Brett Burlington and Anders Wictor L (Phelps Media Group)
Out of 24 horse-and-rider combinations that attempted the Alan Wade-designed course, Burlington and Anders Wictor L were one of only three entries to advance to the jump off. Burlington was the final rider to go clear, joining previous qualifiers David Blake and Lorcan Gallagher.
Blake and Pine Hollow Farm's Baron were the first to attempt the short course, clocking a time of 39.932 seconds and lowering two heights to earn the third-place spot.
Gallagher and Esquina Van Klapscheut stepped up to the plate next, delivering the fastest round with a time of 39.093 seconds, but clipping an unfortunate rail on the final fence to finish with four faults and the second-place ribbon.
"[Esquina Van Klapscheut] gets in the ring, and she fights hard to leave the jumps up," Gallagher said. "She's a trier; she's really good at her job."
Gallagher took over the ride for one of Sweet Oak Farm's riders, Alexander Devries, just before the Country Heir Horse Show at the Horse Park, and he has seen great success with the mare since - including winning the $50,000 George Hennessy Grand Prix during Country Heir.
"Alex had been showing it all winter in Florida in the High Amateur classes and mediums. He's been off doing something with school for the summer," Gallagher explained. "It's nice to be able to take over when he's not here and be able to get some nice results."
Burlington and Anders Wictor L were the final competitors to jump off, completing the short course in a conservative 44.714 seconds, simultaneously turning in the only double-clear effort of the day to secure the top spot.
"Since David had two down, and Lorcan had the last fence down, it kind of took the pressure off of me to go fast," Burlington explained. "I knew that all I had to do was jump clear to win. Since Andrew's stride is so big, you can't really have a big jump into lines, because then you have to slow down a lot, so it's important for time allowed to try to take room off the corners wherever you can and give him room at the oxers."
Burlington and Anders Wictor L partnered up just before this year's Winter Equestrian Festival, and the pair has experienced success ever since, most recently riding to team bronze during the NAJYRC.
Both Burlington and Gallagher train with Shane and Ali Sweetnam's Sweet Oak Farm, based out of Spy Coast Farm conveniently located adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park.
"Michael DelFiandra trains Brett, and they do a great job together," Gallagher said. "For her to be able to step up and be jumping against David and I in the jump-off is great. We're a little bit older and more experienced, but she's come out on top. That's a great win for her."
Gallagher continued, "We're incredibly lucky to have the farm next door. We're lucky that Sweet Oak Farm bases out of there, and I have to say thank you to Spy Coast and Lisa Lourie."
Sunday marked the conclusion of jumper action during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, but classes will resume Tuesday as the Kentucky Summer Classic gets underway at the Kentucky Horse Park. Jumper highlights include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix on Saturday.
To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Class : 625 UNDER 25 GRAND PRIX II sec 2a NATIONAL ST Results
Pl Nbr Horse Rider Faults Time Faults Time
1 1607ANDERS WICTOR L BRETT BURLINGTON 81.582 44.714
2 1602ESQUINA VAN KLAPLORCAN GALLAGHER 77.046 4 39.093
3 434 BARON DAVID BLAKE 76.591 8 39.932
4 347 WAMIRA SYDNEY SHULMAN 4 74.297
5 1252CAMILLO MADELEINE STOVER 4 79.471
6 41 DELINQUENT JX WILTON PORTER 4 80.458
7 1592FIDALGO VAN HET KAELY TOMEU 4 81.980
8 1052WINDOCTRO KATE MORRISON 4 82.454