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Lenkart
Wins $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix
Parker, CO—Scott Lenkart has finished in the ribbons at the
grand prix at High Prairie Farms in years prior, but Saturday marked
his first victory in Colorado. Lenkart’s win with Winston Stables’
Belgian-bred Nautica in the $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix was
the reward for traveling each July from Minnesota to Parker for
the past five years. Although Lenkart may have questioned his luck
when he drew the first position in the order of go, he rose to the
challenge and delivered a clear round over the Scott Starnes’
course.
Eight
horses and riders from 35 entries also jumped clear and joined Lenkart
in the jump-off. Once again, Lenkart had the unenviable task going
first and trying to find the right mix of carefulness and speed
that forces other riders to take risks and make mistakes. Lenkart
was confident that his horse was quick across the ground, but felt
there were “a lot of nice horses” in the class. “I
wasn’t going to go crazy fast, but at the last few jumps I
went for it,” Lenkart said. His strategy worked; his blistering
pace prevented anyone from catching him.
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Scott
Lenkart and Nautica claim victory in the $25,000 High Prairie
Grand Prix.
Photo
by Horse and Ryder Photography
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Even
Tracy Fenney, of Flower Mound, Texas, who has been on fire this
year, couldn’t match Lenkart’s pace. “When I saw
that I was a second behind Scott with [my first horse] S&LWillie,
I didn’t know where I would make up any time with my other
two horses,” said Fenney, who qualified all three of her rides
for the jump-off.
Fenney finished second on Hidden Lake Farm’s Grace, who was
victorious in two $50,000 grand prix in Florida earlier in the season.
Third placed S&L Willie has also been a victor for Fenney, with
a win in the $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix in Florida in the
spring, but the eight-year-old gelding has just recently returned
to the show ring after a bout with shipping fever. If his bucking
and antics were any indication, he has made a full recovery. “He
seems to be enjoying the fresh air here in Colorado,” Fenney
quipped.
The
riders praised Scott Starnes’ course that made good use of
the terrain on the derby field. Fenney explained, “It was really
fun going up and down the hills. It’s a lot different than
we’re used to.” Starnes created a course that sorted out
the competitors without destroying anyone’s confidence, including
fences 4A and B. The airy oxer to a vertical in and out faced into
the crowd and caused trouble for many horses and riders. “This
was the best track all week,” said Lenkart.
The
$25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix is a warm-up for the AGA $40,000
Rocky Mountain Grand Prix Presented by American Sport Horse Stables
(July 12) and the AGA $60,000 Grand Prix of Denver Presented by
Dillards and Ariat (July 19.) But that’s not all the prize
money to be won; there is the $100,000 bonus offered to the horse
and rider that win all three grand prix. Although riders have come
very close to earning the bonus in previous years, it has remained
unclaimed. Will this be Lenkart’s year?
Spectators
are welcomed at each grand prix. Tickets are just $10 for adults
and $5 for children under 12. The $40,000 Rocky Mountain Grand Prix
Presented by American Sport Horse Stables begins at 5:30 p.m. on
July 12. Opening ceremonies begin at 5:00 p.m. on July 19. Tickets
are available by calling 303-841-5550 or at the gate. VIP tickets,
which include dinner, on July 19, are $100. Parking is free. Snacks
and dinner are available on the grounds.
For
a complete schedule of upcoming events check out www.highprairiefarms.com
Results
of the $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix
Nautica
Scott Lenkart
Grace Tracy Fenney
S&L Willie Tracy Fenney
Canstana Susan Kjaergaard
Samurai King Hackley
Bull Runs Apollo Anton Steve Schaefer
Horizon Du Halage Lorenza O’Farrill
Naboo Tracy Fenney
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