Category Archives: Classic Company

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Brennan and Cord 11 Clinch the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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It may be a celebration of the Hunters Week V at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, but the jumper action continues to be hot!

International Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela was on hand to design the course and set a first round time allowed of 83 seconds. Despite Friday’s rainy skies, sixteen competed in the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and saw five return for the jump off round.

Amanda Comley of Waller, Texas and Joshua Tabor’s Cancum 2 were the first to go clear in the first round in a time of 79.931 seconds. Their second round was also clear and set the time to beat at 38.962 seconds, well within the time allowed of 54 seconds. Andrew Kocher of Ocala, Florida in the irons of Postage Stamp Farm’s Prof De La Roque followed with a clear first round in a time of 80.084 seconds and a clear second round in a time of 38.070 seconds, taking the lead.

Comley returned to the ring, this time riding her own Can Do It 16 and posted double clear rounds in times of 76.464 seconds and 36.690 seconds, respectively, which temporarily took the lead from Kocher and set the new time to beat.

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and Meco Equestrian LLC’s Cord 11 followed with the next clear round in a time of 79.753 seconds and a super-fast clear second round in a time of 33.552 seconds, setting the new time to beat. Kocher, winner of last week’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and the $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix, followed with Eagle Valley Partners’ Coconut. They turned in a clear first round in a time of 81.813 seconds but their second round had two rails for a total of eight jump faults in a time of 36.047 seconds.

Brennan and her own Japan were last to go in the class, but two time faults in their first round in a time of 84.252 seconds, would see them finish in eighth place overall and leave her in the winner’s circle with Cord 11.

Brennan commented, “Cord 11 was so fast that I couldn’t beat that time with any of my other horses,” she said. “I love Leopoldo’s courses,” Brennan continued. “Given the weather, it was a really fair course,” she said. “This KCR footing is really amazing,” she added. “We didn’t slip at all, my horses went great and Cord 11 must really like it, because he just flew through this course,” she said.

Final placings in the class had Brennan and Cord 11 with the win followed by Comely and Can Do It 16. Andy Kocher won third place with Prof De La Roque and Comley returned for a fourth place ribbon with Cancum 2. Kocher and Coconut earned fifth place, and Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified finished in sixth place with one time fault in their first round in a time of 83.167 seconds. Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and Cerulean Stables’ HHS Louis took seventh with one time fault in the first round in 83.983 seconds. Brennan returned for an eighth place ribbon in the irons of her own Sun Tzu after earning two time faults in their first round with a time of 84.252 seconds, and she also collected ninth with her own Japan. Tenth and eleventh was awarded to Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana, ridden by Andy Kocher, and Kocher’s own Red Lady, respectively. Niki Wilcox of Parker, Colorado and her own J.E.S. Quito wrapped up the class with twelfth place.

All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Kocher and Ciana Fly into the $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix Winner’s Circle

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Mid-seventies, sunny skies and bleachers packed with an audience was the backdrop to today’s $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix that welcomed twenty-five horse and rider teams to the world renowned grass grand prix field on a course designed by Assistant Olympic Course Designer, Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico.

Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida and Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana, winners in Friday’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, returned to the winner’s circle today in the $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix. Kocher also received a $5,000 gift card toward future Apollo Jets Charter Jet Travel, compliments of Brian Hillen, the Official Jet Charter Consultant for the Gulf Coast and Classic Companies.

The first round time allowed was set at 86 seconds which saw ten horse and rider teams advance to the jump off round.

“I loved Manuel’s course,” commented Kocher. “I thought it was going to be a course where a lot were going to be clear, but I think that was the goal. He wanted nine or ten. It was a beautiful day and a great crowd,” he continued. “It really turned out perfectly,” Kocher added.

“The most challenging part of the first round was the Horseflight jump to the Sidelines jump. Those two were toward the end of the course, the horses were getting a little tired, and going away from the gate you really needed to put your leg on. Then, they would be too strong for the Sidelines jump,” commented Kocher.

Kocher was the first to go in the jump off round in the irons of Postage Stamp Farm, LLC’s Prof De La Roque. Although their time of 45.725 seconds beat the time allowed of 62 seconds, they pulled a rail giving them four jump faults. “I was trying to be careful and not go with a lot of speed,” he said.

Amanda Comley of Waller, Texas in the irons of Joshua Tabor’s Cancum 2 followed Kocher in the jump off round. A rail at the second fence in a time allowed of 49.926 seconds would see them finish in tenth place overall.

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama was next to go in the irons of Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone. They posted a clear round in a time of 49.996 and moved to second position behind Kocher.

Fleur de Lis Farms’ Ziezo, ridden by Scott Lenkart of Bartonville, Texas, followed up with a four fault jump off round in a time of 45.900 seconds which would put them in eighth place overall.

Kocher returned, this time in the irons of Ciana. “Since I was too careful the first time, I came at it with more speed this time,” commented Kocher. “There was this little girl, maybe 3 or 4 years old, at the end of the arena with her grandparents,” said Kocher. “I walked by before I started my jump off round and she was saying ‘1 2 3 takeoff! 1 2 3 takeoff!’ Her grandparents tried to hush her and I looked at her and said, ‘Okay, 1 2 3 takeoff!’ and I just went,” he said.

Take off they did as they turned in the fastest, fault free jump off round in a time of 44.991 seconds. “After I was awarded my blue ribbon, I rode over and gave it to her,” he said. “She looked really happy,” he added.

Nicki Wilcox of Parker, Colorado, in the irons of her own J.E.S. Quito, followed Kocher and Ciana. Although the pair went clear, their time of 51.671 seconds would have them finish in fifth place overall.

Honorway Farm’s Leander, ridden by Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York, turned in the next clear jump off round in a time of 45.956 seconds which moved them up to a third place finish.

Crowd favorite Lochinvar, owned and ridden by Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas, also turned in a clear round in a time of 45.725 seconds. Not quite fast enough to beat Kocher and Ciana, their time would find them finishing in second place overall.

Shepherd returned to the jump off round, this time in the irons of Patterson’s Triompf. A heartbreak rail at the final fence earned them four faults in a time of 43.688 seconds and a sixth place ribbon overall.

DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 and Frank Owens of Windcrest, Texas were last to go and also suffered a rail at the final fence in a time of 47.742 seconds which would see them finish in ninth place overall.

“Ciana is a great horse,” said Kocher. “She won the second week in Pensacola and the Welcome this week. She just did her first FEI class and did some of the ranking classes in the Nations Cup,” he added. “This course looked really nice to her,” he said.

“Ciana is nine years old and belongs to Karen Cobb. She owns most of the horses I have ridden over the past year and a half,” Kocher said. “I have about eight showing here right now and some down the road at friend’s farm. We just got four more in and we’ll have more next week,” he added. “I sold a boat load of horses here last year,” said Kocher. “I actually sold more than half a million in horses here last year and no doubt, we will be selling a more for the rest of the circuit,” he added.

“I am very pleased with how the Apollo Jets Grand Prix went today,” commented Brian Hillen of Apollo Jets. “The crowd was amazing, the riders and horses were extremely talented and the grand prix field was beautiful,” he said. “I think Bob and Janet did a super job ordering up the beautiful weather we had and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to sponsor this world class event,” Hillen added.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

$7,770 Hester Equestrian, LLC Jumper Classic Awards Steffee and Warsteiner the Blue

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The $7,770 Hester Equestrian, LLC Jumper Classic was a huge success yesterday and saw twenty horse and rider teams take to the world class grass grand prix turf over a course designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico, former Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

“I love designing on this field,” commented Esparza. “This class is so great for horses to get experience on this turf,” he said. “I could design the course with fast options because there is so much room here and the footing is great,” he added.

Eight advanced to the second round and Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida and Jodie Camberg’s Destiny Van De Noordheuvel set the time to beat at 39.000 seconds, well within the 42 seconds time allowed.

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s HJ Platinum looked to beat Kocher’s time, but their clear second round in a time of 40.987 seconds would put them in second place temporarily.

Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and her own Japan also looked to beat Kocher’s time and turned in a lightning clear second round in a time of 37.002 seconds, taking the lead and setting the new time to beat.

Helen Gilbert’s Al Pacini, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, was the fourth to advance to a second round, but their time of 43.513 seconds, would see them finish with two time faults.

Sara McCann of Flower Mound, Texas, riding Fleur de Lis Farms’ Bacchus S, also turned in a clear second round, but their time of 42.731 would result in one time fault.

Mikayla Foster’s Kleinzoon Van Chin Ree, ridden by Amanda Comly of Waller, Texas, followed in the jump off order, but their second round saw twelve jump faults in a time of 39.577 seconds.

Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York and Honorway Farm, LLC’s Undercover finished their second round with four jump faults in a time of 39.403 seconds.

Sean Steffee of New Orleans, Louisiana and Isabel Coleman’s Warsteiner sat in the last to go spot and used those fast options when he rode to the win in a fast and clear second round in a time of 36.311 seconds, stealing the lead from Brennan.

The class finished up with Brennan and Japan in second, Kocher and Destiny Van De Noordheuvel in third, Shepherd and HJ Platinum in fourth, McCann and Bacchus S in fifth, Hicks and Al Pacini in sixth, Kelly and Undercover in seventh, and Comly and Kleinzoon Van Chin Ree in eighth. Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and Christina Van Patten’s Riptide earned ninth place honors as the fastest four faulter in a time of 76.401 seconds; Kelly and Sarah Hunter’s Graf Joe earned tenth place after posting a four fault first round in a time of 79.202 seconds. Eleventh place went to Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana and her own Phoenix, and Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi and her own Jet wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

The 1.25 m Jumper Classic is open to all horses not competing in the grand prix which is a perfect opportunity for them to gain valuable mileage on a world class grass grand prix field. Sponsor of the $7,770 Jumper Classic is Hester Equestrian, LLC. With a new location at Hilaur Farms in Lexington, Kentucky, Hester Equestrian is happy to compete on some fabulous new circuits like Pensacola and Gulfport. Coming from the West Coast, it is great to make new friends, and keep the old, and let the horses frolic in large green pastures in the bluegrass. They welcome training clients and always have a nice selection of sale horses. See hesterequestrian.com for all the information.

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.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, USHJA

Sarah Young Returns to the Winner’s Circle with Contemporary

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The weather on the Gulf Coast couldn’t be more beautiful as the Gulf Coast Winter Classic headed into Week IV with increased entries in the hunter rings as momentum continues to build for the upcoming Week V $77,700 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

Yesterday, thirty-six horse and rider teams took to the hunt in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Tucci. Sarah Young of Spring Hill, Kansas, winner of last week’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the irons of Beyond Time, returned to the winner’s circle, this time in the irons of Amanda Shaw’s Contemporary, after earning a first round score of 88 and a Handy score of 92, for a total score of 180.

Micaela Kennedy’s Magnus Hermes, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, earned second place after posting a first round score of 87 and a Handy score of 90 for an overall score of 177.

Young returned to pick up the third place ribbon with Samantha Hall’s Beyond Time after earning a first round score of 86 and a Handy score of 88 for an overall score of 174.

Isabella Baxter of Wright City, Missouri and her own Chief picked up fourth place after being awarded a first round score of 83 and a second round score of 87 for a total of 170.

Fifth place was awarded to Seth Vallhonrat’s Nemesis 11, ridden by Dominque Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, after earning a combined score of 168, and sixth place went to James Fisher’s Amara, ridden by Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, Georgia, with a combined score of 167. Seventh place was awarded to Courtney Calcagnini’s Casting Call, ridden by Catherine Castle of Folsom, Louisiana, after posting a combined score of 161, and eighth was awarded to Little Rock, owned by Ramble On Farm and ridden by Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Thinks Like a Horse Farm’s Friend Request, ridden by Brooke Van Nortwick of Leesburg, Virginia, placed ninth; Sabina Holtzman’s Re Chiste, ridden by Shepherd, earned tenth. Maida Clifton’s More Optimistic, ridden by Ashley Hotz of Eads, Tennessee, placed eleventh, and Roland Park, owned and ridden by Dudley Macfarlane of Crozet, Virginia, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

“Our hunter numbers continue to grow each week and I am confident that offering the second largest hunter purse in the country is contributing to this weekly climb in numbers,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Classic Company.

The epic $5 Pre-Green offering continued to see increased entries for a consecutive week in the 3′ and 3’3″ Divisions. Thirty-one horse and rider teams competed in the 3′ Division and twelve in the 3’3″ Division.

Cecelia Halsey’s Who Dat, ridden by Terry Brown of Canton, Georgia, earned the championship in the 3′ Pre-Green Division. Jennifer Jones’ MikiMoto, ridden by Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida, earned the reserve champion honors.

The 3’3″ Pre-Green Division Champion was Adagio, owned by Kirsten Dingus and ridden by Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia. Reserve Champion honors were awarded to Cheryl Rubinstein’s Capisce, ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama.

For more results on the Gulf Coast Winter Classic competitions, click here.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Sun Tzu and Brennan Win the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu.

The $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome took place yesterday afternoon on the world class grass grand prix field and crowned Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu the winner in the class. Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, Technical Coordinator for the 2015 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, designed the course.

Sun Tzu was the first horse to turn in a clean first round with a time of 92.864 seconds, just under the time allowed of 93 seconds. With two more to ride, Brennan opted to return later for her second round. Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York and Honorway Farm, LLC’s Leander followed Brennan with a clean first round in a time of 89.725 seconds. Although their second round time of 41.031 seconds beat the time allowed of 48 seconds, they incurred eight jump faults.

Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, followed with the next clean round in a time of 88.177 seconds and a second round in 46.387 seconds. With four jump faults, the pair would temporarily take the lead.

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone followed Lamontagne with a clear first round in a time of 92.487 seconds. The pair posted a clean second round in a time of 46.131 seconds, setting the new time to beat and temporarily taking the lead.

Brennan returned to the field, this time with her own Japan. The pair posted a clean first round in a time of 82.180 seconds. But four jump faults and fourteen time faults in their second round in a time of 61.621 seconds would inevitably place them in seventh place overall.

Lochinvar, owned and ridden by Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas, posted a clear first round in a time of 84.919 and advanced to the second round, going clear in a time of 41.797 seconds, taking the lead from Shepherd.

Shepherd returned to the ring, this time in the irons of Loretta Patterson’s Triompf, and went clear in a time of 90.281 seconds. They followed with a clear second round in a time of 44.219 seconds, which would not be fast enough to take the lead from Cyphert.

Brennan returned to the ring as the final ride in the irons of Sun Tzu. The pair went clean in a time of 41.031, taking the win and moving Cyphert and Lochinvar into second place.

Final results saw Shepherd taking the third and fourth place ribbons with Loretta Patterson’s Triompf and Silverstone, Lamontagne and Chanel Du Calvaire in fifth, Kelly and Leander in sixth and Brennan and Japan in seventh. The fastest of the four faulters, Scott Lenkart of Bartonville, Texas riding Allison Freeman’s Baloubrie, in a time of 87.196 seconds, placed eighth, followed by Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and Cerulean Stables’ HHS Louis in ninth place for their four fault first ride in a time of 89.572 seconds. Tenth place went to Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified, eleventh place awarded to Brennan and Cord II, owned by Meco Equestrian, LLC, and Happy Boy Van De Doornakkers, owned and ridden by Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

“It was a beautiful course,” commented Brennan. “It wasn’t enormous, but it was big and square and you needed to have respect for it,” she said. “The square options off of a 6.5 stride toward the in gate were difficult,” she added. “Everyone rode it in seven because the oxer was too big going out,” she continued. “You needed to put your air brakes on over the oxer in order to not grab that back rail,” she said.

“Sun Tzu was so fast today,” said Brennan. “That was a little bit of a tough jump off,” she said. “You had to stay with your horse and needed to have that little respect on the run to the in and out and not cowboy it,” she added.

“The Welcome really got all of us wondering what this Sunday’s CWD Grand Prix will be like,” she said.

Penny Brennan is originally from Nottingham, England and her father made his annual trek just last week to watch her ride in Gulfport. “He just left the other day and I really wanted to win one while he was here,” she said. “So I am dedicating this win to my Dad!” Brennan added. “I also want to thank my sponsors CWD and Finish Line Horse Products,” she said. “Finish Line products have done a lot for my horses and I’m very appreciative of their support,” she commented.

Micro-Chip Your Horse for $28 at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic

Micro-chipping is now a requirement! The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) now requires horses to be micro-chipped by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for Horse of the Year awards. Pricing for this can range into the hundreds of dollars at the other winter circuits. Not at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic! For only $28, all those showing in Gulfport can have their horse micro-chipped by Dr. Patrick Cleveland, the Official Veterinarian of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. Dr. Cleveland is available to discuss any questions you have about micro-chipping and Mary Babick, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunter Vice President, is also available for questions about the rule change.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

It’s Hunter Season at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic

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Sarah Young pilots Beyond Time to the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Week III of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic is underway! Perfect blue, sunny skies and pleasant temperatures were the backdrop to the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Tucci, that saw a field of twenty-seven horse and rider teams take to the hunt over a course designed by Tommy McIntyre of Batavia, Illinois.

Taylor Singleton’s Riesling, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, trifecta winner of last week’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, earned the highest Classic Round score of 85. Samantha Hall’s Beyond Time, ridden by Sarah Young of Spring Hill, Kansas, finished right behind her in the first round with a score of 84, setting the stage for an interesting Handy Round.

Durgin Park, owned by Henrietta Hall and ridden by Sarah Invicta Williams of Santa Fe, New Mexico, were behind Beyond Time with a first round score of 83.5, and Whitny, owned by Gabrielle Smoller and ridden by Young, finished fourth in the Classic Round with a score of 83.

Micaela Kennedy’s Magnus Hermes, ridden by D. Samuel Pegg of Sutton West, Missouri, sat in fifth place after the first round with a score of 82.5.

Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia was first to go in the Handy Round in the irons of Enticement, owned by Charlotte Warren, after earning a first round score of 76. Their Handy Round score of 85, for an overall score of 160, moved them into a seventh place finish overall.

Whitny and Young followed Curtin in the Handy Round after earning a first round score of 83. Their second round score of 87 for a combined total of 170 which would see them finish in fourth place overall.

Carrera, owned and ridden by Melanie Jeanes of Dallas, Texas, returned for their Handy Round after earning a first round score of 77. Their Handy Round score of 75 for a combined total of 152 would see them finish in tenth place overall.

Sabina Holtzman’s Re Chiste, ridden by Pegg, stood in sixth place after the first round, earning a score of 82.5. However, their Handy Round Score of 87 and combined overall score of 170 would move the pair up to third place overall.

Molly Ben Menachem’s Abstract, ridden by Sarah Scheiring of Stockton, New Jersey, returned for the Handy Round after earning a first round score of 79. Their second round score of 48 would see them drop from eighth to a twelfth place finish overall with a combined score of 127.

In seventh position after a first round score of 80, Mia Mask-Wittman’s Qirius, ridden by Ann De Michele of Haymarket, Virginia, earned a Handy score of 80 for a total score of 160, which would see them finish in eighth place overall.

Durgin Park and Invicta Williams were sitting in third place when they entered their Handy Round, but a second round score of 89 for a total of 171.5 would move them up to second place overall.

Sue Takata of Athens, Texas, in the irons of Stoneridge Farm’s A Timely Affair, sat in tenth place before their Handy Round with a score of 77.5. Their second round score of 70 for a combined total of 147.5 awarded them the eleventh place ribbon.

Beyond Time and Young sat in second place after their Classic Round. Their second round score of 90 moved them into first place with a combined score of 174, but Shepherd and Reisling had yet to go.

Happenstance, owned by Stonebridge Farms and ridden by Lauren Takata of Athens, Texas, sat in ninth place after a Classic Round score of 78. Their Handy Round score of 76 for a combined total of 154 would see them finish in ninth place overall.

Shepherd and Riesling sat in the last to go position and had the lead going into their Handy Round; however, a second round score of 83 for a combined total of 168 would see them finish in fifth place overall and secure the win for Young and Beyond Time.

The Gulf Coast Winter Classic is open season for the Hunters. All Hunters! With the second largest amount of prize money awarded in a USHJA International Hunter Derby in the country this year, the hunters are flocking to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. The $77,700 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, is scheduled for Week V, Friday, March 11 and some of the top hunter riders in the country will be competing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In the meantime, the Hunter divisions are heating up and entries continue to grow each week. The epic $5 Pre-Green Division offering has the rings packed with horses looking to earn valuable mileage and owners and riders looking to save some green!

The 3′ Pre-Green Division yesterday exceeded Week II entries and riders from New Jersey, Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Missouri, Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Georgia and Canada were well represented.

Rappaport, owned by Brianna Johnson and ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charleston, West Virginia, was crowned the 3′ Pre-Green Hunter Champion and Cecilia Halsey’s Who Dat, ridden by Terry Brown of Canton, Georgia, was Reserve Champion.

Tim Maddrix and Capisce
Tim Maddrix and Capisce

The 3’3 Pre-Green Hunter Championship was awarded to Cheryl Rubinstein, LLC’s Capisce, ridden by Tim Maddrix, and Reserve Champion went to Frances Porter’s Pappernich ridden by Jason Berry.

The Baby Green Hunter Championship was awarded to D’Artagnon, owned by Rachael Murphy and ridden by Breezy Sambola, and Reserve Champion honors went to Gambling Joy, owned and ridden by Ivy Nyberg.

The Hopeful Hunter Championship was awarded to Brazos, owned by Kathryn Luke and ridden by James Hensen. Salomon, owned by Susan Schwartz and ridden by Grace Prichard, earned the Reserve Champion honors.

For complete results, click here.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lochnivar and Cyphert Win the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Matt Cyphert and Lochnivar.

Lenkart and Emilios Win the $7,770 Hester Equestrian Jumper Classic

The $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome Week II of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic saw twenty-six horse and rider teams compete over a course designed by Olympic Medalist and Pan American Course Designer Michel Vaillancort of Tryon, North Carolina. The course was set on the world class grass grand prix field at the Harrison County Fairgrounds which is considered to be the one of the best in North America.

While a majority of the class went clean in their first rounds, the real challenge came with the abbreviated second round when only five of the twenty six would finish double clean.

The first round time allowed was set at 82 seconds. The first to go and the first to post a double clean effort was Francois LaMontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada in the irons of his own Dalton. The pair finished a fault-free first round in a time of 81.376 seconds and finished their second round effort in a time of 40.956 seconds, well within the 47 seconds time allowed and set the new time to beat.

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, who earlier in the day took the top three placings in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, transitioned into the jumper arena in the irons of Loretta Patterson’s Skymiles. The pair posted double clean rounds in times of 79.666 and 40.096 seconds, respectively, which would take the lead from Dalton and LaMontagne and set the new time to beat.

Specialized, owned by Missy Nolan and ridden by Tim Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama, also posted double clean rounds in times of 78.029 and 38.751 seconds and took the lead from Skymiles and Shepherd.

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and Meco Equestrian, LLC’s Cord II followed Maddrix with double clear rounds in times of 76.322 and 38.162 seconds and set the new time to beat.

Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, posted double clean rounds and looked to challenge Brennan and Cord II’s time, but the pair finished their second round in a time of 43.174 seconds which would see them finish in sixth place overall.

Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and his own Lochinvar followed with the next double clean round in times of 76.139 and 36.999 seconds which would take the lead and set the new time to beat. But Tim Maddrix had yet to go so the win was not one for the books quite yet.

Maddrix returned in the enviable last to go position in the irons of Baily Martin’s Contador De Bornival Z, but eight jump faults and one time fault would keep the pair out of the ribbons and secure the win for Cyphert and Lochinvar.

Brennan and Cord II took second place, Maddrix and Specialized were awarded third, Skymiles and Shepherd received fourth, LaMontagne and Dalton were fifth, and sixth place went to Emir D and Hicks. Chanel du Calvaire and LaMontagne finished in seventh place as the fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 38.947 seconds, while eighth place was awarded to Bull Run’s T-Mac, owned and ridden by Konstanze Wachholtz, who posted a four fault second round in a time of 41.627 seconds. Ninth place went to Hester and Lorstakov; tenth was awarded to Hannah Donald of Highland Village, Texas and her own Commissario 6. Wender and Hester took eleventh place, while Hicks wrapped it up with twelfth place in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Caritz Donz.

Emilios Wins the $7,770 Hester Equestrian LLC Jumper Classic

The $7,770 Hester Equestrian Jumper Classic was held Saturday and welcomed twenty-one horse and rider teams to a course designed by Michel Vaillancort. The class is geared toward horses not competing in the grand prix.

Scott Lenkart and Emilios
Scott Lenkart and Emilios

One third of the class had the opportunity to advance to the second round, but only two went double clean. Lauren Hester and Hester Equestrian’s Daister L posted double clear round in times of 77.941 and 40.128 seconds, respectively. The pair looked to win the Jumper Classic until last to go Scott Lenkart of Argyle, Texas and La Primera Hacienda’s Emilios posted double clear rounds in times of 73.844 and 38.209 seconds, respectively, taking the lead and putting Hester and Daister L in second place overall.

The fastest of the four faulters, Baritone 40, owned and ridden by Isabelle Potts of Aledo, Texas, posted a fault free first round in a time of 81.761 seconds and a four fault second round in time of 42.393 seconds. Fourth place was awarded to Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone, ridden by Holly Shepherd, who finished their clean first round in a time of 82.082 seconds and their four fault second round in a time of 49.319 seconds.

Thomas Welsh of New York, New York, in the irons of his own Prosper, placed fifth overall; sixth was awarded to Abby Maxwell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the irons of her own Kidogo. Lenkart returned for seventh place, this time aboard Fleur De Lis Farm’s Valina Du Cuirassier, and Welsh returned for the eighth place ribbon, this time in the irons of his own Newtown Jumping Jack. Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia and Willoughby Stables’ Varios placed ninth overall, and Francois LaMontagne was awarded tenth place in the irons of his own Vigo Massuere. Cerulean Stables’ Downton Abbey, ridden by Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, placed eleventh overall, and Shepherd, riding Dejan Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Hester and Clueless P Win Opening Week $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Lauren Hester and Clueless P.

Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky started this year’s Gulf Coast Winter Circuit in the winner’s circle, besting a group of 14 horse and rider teams in the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P.

Course designer Nancy Wallis of Lambertville, New Jersey set the course with a first round time allowed of 88 seconds.

Hester was first to go in the class in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Wender. Hester and Wender had a good run at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit and won the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic Week I. Yesterday, the pair jumped a clean first round in a time of 79.242 seconds, but had two rails down in the second round in a time of 33.978 seconds. “He’s a super careful horse, so I was kind of shocked he had two down in the jump off round,” commented Hester. The pair would finish in ninth place overall.

Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and Meeco Equestrian’s Cord 11 turned in the next clean first round in a time of 87.134 seconds and advanced to the second round. A heartbreak rail at the last fence in a time of 36.396 seconds would see the pair finish in seventh place overall.

Hester returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Dutch Warmblood, Arly. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 81.459 seconds and 37.150 seconds, respectively, and took the lead. “He’s really big and we made a couple of big turns,” Hester commented. Their lead would be temporary and the pair finished in fifth place overall.

Willoughby Stables’ Varios, ridden by Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia, grabbed the lead from Hester and Arly after turning in double clear rounds in times of 77.889 seconds and 34.623 seconds, respectively.

Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia followed Berry in the irons of her own Classified and posted double clear rounds in times of 83.377 seconds and 36.186 seconds, which would find the pair finish in fourth place overall.

Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, followed Kemper with double clear rounds in times of 82.066 seconds and 35.008 seconds, respectively, which would award them with third place honors overall.

Hester returned to the field, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P. “She was really spooking at the second jump,” commented Hester. “She really peeked at the triple bar and I was kicking her up to it,” she added. “She is so little and she chipped to it, so I just kept her galloping the rest of the course,” Hester said. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 80.146 seconds and 33.665 seconds, which would take the lead and eventually win the class. “I like little horses,” said Hester. “They turn easily and are closer to the ground, in case you fall off,” she laughed. “I was happy with how we did,” she said.

Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania followed with the next double clear rounds in the irons of Cerulean Stables, LLC’s HHS Louis in times of 87.310 seconds and 39.379 seconds, respectively. The pair would finish in sixth place overall.

Molly Ben-Menachem’s Dontez, ridden by Sarah Scheiring of Stockton, New Jersey, turned in a four-fault first round in time of 86.626 seconds and finished in tenth place overall.

Hester and her fourth ride in the class, Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Lorstakov, turned in the final round of the class with a clean first round in a time of 82.470 seconds and a four fault second round in a time of 38.479 seconds. The pair would finish in ninth place overall. “I didn’t expect him to go clear, but he jumped really well,” said Hester. “He has come a long way,” she added. “He needs to jump bigger because he is just not so impressed with the smaller jumps,” she said.

“I’m showing all of them in the $25,000 Foley RV Center Grand Prix on Sunday,” said Hester. “The grass field here felt really good; it’s really nice. We weren’t slipping on it and it’s not too hard. I hate hard grass and this is really lovely,” she said.

For complete results on the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, click here.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Dash for Cash King Kocher Closes Out Pensacola on Winning Streak

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Andy Kocher pilots Rooney IV to the win in Saturday night’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix.

The 2014 and 2015 USHJA King of Cash recipient Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida continued his winning streak to close out the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit yesterday and won the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix in the irons of BTS Entertainment and Sales’ Rooney IV.

Nineteen horse and rider teams tackled the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey and only four went clean, including two horses piloted by Kocher. The first to go clean in the first round was Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri in a time of 74.749 seconds, well within the 81 seconds time allowed. Four more horse and rider teams followed with faults until Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama entered the ring in the irons of Missy Nolan’s Specialized. The pair went clean in a time of 75.870 seconds, ensuring a jump off round!

Rooney IV and Kocher were the next to post a clean first round effort in a time of 73.359 seconds adding themselves to the jump off roster. Kocher returned as the last to go in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana and added themselves to the jump off trio after posting a clear round in time of 72.779 seconds.

The jump off round was set with a time allowed of 48 seconds. Hicks and Emir D were the first to go and went clean, setting the time to beat at 40.376 seconds. Maddrix and Specialized followed with a clean round in a time of 40.714 seconds and Kocher, winner of the Week II and III Horseflight Open Welcomes and the Week II $25,000 EMO Grand Prix, had the remaining two rides to go.

Kocher and Rooney IV were next to go and finished with a clean round in a fast 37.966 seconds taking the lead and setting the new time to beat for himself with his final ride, Ciana.

Ciana and Kocher turned in the final and the last clean round in a time of 42.320 seconds which put them in fourth place after he secured the win with Rooney IV. Hicks and Emir D finished in second; Maddrix and Specialty finished in third.

Fifth place went to the fastest four-faulter, Clueless P, owned by Hester Equestrian, LLC and ridden by Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky, in a first round time of 70.356 seconds. Kocher returned for a sixth place ribbon in the irons of his own Red Lady, after posting a four fault first round in a time of 72.264 seconds. Seventh was awarded to Quasi Modo, owned by Daryl Nolen and ridden by Jennie Nolen of San Antonio, Texas, after the pair posted a four fault first round in a time of 72.392 seconds. Cassuro Tsp, owned and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, was awarded eighth place after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 73.744 seconds. Ninth place went to Carlot, owned by Rolling Acres Farm and ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 75.006 seconds. Francois Lemontagne of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada and his own Chanel Du Calvaire earned tenth place honors, followed by Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling, ridden by Leffler, who was awarded eleventh place. Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Zine Dine finished up the class in twelfth place.

Today closed out the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit, which will now move down the coast to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Gulfport Circuit for six AA weeks of show jumping competition set to kick off on February 10th. If you haven’t sent your entries in yet, go to horseshowsonline.com and enter today. Come experience why the grass is greener on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Red Lady Takes the Blue! Wins Week III $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Andy Kocher and Red Lady.

The $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome Class kicked off the high jump action Thursday Week III of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit. Sixteen horse and rider teams tackled the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey. Jewel set the first round time allowed at 83 seconds and the second round at 45 seconds.

Andy Kocher, of Ocala, Florida, continued his Week II winning streak and added the Week III $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome blue ribbon to his resume in the irons of his own Red Lady, after posting double clear rounds in times of 75.347 seconds and 33.482 seconds, respectively. He returned to the winner’s circle for second place in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners’ Coconut after posting double clear rounds in times of 76.562 seconds and 33.680 seconds.

“Red Lady is thirteen. She’s been ridden by a lot of good riders and she knows the drill,” commented Kocher. “I got her in England last October but we just started showing her,” he said. “She needed to get fit and conditioned, and her feet needed attention too. She’s going great and she just keeps getting better and better every time,” Kocher said.

“Paul Mcteer owns her and he owns some of the other ones I ride,” added Kocher. “It would be great if she won the Grand Prix this Sunday, but who knows? I’m riding a lot of great horses here,” he said.

Kocher, recipient of the USHJA 2014 and 2015 Dash for the Cash award, rode five horses in the class and besides grabbing first and second place ribbons, earned eighth and tenth placings in the irons of BTW Entertainment & Sales’ Rooney IV and Craig Morrison’s Four Roses Di Vie Z.

Kocher has eleven horses with him in Pensacola. “We had a really great day today; the weather was perfect and just awesome,” he said. “One of the girls I teach, Sarah Dees, just moved up to the Junior Amateur level last week and won her first class with her horse Rico S today and everyone at the barn was really excited about that,” he added.

Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky and Hester Equestrian’s Clueless P posted double clear rounds in times of 75.008 seconds and 34.147 seconds, respectively, and took third place honors.

Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, earned fourth place after going double clean in times of 78.605 seconds and 36.317 seconds.

Francois Lamontagne, of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, in the irons of his own Chanel Du Calvaire, took the fifth place ribbon with double clear rounds in times of 79.547 seconds and 36.784 seconds, while Specialized, owned by Missy Nolen and ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama, grabbed sixth place honors after posting back to back clean rounds in times of 77.846 seconds and 37.713 seconds. Christian Rogge of Spring, in the irons of his own Cassuro Tsp, earned seventh place honors after posting double clean rounds in times of 78.232 seconds and 39.979 seconds, respectively.

The Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

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