Fifty-four horses came forward Thursday evening for the $75,000 CSI5* 1.50m Welcome Grand Prix Qualifier for the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. When all was said and done, the USA’s Aaron Vale rose to the top of the 11-horse jump-off to take the win in 35.09 seconds aboard Gray’s Inn. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was second with Eddy Blue (0/0/36.71), and the USA’s Alex Matz was third with Ikigai (0/0/36.83). (For Canada, Mario Deslauriers was 8th riding S & L Quatro van de Meerputhoeve.)
The Kentucky International CSI5* is hosted as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE). Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the K3DE features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L and the Kentucky International CSI5* show jumping event, the K3DE also features the Cosequin® Lexington 4*, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier.
Vale is known to be a speedy rider, and his experience showed when he cut more than 1.6 seconds off Kenny’s time. “I got from [fence] one to two in nine [strides], which most of the fast ones did. Then I made a real effort to stay extra wide in the six [strides] from [fences] two to three, and I put a big curve in it. I could see I was inside everybody else’s tracks; I was in fresh dirt there,” a breathless Vale said after his win. “Not only was I tighter around, but then I found a forward distance to the oxer, so I knew if stayed on the strides coming home, he’d be quick enough.”