As the cold winter weather settles in, it’s time to set your sights on warmer climates, beaches and… horse shows! That’s right; the Gulf Coast Classic Company is ready to welcome you to their AA winter show series that kicks off January 8 in Pensacola, Florida for three weeks followed by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Winter Classics starting February 5 along the scenic Mississippi Gulf Coast in Gulfport, Mississippi!
Week 1 gets the competition heated up with a $10,000 Open Jumper Class on Saturday night and then it’s a $25,000 Grand Prix weeks 2 and 3. “We always run our grand prix on Saturdays so our customers don’t feel rushed to catch a flight if they are heading home Sunday night,” commented Bob Bell, President of Classic Company. “And the entire city of Pensacola comes out to watch the jumpers on Saturday night. It’s really fun and the stands are packed with people,” he added.
Genie Harper of Oak Haven Farm in Folsom, Louisiana said, “We’re looking forward to showing in Pensacola this year. Last year was our first year there. We went weeks 2 and 3 because it set us up nicely for the Gulfport shows,” she said. “Our clients really liked it. The shows are AA and our people did really well and collected a lot of points,” she added. “We usually bring between 5 to 10 horses and mostly adult amateurs.”
The USHJA National Hunter Derby will be offered weeks 2 and 3. A comprehensive list of classes will be offered each show week ranging from the Child/Adult Jumpers, Jr./Amateur Owner Jumpers to Open Hunters to the Walk Trot Division. With plenty of jumper prize money each week, the Pensacola shows are really the best place to earn some cash and mileage for the more novice horses and riders.
“Bob’s shows really work with my program. Our farm, Oak Haven Farm, is very hands on. We have a customized program and I have a good rapport and relationship with my clients and their horses. That special attention to detail that Oak Haven offers is what Bob’s shows offer us, and that is totally in line with the way I do business too,” she said.
“I like the show grounds a lot and so do my customers. The rings are convenient to the barns, and the stalls are very roomy. There’s even a covered walkway for those stabling in the exterior stalls. The courses are always good and the footing is dependable,” she said. “There is so much to do in the area and the show grounds are close to the interstate. The hotels are easy to get to, there’s great shopping and dining convenient to the show grounds and its really a win-win for all of us.”
Are you bringing your family or your friends with you to the show? The town of Pensacola has a lot to offer. Chartered fishing expeditions, sailing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, dining and shopping are only some of the many things to do besides riding your horses! The show is no more than 25 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Exhibitors and their families love the show’s convenience to the airport and the town of Pensacola, right on the Gulf.
When looking to book your accommodations for the Pensacola shows, please book with the Official Gulf Coast Classic Company lodging partners! The Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn is very convenient and offers horse show friendly accommodations and rates. The Official Pet Friendly hotel is the Red Roof Inn Pensacola West and both are just minutes from the Escambia Equestrian Center, beach, airport and quaint Gulf side restaurants and shops. Make sure to mention you are with the horse show when securing your best rates.
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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