Horse Illustrated Magazine

The 2011 Alltech National Horse Show was declared a success by organizers after the 128th edition of the show got underway last week. Approximately 500 hunter, jumper and hunt-seat equitation horses and riders came to compete at what officials hope will be the competition’s permanent home at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Among the highlights of last week’s competition:

• Todd Minikus and Sweetheart won the first big jumper class of the show, the $50,000 Open Jumpers Welcome Stake with fellow American riders McLain Ward and Laura Kraut coming in second and third.
• McLain Ward came back on the second night of competition to win the $75,000 Double H Farm International Open Jumper class with Rothchild.
• Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui were victorious in Friday evening’s $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Open Jumper Speed Stake.
• Lillie Keenan took the top spot in Saturday’s $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship with Vanhattan.
• Richard Spooner, who has earned the nickname, “The Master of Faster,” took the jumper division’s most coveted prize, first place in the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix with Cristallo. Nick Skelton of Great Britain came in a close second with Jessica Springsteen in third.
• Sarah Milliren earned the country’s most prestigious hunt-seat equitation title, the APSCA Maclay National Championship riding Terrapin Station.

To watch video highlights from the 2011 Alltech National Horse show, click here.