Press release from Kentucky International

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 (Cannavaro x Oscar). Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was second with Eddy Blue (Eldorado van de Zeshoek TN x Chacco-Blue) in 36.71 seconds, and the USA’s Alex Matz was third with Ikigai (Elvis Ter Putte x Iroko) in 36.83 seconds.

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.”

Vale was especially excited to take the win on a horse that’s been in the family for quite some time; the horse is owned and trained by his wife, Mallory. “We’ve had him since he was a 4-year-old, and my wife’s done 90% of the work on him,” he said of the 11-year-old gray Warmblood. “So to have one like him since he shipped in from Slovakia, it’s just fun.” 

Clean rounds were hard to come by in the initial course designed by Guilherme Jorge, with time faults breaking as many hearts as jumping faults. Fourteen horses qualified for the jump-off, but three American entries (Laura Kraut/Bisquetta, Kent Farrington/Greya, and Charlotte Jacobs/Playboy JT Z) elected not to return, preferring to save themselves for Saturday’s $400,000 Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix. 

Thursday’s $75,000 1.50m Welcome was the qualifier for Saturday’s $400,000 1.60m Grand Prix, with the top 40 in this class moving on. Additionally, three riders — Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER), McLain Ward (USA) and Alessandra Volpi (USA) — prequalified for Saturday’s Grand Prix based on their FEI rankings. 

The CSI5* competition also continues Friday with the $35,000 1.45m Speed Cup, which takes place in the evening following the conclusion of the K3DE’s dressage testing.