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Pensacola Wrap Up

Genn and Happy Z fly over an oxer in Thursday’s $5,000 Open Welcome Class. Photos: A&S 2014.

Wilhelm Genn from Lebanon, Ohio and his own Happy Z had a lot to be happy about when they closed out the Gulf Coast Winter Classic’s Pensacola shows with a win in the $5,000 Open Welcome class Thursday night and the $25,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Grand Prix Saturday night. “We had a great week,” commented Genn, “My horse Happy is sixteen years old and she just loves her job. She jumped just beautifully,” he said.  “But I’m equally proud of the younger horses.  They did so well,” he added.

Genn was definitely riding a hot streak after Thursday’s class results landed him in the top three spots with his own Happy Z, followed by Ann Anastasio’s Welome Cor and Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti.  The sixteen horse and rider combinations tackled the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana and the senior Genn was the only one to have double clear rounds.  “These seven year olds were great.  I am so pleased how well they did,” he said.  “It was especially nice having their owners here too, so they could see how well their horses are going,” he added.

Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida finished fourth in the Welcome riding her own Sun Tzu in a fault-free first round in 83.732 seconds and a second round time of 35.548 seconds with four jump faults.  Fifth was Tony Font of Magnolia, Texas riding Calotta, owned by Ashton Galo Paley, who finished a fault-free first round in a time of 84.648 seconds and a jump off round in 39.976 seconds with four jump faults.

Hanley Morrison of Madison, Mississippi and her own SCS Luigi finished in sixth after turning in a clean first round effort in 84.493 seconds and a second round in a time of 40.862 seconds with eight jump faults.  For full results, click here.

Happy Z and Genn fly over an oxer in the $25,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Grand Prix
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Happy Z and Genn fly over an oxer in the $25,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Grand Prix

Genn continued to collect his prize money right through Saturday for the $25,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Grand Prix.  Rheinheimer designed the course and brought back six rides for the jump off and Genn rode two of the contenders.  Happy Z was second to go after turning in a first round clean effort in 76.566 seconds, well within the 82 seconds time allowed.  Speed was the name of the game as the two entered the jump off and made it clean again in a time of 47.760 seconds.  “She was so excited to jump that day. Happy just loves her job and after doing this for as many years as she has, that’s great.”

Font was next to go in the jump off riding Ashton Galo Paley’s Calotta.  Although the pair was clean, their time of 47.760 seconds would not unseat Genn and Happy Z’s lead spot.  Wilhelm’s son, Theo Genn, also of Lebanon, Ohio, was next in the jump off in the irons of Eduardo Leon’s Asirea Fortuna. Despite their lightning fast round in a time of 42.555 seconds, four faults at the combination would leave the pair in fifth place overall.  Danielle Grice of Northfield, Minnesota was next to enter the ring riding Loretta Patterson’s Rapid Rewards.  The pair turned in a clean round but with 44.555 seconds on the clock, would not beat Genn’s time and would finish with a red ribbon.  Wilhelm Genn found himself in the enviable last to go spot this time aboard Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti.  While the pair went clean, their time of 46.587 seconds would put them in third place overall.  For full results, please click here.

“We had a great three weeks in Pensacola,” said Genn.  “My entire barn did so well. Eduardo Leon won the 1.15m, Mary Kate Hassett was 1.15m champion, Amy Lefferding was Amateur Circuit Champion and Taylor Reid had very good placings in the Amateurs,” he commented.  “I am proud of all of my horses and riders,” he said.

“This was a great horse show for us,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Classic Company.  “Pensacola is a great precursor for our Gulfport shows and by all reports, we think we will have an excellent six weeks on the Gulf Coast this winter.”

“I’m bringing 35 to 40 horses to Gulfport this winter,” said Genn.  “We are on our way with our first load of 25 right now and then will bring the rest next week.”

On Deck

The Gulf Coast Classic is set to take to the turf starting February 5. That’s right – the most beautiful turf field in the country is located right in Gulfport, Mississippi and will be welcoming thousands of horses to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic this year.  What does the Gulf Coast have to offer? Click here for some great video footage!

If you have special stabling requests or have any questions about this winter, please contact Jonathan Rabon at jonathan@classiccompany.com.  Don’t forget the five new barns, extra wide aisles and pristine stalls will be awaiting you.  And with over a million dollars in prize money and awards, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Winter Classic will be jumping!

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 at 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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