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Paternoster Continues Her Winning Streak at the Charleston Summer Classic

Gemma Paternoster and Kenzo won the $25,000 Juan Hernandez Grand Prix Week I the Charleston Summer Classic. Flashpoint Photography.

What a week! Week I of the Charleston Summer Classic had record numbers and saw the happiest exhibitors enjoying their show-cation destination.

Friday night’s $25,000 Juan Hernandez Grand Prix saw twenty-three riders from around the country competing for their share of the prize money last week in front of a sold out, festive VIP tent.

The Juan Hernandez Grand Prix commemorates the life of rider Juan Hernandez, a well-loved exhibitor who passed away as a result of an automobile accident nine years ago. “We all loved Juan and this is a nice remembrance of him,” commented Bob Bell, President of Classic Company.

Of the twenty-six rides, seven would go clean in the first round.

Great Britain’s superstar Gemma Paternoster, now residing in Wellington, Florida, was first to go in the irons of Julia Harrison-Lee’s Osiris and turned in a clean round in a time of 45.621 seconds, well within the time allowed of 47 seconds. Paternoster was also slated to go last in the class aboard Harrison-Lee’s Kenzo, and while five rides remained between the first and last, she was hoping to grab a top finish.

Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas was next to challenge Paternoster in the jump off aboard Hailey Henderson’s Lissa Tsp. However, the pair had four jump faults in a time of 42.671 seconds and would finish in seventh place overall.

Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina was next to go with Geddaway Farm’s Serena and turned in a clean jump off round in a time of 40.979 seconds, setting the new time to beat.

Whitney Owens of San Antonio, Texas stepped up to Geitner’s challenge with D & S Holdings, LLC’s S & L Shoe Guru in a clean jump off round and a time of 40.807 seconds, one-upping Geitner’s time and setting the new time to beat.

Amateur rider Erin McGuire of Cornelius, North Carolina joined the jump off and she and her own Kasaar turned in clear effort in a time of 41.087 seconds, not quite fast enough to take Owens’ lead and would finish in fifth place.

The third Texan entered the ring, Jordan Gilchrist from Flower Mound in the irons of Jenny Booth’s Lucie De Brecey, and despite their clean round, their time of 41.043 seconds would not be fast enough to take the lead; the pair would settle for fourth place overall.

Paternoster was last to go with Kenzo and the pair turned in a clean round in the fastest jump off time of 40.440 seconds, which won the class.

Final results had Paternoster and Kenzo with the win, followed by Owens and S & L’s Shoe Guru in second. Third place was awarded to Daniel Geitner and Serena.

Charleston Summer Classic Week II

It’s another sold out week on Johns Island and the show schedule and social life will be jumping! The $5,000 Open Welcome takes place today and there are 23 slated to go. Thursday will see the hunter riders take to the field for their share of the prize money. Friday night the final Grand Prix kicks off at 5 pm and Saturday celebrates the circuit champions! These classes plus an assortment of something for everyone will keep all horses, riders, family and friends busy this week! The fun is happening at the Charleston Summer Classic, so come on down! For those interested in just watching the show, there is no admission charge. Don’t miss the excitement this last week!

Show-cation Party Schedule Is Underway!

Did you order your VIP table? There are just a couple left for the final week of the Charleston Summer Classic. So reserve your VIP table and then start marking your calendar because you won’t want to miss a moment of the fun at the Charleston Summer Classic!

Tickets to the VIP are only $350 for a table of 8 each week and individual tickets are only $45 per person. Be sure to email info@classiccompany.com to reserve your VIP table now!

The fun continues tonight with the 7th Annual BBQ at Tissy’s Oak River Farm, 3598 Wild Plum Road, Johns Island – just down the road from the horse show. All are welcome to attend so be sure to bring the entire family!

The USHJA Hunter Derby returns tomorrow night and the Derby Party takes place alongside it in the Grand Pavilion starting at 5 pm. An open bar and dinner are generously sponsored by Seithel Law Firm, LLC.

Friday, July 18 at 5 pm, the Grand Prix party, sponsored by the Atlanta Hunt Club, New Vintage Farm and Ridgewater Show Stables takes place in the Grand Prix Pavilion during the $25,000 Grand Prix and will offer VIP patrons an open bar along with heavy hors d’oeuvres.

The Dressage Collection sponsors the Farewell Brunch on Saturday, July 19 at 10 am in the Grand Pavilion. Don’t miss the Bloody Mary Bar, compliments of The Market Place.

The Charleston Summer Classic

For twenty-two years, the Charleston Summer Classic has been offering riders, their families and friends the opportunity to jump the waves and the jumps. Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, located on Johns Island, South Carolina, is twenty minutes from downtown historic Charleston with its abundance of historic southern mansions, fabulous seafood, dining, art galleries, horse and buggy tours and world class shopping.

The show grounds are even closer to the beach! Yes, about 5 miles away from the show grounds, you can be on the Atlantic Ocean. And that is really what helps to make the show so cool. The show’s close proximity to the ocean keeps the temperature just perfect in the grand prix arena and hunter rings. Miles of scenic, wooded trails meander through the show grounds and exhibitors love kicking back and trail riding if they are not enjoying the pristine beaches or competing in the arenas.

Does someone in your family enjoy fishing?   Kayaking? Sailing? The Bohicket Marina is about a four minute drive from the show grounds and offers charters and rentals as well as dolphin watching tours. Golf anyone? Some of the best golf courses in the world are located no more than 10 minutes from the show grounds. There is a reason why the Charleston Summer Classic is the perfect show-cation with its packed social schedule, boutique feel and pristine show grounds. More than ever, riders are falling in love with the Charleston Summer Classic.

Make sure to book your condos now for next year. The dates are July 7-11 and the 14 through the 18th! Book now before the rate increase in 2015!

On Deck!

Everyone is enjoying the summer but fall will be here before you know it! And as the summer transitions to autumn, all eyes will be on the prestigious Atlanta Fall Classic set to kick off on November 5th through the 16th at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. The Classic Company calls the Olympic venue home for two weeks each year and welcomes new and familiar faces to the iconic show grounds.

Finals events, such as the Pre-Green Hunter Finals and the National Classic Equitation Finals, will highlight the two weeks of show jumping in addition to the crowning of the Classic Circuit Champions.

Riders are traveling from across the country to participate in these events. If you haven’t checked your status, now is the time to do so!

Week I opens up with the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome class and the $65,000 EMO Grand Prix as well as the $15,000 Barry Lane Jumper Classic and the $1,500 Take 2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper 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 take place Week II as well as the National Classic Equitation Finals, the Pre-Green Finals and the crowning of the Circuit Champions.

It’s not too late to enjoy the last Classic Show of the year. There is always something for everyone at Classic Company shows and the Atlanta Fall Classic shows are no exception. So make sure to bring everyone to the Georgia International Horse Park in November 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.

The prize list will be on-line by August 1 and starting that date, you can sign up for the Atlanta Fall Classic on-line and for free using HorseShowsOnline.com. The Classic Company just rolled out the new on-line entry system in time for Charleston and many exhibitors have already experienced the ease of entries on-line with no hustle and no rush to the post office and NO ADDED FEES – just entries made easy!

HorseShowsOnline.com allows you to not only sign up for the shows, but you can also see orders of go, how many, ring schedules and complete results. Credit card information is completely secure and encrypted. This may be the easiest way to sign up for a show. And for a limited time, the service is completely free. Yes, free.

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

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