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February 3, 2012 – Green Cove Springs, FL – The Jacksonville Winter Series wrapped up its three week run on January 29th with the naming of Circuit Champions and a lot of fond memories for those attending.

Alexis Newman of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association summed up the series: “We enjoyed a fantastic three weeks of shows that were marked with great exhibitor parties, superb competition, wonderful camaraderie, near perfect weather, plus a touching and successful benefit dinner.” The support of attendees raised in excess of $14,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and local 4-H clubs. Show manager Bob Bell echoed Newman’s sentiment: “The number of exhibitors may not have been what we hoped for, but the competition was nothing less than fierce! I really feel this was one the best Jacksonville series yet – like Alexis said, we just had the best of everything come together and make for a great three weeks.”

Each weekend featured $25,000 up for the taking during Saturday evenings’ main events – spotlighting show jumpers from around the country. International course designer Dave Ballard watched intently as victory for the opening week went to Robert Lee of Old Saybrook, CT, riding the 12-year-old Hanoverian, El Greeco, to the top spot in both the Welcome Stake and the $25,000 Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club/Hodges Boulevard Development Grand Prix. Week two’s $25,000 Brumos Motor Cars, Inc Grand Prix, which benefited the Wound Warriors Project, found local legend Aaron Vale of Morriston, FL and the Thinks Like A Horse entry, 8-year-old KWPN Warmblood Wodka L, galloping the victory lap after conquering J. P. Godard’s course work. And wrapping up the winter series, Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC piloted Sympa, the 12-year-old Rheinland Pfalz Saar mare owned by Mrs. Charles Bostwick, to the win in the $25,000 Clay County Grand Prix. The course layout was done by Tim Hott.

Hunter horses saw their fair share of tough competition each week thanks in part to the technical design work of Joe Carnicom, especially during each of the USHJA National Derby classes that without a doubt provided many a rider the opportunity to prepare for the finale event, the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.  Week one’s USHJA National Derby winner was local favorite Kathryn Mittauer partnered with Allawishus. Jeffrey Ayers and Abercrombie took the second week victory, and South Carolina’s favorite lady rider Liza Boyd hit the bull’s-eye with Marksmann for owner Mailla Van Beuren in the third USHJA National Derby.

The $5,000 NFHJA Equitation Challenge had some of the nation’s top young hunter riders going head to head during week two’s spotlighted competition. “This was one of the best classes to watch because of the incredible talent in it,” Bob Bell commented.

Top Five Results:
1st – Meg O’Mara of Rumson, NJ
2nd – Hasbrouck Donovan of Ocala, FL
3rd – Ashton Alexander of Ocala, FL
4th – Nikki Diamantis of Tallahassee, FL
5th – Reily Rieker of Oviedo, FL

One of the most anticipated events took place during week three with the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, bringing several of the leading horses and riders of the USHJA series looking to move up in the overall national standings.  At the conclusion of round one it was Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA aboard the AM Free, Inc owned Red Sky in the top spot, followed closely by Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY in the second and third positions with Jersey Boy (owner SBS Stables) and Miss Lucy (owner Helen Lenahan). Fourth was held by Liza Boyd of Camden, SC with Brunello, co-owned with Janet Peterson, and the fifth spot found Farmer with Bases Loaded for owner AM Free, Inc.  The Handy round found few changes in the players just the positioning, with Jersey Boy and Alfano moving to the top, Farmer and Bases Loaded second, Brunello and Boyd in third, Miss Lucy and Alfano in fourth, and a new face in the fifth spot: Majestic with Amanda Steege riding for owner Tony arena.

Excitement and cheering grew louder among the spectators as the judging panels calculated all the scores to officially crown the champion. When the pencils went down and the scores came up it was Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy taking the overall victory in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Top Ten Final Results:
1st – Jersey Boy with Jennifer Alfano for owner SBS Stables
2nd – Bases Loaded with Kelley Farmer for owner AM Free, Inc
3rd – Brunello with Liza Boyd for owners Boyd and Janet Peterson
4th – Miss Lucy with Jennifer Alfano for owner Helen Lenahan
5th – Red Sky with Kelley Farmer for owner AM Free, Inc
6th – Majestic with Amanda Steege for owner Tony Arena
7th – Taken with Kelley Farmer for owner Nancy Amling
8th – Sting with Jennifer Alfano for owner Helen Lenahan
9th – Henry Hill with Kelley Farmer for owners Larry Glefke & Bibby Hill
10th – Casallo with Liza Boyd for owner Erin McGuire

The crescendo of the three week winter series was the announcement of this year’s Circuit Champions. “Green Cove has been a wonderful kick off to our winter season and judging by the level of competitiveness, it’s clearly going to be a great year full of talent!” Bob Bell said.

2012 Jacksonville Winter Series Circuit Champions:

Adult Amateur Hunter – Cezanne and Carrie Ettinger
Adult Amateur Jumper – Leroy Brown 17 and Kelly Maloney
Amateur Owner Jumper – Thoughtful and Keri Guanciale
Children’s Hunter – Unlimited and Madison Maners
Children’s Jumper – 2 The Nines and Sophia Berot
Green Pony Hunter – Blur Ridge Sweet Dreams and Devin Seek
High Performance Hunter – MJ and Mary Eufemia
Junior Hunter – Felicci and Caroline Kellog
Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper – Tanimara and Anne Bingler
Pony Hunter – Tuscany and Ashton Alexander
Pre Children’s/Pre Adult Hunter – Summer Daze and Patricia Simpson Zeh
Pre Green Hunter – Summer Daze and Patricia Simpson Zeh
Short/Long Stirrup Hunter – Barrington’s Brew of Magic and Samantha Palmero

For complete results of the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.horseshowsonline.com or www.nfhja.com. The Classic Company is a USHJA Members Choice Award winner, known for producing quality, exhibitor friendly, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows throughout the Southeast US. For additional information on any of the 2012 events, please call the office at 843-768-5503 or visit them on the web at www.classiccompany.com, and for great hotel or condo rates contact www.equestriantravel.com.