Lexington, KY – July 31, 2026 – It was all about the Junior Hunters in the Stonelea Ring as riders showcased their mounts during World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week at the Kentucky Summer Classic, presented by Rood and Riddle. As the divisions closed out the day, Ava Barnes and Touchstone were awarded the Grand Junior Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The duo’s stylish performance in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division earned them the championship prize, and with top ribbons across the board, they also nabbed the grand championship title, marking the second year in a row for Barnes, who also earned the title with Valentino in 2025 on the same week.
“It feels really good to be Grand Champion this week,” smiled Barnes. “The competition was very good, and the courses were a little more challenging this week. There were so many great riders and horses, so it feels very special.”
Ava Barnes and Touchstone. Photos by Winslow Photography
Over the last two days, Barnes and Touchstone were smooth and consistent in each of their rounds, winning two of the over fences classes in the Small Junior 16 – 17 Hunter division, as well as second place in the handy and under saddle. After securing the division’s championship tricolor, they were also honored to win the Grand Junior Hunter Championship.
Touchstone is an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Provence LLC, and trained by Chris Payne and David Belford of New Hope, LLC. Barnes only began riding him last week, but quickly developed a rapport with him. “I showed him last week for the first time, and he was really good,” she explained. “He’s the sweetest horse that I’ve maybe ever ridden. He’s so sweet in the stall, and he’s a very nice horse to ride too. He’s really adjustable, and he’s always willing to do whatever you ask of him. He makes every round feel so great, and every time I walked out of the ring it felt like it was getting better and better.”
Barnes continued, “The day that I found out I was showing him I went in his stall and to get to know him a little bit, and asked around the barn – asked some people what it’s like to ride him and what type of horse he is naturally. I think that’s a really important part of just getting to know your horse. The first time I rode him he was great, and it has been a really fun experience.”
Based out of Cincinnati, OH, the Kentucky Horse Shows are always on New Hope’s schedule and Barnes were thrilled to be back at the Kentucky Horse Park for another week of quality competition. She concluded, “I love everything about the Kentucky shows. It’s just such a nice atmosphere. My favorite part is the grass field – I always love taking all my horses out there and riding them. That’s what makes that horse show so special, because you can’t get to do that at many places.”
Ava Barnes and Touchstone
The Kentucky Summer Classic will feature more hunter action this week, including Saturday’s $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby and $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby. Many riders have gathered to prepare for the 2026 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, and the 2026 USEF Pony Finals, which will all take place in August at the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
