UPPERVILLE, Va.--Sue Lyman on Kensington Court won the inaugural $25,000 Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Derby on Tuesday, June 3 at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.

Sue Lyman on Kensington CourtThe class drew close to 70 entries to compete in the two round competition over fences 3' in height, and as each horse went the announcer listed the horse's breeding and past history as a race horse.

The thoroughbreds just stepped over the 3' fences that didn't allow them to show the superb jumping ability of the thoroughbred.

Lyman won with a score of 173,5, with Caden Nolt on Gio Lemon second on 173, and Madison Barnett on Comin' Back third on 164.

Kensington Court is by Giants Causeway out of Backseat Rhythm, by El Corredor.

Gio Lemon is by Gio Ponte out of Bitter Lomon, by Lemon Drop Kid, and Comin’ Back is by Competitive Edge out of Maydell, by Sky Classic.

 

LYMAN, who co-owns Kensington Court with Catherine Brown of Washington, D.C., serves on the USHJA Thoroughbred Task Force, which was recently brought back into action to create new opportunities to showcase thoroughbreds at shows across the country.

“I’m so excited,” Lyman said. “I was hoping to have some fun and have a good turnout for this class, and everybody seems really happy and super excited!”

After the first round, Lyman was third place behind Mary Ficklin on Wyatt’s Joy, who is by Kitten’s Joy out of O’Bella Ballerina, by Fusaichi Pegasus, and Katherine Vaner Rest on Whiskey Chaser, who is by Danza ot of Electrick Kitty, by Tale of the Cat.

Nolt on Gio Lemon laid down a brilliant handy trip to take the lead, but Lyman’s slick, accurate performance in the handy round earned a score of 86, narrowly edging Nolt for the win.

Kensington Court was a stakes-placed steeplechase horse for former owner Oakwood Stable of Upperville, Va., and Middleburg trainer Julie Gomena, winning over hurdles at Saratoga, Fair Hill and Colonial Downs before transitioning out of racing with Lyman and establishing his own solid record in the show ring.

“Kensington Court has been Reserve Champion at Upperville four times,” said Lyman. “But he has been outshone by his stable mate Ifwhizkeycouldtalk, so I am extremely excited for him to be the winner here today!”