Edited Press Release

Welcoming 83 entries to Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park, the 2023 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Derby Finals got underway today with the Classic Round. When all was said and done it was John French and Paradigm, a Meredith Lipke entry out of Wellington, FL, for the win. French piloted the spectacular jumping 2012 Warmblood gelding to scores of 95, 97.75, and 96. The pair jumped all four High Options for an additional 12 points for a grand total of 300.75 to take home the blue.

Reflecting on the win today, “This was my first time here with Paradigm,” French said, “he is really just a Second Year horse, he just started doing the hunters at the end of last year. He is a horse I have a lot of confidence in, and when I had a hip replacement last year, he was the only one I really wanted to ride in the beginning because I knew he was safe so it was a nice horse to go in on first today. Paradigm is the type of horse that when you are nervous that is good because you can kind of ride him with a lot of energy and so if you are nervous that is the way he goes the best. I could not be happier with him today and am looking forward to tomorrow night.”

Posting a total of 298.25 on the scoreboard, Geoffrey Hesslink and Meridian Farm’s Drumroll were second in the Classic Round today. Hesslink and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding topped Tier II of the 3’6″-3’9″ Green Incentive Finals yesterday and were fourth overall in the Championship Round. Today they put in an equally impressive performance, earning scores of 94.5, 96.25, 95.5 and another 12 points for jumping all four High Options to total 298.25.

Cheryl Olsten’s Lafitte de Muze took home third with Amanda Steege in the irons. Steege and the 2011 Belgian Warmblood by Darco rounded out the top three with a total of 297.75 on the scoreboard.

For full results, please click here.

Original press release courtesy of Phelps Media/Kentucky Horse Shows.