Christopher Payne and Harlan claim victory in the National Hunter Derby.

Lexington, KY – August 17, 2014 – Despite a consistent drizzle for most of Sunday afternoon, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby displayed 46 horse and rider pairs, with Christopher Payne and Harlan claiming the blue ribbon. Molly Sewell aboard El Raymond took second place. While observers and waiting mounts stood under trees and other cover, rider and horses tried to navigate the course with ease and fluidity. Payne said he liked today’s course, which featured an interesting set-up and a Hallway Feed jump as the Derby’s sponsor. “It was an interesting course because all the jumps were kind of in the middle of the ring, there weren’t any outside lines so it was a lot of curves and turns, which seemed to work well for me,” said Payne. Even with the constant pattering of rain, Payne said the footing held up incredibly well. “It can pour down rain in here and everyone can still get out there and do it,” he said. Payne certainly did it today, putting in solid rounds on both Harlan, the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Susan Moriconi, and Holden, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding also owned by Moriconi. Both mounts qualified for the handy round and showed off their soft turns and maneuvered a trot fence. Harlan came out on top and Holden gained a respectable 6th.

Christopher Payne was all smiles after the win.

Payne said Harlan, who is also shown by his owner in the Over 50 Adult classes, is a very fun horse to ride. “You put your leg on and he’s game to canter up to anything,” said Payne. “You can bring him up to a big, spooky jump and you leg him and he tries harder. He’s always in it to win it.”Harlan was definitely on his game today garnering the lead in the classic round and an impressively high score of 94 in the handy round, making Payne and Harlan the clear winners. Payne was excited about the victory and is looking forward to getting on the road for his next competition, the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Before the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, Payne was ranked fourth in the rider standings for the National Hunter Derby. With today’s resounding victory his star is sure to rise. Payne was also very grateful to Hallway Feeds for sponsoring the event. “It’s a really great thing that they sponsor a hunter derby like this. It really means a lot because we need that support in the hunters. I really appreciate it,” said Payne.Coming in second was Molly Sewell aboard El Raymond, a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Leslie and Stuart Campbell. Sewell’s solid handy round received a score of 90 and placed them right behind Payne and Harlan. Coming in third was Brianna Davis on Hip Hop, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Erik Johnson.

El Raymond and Molly Sewell came in second place.

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success.For more information on Hallway Feeds please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, Trouw Nutrition, EquiVision, Sallee Horse Transport, Tack Shop of Lexington, Tex Sutton, Turf Town Properties and PNC Bank. Results:ORDER  ENTRY # HORSE NAME RIDER NAME  SCORE  SCORE 2  TOTAL SCORE1  182  HARLAN  CHRISTOPHER PAYNE  90.000  94.000  184.000%2  1470  EL RAYMOND  MOLLY SEWELL  89.000  90.000  179.000%3  409  HIP HOP  BRIANNA DAVIS  87.500  89.000  176.500%4  887  NO EXCUSES  PIPER BENJAMIN  86.500  88.000  174.500%5  162  PARKER  VIVIAN YOWAN  87.000  87.000  174.000%6  184  HOLDEN  CHRISTOPHER PAYNE 84.250  85.000  169.250%7  1544  CANDOR  SHAWN CASADY 88.500  80.000  168.500%8  1460  CAN FLY  GREG CROLICK  85.000  83.000  168.000%9  1471 JOE COOL  MOLLY SEWELL  88.000  79.500  167.500%10  1072  STEEL THE DREAM  SHAWN CASADY 86.000  81.000  167.000%11  1058  CONSIGLIERE  KELSI OKUN  87.250  54.000  141.250%12  194  SUGARMAN  JENNIFER BEROL BLISS  84.500  0.000  84.500%  To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows visit  www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.