Theo Genn rides Paradox to the win yesterday in the $25,000 Welcome Prix. Flashpoint Photography.
Twenty-two horse and rider teams took to yesterday’s $25,000 Welcome Jumper Prix designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana but only three first rounds emerged clean. Theo Genn of Lebanon, Ohio secured the win with the only fault free jump off round in the irons of Thomas Bruinsma’s Paradox.
The course was challenging and heights ranged from 1.40 meters 1.50 with a first round time allowed of 95 seconds. Rheinheimer commented, “I designed the course according to the national specs and this Sunday will be a little bit tougher. The horses all jumped great and I was satisfied with the results. It was a good prelude to Sunday’s Prix.”
Although Theo posted the slowest of the three clean rounds in a time of 90.325 seconds, he pulled out the stops for the jump off. Theo Genn commented, “Paradox is really hitting his prime this year at age 14. He is really jumping with such confidence and ease.”
Theo’s father, Wilhelm Genn, also of Lebanon, Ohio, aboard Ann Anastasio’s Welcome Cor, had the fastest time in the first round of 89.603 seconds, followed by Timothy Maddrix aboard KT Cher, owned by Claudia Styslinger, who posted a time of 89.750 seconds.
Theo was first to go in the jump off and turned in a clean round well within the time allowed of 51 seconds and set the time to beat at 41.123 seconds. Maddrix attempted to beat that time and did with his 40.093 seconds, but with eight jump faults, would finish in third overall. Genn patriarch Wilhelm sat in the enviable last to go position, but his time of 47.324 seconds and four jump faults would see them finish in second place behind his son Theo and Paradox.
Matt Cyphert of Lantana, Texas was the fastest of the four fault rounds and took fourth place aboard his own Lochinvar in a time of 85.489 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey, riding Sima Mogello’s Chantilly, finished in fifth with four faults and a time of 85.915 seconds. In sixth place Wilhelm Genn and his own Happy Z finished with four jump faults and a time of 86.970 seconds. Seventh place finisher Christi Israel of Birmingham, Alabama and her own Cracky Z turned in a first round effort in 87.042 seconds with four jump faults, and in eighth place, Jay Land of Alpharetta, Georgia finished with his own Nepal in a time of 88.051 seconds and four jump faults. Wilhelm Genn returned to claim his ninth place ribbon, this time with Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti in a time of 88.267 seconds and four jump faults. His son Ryan was right behind him with Wilhelm’s Cookie Monster and turned in a first round time of 88.521 seconds and four jump faults. In eleventh place, Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia, aboard his own Classified, finished in 89.186 seconds and four jump faults, and wrapping up the class was Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia, Texas aboard his own Quattro who finished in 87.254 seconds and eight jump faults.
Texas Takes It!
Texas riders and their mounts took over the winner’s circle yesterday after thirty five horse and rider teams took to the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey.
Lauren Stuller’s Lavasco ridden by Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas took home the top honors. “It was a really big class. I just loved the course,” said Gilchrist. “The handy was very fun and challenging and there were lots of intricate turns; you had to pay attention,” she added. “Lavasco is such an amazing horse. He’s 16 years old and I’ve been riding him for about 6 months. He belongs to Lauren [Stuller] who has him currently leased out to Mary Katherine Easterwood who uses him in short stirrup on the weekends.”
In reserve position was Anne Thompson’s Somerset, ridden by Will Roberts of Kingwood, Texas. Gilchrist came back for thirds this time in the irons of Shawn Hodgen’s Argentina, a warm blood mare imported from Europe that Gilchrist has been riding for about two years. “She’s another great horse,” said Gilchrist.
Fellow Texan Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia finished in fourth aboard Donna Tonahill’s Marvel. Fifth place went to Pamela Ward’s Trump Card, ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charles Town, West Virginia, and sixth place went to DS Holdings, LLC’s MTM EZ Go ridden by Whitney Owens of San Antonio, Texas. Seventh place was awarded to Look Again, owned and ridden by Rebecca Baker of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Debbie Holland’s Flamboyant, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, finished in eighth.
“We love coming to Gulfport,” said Gilchrist. “We have been coming here for about five or six years and this year we brought twenty-five horses for all six weeks,” she commented.
Free Live Web Streaming of All Welcome and Grand Prix Classes!
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic is proud to offer everyone the opportunity to watch show jumping action LIVE! Click on this link and catch the action LIVE and FOR FREE!
The remaining live streaming shapes up as follows:
Sunday March 2 at 2:00 pm $50,000 Grand Prix
Gulf Coast Sunshine Classic V
Friday March 7 at 8:00 am USHJA International Hunter Derby
Friday March 7 at 3:00 pm $25,000 Welcome
Sunday March 9 at 2:00 pm $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix
Gulf Coast Finale VI
Sunday March 16 at 2:00 pm $25,000 Grand Prix
Make sure to follow the IDK Media Group on Twitter at twitter@idkmediagroup.
What’s for Dinner?
Lookout Steak House is the Official VIP restaurant this week and patrons will be treated to the excellent cuisine that makes Lookout Steak House a favorite dining place among horse show exhibitors.
Lookout Steakhouse is a family restaurant on the corner of 13th Street and 26th Avenue in the Historic Downtown Gulfport, Mississippi. The gorgeous building was originally built in 1903 as a bank and the motif is exposed brick, beautiful stained wood beams, and a magnificent façade dating back over 100 years.
Lookout was known for spectacular steaks and seafood in Long Beach Harbor and the new location in Historic downtown will offer the same. Great Certified Angus Beef, coupled with Kobe Beef, along with the freshest seafood on the coast – Lookout has a diverse menu with affordable family pricing.
So be sure to reserve your VIP table for this Sunday’s Grand Prix and sample some of the culinary delights offered by Outlook Steakhouse. Grand prix tables are only $325 a week and not only serve the best food, but have the best ringside seats for the grand prix! Make sure to see Jonathan in the show office to secure your table today!
The Gulf Coast Classic Company and the Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. Together, they offer the best exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events each winter. Please visit them on the web 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 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