Jordan Coyne pilots Lazaro over an oxer in the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix. Flashpoint Photography.
A beautiful seventy degree, sunny fall day showcased the grandeur of the Olympic Arena and welcomed thirty three entries to the Georgia International Horse Park for the Atlanta Fall Classic’s opening week $65,000 EMO Grand Prix. The course was designed by international course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico who was an Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
Esparza challenged competitors by setting the first round time allowed at 72 seconds. Only four horse and rider teams beat that time in fault free rounds, but it was Jordan Coyne from New Port Ritchey, Florida riding her own Lazaro who posted the only double clear effort in 68.159 seconds and 40.167 seconds, respectively. “The time was short, but not impossible,” commented Esparza. “I always prefer to have the time factor instead of higher fences or wider spreads,” he added. “I think it’s safer for the young horses and riders and it’s important that they don’t leave the ring with a bad experience, but with a good lesson,” he continued. “That was my plan looking at the list of competitors and I’m very happy with the results,” he said. “The winner was one of the young prospects in our sport,” Esparza said. “I think this is the way to develop these horses and with the amount of prize money at stake, it was, in my opinion, a good course and a good result,” he said.
Kristen Vanderveen of St. Charles, Illinois was clean in her first round with a time of 69.251 seconds and was the first to go in the jump off aboard Bull Run’s Eternal, owned by Bull Run Jumpers, LLC. She posted the fastest time in 39.736 seconds, but with eight jump faults she finished in fourth overall. Coyne was next to go and finished clean in 40.167 seconds. Jared Peterson of Archer, Florida riding Derek Peterson’s Titus 2:11 went clean in the first round after posting a time of 71.079 seconds in his first round. He followed Coyne in the jump off order. After dropping a rail at the fourth obstacle, the pair would finish in third place overall with a time of 43.755 seconds and four faults.
Quentin Judge of Wellington, Florida in the irons aboard HH Whiskey Royale, owned by Double H Farm, posted a first round clean effort in 71.857 seconds looked to give Coyne a run for the money. As the last to go in the jump off, HH Whiskey Royale and Judge looked as if he may steal the win, but with four faults at the second to last fence in the jump off, the pair would settle for second with a time of 41.418 seconds.
Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico riding Showcase 81, LLC’s Bon Giorno turned in a first round effort in 73.326 seconds with two time faults which landed them in fifth position. Paulo Santana of Wellington, Florida rode Atanja, owned by Santana Stables, LLC, in a first round time of 74.539 seconds which earned them three time faults and a sixth place overall. Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida finished in seventh overall riding Vanita, owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, with four jump faults and a time of 67.016 seconds. Bull Run Jumpers, LLC’s Bull Run’s Holy Smoke, ridden by Kristen Vanderveen, finished in eighth place overall after posting a time of 69.313 seconds and four jump faults. David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee, aboard Emily Short’s Grand Finale 3E, finished in ninth overall with a time of 69.321 seconds and four jump faults. David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio rode Moet Walk, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC, to a tenth place finish in 70.070 seconds with four jump faults. Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania rode her own Carigor Z to the eleventh place finish in 70.389 seconds and four jump faults while Frances Land of Alpharetta, Georgia rode her own Vieanne to the twelfth place spot in a time of 70.504 seconds and four jump faults.
“We’re so pleased with our sponsorship of the Classic Company,” said Martha Hall, Vice President of EMO. “Bob [Bell] and the Classic Company team does such a great job promoting us and adding value to our sponsorship; we are just thrilled!” she said.
Show jumping action continues this week with the Adequan Pre-Green Hunter Finals, the National Classic Equitation Finals, the Take2 Thoroughbred Division, the $10,000 Child Adult Jumper Classic, the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome Class, the $45,000 EMO Grand Prix and the International Hunter Derby. The crowning of the Circuit Champions will wrap up the week’s events.
There is always something for everyone at Classic Company shows and the Classic Atlanta Fall Shows are no exception. So make sure to bring everyone to the International Horse Park this week and enjoy Classic Company’s world class customer service, beautifully decorated rings, big prize money, great events and fun for all! Email Jonathan at jonathan@classiccompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503. Remember, you can also sign up for the Atlanta Fall Classic by visiting the Classic Company’s Official Service Partner, Equestrian Connect.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them at the Atlanta Fall Classic starting November 7th. 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 surcharge added for credit card payments.
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 the Classic Company, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, the Southeast Medal Finals and their 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 lisa@classiccompany.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