Lexington, Ky. – May 25, 2018 – Margie Engle and her longtime partner Indigo won the $35,000 Amalaya Investments 1.45m Welcome, the premier event of Friday’s competition at the Lexington International CSI 2*, part of the Split Rock Jumping Tour 2018.
A field of 57 horses and riders tried to tackle the technical and demanding course, with only seven making it clear to the jump off.
Engle was one of the earlier riders in the ring with the 18-year-old Indigo, and showed everyone how to do it, turning in their signature fault free performance. In the jump off round, the pair again executed fault free in a time of 38.92 seconds.
Jack Hardin Towell and Carlo placed second with two penalty free rounds in a time of 40.01 seconds. Third place went to Hector Florentino, who rides under the flag of the Dominican Republic, and Venus, also penalty free and stopping the clock in 41.32 seconds.
“Indigo is amazing,” said Engle after the win. “Every time he goes in the ring it is just a plus and has been for the last couple of years. He feels like he did when he was eight years old. He was so enthusiastic coming down to the ring he was literally prancing. He just loves it. Loves going in the ring and loves being competitive.”
Theo Genn piloted Posh, owned by Victoria Watters, to a stunning victory in the $5,000 L.V. Harkness 1.40m Winning Round class. The format of the class allows for the top 10 horse and rider combinations to return for a jump off round. Faults from the first round carry over to the second round.
Genn and the little chestnut mare turned in two penalty free rounds in a time of 38.415 seconds for the win.
“Posh is a 10-year-old who was bred by my Mom’s childhood friend,” said Genn. “They bred her to be a hunter but she turned out to be a little wild for that so they sent her to us as a four year old. She hates being controlled so with her I have to let her do her own thing. In the ring you hope you have her calm enough, then you just leave her alone to do her thing. If you trust her enough to do that she will jump anything for you.”
Cody Quintana and her Ceitasi were the only other pair of the 19 original starters who managed two clear rounds. Their time of 38.874 gave them second place.
JUMPER HIGHLIGHTS
