Lexington, KY – July 26, 2026 – Hunter action continued on Sunday during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, presented by Rood & Riddle, as riders gathered to compete in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park. Lindsay Swedenburg showcased Konfessions’ brilliance during the classic round and the handy round to earn the top scores from the judges and the blue ribbon. Yujean Kim was just half a point behind her for second place with Quattro 28, while Meriella Pitt Miller and Casino 71 placed third.
“I’m really happy,” smiled Swedenburg after her win. “I think that he jumped around great, and I’m super happy with how he’s been this entire week – this was a great finish. He is the most straightforward horse that I’ve ever encountered. He knows his job so well, and he does exactly what he needs to do every time.”
Lindsay Swedenburg & Konfessions. Photos by Winslow Photography
Joseph Carnicom designed Sunday’s beautiful courses, and the welcoming first round allowed riders to showcase their horses’ style over the fences. The handy round included four high options, a trot fence, an in-and-out, and the opportunity to take several inside turns to garner extra points.
Swedenburg and Konfessions started the day strong, earning an 88 during the classic round to be ranked second going into the handy round. Taking all of the high options and expertly navigating the inside turns, the duo delivered an excellent handy round that would bring their total to 173.5 to earn the day’s top prize.
“During the handy, I thought we were ready to do some of the tighter turns,” explained Swedenburg. “I actually got him for the equitation, so he’s very agile and can turn on a dime. We’re always ready to do the handier options, so I was just going in and hoping to have the smoothest course that I could.”
Konfessions is a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Brookside Pines Farm, and Swedenburg has been riding him for the last two years under the tutelage of Patti Harnois at Holly Hill Show Stables. She was excited to be at Kentucky with Harnois, concluding, “I think that the property is so nice. It’s so perfect for the horses too. We came here for the first time last year, and he just loves it here. All the rings are nice, and it’s a great atmosphere.”
Yujean Kim & Quattro 28
Rounding out the top three during the day’s highlight event were Kim aboard Quattro 28, and Miller with Casino 71, placing second and third, respectively. Kim and Quattro 28 earned scores of 86 and 87 for a total score of 173, just half of a point behind Swedenburg and Konfessions. Miller with Casino 71 received an 87 in the classic round and an 85 in the handy round for a total score of 172.
Meriella Pitt Miller & Casino 71
Hunters will take center stage again next week during the Kentucky Summer Classic, which is a World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) event and will feature a $7,500 Open USHJA National Hunter Derby and a $7,500 Junior/Amateur USHJA National Hunter Derby. For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
