What a great week to be on the Gulf Coast! We were lucky with the weather that stayed north of us and we had a jammed pack week of special events. This week has always been known as our “celebration of hunters”. This week also for the past few years was also a World Champion Rider event, but it was sad to have to tell so many exhibitors that the governing body over WCHR felt that this event was not worthy. Maybe next year the vote will be different.
We started this week streaming with Show Net and we had about 300 watching our USHJA International Hunter Derby. It seems to be a big success for everyone.
On Thursday afternoon we had the jog for 39 horses for our USHJA International Hunter Derby followed by the riders meeting and drawing the order of go along with huge pile of sandwiches, brownies and soda and beer.
We finished our third week in Gulfport today and wow has time zoomed by. As of today we are half way through our Winter Circuit in Gulfport and each week seems to be getting better and better and I know it’s because of the wonderful exhibitors we have showing this year.
Next week (week 4) is our Celebration of Hunters with our USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Grand Prix Field and we also will host the “County Party” on Friday night. You would think after the incredible party that Domino’s Pizza hosted this week with the jungle theme and great band that nothing could be better but this one is always a favorite among exhibitors too.
This week the Gulf Coast Classic Company started with ShowNet and streaming video in the Grand Prix Field and main hunter ring. Watch your horse or just take a look at the wonderful Grand Prix Ring in Gulfport.
We finished our second week in Gulfport and all is well. We had a giant storm come though on Saturday and had to call the show around 1pm but the worst of the storm was north of us and today the footing was great and our Grand Prix was under sunny blue sky.
I want to thank a group of exhibitors who got together and sponsored what they called the National Hunter Classic Breakfast. Thanks to Daniel and Cathy Geitner, Allison Black and Mark Tompkins, Fox Ridge Farm, Benny’s Wash and Fold, and Gamboa Veterinary Services. It was a great ringside treat on Friday morning for all. The exhibitors and management say THANKS.
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby was won by Beleveder and Holly Shepherd.
Our Spring Shows, The Atlanta Spring Classics, starts on March 21 and runs until April 1st. Our spring shows are USEF AA rated and we host a $25,000 Grand Prix each week. For the past few years these shows has been light and our grand prix has had less than 20 entries. Being a light show, this is a great opportunity for barns seeking AA points and easier jumper money to join us and reap the rewards of a smaller AA show.
I want to remind you that the closing date for Atlanta Spring is February 25th. Although many have learned to ignore the closing date of our shows, Classic Company does offer a $25 per stall savings if paid by closing date. We know that with a two week show $50 is a savings on each stall price so we do encourage exhibitors to enter early. One of the Classic Company’s sponsors does make making your entries easy. Equestrian Connect allows you to do your entries online and makes the process so easy and accurate. I would suggest a visit to www.equestrianconnect.com and see what they have to offer.
February 15, 2012 – Gulfport, MS – Beginning this week at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, Amateur and Adult Jumpers will have a dream prize up for grabs! Running from this second week of competition through the end of the fifth week – February 15th through March 4th – competitors in the Amateur and Adult Jumper sections will be awarded points toward a fabulous South American adventure.
Henry Jota Sporthorse Auction, Accolade Farm, and Eduardo Braun are the sponsors who will be awarding two free trips to beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina for December 2013 to attend the Henry Jota Sporthorse Auction. “I was completely surprised and thrilled when Eduardo suggested this wonderful prize. And I’ve no doubt the jumper competition is going to really heat up with this announcement!” said Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company and co-chair of the Gulf Coast Classics.
We had a great first week in Gulfport. Today the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix presented by Johnson Horse Transport was won by Nepal with the owner and rider Jay Land.
February 3, 2012 – Green Cove Springs, FL – The Jacksonville Winter Series wrapped up its three week run on January 29th with the naming of Circuit Champions and a lot of fond memories for those attending.
Alexis Newman of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association summed up the series: “We enjoyed a fantastic three weeks of shows that were marked with great exhibitor parties, superb competition, wonderful camaraderie, near perfect weather, plus a touching and successful benefit dinner.” The support of attendees raised in excess of $14,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and local 4-H clubs. Show manager Bob Bell echoed Newman’s sentiment: “The number of exhibitors may not have been what we hoped for, but the competition was nothing less than fierce! I really feel this was one the best Jacksonville series yet – like Alexis said, we just had the best of everything come together and make for a great three weeks.”
February 2, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, has officially announced the formation of two $25,000 Hunter Pony Derby Classics that will premiere this summer, the first at the Atlanta Summer Classic, Week II (June 20-24) and the next at the Charleston Summer Classic, Week II (July 17-21).
Bob Bell’s explanation for the development of the big money classes for the youngest set of competitors was an easy one: “I like the pony hunters. I like the trainers. I love the enthusiasm of both the children and their parents for this sport, because in most cases the pony hunter is their first introduction to the equestrian world. I simply wanted to create an event that appreciates this group and I don’t think this type of classic has been done before.”
Aside from the large cash pay outs, Bell believes these classics provide an added benefit. “There is so much talent in our pony riders and I feel they should be rewarded, not only with the money but these classics will give them two opportunities to go head to head with the best for those preparing to compete at Pony Finals later in the summer.”
Today was a kind of sad day in Pensacola because it’s the day we say good-bye and pack, but are very excited to head to our flagship show in Gulfport. Success is the best word to describe the new Florida winter circuit in Pensacola. We did not get the numbers we were hoping for our first year but all the divisions filled and our Grand Prix classes jammed the stands with spectators. We have signed on the dotted line to come back next year and maybe even for four weeks.
I flew back and forth for three weeks from east to west spending my time at both circuits in north Florida. I will be glad to stay in one time zone when we get to Gulfport next week.
The shows in Jacksonville were also a success. Again, the shows were lighter than they have been in the past but the shows ran well, thanks to a great crew and staff. The shows in Jacksonville will run in 2013 and NFHJA is also planning four weeks next year.
Week 2 of the Jacksonville Winter Series is complete. We enjoyed beautiful warm and sunny weather, exhibitor parties, an exciting Grand Prix and a wonderful benefit dinner for the Wounded Warrior Project.
C-Rated Division Champions & Reserves.
Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Entrepreneur, Owned by Peggy Fuller
Venice, Owned by Kendra New
Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 First Class, Owned by Jennifer Wallen
Karla, Owned by Roberta Previ
Adult Amateur Hunter 50+ Mackenzie, Owned by Cynthia Kellog
Rebel’s Last Yell, Owned by Kathleen Gurley
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What a great week to be on the Gulf Coast! We were lucky with the weather that stayed north of us and we had a jammed pack week of special events. This week has always been known as our “celebration of hunters”. This week also for the past few years was also a World Champion Rider event, but it was sad to have to tell so many exhibitors that the governing body over WCHR felt that this event was not worthy. Maybe next year the vote will be different.
We finished our third week in Gulfport today and wow has time zoomed by. As of today we are half way through our Winter Circuit in Gulfport and each week seems to be getting better and better and I know it’s because of the wonderful exhibitors we have showing this year.
We finished our second week in Gulfport and all is well. We had a giant storm come though on Saturday and had to call the show around 1pm but the worst of the storm was north of us and today the footing was great and our Grand Prix was under sunny blue sky.
Our Spring Shows, The Atlanta Spring Classics, starts on March 21 and runs until April 1st. Our spring shows are USEF AA rated and we host a $25,000 Grand Prix each week. For the past few years these shows has been light and our grand prix has had less than 20 entries. Being a light show, this is a great opportunity for barns seeking AA points and easier jumper money to join us and reap the rewards of a smaller AA show.
February 15, 2012 – Gulfport, MS – Beginning this week at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, Amateur and Adult Jumpers will have a dream prize up for grabs! Running from this second week of competition through the end of the fifth week – February 15th through March 4th – competitors in the Amateur and Adult Jumper sections will be awarded points toward a fabulous South American adventure.
We had a great first week in Gulfport. Today the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix presented by Johnson Horse Transport was won by Nepal with the owner and rider Jay Land.
Today was a kind of sad day in Pensacola because it’s the day we say good-bye and pack, but are very excited to head to our flagship show in Gulfport. Success is the best word to describe the new Florida winter circuit in Pensacola. We did not get the numbers we were hoping for our first year but all the divisions filled and our Grand Prix classes jammed the stands with spectators. We have signed on the dotted line to come back next year and maybe even for four weeks.
