Lexington, Kentucky USA. – May 19, 2019 – The final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic  CSI 3* concluded jumper competition in the Rolex Stadium with the $35,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Thirty horse-and-rider combinations tested Kelvin Bywater’s (GBR) 16-effort first-round track where eight pairs returned to challenge the abridged jump-off phase. Athletes chased a double-clear finish, but Sunday’s finale saved the best for last as Ryan Genn (USA) and Dieta stopped the timers fault-free in 38.234 seconds to clinch the grand prix victory.

The first entry, Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), was the early pathfinder for a clear round to return as the first to contest the 8-effort jump-off round. Schuyler Riley (USA) and Kevin Babington (IRL) followed, but a double-clear finish was not seen until Juan Manuel Gallego Martinez (COL) entered aboard his own Kayack to produce a clear jump-off round in 41.904 seconds.

Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) & Cassandra F

Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) challenged his finish, riding Southern Arches LLC’s Cassandra F to a clear time of 40.010 seconds to take over the temporary lead. Hayley Barnhill (USA) would try her hand with a fault-free finish, but fell just short of Gallagher with a time of 40.658 seconds. Genn returned as the final contender in the jump-off and flew to the quickest time of 38.234 seconds to best all three double-clear efforts and capture the win.

Genn’s grand prix lap of honor was followed by the presentation for the Leading Open Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Envisian Products, which he earned in part with Alex Granato (USA). Both athletes tied for points to share the award after Granato rode to first place in Saturday night’s $134,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI 3* with Carlchen W.

Genn and Dieta concluded a successful week of competition at the Kentucky Spring Classic after finishing in second place in Friday’s $5,000 1.45m Open Jumpers. The 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood is a special mare to the Genn family as they have partnered with her for five years and built her up through the levels together with Ryan’s father, Wilhelm, and brother, Theo.

Gallagher (IRL) ultimately earned the second place award with the 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare, Cassandra F, which he just began riding in March 2019. Hayley Barnhill rounded out the top three with Ecanto J, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Barnhill and Cheska.

Winner’s Circle

Ryan Genn – $35,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix winner

On Dieta:
“She’s a really special horse to our family because she is one that we have had since she was 6 [years old] and trained her up – she was doing the 1.0m classes when we got her. We developed her to doing smaller grand prix classes and my dad [Wilhelm] won a ton of 1.40m [classes] with her, but he had an injury and because of that she developed a little bit late. Theo [Genn, my brother] started showing her eventually in the grand prix classes and he loved her too, but he went to California so I started riding her last fall. She ended up being really good for me and I just never gave her back. She’s just coming into her prime.”

On the jump-off:
“It was really good. It was pretty much all about what you did in the lines. [Dieta] has such a big stride and she’s so good on the roll backs that I knew if I caught [fence] one nicely and I kept coming in six strides to [fence] two and then turn back to [fence] 15, I knew I was going to have it because she’s just so naturally fast. [Fence] one came up well and she jumped it careful so I just floated in the six. I knew all I had to do was just not mess up. I came a little bit faster than I wanted into the [double] combination and she really helped me out. I felt her twist and give a little extra effort from behind on the way out, so I was really proud of her.”

On Kentucky Horse Shows:
“I’ve always loved showing here. We’re only an hour away so any time I get to come here is always a pleasure. The ring is so nice and so much fun. It’s rare that we get to show in such a big ring like this where the footing is also good too.”

Results – $35,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington

Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Penalties | Time / R2 Penalties | Time

1. Ryan Genn (USA) & Dieta – 0 | 74.172 / 0 | 38.234

2. Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) & Cassandra F – 0 | 78.076 / 0 | 40.010

3. Hayley Barnhill (USA) & Ecanto J – 0 | 76.515 / 0 | 40.658

4. Juan Manuel Gallego (COL) & Kayack – 0 | 78.913 / 0 | 41.904

5. Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) & Columbcille de Reve – 0 | 75.962 / 4 | 39.772

6. Schuyler Riley (USA) & Very Chic Du Tillard – 0 | 78.899 / 4 | 42.279

7. Kevin Babington (IRL) & Super Chilled – 0 | 76.534 / 12 | 41.079

8. Schuyler Riley (USA) & Quilimbo – 0 | 77.567 / 16 | 55.668

9. Margie Engle (USA) & Usa Normande – 4 | 73.850

10. Rowan Willis (AUS) & Diablo – 4 | 74.547

11. Adam Prudent (USA) & Baloutinue – 4 | 75.107

12. Peter Wylde (USA) & Cicero’s Electric – 4 | 76.427

Source: Press release by Barre Dukes / Phelps Media Group for Kentucky Horse Shows

Photos: © Phelps Sports / Barre Dukes