Event Operating Under COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines at Kentucky Horse Park

Lexington, Kentucky –June 19, 2020 – Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) rode Akuna Mattata to victory in the $37,000 Restylane® 1.45m FEI Welcome CSI 2* at the Split Rock Jumping Tour’s (SRJT) Lexington International CSI 2*.

Operating under COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, the Split Rock Jumping Tour’s (SRJT) Lexington International CSI 2* is being held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Running with approvals from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, FEI and USEF, the event will run through Sunday.

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) & Akuna Mattata

Out of the starting field of 73, Shahinian-Simpson was one of only seven to reach the tiebreaking jump-off by riding without penalty over the 16-effort, first-round course designed by 2016 Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). One rider, Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain had two of the seven horses that had qualified for the decisive phase. She took an early lead in the jump-off when, riding third in the order, rode Dublin clean over the 8-jump, tiebreaker course finishing with a time of 38.63 seconds, a mark that would earn her bronze honors.

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) & Akuna Mattata during the awards ceremony, held accordingly to the safety protocols.

Shahinian-Simpson followed Mendoza on her 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Quinar x Landwind II) and she took over the lead with a clean ride in a blazing time of 36.53 seconds. After the next two riders faulted, Mendoza returned as the last rider with a chance to move Shahinian-Simpson out of the lead. Jessica again rode clean but her time of 37.56 seconds on Diamants Aurora (Dirado x Chacco Blue) was a full second slower than Shahinian-Simpson‘s time on Akuna Mattata, leaving her in second. 

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Split Rock Jumping Tour

Photos: © Winslow Photography