The $23,000 TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Finals marked a record participation at Split Rock’s Kentucky National Horse Show on Sunday, drawing 48 Thoroughbreds from 14 states to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. After the final round, Nikki Fry’s local favorite Gogo emerged victorious in the TAKE2 Hunters, surpassing 24 competitors, while Amanda Prescott’s Hollywood, representing Florida, successfully defended his title as the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Jumper Champion. Amelia Prevost’s Follow Me and Samantha Mummert’s Stealin’ Your Thunder earned reserve champion honors in the Hunter and Jumper divisions, respectively.
TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore highlighted the widespread support, noting participants hailed from places as distant as Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, and South Carolina. He emphasized the collective admiration for Thoroughbreds that brings the community together.
Gogo, a recent addition to the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League since June, secured a wild card slot for the Finals after impressive performances at Kentucky National. Fry expressed cautious optimism about Gogo, who had only recently advanced to the 3-foot division and faced the intimidating Alltech ring for the Finals—a venue known for being daunting to less experienced horses. They were all pleasantly surprised by his strong showing.
At just six years old, Gogo was bought as a weanling by Calumet Farm for $55,000 during the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. Registered with The Jockey Club as Go Code, he had unremarkable workouts before his owners decided racing wasn’t the right path for him.
Fry, receiving Gogo from Calumet Farm’s Rita and Ed Kane, praised the trainers who recognize early on if racing isn’t suitable for a horse. Gogo transitioned smoothly to his new career, quickly earning a reputation as a gentle and dependable partner.
Originally from England and raised in New Jersey, Fry settled in Kentucky inspired by her passion for horses. Though she competed with Gogo earlier in the season, she handed over riding duties to Bella Canzano for the Finals due to developing depth perception issues and an upcoming eye surgery. Fry expressed her enjoyment watching Bella and Gogo compete together and gave thanks to everyone who supported the horse’s journey, including trainers and riders who contributed along the way.
Fry also applauded TAKE2’s mission to promote Thoroughbreds, reflecting on her over 50 years of riding when Thoroughbreds were universally valued, especially in Olympic competition. She welcomed the organization’s efforts to raise awareness about the overlooked potential of these horses.
Hollywood, 15 years old and a TAKE2 member since 2021, has quickly proven himself a standout. After finishing as reserve champion at the 2023 TAKE2 Finals, he claimed the top spot last year. Owner and rider Amanda Prescott approached this year’s competition with a more relaxed mindset, focusing on enjoying time with friends and family.
Bred in Illinois and formerly racing under the name Document, Hollywood won two of 32 starts with modest earnings. Prescott discovered him on the CANTER website, visited him at Hawthorne Park, and decided to bring him home. They have trained together since 2016 under Laura Barrett near Orlando.
Aside from her equestrian pursuits, Prescott balances a demanding full-time role as Senior Director of Homologation at Zoox, a robotaxi company. Despite a busy schedule, she plans to continue showing Hollywood selectively, focusing on the 1.10m amateur division and aiming to return to the TAKE2 Finals.
In addition to Prescott earning $1,000 as the event’s top amateur, 16-year-old Samuelle Leerkamp received $500 as the top junior in the Jumper Final. In the Hunter Final, Grace Bernhardt was the leading amateur, and 15-year-old Aidan Gass, who also won the TAKE2 Junior Rider championship this season, was the top junior.
This story originally appeared in the Horse Care section of the Paulick Report on September 21, 2026.
Fan Take: This milestone event shines a light on the incredible versatility and talent of Thoroughbreds beyond the racetrack, reigniting enthusiasm among fans and professionals in the sport. By showcasing these horses’ success in hunter and jumper disciplines, TAKE2 is not only promoting their second careers but also encouraging a broader appreciation that helps secure the future and welfare of Thoroughbreds in the horse world.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
