Abigail Beaty’s Third Day with Timothy Maddrix in the irons sails over a jump in Friday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby en route to the win. Flashpoint Photography.
Comfortable temperatures, sunny skies and a nice breeze at the Georgia International Horse Park has been the weather norm during the opening week of the Atlanta Summer Classic. “We even have a regularly scheduled storm around five every day for about 20 minutes and then it goes back to nice,” said Classic Company President, Bob Bell. “Perfect to keep the temperatures cool, the dust down and the humidity at bay,” he added.
The show opened on Monday with the USHJA Emerging Athlete Program which featured world renowned Olympian Ann Kursinski as the clinician. “Ann was great with everyone,” commented Allen Rheinheimer, Official Course Designer for the Classic Company. “There were at least 40 participants every day and she covered everything from horsemanship to riding to use of aids to horse health,” he added. “Everyone got a lot out of it.”
On the Hunt!
Friday was all about the hunters! The morning schedule featured the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and saw 31 compete over the hunter course designed by Official Course Designer Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana. Hunter rider superstar Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama in the irons of Abigail Beaty’s Third Day bested the steep competition with a combined score of 92. “The first round was very inviting but the second round offered lots of tough inside turns,” commented Maddrix. “My horse has a huge step and scope so it’s easy to do the inside turns with him and as a result, my horse made it look easy,” commented Maddrix. With 17 horses here, Maddrix is staying busy. “We’ll be here all next week too,” he said.
Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina rode Pansy Winters’ Wheels of Fortune to a second place finish with a combined score of 88 while Lynn Seithel of John’s Island, South Carolina rode her own Versace to third with a combined score of 87. Fourth place was Van Gogh, owned and ridden by Kimberle Burton of Huntersville, North Carolina, who turned in a combined score of 84. Jamie Vincent’s Khan, ridden by Marion Head of Brownsboro, Alabama, turned in a combined score of 80 for the fifth place position while Donald Stewart’s Judgment Call, ridden by Jessica Thaxton Bogart, Georgia, finished in sixth with a combined score of 79. Seventh place went to Eau Claire, owned and ridden by Samantha John of Conyers, Georgia; the pair turned in a score of 74. Finishing in eighth place was Barry Dewitt’s Further to Fly, ridden by Elsbeth Loughrey of Alpharetta, Georgia, with a combined score of 67. Ninth place finisher was Jennifer Harrington’s Attache, ridden by Pierre-Alain Grand of Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and tenth place was awarded to Jenna Weiner’s City Bound, ridden by Megan Wexler of Reddick, Florida. Wrapping up the eleventh and twelfth positions, respectively, were Pumpkin Patch Farm’s Vermeer, ridden by Haylet Lannotti of Boca Raton, Florida, and Wild Rosé, owned and ridden by Maddrix.
Rheinheimer also designed the Friday night $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby which took place under the lights in the Olympic Grand Prix Stadium.
Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina made his way to the winner’s circle in the irons of Caroline Russell Howe’s 12 year old Danish gelding, Caramo. The pair turned in a strong Classic Hunter Round with a score of 183 and a score of 180 for the Handy round. Their combined overall score of 363 would give them the coveted win. “I’m really pleased he’s become such a pro at this,” commented Chopping. “He’s very easy to ride, super brave and so the night classes in the stadium suit him perfectly,” he added.
“We don’t horse show as much as others. I think our schedule suits him and it keeps him fresh. We didn’t do any Derbies this winter and already he has won the last four of the five Derbies,” Chopping added.
Second place was awarded to CDS Stables’ Sister Act, ridden by Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina. The pair turned in a combined overall score of 350. Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama rode to third place aboard Claudia Styslinger’s Elouise with a combined score of 347.5. North C, owned and ridden by Jaime Steinhaus of Atlanta, Georgia, finished in fourth after turning in a combined score of 339. Lynn Seithel’s Lordano, ridden by Ashton Alexander of Ocala, Florida, finished in fifth; the pair turned in an overall score of 336.5. Alexander also finished in sixth place, this time in the irons of Julian, owned by Amanda Foard. The pair turned in an overall score of 331. Metternich, owned by Karen King and ridden by Laureen McKenzie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, finished in seventh place after posting an overall score of 315. Eighth place was awarded to Labrinth, owned by Donald Stewart and also ridden by Alexander. The pair turned in an overall score of 306. Special, owned by Missy Nolen and ridden by Maddrix, finished in ninth place overall with a score of 289. For complete results, please click here.
Caramo, or “Mo” as he is called in the barn, was purchased by Howe as a six year old and she showed him herself in the Adult Hunters. Chopping has been riding Mo for three years and only jumping the derbies for the last two years.
“He’s very solid and is the same horse every time,” commented Chopping, “He makes my job easy as can be,” he added.
Howe is thrilled that he has been so successful in the Derbies. “Our plan is that he should do enough classes so he’s ready for Kentucky. Beyond this year, I plan on picking certain derbies and looking to get good results in some of the real big prestigious ones,” said Chopping. “Focusing on the Derby Finals and not overworking or over showing also lends itself to our success,” said Chopping.
Chopping and his barn Solo Show Stables enjoyed their week at the Atlanta Summer Classic. “My pre green won the classic and our adult jumpers are doing well,” said Chopping. “I have a long time client, Kirsten Tillotson, riding her new horse in the Adult jumpers. I have a new client Tyler Bunn horse showing with us for the first and I have a grand prix horse who is absolutely spectacular and has a lot of talent,” he added.
In Other News
World renowned hunter rider Hunt Tosh and mother/trainer extraordinaire, Mandy Tosh, watched their daughter Maddie Tosh show in her first short stirrup class Saturday during the Atlanta Summer Classic. Maddie rode Hillcrests Ima Blue Too in the Short Stirrup Hunter and Equitation classes and picked up seconds and thirds. Congratulations to Maddie and the next generation of hunter riders!
“I was really nervous because it was my first time showing but I had a great time doing it because I have the best pony ever!” she said. “I have been riding him since I was one!”
“The course wasn’t hard. The hardest part was probably my opening circle because my pony is really quiet,” Maddie commented. “And even though I wasn’t counting strides, I think my pony was,” she said.
Maddie will be showing today in the Short Stirrup Hunter Classic and will be sporting her new shad belly! Maddie is trained by her mother Mandy. “My Dad trains the horses and my Mom trains the ponies and me,” she said.
Atlanta Is Underway!
The weather is beautiful, the schedule full, the rings moving along well and everyone is enjoying their time at the Atlanta Summer Classic which kicked off last Monday.
Week II starts off tomorrow with a complimentary Riders’ Clinic sponsored by Zone IV and taught by Pat Bostwick, so make sure to reserve your spot by contacting Janet McCarroll at 228.669.2687 or email her at gcclassic@aol.com. These spots go fast so make sure to reserve your place today!
Next Friday night features the annual Outback Steakhouse Dinner during the inaugural $10,000 Six Bar Class, so be sure to reserve your table today! This is a charity event that benefits the Hope Clinic and is always a fun time for all.
Saturday night features the $35,000 Antares Sellier Grand Prix so be sure to book your VIP table today!
Next week also offers the $2,500 USHJA Hunter Classic, the Emerson Burr Program for Pony Riders, the $5,000 Welcome Class, the $5,000 Futures Class and the Atlanta Cup Equitation Classic for Horses.
To wrap up two great weeks of showing, the Classic Company will feature Junior Hunter Frenzy Week II and award the Grand Puba Junior Hunter Championship the final Sunday of the show.
So whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta now through June 22!
In other news… show-cation!
Did you book your beach condo? The Show-cation destination is coming up at the Charleston Summer Classic which starts July 8 through 19. Beach front condos a few minutes from the show grounds are where the riders stay, so don’t miss out on the best show-cation of your life! Bring the family, friends, dogs and horses! Minutes from the beach and only a short drive to historic Charleston, this is the show that offers something for everyone from fishing to kayaking, to shopping to wave jumping, from walk-trot to weekly grand prix and hunter derbies. This is your Show-cation destination!
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Friday night exhibitor parties, Saturday night grand prix, complimentary ringside Saturday pizza and luncheons all with the exhibitor in mind! And remember, Classic Company does not charge extra office fees for credit card transactions nor is there a scratch or add fee! Classic Company wants to make your showing experience the best ever!
The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them 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