2004 Press Releases

Pro 3'6" Riders Centerstage at Second Week of Legacy Cup
Carmen Leads the Way After First Go Round
By Diana De Rosa

Kentucky Spring Preview
May 13, 2004

On May 13 the second week of the Legacy Cup continued with the Pro 3'6" riders vying for top honors and top prize money. Ken Smith rode Carmen to take the lead and a winner's check of $882 in the Go Round competition out of a field of 39 horses. The Legacy Cup classes are taking place at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington, KY, in the Kentucky Horse Park indoor arena.

Geoff Teall, one of the judges and president of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, was really impressed with the rounds and the conditions. "Everything was great. The horses went really well, and the ring and conditions were good," he noted. Teall was also pleased in general with how this three-week Legacy Cup is going since this time around it is part of another horse show.

"Doing the Legacy Cup here has allowed us to put it in front of so many more people and allowed us to try a format that includes it in another horse show and see that it works," explained Teall. The first two Legacy Cups (2001 and 2002) were stand alone events.

Teall went on to say that more people seem to understand the concept of the Legacy Cup and are excited at the idea of an Add-Back competition that offers money through 20th place and acknowledges Limited Riders who are new professionals and horses at the Pre-Green level. Since the inception of the AHJF, the hunter divisions have offered more money to the winners and the Legacy Cup is another innovative way to keep that concept going and offer the potential of higher and higher winnings as the size of the classes increase. The monies come from the entry fees, where 70% goes to the winner's pot. So, more entries means more money for those in the top 20.

Also unique is the fact that the riders first compete in the Go Round and then the next day the top 20 compete in the Finals in a clean slate format. Commented Executive Director, Michele Perla, "All they have to do is get in the top 20 and then it's a free for all because everyone has a chance."

The Pro 3'6" Finals take place on May 14 when Carmen will match talents against 19 other very good hunter horses and riders. For more information about the Legacy Cup go to www.legacycup.com or call 508-835-8813. For press information contact Press Link at 631-773-6155.