Lexington, KY - The sun shined down on the Kentucky Horse Park during the fourth day of competition at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Two previous days of rained forced the 15 and Under Junior Hunter divisions and the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters out of the Stonelea Arena and into the Indoor Arena yesterday. However, today the juniors competed outside over an exciting course of natural obstacles in the Stonelea Arena.

Jennifer Waxman brought home not one, not two, but three tricolor ribbons today. Starting in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters with Golden Point Farm's Cento, Waxman executed stunning rounds, earning herself three blue ribbons and the championship. Waxman resides in Chagrin Falls, OH. Vanessa Mavec of Pepper Pike, OH, rode her horse Pacemaker to the reserve championship.

Cento's impressive trips came after a long break. "He's had a month off since Florida so we're just getting back into the hang of it," explained Waxman. "I actually haven't ridden him for a month. I just got on him yesterday and showed."

Waxman is excited to have the opportunity to ride Cento. "Jan and Bruce Agerty own him. Jan cannot ride anymore, so she's letting me ride him until he gets sold. It's so fun and I'm very thankful to have the ride," she beamed. "They come and watch every show, and they're really supportive."

After the large division was complete, Waxman rode her mount Red Panda to the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Championship and earned the reserve championship award aboard Zoom. 

Champion Red Panda reacquainted with the junior divisions this week. "He hasn't done the juniors in awhile, so he's still getting used to the handys," said Waxman. "I just started riding him at the end of WEF, and we really started to click. He's so awesome to ride."

Waxman's other horse Zoom is new to the junior divisions, but proved he is up to the task. "Zoom is getting so handy and I'm so excited. We tried some extra tight turns that I didn't do with any of my other horses today, and he was perfect so I'm very happy," she smiled. Zoom's handy hunter course earned a score of 89, the highest of the day.

Gracious as always, Waxman thanked Tom Wright and John Ingram for letting her ride Panda and said she owes much of her success to her trainers, Ken and Emily Smith.

Earlier in the day Katie Dinan of New York, NY, piloted Angelo to the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Championship. Caitlin Ziegler garnered the reserve championship ribbon on Artisan Farms' Winter Place. Ziegler resides in Mequon, WI. In the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunters, Ziegler won another tricolor ribbon on her horse Africa, but this time it was the championship. The reserve championship prize went to The Real McCoy and Mackenzie Baird of Cincinnati, OH.

Amateur-Owner and Pony Hunter divisions will be awarded tricolors tomorrow at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. After a two-day break classes will begin again on Wednesday, May 14, with the professional hunter divisions.

For more information on the Kentucky Spring Horse Show and the Kentucky Spring Classic, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Photo: Jennifer Waxman and Cento, champions of the older Large Junior Hunters. Photo (C) 2008 Rebecca Walton.