15-year-old Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela had impressive grand prix placings riding Walter 61 during the Kentucky Horse Shows Summer Series in Lexington, KY. Photo courtesy of Phelps Media Group

August 13, 2012 – Lexington, KY – Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela dominated two weeks of competition at the Kentucky Horse Shows Summer Series held July 25-29 and August 1-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The 15-year-old claimed the Low Junior Jumper Championship and Reserve Championship titles during both weeks of competition at the Kentucky Horse Shows Summer Series, and also took the High Junior Jumper Reserve Championship title during week two.

During the opening week of competition, Andrade captured the Low Junior Jumper Championship riding Casanova Junior, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, after winning the $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 29. He tied for the Reserve Championship title riding Luky des Rocquelines, a 13-year-old selle francais gelding, having won a class earlier in the week.

Andrade continued to excel during week two, posting a string of one-two finishes. In the Low Junior Jumpers, Andrade placed first and second in two out of the three classes, including the $2,500 Low Junior Jumper Classic held Saturday, August 4. Both wins came aboard Mikos, a horse that had been Andrade’s mount in the children’s jumper divisions in his native Venezuela. Their success earned them the Championship title despite only competing in two of the three classes. Andrade also claimed the Low Junior Jumper Reserve Championship title riding Casanova Junior, who finished second to Mikos in both classes.

The decision not to compete in one of the classes was a strategic one made by Andrade’s coach, Venezuelan show jumping team veteran Angel Karolyi, who operates Hollow Creek Farm in Aiken, South Carolina, with business partner Andrea King.

“Emanuel is starting to realize that there’s more to a competition than just competing every day; there is horsemanship involved,” explained Karolyi. “He’s learning that giving horses a day off to rest after performing so well is a great way to prepare for the Classics at the end of the week. His results in Kentucky attest to that.”

Karolyi continued, “ Kentucky has been pretty amazing for Emanuel. He had a strong showing in all of his classes and we’re really happy with how consistent he was. The courses were all very technical and built to maximum specifications. It was a really tough competition, but he came out on top.”

Andrade claimed another one-two victory during the first day of competition during week two in the High Junior Jumper division, taking the win on Costa, a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare, and placing second riding Tiny Tim, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Andrade and Tiny Tim also claimed victory in another of the High Junior Jumper classes, earning them the Reserve Championship title.

Stepping up to the top level of the sport despite his young age, Andrade also earned impressive results in several classes where he was competing against seasoned professionals. Riding Walter 61, a 10-year-old gelding recently imported from Germany, Andrade turned in a fast four fault effort to place sixth in the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix on August 4. The pair also earned a tenth place finish, having turned in a four-fault performance, in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic II on August 2.

“We are proud of how well he is handling the larger classes, especially since he is still getting to know his horse,” remarked Karolyi. “We bought Walter in May and it does take a while for horses and riders to get acquainted with one another, but we couldn’t be happier with how this pair is performing. I give Emanuel a lot of credit. He’s tall for his age, and sometimes we forget that he’s only 15. He’s doing such an amazing job!”

Karolyi also enjoyed success during the Kentucky Horse Shows Summer Series. During week two he won a Six-Year-Old Young Jumper class riding Si Como No, one of several young horses he is bringing along.

“My young horses were super,” said Karolyi, who was a member of Venezuela’s team in the 2012 Nations’ Cup in Wellington, Florida. “I’m really excited with the way all of them are coming along. In addition to Si Como No, I also have a few really nice five-year-olds coming up, including Wicked, a mare we bred. I think she’s really quite special and will be one to watch in the future.”

The next stop on the summer tour for Hollow Creek Farm and its riders will be the Hampton Classic, held August 26 through September 2 in Bridgehampton, NY.

For more information on Hollow Creek Farm, a large training business focusing on both horses and riders, please visit www.hollowcreekfarms.com.