Jenny Karazissis and Puissance R
PRESS RELEASE
Lexington, KY – Aug. 16, 2016 – For Jenny Karazissis, making the journey to Kentucky from Calabasas, California has already proven to be worthwhile. Karazissis and Puissance R bested a field of 132 top-caliber entries to win round one of the 2016 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show on Tuesday.
Going later in the order, Karazissis unseated Scott Stewart and Storm Watch from the top spot, taking over his score of 261.5 points with her score of 262.5 points. The course provided the riders with an option from fence one to two, with two lines available to choose from.
“I really loved the fact that the course designer gave us the option of left or right lead to the first fence,” Karazissis said. “I chose the left-lead option. I knew immediately, and I never doubted that option. Pui is very brave with the jumps, so I knew that was not going to be a problem. I went in there very confidently with my plan, and the whole way around she gave me her all.”
After arriving on Saturday, Karazissis said she rode Puissance R, or Pui, as she’s called, on Monday and knew she was ready to shine in the ring.
“When we schooled in the Walnut yesterday, I jumped maybe three or four jumps, and I felt like I just shouldn’t do anymore because Pui just felt so good and ready,” Karazissis explained. “Today was the same thing in the warm up. She just jumped like four or five jumps beautifully, and I said, ‘you know what, she couldn’t be any more ready.'”
This year marks Karazissis’ first time back showing in Kentucky since 2007.
Heading into Wednesday, Karazissis holds the lead, while Stewart and Storm Watch are tied for second place with Kristy Herrera and Helen Lenahan’s Girl Crush. For Wednesday’s final round, Karazissis said she will be focusing on letting Pui do her job.
“I showed in the inaugural [USHJA International Hunter] Derby Finals in 2007, and I have not been back to show myself since,” Karazissis said. “I’ve been here with students showing at Maclay Finals a couple times, but I haven’t shown since then. And I haven’t done the Pre-Green Incentive, so this was really a new experience for me.”
Karazissis said she got the ride on the 10-year-old mare last year when her owner, Lisa Hankin, moved from New York to California. When Hankin found the mare at 6 years old, she was doing dressage.
Hankin explained that she had another horse, Madison Avenue, by the same sire who she absolutely loved, and was interested in buying a younger version of him, which led her to Pui.
“Jenny has been riding her ever since she’s been at Far West Farms,” Hankin said. “They’ve built a beautiful partnership. Pui has been more than I ever could have dreamed, but it never would have happened without Jenny. I’m so happy. Pui is going to get the entire box of Mrs. Pasture’s cookies when she gets back to her stall!”
Karazissis echoed Hankin’s love for the mare, saying, “The very first time I sat on her I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just love her.’ She just gives you the best feeling. I actually have goose bumps just thinking about it. She’s lovely. She’s a chestnut mare, and she proves me wrong every day with that myth or stereotype.”
2016 KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOWS SERIES FAST FACTS
“Pui is ready,” Karazissis stated. “I just have to be careful to not get in her way and overdo it.”
The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show will resume on Wednesday with round two of the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Other highlight events include the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, which will take place over the course of two days, and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. Jumper highlights include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. For more information please visit KentuckyHorseShows.com.
Events: 2016 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows
What: The 2016 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the months of July and August. The Kentucky Horse Shows series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series.
Where: The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ and home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When: KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW I – July 27-31, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – Aug. 2-7, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix presented by GGT Footing
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – Aug. 16-21, 2016
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
A WCHR Event
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
KHJA HORSE SHOW – Aug. 24-28, 2016
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors: A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hollow Creek Farm, CWD, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, FarmVet, Johnson Horse Transportation, Visse Wedell, Dietrich Equine Insurance Services, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Inc., Equestrian Services International (ESI Footing), GGT Footing, Winners Circle Trailer Sales and Service and the official hotel, the Clarion.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Parking: Horse show exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main horse park entrance for $15. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions: The Kentucky Horse Park is located eight miles Northeast of Lexington, Kentucky, at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before show – Phone: 859-233-0492; Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Phone: 859-281-7979; Fax: 859-231-6097
Stabling: Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office:
Before show – Phone: 843-269-4737
During Show – Phone: 859-255-0605
Prize list advertising: Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call 859-608-3709
Vendors: Email Cindy Bozan atcindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call 859-608-3709
Shownet: www.shownet.biz
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Shopping: Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels: Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn North)
Website – www.clarionhotellex.com
Phone – 859-233-0512
Approximately four miles away from the horse show,discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of two double bed, two queen bed, king rooms or suites and exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet. Home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.
Campground reservations: Reservations may not be made through the horse show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground Store at 800-370-6416 or 859-259-4157, or email Ryan McGaughey at ryan.mcgaughey@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2 p.m. and checkout is noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground Store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2 p.m. or stay later than noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by checkout time will be towed.
Management: Kentucky Horse Shows LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
