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Eugenio Garza and Armani SL Z save the best for last in Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*

Friday, 19 May 2017
CSI3* Lexington 2017

Photo (c) Lenore Phillips/Phelps Sports. Eugenio Garza and Armani SL Z. Photo (c) Lenore Phillips/Phelps Sports.

The atmosphere at the Kentucky Horse Park was electric on Friday night as fans came out to watch the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* as part of the Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show. Sixty-four riders competed their horses for a chance to not only win the 1.45m class, but also earn valuable points towards winning the Hagyard Challenge Series. Eugenio Garza, of Mexico, was victorious aboard Armani SL Z (Asca Z x Cumano) even though Roberto Teran of Columbia and Il Rubacuori (Nabab de Reve x Heartbreaker) held a seemly unbeatable lead until the very end. Santiago Lambre and Dingeman (Nintender x Darnels) finished in a close third place.

Armani SL Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding, has been a part of Garza's program for three years. Garza, who is trained by the famed Irish rider and coach, Eddie Macken, has been careful to bring the striking grey gelding along thoughtfully, in hopes of achieving the moment that came in the ring tonight. The class saw very few clear rounds in the first half of competition, but by the time Garza had entered the ring, eleven other riders were waiting to come back in the jump-off. Aaron Vale, of Ocala, Fla., had even qualified all three of his rides for the short course. 

"I was fortunate enough to go last in the jump off and I did get to see Roberto's round and it was so fast. I was warming up and would hear 40.7 and 40.6, so when we went in there my trainer, Eddie Macken, said ' You know, he is 9-years-old so go as fast as you think that he can go." He (Armani) gave it his all and I could not be happier with this horse. It is truly touching to have him at this level. I caught a great jump to the third jump and then to the double he was really good to leave B up because it was tight in there. I went all out for the final two fences and Armani SL Z was there with me every step of the way. It was one of those rounds that everything came up right," Garza says after his win.

Teran was the first rider to produce a clear first round on Il Rubacuori and he came back for the short course, ready to win. Internationally recognized as a fast rider, he clocked in a time of 40.29. Santiago Lambre, also of Mexico, came the closest by producing a clear round in 40.570. While Garza was schooling for the jump off, he could hear the cheers and gasps from the crowd in the Rolex Stadium and knew that he would have to put in an incredibly fast round to overcome Teran's early lead. Armani SL Z performed like a Grand Prix veteran and crossed the times in 39.330, giving Garza the definitive win. 

Not only did Garza go home with the commemorative cooler and blue ribbon, but he also earned valueable points towards the Hagyard Challenge Series. The series consists of seven grand prix classes that are held during the 2017 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series. Garza is now tied with Eve Jobs, who won the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. 

RESULTS $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*

1. Armani SL Z / Eugenio Garza / El Milagro / 0 / 39.33

2. IL Rubacuori / Roberto Teran / Roberto Teran / 0 / 40.29

3. Dingeman / Santiago Lambre / Santiago Lambre / 0 / 40.57

4. Quidam's Good Luck / Aaron Vale / Troy Glaus / 0 / 40.69

5. Cornetiero / Mavis Spencer / Mavis Spencer / 0 / 40.78

6. Zara Leandra / Pablo Barrios / Pablo Barrios / 0 / 41.12

7. Esprit / Sloane Coles / The Springledge Group / 0 / 43.3

8. Cantara 59 / Sarah Segal / Robert Segal / 0 / 43.35

9. Chance Ste Hermelle / Michael Morrissey / QBS Equestrian LLC / 0 / 43.72

10. Famoso D Ive Z / Sharn Wordley / Sharn Wordley & Sky Group / 4 / 38.62

11. Finou 4 / Aaron Vale / Thinkslikeahorse & Don Stewart / 4 / 40.07

12. Carlchen W / Alex Granato / Page Tredennick / 4 / 40.78


Source: Press release from Kentucky Horse Shows LLC / Photo (c) Lenore Phillips/Phelps Sports



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