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Overdrive Week V at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit

Martien Van Der Hoeven and Cellino won the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Week V at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit was the largest competition week at the Harrison County Fairgrounds in the 17 year history of the series. Spectators, sponsors, horses and riders swarmed the Mississippi Gulf Coast for top prize money and for those who could not be there, the USEF Network live streamed the event to thousands around the globe.

Friday’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Brook Ledge, saw 35 horse and rider teams take to the hunt on the world class grass grand prix. Equestrian enthusiasts from around the globe had the opportunity to view the premier event on the USEF Network. More than 5,000 viewers watched as riders and their horses galloped across the hunter course.

Cellino, owned by Julie Thompson and ridden by Martien Van Der Hoeven of Spring, Texas, won the class with a combined total score of 365. Bowie, owned by Fleur de Lis Farms and ridden by Courtney Calcagnini of Argyle, Texas, turned in a combined total score of 363 and received second place. Third was awarded to Andy Kocher’s White Lightning, ridden by Callie Schott of Versailles, Kentucky; the pair received a combined score of 352.50.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Tucci, followed the International Hunter Derby and saw a field of 35 compete for the win.

Swagger, owned and ridden by Lee Cesery of St. Augustine, Florida, rode away with the blue after receiving a combined score of 173.5. Second place was awarded to Pommegranate, owned by Heather Geller and ridden by Natalie Geller of Canton, Georgia, after receiving a combined score of 170. Deloise Noble-Strong of Ruxton, Maryland and her own Chazeaux finished in third place after receiving a combined total of 169.5.

Friday’s hunters paved the way for the jumpers and the $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome took to the turf in the mid-afternoon.

Thirty-two horse and rider teams tackled the course and nine had the opportunity for a second round. Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Michael Rosenberg’s Crown Joker won the class after turning in double clear rounds and a second round time of 40.517 seconds, well within the 47 seconds time allowed. Matt Cyphert of Justin, Texas secured second place with his own Lochinvar after turning in double clean rounds with a second round time of 43.065 seconds. Third place was awarded to Taylor Flury of Minooka, Mississippi in the irons of Aliboo Farm Inc.’s Role Model. The pair turned in double clear efforts and a second round time of 45.374 seconds.

Saturday’s $5,000 Animo 1.30 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Laura Linback of Long Grove, Illinois and her own Carmina.

Andy Kocher and Heliante clear the Beau Rivage jump before a packed house in Sunday's $77,700 Governor's Cup Grand Prix.
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Andy Kocher and Heliante clear the Beau Rivage jump before a packed house in Sunday’s $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix.

Sunday’s feature presentation, the $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix, presented by Beau Rivage, saw none other than the unstoppable Andy Kocher take the win in the irons of his own Heliante, besting a field of 32 horse and rider teams.

The first round’s final fence, unlucky fence 13, saw 13 horse and rider teams take a rail and only four emerged to the jump off round. “The way to jump that 13 fence clear was to jump the Beau Rivage fence and go a little bit on the landing so you could slow down to 13 and give them some room. It was for sure the highest jump on the course,” commented Kocher. Kocher had two in the jump off round including his own Rooney IV. “Rooney IV jumped amazingly well and was easily the best horse in the class,” said Kocher. “I lost my stirrup after the first fence in the jump off with him and rode the rest of with one stirrup so that really knocked the wind out of my sails,” he commented. “So I took it nice and slow on Heliante and hoped she wouldn’t hit one,” he added. Despite the two time faults, Kocher and Heliante had a time of 58.351 seconds.

Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas rode his own Lochinvar to second place after posting a four fault jump off round in a time of 51.022 seconds. Kocher and Rooney IV returned for the third place ribbon after turning in a four fault jump off round in a time of 53.231 seconds, and Frank Owens of Windcrest, Texas and DS Holdings, LLC’s S&L Shoe Guru took fourth place after posting a time of 56.901 seconds and twelve jump faults.

Matt Cyphert received the Kastel Denmark Jumper Style of Riding Award for his efforts.

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

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