. “He was perfect. He’s my schoolmaster. He’s the best horse that I’ve ever owned or known.”
The Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show continues this weekend. Saturday will see championship ribbons pinned on the winners in the junior hunter divisions.
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