Brooke Kemper and Riptide.
Riptide, owned by Christina Van Patten and ridden by Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia, won the $7,770 Hester Equestrian, LLC Jumper Classic yesterday afternoon under sunny skies at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic.
The 1.25 m Jumper Classic is open to all horses not competing in the grand prix which is a perfect opportunity for horses and riders to gain valuable mileage on a world class grass grand prix field. Course designer Nancy Wallis of Lambertville, New Jersey set the first round time allowed at 79 seconds.
Fifteen horse and rider teams took to the course. Jordan Gilchrist, of Flower Mound, Texas, in the irons of Isabelle Potts’ Bariton 40 was the first to turn in double clear rounds in times of 75.215 and 39.367 seconds, respectively, which held the lead until Brooke Kemper and Riptide turned in double clear rounds in 72.487 and 33.119 seconds, taking the lead.
Lauren Hester was the next double clear in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Daister L. With times of 70.850 and 36.313 seconds, the pair would finish in fourth place overall.
Thomas Welsh of New York, New York and his own Newtown Jumping Jack, looked to move Kemper from the lead position, but after posting double clear rounds in times of 74.250 seconds and 34.765 seconds, would find themselves finishing in third place overall.
Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania followed Welsh in the irons of C’or Equestrian’s MHS Automatic, but despite their double clear rounds in times of 73.213 and 33.910 seconds, their time was not fast enough to beat Kemper and they would finish in second place overall.
Sitting in the enviable last to go position, Sarah Scheiring of Stockton, New Jersey and Lauren Gristwood’s Eros SCF posted double clear rounds in times of 78.046 seconds and 36.352 seconds, respectively, which would see them finish in fifth place overall, leaving Kemper and Riptide in the first place position.
“[Riptide]’s careful, fast and competitive,” commented Kemper. “I know every time I walk in the ring on Riptide, she’ll try to win,” she added. “She’s a 10 year old Dutch bred that I ride for Christina Van Patten and she is here to be sold,” she said. “I’m sure she will make someone a great mount. She is a great Jr/Amateur horse and has a sweet disposition,” she said. Those interested should contact Brooke Kemper at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic.
“I think the $7,770 Hester Equestrian Jumper Classic is a great opportunity for younger horses coming up and it’s a nice step between the open classes and the Welcome class. It’s a nice inviting class for them to jump,” commented Kemper. “The grand prix field is in great shape and all of our horses are jumping well on it,” she added.
“We’ve had a great week here,” said Kemper. “Everyone who has shown has done well and the weather has been great. We’re excited for the rest of the Circuit,” she said. Kemper has 11 horses here at the Gulf Coast Winter Circuit this year.
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.
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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