Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 1, 2018 – The 2018 National Horse Show returned to the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday with a series of upper-level show jumping competitions capped by the $135,000 International Jumper Classic CSI4*, attracting some of the best horses and athletes from the United States and beyond.

Prior to Thursday’s feature event, the Alltech Arena welcomed 31 horses and athletes to vie for top honors in the $35,000 Palm Beach Masters Series International Open Jumpers Speed CSI4*. Operating under a faults-converted format, any downed rails added three penalties to the time to determine a final score for the round, meaning both speed and precision were imperative for a respectable tally. As one of the first to enter the ring, the ever-formidable Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Jiva set the pace with their quick trip in 56.51 seconds. Hot off their win in Thursday’s $35,000 Free x Rein International Jumper Welcome Speed CSI 4*, Madden and Jiva looked to be the ones to beat as pair after pair failed to usurp them.

Nearing the end of the order, Katie Dinan (USA) and Tarioso Manciais, owned by Grant Road Partners, finally edged out the frontrunners, tripping the timers just a hair faster in 56.34 seconds to jump to the top spot, but their lead wouldn’t hold. As the reigning American Gold Cup winner of the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W with D’Arnita, Cawley’s reputation preceded her, and the veteran competitor did not disappoint. As one of the final five to take to the ring, Cawley and Louisburg Farm’s Picobello Choppin PC blazed around the Alltech Arena, carefully slicing across the track and leaving all of the rails up in a lightning fast final time of 54.20 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of the previous class leaders, to clinch the blue ribbon ahead of reserve finishers Dinan and Tarioso Manciais as well as Madden and Jiva.

Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) & and Picobello Choppin PC

From the Winner’s Circle

Molly Ashe Cawley – 35,000 Palm Beach Masters Series International Open Jumper Speed CSI 4* champion

On Thursday’s class:
“When I walked the course, I thought it was a good course for [Picobello Choppin PC] because he’s really handy. I watched Beezie [Madden] go and I thought, ‘Oh, no chance.’ Time and time again I think I’ve been flying but then I end up seventh because he jumps so high. Everything just came up really well for him. I didn’t realize I was as quick as I was until I went through the timers. I was able to do the leave-out to the in-and-out and then the spin back to the next to last jump stopped you so the five was really going for him, which made it faster also. Beezie was clearly the one that was going to be hard to beat. She really took a good shot to the first in-and-out, which I knew I couldn’t do, and I didn’t do, so I didn’t know if I had her or not. It was my night I guess.”

On Picobello Choppin PC:
“We call him ‘Chops.’ He’s the best. Every day he goes out and does his best. I’ve had him since he was 7 [years old]. He’s a fighter and he loves to go fast. He’s 10 now so we know each other really, really well. He’s brave and he’s game and he’ll always fight for you. I love having him. He’s just a really fun horse.”

$35,000 Palm Beach Masters Series International Open Jumper Speed CSI 4*

Place / Rider / Horse / Athlete / Country / Owner | Time

1. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) & Picobello Choppin PC / Molly Ashe / USA / Louisburg Farm | 54.20

2. Katherine “Katie” Dinan (USA) & Tarioso Manciais / Grant Road Partners GmbH | 56.34

3. Beezie Madden (USA) & Jiva / Abigail Wexner | 56.51

4. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Buckle Up / Sweet Oak Farm | 57.34

5. Leslie Burr-Howard (USA) & Quadam / Laure Sudreau-Rippe | 59.64

6. Catherine Tyree (USA) & Catungee / Mary Tyree | 59.78

7. Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Cartouche / Daniel Bluman and Over The Top Stables | 60.65

8. Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) & Dicas / Gladewinds Partners LLC | 61.23

9. Karen Polle (JPN) & Little Lord / Karen Polle | 61.32

10. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Chaccolette / Chansonette Farm LLC | 61.68

11. Rowan Willis (AUS) & Everse W / Rowan Willis | 61.81

12. Jennifer Kocher (USA) & Caruso / Jennifer Kocher | 62.15

For full results, please click here.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.org.