May 18th, 2012 ~ Conyers, GA – The 9th annual Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show kicked off on Wednesday with a record number of attendees turning out for competition at the Georgia International Horse Park. The event is managed by Aiken, SC based J. P. Godard and his Equus Events. “We have a busy week; lots of horses and lots of entries!” quoted Godard. “My staff and I haven’t had a moment to spare, but it’s great I couldn’t be more pleased with the turnout.”
Thursday marked the culmination of a few highly anticipated professional hunter divisions. Traveling all of the way from Topeka, KA, Rio, owned by Hays Investment Corp, took home the championship honors in the first year green hunter division sponsored by Fenwick Equestrian, LLC. Camden, SC’s Elizabeth Boyd had the ride on Rio who took home a Fenwick Equestrian High Performance Sporty Dress Sheet for their efforts. In the second year green division it was Ocala, FL based rider Aaron Vale and Lynn Reed’s Spell Bound who took home top honors in the division winning 3 of the 5 classes. Elizabeth Boyd found herself in the winner’s circle once again this time with Mrs. Janet Peterson and Finally Farm’s Quatrain who took home top honors in the High Performance Working Hunters sponsored by DFG Stables.
In the International Arena a full day of jumper competition ended Thursday evening with the $5,000 Open Welcome Jumper Stake. A field of 28 contested against Olympic silver medalist course designer Michel Vaillancourt. 17 year old Claudia Billups and her Quick and Easy bested the field to take home the blue ribbon just narrowing out Aaron Vale (who happens to also be her trainer!) and Think Like A Horse’s Woodka L by .83 of a second.
The Atlanta Spring Challenge continues today with action in the hunter and jumper rings and featuring the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance this evening along with a Derby Party and exhibitor’s dinner sponsored by Equus Events and the 2012 Atlanta Spring Challenge Hospitality Sponsors. For complete horse show results please log in to www.horseshowsonline.com.
For a more information please call 803-643-5698 or log on to www.equusevents.com.
Contact: Equus Events, Inc.
803-643-5698