Liza Boyd gracefully pilots Sarah Orberson’s First Dance over a fence on their way to the win in the National Hunter Derby last night. Flashpoint Photography.

Liza Boyd of Camden, South Carolina and First Dance, owned by Sarah Orberson, took first place last night in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by FarmVet, outscoring 42 other horse and rider teams.  The competition was steep, but Boyd and First Dance rose to the occasion earning them a first round score of 89, and a handy score of 91, totaling 180 points, securing the win.

In second place, Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama rode Belvedere, owned by Ellen Herrington, to a first round score of 88.5, a handy score of 89, and a combined total of 177.5.  Caracas, owned by Mary Claire Ray and also ridden by Shepherd, secured the third position with a first round score of 86, a handy score of 90 and combined total of 176.  Shepherd also locked in fourth place, this time in the irons aboard Kleiner Ralli, owned by Suzan Larson.  The pair earned a first round score of 87.75, a handy score of 87 and combined total of 174.75.

Fifth place was awarded to Sarona, LLC’s Fabrege, ridden by Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia.  The pair earned a first round score of 88.25, a handy score of 86 and combined total of 174.25.  Sixth place was awarded to Madison Maners of Matthews, North Carolina and her own Blue Steel.  The pair earned a first round score of 83, a second round score of 89.5 and combined total of 172.50.  Kissme, owned and ridden by Anna Well-Sharp of Bluffton, South Carolina, received seventh place honors after turning in a first round effort of 87 and a handy score of 85 for a combined total of 172.  Eighth place was awarded to Elevenstar Farm’s MacDaddy, ridden by Lucie Johnston of Nashville, Tennessee.  The pair earned 83.5 in the first round, followed by a score of 87 in the handy round for a combined total of 170.5.  Ninth place was awarded to Versace, owned and ridden by Lynn Seithel of Johns Island, South Carolina.  The pair earned a first round score of 88, a handy score of 80 and combined score of 167.

Taboo, owned by Churchill McMurrain and ridden by Rebekah Livingston of Peachtree City, Georgia, earned a tenth place after receiving a score of 90 in the first round, followed by a 76 in the handy round for a combined total of 166.  Eleventh place went to Be My Date, owned and ridden by Kate Duke of Collierville, Tennessee. The pair earned a first round score of 82.5, a handy score of 79 for a combined total of 161.50.  Wrapping up the class, Mackenzie McGehee of Jacksonville, Florida rode her own And Then Some to a first round score of 88.75, a handy score of 49 for a combined total of 137.75, locking in her twelfth place finish.

On Deck!

The $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix is scheduled for 5 pm tonight. The VIP tent will be serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the class, so make sure to reserve your table in the show office.  This is the first of two grand prix that will be offered this year.  If you are still considering Week II, make sure to contact the office immediately to reserve your stall.  This is the vacation and horse show destination — and the only venue where you can jump the fences and the waves!

Charleston Classic sponsor, Cenegenics of the Carolinas, will be on hand this evening to meet with those interested in living well longer and maximizing their potential.

In other news:

Social Calendar!

The fun continues!  Tonight VIP patrons will enjoy cocktails and appetizers during the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix.  Tomorrow, don’t miss the ringside Mimosas served up by Classic Company President Bob Bell himself.

There’s a party most every day next week too, so don’t miss any of them!

Something for Everyone!

Due to popular demand, Classic Company has added a 1.20m Training Jumper to the schedule for both weeks along with a Walk-Trot Division.

Don’t Hoof It!

With all the action at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, you may consider renting a golf cart from the Official Golf Cart Company, Garrett Golf Carts, or call them at 843-881-8894. Weekly rentals for two-seaters are only $225 and only $275 for the four-seaters. Make sure to contact them and reserve your cart now – your barn and trainer will thank you!

Got Rooms?

Get a jump on it and book today!  This location is beautiful and a vacation destination.  So make sure to book your rooms and condos now! Classic Company’s Official Lodging Partner is the pet-friendly Land’s Inn at 2545 Savannah Highway in Charleston.  The Land’s Inn is approximately 18 miles from the show grounds and looks forward to welcoming you, your families and your four legged friends.  You can call them at 843-763-8885 or visit them on the web at creeksidelandsinn.com.  Make sure to mention you will be attending the Charleston Summer Classic shows.

If condo is the way you like to go and the phrase “seven miles from the show grounds” sounds good to you, the Classic Company recommends several and they are listed in the prize list. Most are located on Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island and all offer close proximity to the show and the beach. Classic’s newest lodging partner is Coastal Getaways of South Carolina and can be reached via web or at 843-789-4438. Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget!

Make sure to book now for the show and vacation experience you will never forget.

If you haven’t reserved your stalls or sent in your entries yet, please contact Classic Company immediately at 843.768.5503 or send them an email at info@classiccompany.com.

For those looking save the cost of postage, paper and personal time, make sure to go to Equestrian Connect, Classic Company’s Official Service Provider, to submit your entries today!

Equestrian Connect is Classic Company’s Official Service Provider and allows exhibitors to store their data one time, on the web, and then use that data to automatically fill out hunter/jumper entry forms across the country.  The service offers a free 45 day trial period for new members.  At the conclusion of the trial period, Equestrian Connect offers an annual subscription, or a “pay as you go” service. The service allows exhibitors to save both time and money.  This is the one-minute online entry service that will help you get your entries in on time and you to the show!

Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest:  Classic Shows are FUN!  Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best.  Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments.

So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer.  The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States.  For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at classicsponsorship@gmail.com.  All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.com.

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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457