Redfield Farm of Califon, New Jersey owned the Hunter Division Week II at the Jacksonville Spring Classic!
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, awarded Amari, owned by Emma Richardson and ridden by Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey, the win after earning a first round score of 91 and a Handy score of 92 for a total score of 183.
Whiskey Tango, owned by Lee Cesery and ridden by Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida, earned a Classic score of 89 and a Handy score of 88 for a total of 177, which took second place.
Meadowood Farm’s Sandrimo, ridden by Lauren Schweppe of Ocala, Florida, placed third overall after earning a Classic score of 85 and a Handy score of 89 for an overall score of 174.
Kahle also picked up fourth through sixth place. Fourth was awarded to Redfield Farm’s Nino Nacho after earning a first round score of 88 and Handy score of 83 for an overall 171. She rode Redfield Farm’s Balouette to a fifth place finish with a Classic score of 86 and a second round score of 85 for a total of 171. She placed sixth with Isabel Stettinius’ Guest of Honor with an overall score of 169.
Lee Cesery’s Swagger, ridden by Camryn Hulsey of Saint Augustine, Florida, placed seventh, followed by Janine Pappas’ Romanov, ridden by Claire Lee of Ponte Vedre, Florida. Ninth place went to Peggy Fuller’s Entreprenur, ridden by Nashea Powell of Jacksonville, Florida.
Tenth was awarded to Masterpiece, owned and ridden by Paige Moose of Tampa, Florida. Eleventh was awarded to TM Hills Farm International’s Ingo De Kalvaire, ridden by Dominque Gonzalez of Dunellen, Florida, and Seven Hills, LLC’s Conradi 10, ridden by Kristin Martiniello, wrapped it up in twelfth place. For full results, click here.
Redfield Farm’s Giovanni, ridden by Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey, brought home the Championship in the 3′ Division along with almost $200 in prize money, all for a $5 entry fee! King, owned by Tracy Treace and ridden by Chad Watridge, was Reserve Champion.
Kahle went on to win the 3’3″ Pre-Green Hunter Division Championship in the irons of Emma Richardson’s Amari and collected close to $250 in prize money for the $5 entry fee. Redfield Farm’s Nino Nacho, ridden by David Wilbur, rode away with the Reserve Champion honors.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
The $35,000 Crescent Grove Advisors Grand Prix took place Saturday night in the indoor stadium and 21 horse and rider teams tackled the course set by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, Technical Coordinator for the 2015 World Cup Finals and the Classic Company show jumping events.
The first round time allowed was set at 84 seconds and David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee, in the irons of Emily Willsky’s Donegue, was first to go, turning in the first clear round in a time of 77.135 seconds.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey and the Coverboy Group, LLC’s Superbad went clear in a time of 80.072 seconds, insuring there would be a jump off round!
Jennings returned to the arena, this time in the irons of Lexander Farm, LLC’s Divace, and winner of Thursday’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome. They went clear in the first round in a time of 74.963 seconds and would return for the jump off round.
MTM Farm’s S & L Elite, ridden by Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, followed Jennings and turned in a clear first round in a time of 77.405 seconds.
François Lamontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada followed with his own Chanel du Calvaire with a clear first round in a time of 81.578 seconds and joined the jump off roster.
Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Sarah Turner’s Acolina R were the next to qualify for the jump off, after posting a clear first round in a time of 77.809 seconds.
Flint returned to the arena in the irons of the Coverboy Group, LLC’s Cairo with the next clear first round in a time of 83.609 seconds, also qualifying for the jump off.
MTM Axel, owned by MTM Farm and ridden by Douglas, turned in the next fault free first round in a time of 75.039 seconds and added themselves to the jump off round.
Vale and Thinks Like a Horse’s Spirit of Alena were the last pair to turn in a clear first round effort in a time of 76.407 seconds, making nine the final number of jump off rounds.
Rheinheimer set the jump off round time allowed at 49 seconds and Jennings and Donegue were the first to go. Although their time of 41.116 seconds was well within the time allowed, four jump faults would see the pair finish in sixth place overall.
Flint and Superbad followed in the order with a clear second round in 45.308 seconds and set the new time to beat. Jennings returned to the arena with Divace, but four jump faults in a time of 41.265 would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Douglas and S & L Elite followed with a clear jump off round, setting the new time to beat in 39.717 seconds. The lead would be short lived though, as Lamontagne and Chanel du Calvaire followed with a fault free jump off round in a time of 38.759 seconds, setting the new time to beat!
Vale and Acolina R followed and although their time of 38.175 seconds was the fastest in the jump off round, a heartbreak rail at the final fence would give them four faults and they would finish in fourth place overall.
Jennings and Divace returned for the jump off round, but their time of 47.317 seconds along with four jump faults would finish them in ninth place overall.
Douglas and MTM Axel had the first rail in the jump off round which gave them four jump faults in a time of 40.838 seconds and they finished in fifth place.
Vale and Spirit of Alena were the last to go, but four faults at the first fence in a time of 45.667 seconds would see them finish in eighth place overall giving Lamontagne and his own Chanel du Calvaire the win! This is the first time Chanel Du Calvaire won a grand prix.
“The last show I did with her was in Gulfport. She came in second in the CWD Grand Prix Week III. Last winter was the first time she left Quebec for the winter. She would just stay home and do flat work. I bought her when she was five and now she’s eight and she is getting there. I thought she was ready to go, so she went on the road with us this winter,” he said.
“I did two weeks in Pensacola, then Gulfport and then I went back to Quebec for five weeks and came all the way back here to do these shows for two weeks. I guess she didn’t just want to get here to just be a tourist, she wanted to make it count for her,” he laughed.
“The course was pretty light, fair and not too big. We saw a lot of clear rounds and I was expecting a fast jump off because in the Welcome there were a lot of clear rounds and they were fast. I was the slowest of all clear and came in eighth in the Welcome and I was five seconds behind the winner. So I knew I had to try something different if I wanted to have a good result,” he said.
“I thought my mare was ready for it today and we really tried,” he said. “She cannot always go like that, and she needs classes that help her think it’s easy. She is brave and careful but she can be difficult sometimes just the way she canters and moves,” he added.
“We’re here for next week too. I have two other seven year old geldings and I did 1.20 m and 1.30 m this week and they went well and maybe next week they’ll do the Welcome and maybe one or two in the grand prix; we’ll see,” he said. “I really like the Classic Company shows!” he added.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
The top hunter riders in the country competed in the Jacksonville Spring Classic’s $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Glen Kernan Golf and Country Club, Friday afternoon.
Kelley Farmer of Keswick, Virginia, winner of the $77,700 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, won the class with Bibby Hill’s It’s Me. She also took the second place ribbon with Amanda Hone’s Publicized. She took fourth with Dani Brown Swanston’s Need I Say More as well as eighth and ninth places in the irons of Jane Gaston’s Taken and Kensel, LLC’s Clever Conversation and then wrapped up the class with Gaston’s Because in twelfth place.
Farmer led the way earning the highest Classic score of 172 with It’s Me. Their second round score of 194 locked them in for a total of 366 and the win.
Farmer and Publicized earned a first round score of 166. Combined with their Handy score of 192.50, their combined score of 358.50 would find them in second place.
Emily Williams of Ocala, Florida and Amanda Flint’s Cabana VDL earned a first round score of 163. Their Handy score of 189 for a total of 352 would see them finish in third place. Farmer returned to the winner’s circle to pick up her fourth place with Need I Say More after earning a Classic Round score of 163 and a Handy score of 189 for a total of 352.
Emily Williams and Heartthrob
Artillery Lane, LLC’s Chances R, ridden by Gregory Prince of Sherborn, Massachusetts, placed fifth overall after earning a Classic score of 151 and a Handy score of 185 for a total of 336.
Kris Killam of Naples, Florida in the irons of Barbara Fishman’s Mr. Big finished in sixth place overall after earning a first round score of 156 and second round score of 175 for a total score of 331.
Farmer returned for seventh with Jane Gaston’s Taken after earning a Classic score of 124 and a Handy score of 171 for a total of 295.
Emily Terry Peterson of Naples, Florida rode Leslie Terry’s Pet Rock to the eighth place ribbon with a combined score of 280, and Farmer returned for ninth place in the irons of Kensel, LLC’s Clever Conversation with a combined score of 260. Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida rode Lee Cesery’s Rockaway to the tenth place finish after earning a combined score of 258, and Claire Lee White of Ponte Vedra, Florida rode Janine Pappas’ Romanov to eleventh place after earning a combined score of 243.
Farmer wrapped up the class with a twelfth place finish in the irons of Jane Gaston’s Because with a combined score of 237.
The $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action Thursday afternoon and saw a field of 26 horse and rider teams compete in the indoor stadium at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, Course Designer and Technical Coordinator for the 2015 World Cup Finals, designed the course and set a first round time allowed of 90 seconds and second round time allowed of 45 seconds. David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee in the irons of Masie McSwain and Full Circle Farm’s Blue Moon 22 were the first to go and turned in back to back clear rounds in times of 87.620 seconds and 41.261 seconds which set the new time to beat.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s MTM Full House were the next horse and rider team to turn in double clear rounds, taking the lead and setting the new time to beat at 38.801 seconds. Donegue, owned and ridden by Emma Willsky of Aspen, Colorado, turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 83.105 seconds. Although they turned in a second round with a time of 39.963 seconds, four faults would see the finish in ninth place.
Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Thinks Like a Horse’s Spirit of Alena turned in a clear first round in a time of 82.948 seconds. However, eight jump faults and ten time faults in a second round time of 54.708 seconds would see them finish in eleventh place overall.
MTM Axel, owned by MTM Farm and ridden by Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, turned in the next double clear rounds in times of 83.146 and 41.734 which would see them finish in fifth place overall.
Jennings returned to the arena, this time in the irons of S & L Farm’s S & L Puppy Love, and turned in double clear rounds in times of 82.546 seconds and 38.870 seconds.
Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois Lamontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada, followed Jennings with double clear rounds in times of 86.230 and 43.934 seconds which would see them finish in eighth place overall.
Kyle Dewar of Ocala, Florida and his own Russell followed Lamontagne and posted a clear first round in a time of 83.527 seconds. Their second round in 46.942 seconds had eight jump and two time faults which would find them finish in tenth place overall.
Fenney returned to the arena, this time in the irons of MTM Farm’s MTM Como No. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 87.137 seconds and 42.609 seconds, respectively, which would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Jennings returned to the arena for his third ride in the irons of Lexander Farm, LLC’s Divace. After turning in a clear first round in a time of 84.528 seconds, Jennings knew he had to beat Fenney’s second round time of 38.801 seconds. Jennings did it! The pair turned in a clear second round in a time of 38.597 seconds and took the lead!
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey and the Coverboy Group’s Coverboy followed with the next clear first round in a time of 86.599 seconds. Four jump faults and fourteen time faults in a time of 58.117 seconds would see the pair finish in twelfth place overall.
Final results had Jennings taking the win with Divace as well as third and fourth place ribbons with S & L Puppy Love and Blue Moon 22, respectively. Fenney took the second place honors with MTM Full House and seventh with MTM Como No. Dorothy Douglas grabbed the fifth and sixth place honors with MTM Axel and S & L Elite.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Mary Lisa Leffler Rides Headlines to the Win in the International Hunter Derby
Friday was a double header Derby Day during Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics when the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Nalley Toyota Stonecrest, and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took center stage.
Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, winner of last week’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and Stacey McFadden, LLC’s Wistful led the Classic round after earning a score of 174. Headlines, owned by Felicia Harrsch and ridden by Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, followed in second place after the first round with a score of 169.
North C, owned and ridden by Jaime Steinhaus of Milton, Georgia, followed in third place in the Classic round after earning a score of 164. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, in the irons of Stella Styslinger’s O’Ryan, sat in fourth position after earning a score of 164. Boyd also had the fifth place position after the first round with Finally Farm’s Shamrock, earning a first round score of 162. Kris Killam of Naples, Florida and Barbara Fishman’s Mr. Big sat in sixth place with their score of 160. Boyd also had the seventh place horse after earning a first round score of 158.5. Berry held both the eighth and ninth place positions after the first round with Willoughby Stables’ Falcor and their score of 158 and Oakledge Farm’s Cobalt Blue R with a score of 150. Tenth place after the Classic round saw Why, owned by Charlotte Warren and ridden by Julie Curtin of Villa Rica, Georgia, earn a first round score of 150. Sitting in eleventh place after the first round was Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, with a score of 149; Redfield Farm’s Fandango HX, ridden by Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey, sat in twelfth place after earning a score of 133.
The Handy Round of the Derby saw Kahle and Fandango earn a score of 147 for a total of 280, which would finish in twelfth place overall. Milliren and Valentine moved up to tenth place overall after earning a second round score of 160 for a total of 309. Curtin and Why moved to an eleventh place overall placing after earning a second round score of 143 for a total of 293.
Berry and Cobalt Blue R moved from a ninth place position to finish in fifth place overall after earning a second round score of 186 and overall 336. Berry also moved from the eighth place spot to sixth place overall with Falcor, earning a total score of 335.
Boyd and Cellino moved from seventh place to third overall after earning a Handy score of 185 and an overall 343.5. Killam and Mr. Big moved to finish in ninth place overall after earning a Handy score of 154 and an overall 314. Boyd and Shamrock moved up to finish in fourth place overall after earning a Handy score of 180 and an overall 342. Boyd and O’Ryan moved from a fourth place standing after the Classic round to an overall second place finish after earning a Handy score of 187 and an overall 351.
Steinhaus and North C moved to finish in seventh place overall after earning a Handy score of 160.5 and an overall 324.5.
Sitting in second place after the Classic Round, Leffler and Headlines earned a Handy score of 187.5 for a total of 356.5 which moved them into the lead.
Berry and Wistful were in first place after the Classic Round, but after earning a Handy score of 145 for a total of 318, finished in eighth place overall.
The heavy rains had moved through the area earlier that morning, so the main hunter event was moved to the Oval Ring. Liza Towell Boyd, whose resume includes three time Overall World Champion Hunter Rider as a Junior, four time recipient of the Best Child Rider Award at the Washington International Horse Show, and second place finisher in the Washington International Equitation Finals, as well as a multitude of National and International Hunter Derby wins, commented, “I was pleasantly surprised, that with all the rain the night before and how wet everything was, how great the rings held up,” she said. “I woke up, looked outside and thought that we may not even be able to show. You know, the Derbies are the equivalent of the Hunter Grand Prix and we were really looking forward to showing,” she said. “They moved the Derby to the Oval Ring which is so big and impressive and it’s actually even better for the younger generation of the up and coming Derby horses,” she said. “It was amazing how well the footing held up. It was really perfect. We were able to do those inside turns and the footing was great,” Boyd commented.
Sarah Milliren with Don’t Tell
Don’t Tell and Sarah Milliren Win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, followed the International Derby and saw Courtney Billings’ Don’t Tell, ridden by Sarah Milliren, win the class after earning first round score of 86 and second round score of 91 for a combined 177. Davinci, owned and ridden by Josie Baird, placed second after earning a first round score of 82 and Handy score of 88 for a combined 170. Third place honors went to Charlotte Warren’s Enticement, ridden by Julie Curtin, after posting a first round score of 80 and second round score of 87 for a total of 167.
Suntrust, owned by Sandra Ward and ridden by Jacqueline Ward, earned a first round score of 77 and second round score of 83 for a total of 160 and fourth place. Fifth was awarded to Replax du Plant, owned and ridden by Libby Greene. I’ve Been Spotted, owned and ridden by Rebecca Hollman, won sixth place; Iamwhatiam, owned by Dawn Mason and ridden by Jason Berry, placed seventh overall. Click here for more results.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Thursday the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action in the Olympic Arena for Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics.
Fourteen horse and rider teams tacked the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey. “The course was a great opener for Week II,” commented Jewel. “The goal here is to make the course inviting, yet challenging,” he added. “It definitely accomplished this,” he added. The first round time allowed was set at 78 seconds and a majority of the horse and rider teams advanced to the second round.
Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling were the first to go and turn in a clear first round effort in a time of 73.718 seconds. Their second round resulted in four jump faults in a time of 38.689 seconds which would see them finish in eighth place overall.
M.I Hartwick, owned by Nelson Long and ridden by Aida Sanchez Long of Ooltewah, Tennessee, followed Leffler in the order. After posting a clear first round in a time of 74.042 seconds, four faults in their second round in a time of 37.870 seconds had them finish in seventh place overall.
Mandy Killam’s Black Diamond, ridden by Kris Killam of Naples, Florida, winners of the Week I $25,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Grand Prix, presented by EMO, turned in the next clear first round effort in a time of 70.291 seconds. Four faults in their second round in a time of 37.366 would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Diablo D’Raquelmes, owned by Ronda Stavisky and ridden by Jennifer Ramsey of Chrystal Beach, Ontario, Canada, had a fault free first round in a time of 74.549. They had one time fault in their second round after posting a time of 44.302 and finished in fourth place overall.
Darragh Kerin’s Corini, ridden by Paul Macrae of Alpharetta, Georgia, followed with a clear first round in a time of 74.360 seconds. Their second round was also clear, and with a time of 41.907 seconds, would set the new time to beat and advance to first place.
McKenzie Kasper of Alpharetta, Georgia, in the irons of her own Carracci Blue, followed Macrae in the order and turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 75.741 seconds. Their second round was also clear and their time of 39.333 would take the lead and set the new time to beat.
HHS Louis, owned by Cerulean Stables, LLC, ridden by Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, followed Kasper. Their clear first round in a time of 76.998 seconds advanced them to the second round. Although they went clean, their time of 41.962 seconds would see them finish in third place overall.
Kasarr, owned and ridden by Erin McGuire of Cornelius, North Carolina, turned in the next clear round effort in a time of 74.126 seconds. Four jump faults and four time faults in their second round in a time of 48.972 seconds would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, winner of the Week I Horseflight Welcome, followed Kasarr in the irons of Sandra Mazur’s Luca Toni. Their clear first round in a time of 72.945 seconds advanced them to the second round, but eight jump faults in a time of 39.045 seconds would see them finish in ninth place overall.
Killam returned to the Olympic Arena in the enviable last to go position, this time in the irons of Helene Jones’ Skyfall. They turned in a clear first round in a time of 69.078 seconds, but four faults in their second round in a time of 37.069 seconds would see them finish in fourth place overall.
McKenzie Kasper, the sixteen year old and youngest rider of the field, won the Welcome on her own Carracci Blue!
“The second round had a lot of options. He [Jewel] left it open so you could be as quick and neat as you wanted to be, or you could ride the more technical options and make it a little harder,” Kasper commented. “I added in one line so I could make an inside turn, which was a little risky,” she said. “Because I knew if I had a rail, I would have been a lot slower,” she added. “But, thankfully, I didn’t!
“I had a really great 1.20 m horse which brought me to my first Children’s Nations Cup when I was 14 in Wellington,” she said. “I sold her and had one in between before we got Lenny a little over a year ago,” commented Kasper. “I started Lenny [Carracci Blue] from the beginning in the 1m and then 1.10m. I did Child Adult jumpers last year with him and to be able to compete here now and be where we are is amazing!” commented Kasper. “I love Bob’s shows and am so thankful he runs these shows here. It’s such a great experience for us!” she added.
“The new footing is so much better! It really poured last night and I’m looking at it now and it’s perfect,” Kasper said.
“We’re going to the High Junior Amateur Classes and then maybe in the Fall, Lenny and I will try a grand prix,” she said.
Kasper and her family live on a farm outside of Conyers and have Lenny as well as two miniature horses. “I am so thankful for my family’s support,” commented Kasper. “Especially my sister Olivia,” she added. “She has been helping me so much and been working so hard,” said Kasper. “I know she would like to be in the show ring and I am so thankful and appreciative of her,” she said.
What’s next for Kasper? “I always wanted to be on the Young Rider Team and compete on the grand prix level before I go off to college,” she said. “I’m not sure what the future holds for me, so I’m just going to keep working as hard as I can now,” she added.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Boehringer Ingelheim Sponsors the Jacksonville Spring Classic
The Classic Company is proud to announce that Boehringer Ingelheim has signed on to sponsor the Jacksonville Spring Classic April 13 through the 24 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center located in Jacksonville, Florida and will be hosting a special forum on the USEF vaccination requirements on Friday, April 15 at 5 pm entitled Inside Out Protection.
The forum will be led by Dr. Scott Hancock, a Professional Services Veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Hancock grew up in Kentucky and after much racing industry experience, attended the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked in Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio until 1989 when he built an equine referral practice outside Atlanta, Georgia. His practice included ambulatory and referral lameness, reproduction and surgical cases as well as international consultations on pre-purchase exams, herd health and embryo transfer. His background includes his work with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta in 2003 which developed a herd of hyper-immune draft horses to create antibodies against bio-warfare toxins which led to the creation of an FDA licensed product for treating American citizens exposed to deadly bio-warfare toxins.
As of December 1, 2015, all USEF events will require horses entering the grounds to have documentation of vaccinations prior to competing. Vaccines for both EHV (Equine Herpesvirus) and EIV (Equine Influenza Virus) are required and must be administered no more than six months prior to entering show grounds. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica carries a wide variety of vaccines that meet USEF criteria.
All are welcome to attend the Inside Out Protection forum 5 pm, Friday, April 15 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in the stadium concourse adjacent to the horse show office. Food and beverages will be served and a question and answer session will follow Dr. Hancock’s talk about the history leading up to the latest USEF vaccination mandate and what this rule means to competitive equestrians in all disciplines.
The Jacksonville Spring Classic takes place at the world-class Jacksonville Equestrian Center facility which features a large indoor coliseum with seating for 3,700, two outdoor rings, and a turf arena, plus schooling rings and 500 permanent stalls. There are also 78 full hook-up RV spaces available.
Featured events include weekly $35,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Horseflight Welcomes, $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derbies, presented by Legend, $1,000 3′ and 3’3″ Pre-Green Divisions for only $5 per horse, $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Glen Kernan Golf and Country Club Week I, and more than $200,000 in cash and awards!
Those competing in the International Hunter Derby will have a chance to hunt for the blue on the beautiful grass turf field on Friday, April 15 Week I. In usual Classic Company style, there will be a special brunch for everyone to enjoy while watching the world class hunters compete on the stunning turf hunter field.
Grand Prix competition takes place in the world class indoor stadium on Saturday nights and VIP seating will be available along with an open bar!
The Equestrian Center is conveniently located off of Interstate 295, I-10 and US 301 and in close proximity to the Jacksonville International Airport as well as the Cecil Field Regional Airport. The location is ideal for those traveling back from the winter circuits and for all Florida equestrians.
The $50,777 Sidelines Grand Prix, presented by Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, closed out the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic and the USHJA Dash for the Cash King, Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida, galloped away with the win in the irons of Evalyn Grace, LLC’s Cantu 5.
Of the twenty-eight that tackled the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey, only eight turned in clear first rounds advancing to the jump off.
Kocher rode Postage Stamp Farm’s Prof De La Roque as the first to go and posted a clear round in a time of 82.486 seconds, well within the 89 seconds time allowed.
Kocher then piloted his own Leconte to a clear first round in a time of 84.603 seconds. He now had two rides in the jump off!
Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P, ridden by Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky, followed Kocher and posted a clear first round in a time of 79.972 seconds and added themselves to the jump off roster.
Charlie Jayne’s Cupid Shuffle, ridden by Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, Tennessee, added themselves to the jump off round after posting a clear first round in a time of 79.117 seconds.
Kocher returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of Cantu 5. The pair posted a clear first round in a time of 82.881 seconds, making it his third horse to qualify for the jump off.
Christopher Schroeder of Wellington, Florida and his own Catungee also turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 87.767 seconds, qualifying for the jump off round. Missy Nolan’s Specialized, ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama, joined the jump off roster after posting a clear first round effort in a time of 87.386 seconds.
Schroeder and Marion Head’s Heliante were the last to go and clear they went in a time of 87.532 seconds and sat in the enviable last to go spot in the jump off order.
Paul Jewell set the jump off time allowed at 57 seconds. Kocher and Prof De La Roque were the first to go, but an unintentional dismount would keep the pair out of the winner’s circle and settling for eighth place overall.
Kocher and Leconte were next in the order but four faults in a time of 51.455 seconds would finish them in seventh place overall.
Hester and Clueless P followed Kocher, but four faults in a time of 50.064 seconds would see them finish in fourth place overall. Tokaruk and Cupid Shuffle followed Hester in the order. Four faults in a time of 50.154 seconds would have move them into the lead as the fastest four-faulter, but with four rides left to go, there was still a chance for someone to go clear.
And that’s exactly what happened when Kocher and Cantu 5 followed Tokaruk and turned in the first clear round in a time of 52.745, taking the lead and setting the new time to beat.
Schroeder and Catungee challenged Kocher’s time and although they went clear, their time of 56.569 seconds would put them in second place behind Kocher and Cantu 5.
Maddrix and Specialized followed Schroeder in the jump off order, but four faults in a time of 50.593 seconds would find them finish in sixth place overall. Schroeder and Heliante sat in the enviable last to go position and although they turned in the fastest jump off round in a time of 49.104 seconds, a heartbreak rail at the final fence would have them finish in third place, giving Kocher and Cantu 5 the win.
“This was a great event and congratulations to Andy Kocher and Cantu 5 on their win today,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf and Classic Companies as well as Classic Publications. “This is the first Sidelines Grand Prix since Classic Publications has purchased the magazine and I thank all of those who competed today,” he said. “All of you are part of Sidelines history now,” he added.
Finishing in ninth place with one time fault was GK Performance Horses’ Diamant De Revel, ridden by Christopher Schroeder. Scott Lenkart and Fleur De Lis Farms’ Ziezo earned tenth place after posting the fastest four-fault round, and Sun Tzu, owned and ridden by Penny Brennan, placed eleventh. Brooke Kemper and Classified wrapped up the class with a twelfth place finish.
Holly Shepherd and Bella Clara DKS
Shepherd Takes the $10,777 Legend Jumper Derby
Twenty-three horse and rider teams tackled the highly anticipated $10,777 Legend Jumper Derby on the world class Grand Prix field Saturday afternoon. The 1.30 m jumper classic, open to all horses not competing in the Grand Prix, had a time allowed of 120 seconds which only saw three go clean.
Christopher Schroeder of Wellington, Florida and Elizabeth Win’s Dubai B were the first to go and posted a clear round in a time of 101.824 seconds, setting the new time to beat. Newtown Jumping Jack, owned and ridden by Thomas Welsh of New York, New York, followed Schroeder and while they beat Schroeder’s time with their own 100.219 seconds, four jump faults would finish in eighth place overall.
Alex Turner’s Vanrock, ridden by Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, Tennessee, posted a clear round and set the new time to beat at 97.926 seconds, taking the lead.
Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and Cerulean Stables’ Rincoola Black Adder challenged Tokaruk and Vanrock’s time with their own 89.980 seconds. However, eight jump faults would find them out of the ribbons.
Trapp O’Neal of Magnolia, Texas and Carolyn Elsey’s Quilona Z followed Forte and posted an eight fault jump round in 97.953 seconds, which would see them finish in twelfth place overall.
Margaret Camp’s Charmeur, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, tackled the course, but their time of 98.555 seconds with four jump faults would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Eagle Valley Partners’ Coconut, ridden by Andy Kocher, followed Shepherd and turned in an eight fault round in a time of 93.638 seconds, which would find them finish in eleventh place overall.
Kocher returned with his own Red Lady, but with eight jump faults in a time of 89.002, the pair would have them finish in tenth place overall.
Rico S, owned and ridden by Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama, followed Kocher and Red Lady and posted a four fault round in a time of 96.931 seconds and would finish in sixth place overall.
O’Neal followed Dees in the order, this time in the irons of TKO Partnershjp’s Camero, and turned in a four fault round in a time of 100.990 seconds. They finished in ninth place overall.
Riptide, owned by Christina Van Patten and ridden by Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia, followed O’Neal and turned in a four fault round in a time of 93.509 seconds and placed fourth overall.
Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Dejan Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS followed Riptide and turned in a lightning fast clear round in 91.474 seconds, taking the lead and moving Tokaruk and Vanrock into second place.
Sitting in the enviable last to go spot was Kocher and Showcase 81, LLC’s Mullentine Imperial. The pair posted a time of 93.751 seconds, but four jump faults would see them finish in fifth place overall.
“The $10,777 Jumper Derby is one of the most popular events at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Classic Company. “We are delighted that Merial and its product Legend sponsored this competition and appreciate their support,” he added.
All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
The sunny, blue skies and warm temperatures returned to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, just in time for yesterday’s $35,000 Budweiser Grand Prix.
As the 2 pm start time neared, the crowds filed into the bleachers and around the world class grand prix field to catch a good seat to watch 29 horse and rider teams prepared to tackle the course designed by one of the most famous and well-respected course designers in the world, Leopoldo Palacios of Caracas, Venezuela.
“In the beginning I wanted ten to seven to jump off and as far as double cleans, maybe we’d have six or five,” commented Palacios. Palacios was right on the money and eight went clean in the first round.
The most challenging aspect of the first round, according to Palacios was the position of the triple combination. “I designed it so the VIP, sponsors and audience could see it close up. The position of the triple combination and the distance was a normal one to a little bit long and sometimes when you push too much, you get the front pole. Come in too fast and the middle is tight, you’ll drop a back rail. This was the toughest part of this course,” he commented.
Frank Owens of Windcrest, Texas in the irons of DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 turned in the first clear round in a time of 79.254 seconds, well within the 83 seconds time allowed.
Second to go clear was crowd favorite Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and his own Lochinvar. The pair turned in clear first round in a time of 76.931 seconds and insured there would be a jump off!
Scott Head’s Carjo Z, ridden by Christoph Schroeder of Wellington, Florida, joined the jump off roster after posting a clear first round in a time of 79.733 seconds.
Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified followed with a clear first round in a time 80.932 seconds and became the fourth to qualify for the jump off round.
Loretta Patterson’s Triompf, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, turned in a clear first round in a time of 78.966 seconds and joined the jump off roster.
Ciana, owned by Eagle Valley Partners, LLC, and ridden by Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida, winners of last week’s $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix, added themselves to the jump off list after posting a clear first round time in 77.331 seconds.
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu posted the next clear round. This was the second ride for Brennan and her first to go clear in a time of 79.411 seconds.
Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, added themselves to the jump off roster and became eighth to go clear in the first round after posting a time of 80.264 seconds.
Palacios set the jump off round with a time allowed of 60 seconds. Owens and Capricello 2 were first to enter the jump off phase and earned a four fault round in a time of 45.963 seconds.
Cyphert and his own Lochinvar followed fellow Texan Owen and posted the first clear jump off round in a time of 42.450 seconds to the delight of the crowd.
Schroeder and Helianta followed Cyphert and posted a clear second round in a time of 41.697 seconds, setting the new time to beat and temporarily taking the lead.
Kemper and Classified were next to go in the order of go. Their jump off round in a time of 43.329 seconds with eight jump faults would have them finish in eighth place overall.
Shepherd and Triompf followed Kemper and posted a clear second round in a time of 41.762 seconds.
Ciana and Kocher followed Triompf and beat Schroeder’s time in a lightning fast clear second round in a time of 41.596 seconds taking the lead.
The lead wouldn’t last for long. Brennan and Sun Tzu came in for their turn at the jump off and posted the fastest clear round in a time of 39.160 seconds, bringing the cheering crowd to their feet!
Hicks and Emir D sat in the desirable last to go spot, but four faults in a time of 47.796 would see them finish in seventh place and leave Brennan and Sun Tzu in the winner’s circle.
“I didn’t know we had the class until I looked up and saw the scoreboard,” said Brennan. “I knew it was going to be close, but I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the 39,” she said. “Hearing the crowd cheer was just awesome,” she said happily.
“My plan for the jump off was don’t pull on the reins,” she laughed, “That’s all I had,” she said. “TJ has been helping me here and he told me when I walked the course, ‘Don’t walk it faster; walk it shorter,’ and that made a world of difference to me,” she said.
“I gave myself an extra stride back to two which was more than anyone else. But I approached it more straight and everyone else sliced it more,” Brennan commented. “When you slice it, it kind of swings the turn. When you jump it straight, you can just swing right back and that made a huge difference. Taking a stride to two saved me two strides on landing,” Brennan commented. “When I did the liverpool I was super deep and I was nearly at a standstill and he [Sun Tzu] just jumped like a cat. But that made the five stride easy because it rode a little tight and walked three feet short,” she added.
“What a great jump off,” she continued. “It was just a run. I ran flat straight out to that vertical 24′ and Sun Tzu knew exactly what I was doing. We’ve been together a long time,” she said. “He jumped in there and took a tiny little bunny hop and jumped right out. TJ told me to open my right rein on landing and give it all I had for the last jump and that made the difference,” she said. “I can’t thank him enough and I dedicate this win to him,” she added. “This course was a little bit technical and I think it had to be ridden more than people may have given it credit for,” she added. “I absolutely loved it and had a blast. Leopoldo really designed a beautiful course,” she said.
The Gulf Coast Winter Classic continues for one more week and there is still time to join us on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at the best winter circuit show! Email jonathan@classiccompany.com and then go to horseshowsonline.com to enter for no additional fees.
All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama continued her winning streak in the jumpers when she and her own Japan won the $7,770 Hester Equestrian, LLC Jumper Classic yesterday.
World renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed the course and set the first round time allowed at 75 seconds. Despite heavy rains on Friday, the KCR all weather footing in Jumper 1 provided a slip free surface and saw five return for the second round.
Trapp O’Neal of Magnolia, Texas, in the irons of Carolyn M. Elsey’s Quilona Z, was the first horse and rider team to turn in a clear first round in a time of 73.500 seconds. Their second round was also clear and beat the time allowed of 52 seconds with their own 39.239 seconds, and set the new time to beat.
Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida and Jodie Cambergh’s Destiny Van De Noordheuvel advanced to a second round after posting a clear first round in a time of 69.709 seconds. Twelve jump faults in their second round in a time of 46.489 seconds would see the pair finish in fifth place overall.
Phoenix, owned and ridden by Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana, followed Kocher with a clear first round in a time of 73.884 seconds. Their second round had four jump faults in a time of 41.292 seconds and would see the pair finish in fourth place overall.
Cathleen Driscoll of Elk Hills, Maryland and her own Forever Blue had the next clear first round in a time of 68.705 seconds. Four faults in their second round in a time of 39.299 seconds would have them finish in third place overall.
Brennan and Japan sat in the desirable last to go spot for their second round after posting a clear first round in a time of 68.647 seconds. All eyes were on the pair as they went in for the final second round and flew around the course turning in a super-fast clear jump off round in a time of 35.922 seconds, taking the win.
“I love Japan!” said a beaming Penny Brennan. “I am so happy and can’t tell you enough how great this footing is,” she said. “The weather was horrible yesterday and it is still so safe to ride on it,” she said. “My horses love it and they are still flying around these courses,” she added.
Final results in the class had Brennan and Japan with the win, followed by O’Neal and Quilona Z. Driscoll and Forever Blue earned a third place ribbon and Zuber and Phoenix received fourth place honors. Kocher and Destiny Van De Noordheuvel earned fifth, and Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania earned sixth with Cerulean Stables, LLC’s Rincoola Black Adder as the fastest four-faulter in a first round time of 73.534 seconds. Kocher and Showcase 81, LLC’s Mullentine Imperial received seventh place after posting a four fault first round in a time of 73.606 seconds. Kocher returned for eighth place with his own Bennenton Van De Bluekhove. Ninth was awarded to Lisa Hankin’s Garbanzo R, ridden by Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York, and tenth went to Zeldenrust Z, owned and ridden by Natalie Hansen of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Eleventh and twelfth went to Amicelli, owned and ridden by Mattie Hatcher of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and Christina Van Patten’s Riptide, respectively.
The usefnetwork will be live streaming top events through March 20 including next week’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, the $10,777 Legend Jumper Derby, and the $50,777 Sidelines Grand Prix, presented by Beau Rivage. Don’t miss the excitement – go to usefnetwork.com and watch it live.
Microchipping is now a requirement!
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) now requires horses to be microchipped by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for Horse of the Year awards. Get ahead of this requirement at a very reasonable price while showing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Dr. Patrick Cleveland, the Official Veterinarian of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, is offering those showing in Gulfport a discounted rate of only $28 to microchip your horse. Dr. Cleveland is available to discuss any questions you have about microchipping and Mary Babick, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunter Vice President, is also available for questions about the rule change.
