Emma Kurtz and Dedication Declared Grand Junior Hunter Champions

Lexington, Ky. – May 21, 2017 – On the final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic, talented junior rider Emma Kurtz claimed the Large Junior Hunter division championship as well as the Grand Junior Hunter Champion title aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Dedication. Accumulating 46 points with the judges, Kurtz consistently placed at the top of the leaderboard on multiple mounts in the Stonelea ring and won the championship sponsored by Visse Wedell of Wedell Real Estate.

Emma Kurtz and Dedication capture the Grand Junior Hunter Championship.
Emma Kurtz and Dedication capture the Grand Junior Hunter Championship.

On Saturday, Emma Kurtz of Hudson, Ohio executed two precise rounds in the Large Junior Hunter classes, landing Dedication, a bay Holsteiner, in second place after the first day of competition. Showcasing his reliability to perform well in the show ring, the 12-year-old gelding returned on Sunday and jumped his way to second place in the over fences classes, coming in third in the under saddle class.

Although the pair had not shown together since the Winter Equestrian Festival where they regularly ribboned in the large junior hunter classes, the break between Florida and Kentucky did not prevent them from outshining the competition across the division. In addition to Kurtz, Dedication has also been shown by top hunter athletes Scott Stewart and Victoria Colvin in the professional and junior divisions.

Competitive National and International hunter and jumper competition will resume at the Kentucky Horse Park in July with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, presented by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Emma Kurtz
 

On Dedication:

“Dedication likes to land on his right lead after the jumps. I just do lead changes instead of trying to land on the left lead because he prefers his right lead. With those quarter line singles we were a little nervous, but he was awesome. I’m really grateful to Betsee Parker, Scott Stewart and Amanda Lyerly for giving me such amazing opportunities to show these horses and it’s been a lot of fun for me.”

On the Kentucky Horse Park:

“I really like competing at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s such a nice venue because when you’re not showing you can go for a walk in the field or go in the cross country course. You aren’t confined to one ring which is really nice. The footing is also super nice and the jumps are beautiful; they always do a really good job.”

 

RESULTS

Small Junior Hunters

Champion – Ransom / Emma Wujek / Belhaven Stables LLC
Reserve – Casares / Emma Kurtz / Claire Azar

Large Junior Hunters

Champion – Dedication / Emma Kurtz / Betsee Parker
Reserve – Casallo / Wynne Weatherly / Erin McGuire

Junior Hunter 3’3

Champion – Humor Me / Madison Arani / Marigot Bay Farm, LLC
Reserve – Market Trend / Adam Edgar / Tanna Seltzer

Junior Jumper Low

Champion – Twitter / Natalie Jayne / Natalie Jayne
Reserve – Lux Like Clover / Marlo Williams / Marlo Williams

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