2004 Press Releases

Luck Has Its Place at Legacy Cup
Lucky Wins Pro 3'6" Finals - Rochambeau Wins Limited Pro 3'6"
Pletcher Earns Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy
By Diana De Rosa

May 14, 2004 - Lexington, KY - It was a "Lucky" day for Rob Bielefeld and owner Samantha Hallman when the 17 hand, 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding stole the show and the top prize of $5,000 on May 14 during the second week of the three-week Legacy Cup at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington, KY, in the Kentucky Horse Park indoor arena.

It had been Carmen, ridden by Ken Smith that won the Go Round and the winner's check of $882 the day before, but when the Pro 3'6" Finals (sponsored by Bryan Baldwin of Meralex Farm), was started with a clean slate format, Lucky (284) squeaked ahead of Carmen (274) with points to spare.

After his victory ride, Bielefeld felt “excited but relieved.” The lead horse, In Return, being ridden by Havens Schatt had just gone. “Havens is one of our top riders. She’s very strong. I knew I had to go in and be that much better. It felt really good and smooth. He exploded over the jumps without over jumping.”

Rochambeau, ridden by Kim Barone and owned by Andrew Welles, won both the Limited Pro 3'6" Finals and Championship and earned checks for $150 and $450 for their victories.

And it was Peter Pletcher, winner in the first week of the Pro 3' Go Round and Finals aboard Bohemia, who was honored with the Walter J. Lee Perpetual Trophy as the Professional rider who won the most money in the Professional divisions. Pletcher's final tally was $6708. Bohemia helped Pletcher win that trophy but he also rode a number of other horses, including Primrose, Clarissa and Seaside.

All of the riders agreed that despite the longer days created by the Legacy Cup the concept is a great one and should continue. During the presentations it was announced that the show will run again along with the 2005 Kentucky Spring Horse Show. "Overall I think it is spectacular," noted Pletcher about the Legacy Cup.

"This show is just a little bit more," added Limited Pro Rider Lauren Bass, who finished just behind Barone. "This is more of an event. It's a little more exciting, there's more at stake and the pressure is more, but we owe our thanks to the sponsors and the people who put it together … It was very special for my first time."

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.