ESP Summer III: Back to the Show Ring for Athena Lekkas and Karthago Di Cabra
Wellington, FL (September 3, 2022) - Athena Lekkas of Elpida Equestrian was back in the show ring the last week of August for the ESP Summer III (August 25-28), guiding her Belgian Warmblood gelding Karthago Di Cabra to ribbons in the 1.15M and 1.20M divisions. As their first show after competing in the 2022 Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships, Lekkas and Karthago are building on their 1.20M debut in June towards the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Under the tutelage of Ashley Glica of ATG Equestrian, Lekkas and Karthago used the 1.15M Open Jumper on Sunday as a warm-up, going clear in the first round and having a single rail in the jump-off. In the 1.20M Open Jumper, the pair had another single rail in the first round and a clear jump-off. For Sunday's effort they tied for Champion in the 1.15M Open Jumper and finished 7th in the 1.20M Open Jumper.
"Karthago is a great horse," said Lekkas. "We came in a little hot after one of the turns in the covered [Van Kampen] arena, which gave us the one rail in both of the divisions. I've been working really hard for the past month on helping Karthago balance and add roundness to his jumping form with gymnastic lines and flatwork. He tends to get quick and excited as the jumps get higher, like a lot of horses do, and the rounder he can jump the more clear rounds we will have."
Lekkas' trainer, Ashley Glica, has been stressing control and precision to supplement Karthago's natural pace and Lekkas' elegance in the saddle: "We want to preserve that speed while preventing him from flattening out over the fences, which can inevitably cost rails," said Lekkas. "Athena is doing a great job of helping Karthago use himself more efficiently and jump better at the 1.20M level."
Elpida comes from the ancient Greek word ἐλπίς (elpis)– the personification and spirit of hope in Greek mythology
Inspired by her own Greek and Puerto Rican heritage, as well as her passion for show jumping, Athena Lekkas competes under her brand, Elpida Equestrian. As a coming 16-year-old sophomore at The Benjamin School, Lekkas is a determined rider whose goal is to ride at the Grand Prix level. Her main competition mount, Karthago Di Cabra, is a 17.3h Belgian Warmblood gelding. A stunning golden chestnut, Karthago’s scope and presence have helped Athena move closer to her goal and the pair are currently jumping through the 1.25M division under the tutelage of Ashley Glica of ATG Equestrian.
For more information on Elpida Equestrian, visit www.ElpidaEquestrian.com.
Follow Athena and Elpida Equestrian on Instagram (@elpida_equestrian)!
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.Equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992
