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Rhett DeStefano Sponsors New Hunter Breeding Division at Charleston Summer Classic

Rhett DeStefano and Rolex R, bred by Ronda Stavisky.

The Classic Company welcomes Rhett DeStefano to its Charleston Summer Classic family of sponsors. The Charleston Summer Classic kicks off on July 8 and runs through July 19. DeStefano will be sponsoring the much requested Hunter Breeding Division. Three age groups consisting of yearling, two year old and three year old divisions will be offered each week. Any breed may compete, Thoroughbred or Non-Thoroughbred, that most typifies a hunter. “We’ve had a lot of people requesting a Hunter Breeding Division here in Charleston,” said Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company. “I’m thrilled Rhett [DeStefano] is sponsoring this division because it really supports the growth of the hunter division and the sport. We are thankful for her generosity and commitment to the hunters,” added Bell.

DeStefano has been involved in the Charleston riding scene since 1975 when she started riding hunt seat at Pineland Stables on Johns Island. During her teenage years, she showed regularly on the Swamp Fox Hunter Circuit earning year end awards in the Low Hunter divisions on her horse Trouble. She rode for the College of Charleston’s equestrian team in the late 1980s before moving to New York City to pursue career aspirations. After returning to the Low Country in the mid-1990s, she settled on a 25 acre farm on Johns Island and started working with young, green horses. After breaking and training several ponies, she became interested in breeding and had three pony foals in 2004, one of which went on to become a winner in Zone 4 in the Yearling Pony Hunter division in 2005. From there she became interested in showing horses again and purchased her first warm blood in 2007, a two year old Hanoverian named Dramatic by Donatelli. She currently owns two warm blood fillies she shows in the hunter breeding divisions, a yearling Swedish Warm Blood, Paris Nights and a 2 year old Hanoverian, Rolex R who was the Reserve National Hunter Breeding Champion in 2013 for the American Hanoverian Society and 5th place Zone 4 in the yearling division. She is also an avid foxhunter and is a Master with Middleton Place Hounds in Charleston.

First Dance ridden by Elizabeth Boyd; the pair won the USHJA National Hunter Derby last summer during Week I. Flashpoint Photography.
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First Dance ridden by Elizabeth Boyd; the pair won the USHJA National Hunter Derby last summer during Week I. Flashpoint Photography.

“We’re so glad we can offer this division and we’re excited that Robin McPhearson will be officiating. She is a licensed hunter judge with a vast experience in hunter breeding. We look forward to growing this division and seeing some of our up and coming hunter champions participate in this new division this summer.”

Show-cation social scene is a winner!

The Charleston Summer Classic kicks off with a Welcome Party on Wednesday, July 9 at the Bohicket Marina at 6 pm. This party is sponsored by Reds Ice House with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a live band. Come as you are, this is super casual and tons of fun!

Thursday, July 10 there is an open bar and dinner during the USHJA Hunter Derby in the Grand Pavilion starting at 5 pm, sponsored by Charles Hairfield and the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center.

Friday, July 11 the fun continues during the $25,000 Grand Prix, with a party in the Grand Pavilion with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres generously sponsored by Oakwell Farms.

Week II kicks off on Tuesday, July 15 at 6 pm with the Annual Unbridled Affair at the Beach Club, sponsored in part by Seabrook Island Real Estate. Casual attire, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a live band will have you raving about this event for years to come.

The fun continues on Wednesday, July 16 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 takes place on Thursday, July 17 and the Hunter 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 and New Vintage Farm 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.

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!

Did you reserve your condo?

The Classic Company modified its dates in order to better coincide with the condo rentals that run from Saturday to Saturday. Exhibitors are welcome to come as early as July 5th and there is

NO early arrival fee. The rings will be open for riding on the 5th but not set for jumping until the 7th. The Classic Company wants you to take advantage of your beachfront condo and have everything turnkey for you at the horse show – enjoy your horse show vacation destination!

And condo is really the way to go. Besides the old adage, “location, location, location”, it is also, economically speaking, the best bet. Contact Nancy Buck at Coastal Getaways at 843.789.4438 or click here to check out where you could be staying this summer!

When to rent? Why not stay for two weeks? The show schedule and party schedule, close proximity to the beach and marina, riding trails, and downtown historic Charleston will make this the best vacation and show-cation yet!

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.

There are only 450 stalls available at the Charleston Summer Classic, so make sure to reserve your stalls early! The prize list and entry forms are available online. If you have any questions or special requests, please contact the Classic Company at 843.768.5503 or send them an email at info@classiccompany.com.

Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Weekly parties, Saturday ringside pizza, great prize money, great classes and the best, nicest show management team in the country! Remember, the Classic Company does not charge extra office fees for credit card transactions nor is there a scratch or add fee! Classic Company wants to make your showing experience the best ever!

So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, head for a Classic Company show where you get the red carpet treatment you deserve!

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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