Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC’s Quastor Van De Helle Z clear the CWD oxer on their way to the win in the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix.
March 25, 2013 – Conyers, Georgia – The Atlanta Spring Classic welcomed a record number of competitors to its opening week at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia which kicked off on March 20 and is set to run through March 30.
“We had to add rings and redo the schedule a bit in order for everything to run smoothly. We definitely accomplished that,” said Classic Company President Bob Bell. “And with the wet weather we had on Saturday, we had no choice but to move the CWD Grand Prix to the covered arena,” he added.
The move did not dampen the spirits of the exhibitors as eighteen tackled the course designed by International Course Designer Michel Vaillancourt, of Augusta, Georgia. Only four rounds went clean, but it was Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland aboard Quastor Van De Helle Z, owned by Paulexi, LLC, who took the win with a clean first round in a time of 67.544 seconds and a clean jump off round of 33.622 seconds.
Second place went to Adam Cramer of Pittstown, New Jersey in the irons aboard Equi Sport, LLC’s Luke 54. They duo turned in a clean first round effort in 71.553 seconds and a clean jump off round in 35.128 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey rode his own Calissandro to a third place finish after turning in a clean first-round effort in 68.336 seconds and a four fault jump-off round in 33.061 seconds. Frances Land of Alpharetta, Georgia, riding her own Vieanne, turned in a fault-free, first round effort in 64.714 seconds but with nine jump faults in the jump-off round, would settle for fourth.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey rode The Coverboy Group’s Newlight VDL to a fifth place finish with two jump faults and a time of 73.791 seconds in the first round, while fellow New Jersey rider Devin Ryan rode Barbara Rowland’s No Worries to a sixth place finish with four jump faults in the first round with a time of 64.723 seconds.
Seventh place went to Collin, owned by Positive-ism, Inc., and ridden by Amanda Wise of New Fairfield, Connecticut, after turning in a first-round effort in 67.624 seconds with four jump faults. Eighth place was awarded to Robert Lee of Oldsaybrook, Connecticut riding Brook Run Farm, LLC’s El Grecco in a first round time of 68.869 seconds and four jump faults. Ninth place was awarded to Neil Badcock of King City, Ontario, Canada and his own Campino after turning in a first round effort in 69.065 seconds with four jump faults. Tenth place went to Robbie Donaldson of Columbus, North Carolina, aboard his own Ruby Tuesday who jumped the first round in a time of 68.257 seconds with eight jump faults.
Welcome!
The $5,000 Open Welcome Class on Thursday saw some of the top riders in the country tackle the course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. The legendary Joe Fargis of Middleburg, Virginia bested the field and took first place honors aboard Sandron’s Lariat in a first round effort of 71.167 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 31.225 seconds.
Second place saw Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey, in the irons aboard her own and the Coverboy Group’s Superbad, with a first round effort in 75.018 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 33.143 seconds. Adam Cramer of Pittstown, New Jersey rode Equi Sport, LLC’s Luke 54 to the third placing with a first round time of 71.840 seconds and a clean second round effort in 35.797 seconds.
Fourth place was awarded to Amanda Flint and the Coverboy Group’s VDL Zedaldin who turned in a first round time of 76.459 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 35.944 seconds. Lanie Thomas of King City, Ontario, Canada earned a fifth place ribbon aboard Neil Badcock’s Albion with a clean first round effort in a time of 71.839 and a clean second round effort in a time of 36.002 seconds. Sixth place went to Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC’s Quastor Van De Helle who turned in a clear first round in 72.011 seconds and a second round in a time of 36.343 seconds. Ken Whelihan of Otis, Massachusetts rode Ursula Green’s James to seventh place with a first round time of 73.659 seconds and a clean second round effort with a time of 36.751 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey wrapped the class up with the eighth place ribbon riding Barbara Rowland’s No Worries in a first round effort of 70.642 seconds and a four fault second round in a time of 31.929 seconds.
Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classic continues this week starting tomorrow and will run through Saturday. The new TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Division will highlight the week along with the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome and the $25,000 Grand Prix scheduled for Friday night.
The Atlanta Spring Classic Shows coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival at the park, so be prepared for the most beautiful display of blossoming cherry trees as a backdrop to the magnificently decorated show rings.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! And, this year the fun continues at the Gulfport show with complimentary exhibitor parties, breakfasts, luncheons and office snacks to make your showing experience the best ever.
Classic Company never charges a scratch or add fee for those last minute adds and scratches, so if you haven’t entered yet, go to the prize list or simply click on Equestrian Connect to fill out your entry form and stabling requests.
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!
So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Gulf Coast Classic shows in Gulfport, and let the good times roll!
The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.ClassicCompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at 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