Karolyi, Galant win Mini Prix

The Equus Events Aiken Fall Festival $15,000 Open Jumper Classic featured some familiar names Sunday at Highfields Event Center.

The winner of the Mini Prix was a veteran horse with an outstanding young rider, and as they captured the blue ribbon, the pair proved that the number 13 was more than just lucky.

Aiken's Angel Karolyi continued his success with a strong performance on McLain Ward's Galant, winning the class that featured 20 entries. The first-round course featured 13 obstacles, and 13 riders went fault-free to return for the jump-off. Karolyi had three rides and qualified the triumvirate.

Harold Chopping and Patent Pending had the fastest time in the first round, completing the track in 88.499. Shannon Dickinson and Carol Le Monte stopped the timer at 89.184, finishing with the next fastest time in the round.

Karolyi and Galant's performance seemed to be a harbinger of things to come for the rider and the 19-year-old Selle Francais gelding. In addition to Galant, Karolyi also qualified Maldini and Claudy Bay Z for the jump-off.

A pair of Aiken-based riders set the tempo in the jump-off and found themselves 1-2 during the early going, though. Michael Tokaruk, with his 8-year-old Holsteiner Roger Rabbit, posted a time of 40.568, while Casey Hodges and her 7-year-old mare Finn Razel completed the course in 42.330. Karolyi and Maldini's time of 42.660 stood up for fourth.

But Karolyi and Galant saved the best for last as they were the final entry in the jump-off, knowing they would have to turn in a stellar performance to win the class. The tandem successfully navigated the course in 39.967 in an effort that was nothing less than sensational.

"It put a lot of pressure on me (with Galant being the last ride in the class). Andrea (King) puts a lot of pressure on me, but Galant takes a lot of pressure off me," said Karolyi.

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.

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