PRESS RELEASE
Lexington, Ky – May 17, 2017 – Returning for the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic just a few short days after Mother’s Day, Kelley Farmer produced two wins aboard her mother’s gelding, It’s Me, as Bibby Farmer looked on. It’s Me, a now 9-year-old Warmblood, is a titleholder in the Stonelea Ring, having swept the Green Conformation Hunter championship as a stallion last spring. He went on to claim the Grand Open Hunter Championship with Farmer in the irons in 2016.
Farmer of Wellington, Florida showed with two talented entries in the opening classes of Green Conformation Hunter 3’9″ division, the other being Nina Moore’s Kodachrome, winner of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby in April at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
It’s Me performed effortlessly through both of the Bobby Murphy designed courses on Wednesday, executing smooth rounds. The combination’s hard work and dedication paid off with two blue ribbons at the end of the day.
Katherine Newman placed second, piloting Allwyn Court’s Everglade VDL and Farmer also placed third with Kodachrome in the first round. Havens Schatt picked up the second place award in the second class aboard Contentintal, while Newman rounded out the top three with Everglade VDL.
This past Sunday on Mother’s Day Farmer placed second in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with It’s Me, and although she received top honors with Point Being, she had hoped to win first aboard It’s Me for her mom. According to Farmer, her horses were still getting back into the right mindset for competition during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, but It’s Me has shown he is back in form and ready to conquer week two.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Kelley Farmer
On It’s Me:
“It’s Me has a great attitude and he always tries his hardest in the ring; he’s like a little wind up toy. He was a stallion last year and then we gelded him, but he’s never had a bad attitude and he always wants to do his best. He wants to be a good horse.”
On what makes a great show hunter:
“In a word: desire. When I’m looking for a young horse, I want them to be aware of everything, but not scared of anything. It’s a great trait in a horse, but it’s hard to come by because they have to be careful, but not nervous.”
RESULTS
CLASS 30, GREEN HUNTER 3’9
1. It’s Me / Kelley Farmer / Bibby Farmer Hill
2. Everglade VDL / Katherine Newman / Allwyn Court
CLASS 31, GREEN HUNTER 3’9
1. It’s Me / Kelley Farmer / Bibby Farmer Hill
2. Continental / Havens Schatt / Use The Ring LLC
