Andy Kocher pilots Le Conte to the win in yesterday’s $5,000 Welcome Class. Flashpoint Photography.
Twenty-six horse and rider teams tackled the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome Class yesterday designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey, but only but only five would emerge clean and tackle a second round.
Shakira, owned and ridden by Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was the ninth to go and the first horse and rider team to go clean in a first round time of 78.127 seconds, well within the 81 seconds time allowed. However, a rail down in the final combination of the second round would cost them four penalty points in a time of 44.442 seconds, finishing the duo in fourth place overall.
Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri rode five mounts in the class. He was the next clear round to go after Waxman in the irons of his own Reminton K in a time of 80.098 seconds. But with three rails down in the jump off phase and a time of 41.643 seconds, he would finish in fifth place overall.
Kocher proved more successful on his next clean ride, this time in the irons of his own Le Conte. The pair finished their first round in a time of 78.771 seconds and went clean in their second round effort in a time of 40.888 seconds, well within the time allowed of 46 seconds. But with six left to go, their win was not a ‘done deal’.
Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, Tennessee was next to go fault free riding Gunnar Paul Roeer’s Quinaro Alpha G in a first round time of 79.835 seconds. The pair had a rail down in their second round in a time of 41.806 seconds which would finish them in third place overall.
Tommy-John Russell of Columbus, North Carolina, riding Karenina, owned by Lily Hahn, was next to go and turned in the fastest and clean first round effort in a time of 77.808 seconds. However, a time fault in their otherwise clean second round effort would cost them one fault and a time of 46.401 seconds, placing them in second place overall, locking in the win for Kocher and Le Conte.
Tony Font, riding Ashton Galo Paley’s Calotta, received sixth place honors for their first round effort in 82.245 seconds and two time faults. Heidi Hildebrand of Delano, Minnesota and her own Saloso Z placed seventh overall for their first round effort in 82.296 seconds and two time faults and Font returned for eighth place honors with Deana Blackburn’s Kissimmee – the pair turned in a first round effort in 82.646 seconds incurring two time faults.
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What’s Next?
The Gulf Coast Classic Circuit Awards will be announced tomorrow, so stand by for results. This has been a fantastic winter for the Gulf Coast Classic show team and they would like to thank all riders, owners, families, grooms, spectators, community, and the horses for being a part of this classic event!
The Gulf Coast Classic Company and the Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. Together, they offer the best exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events each winter. Please visit them on the web at www.ClassicCompany.com or call them at 843.768.5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457