The Week VI $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome took place Friday and set the stage for big time show jumping action as the Gulf Coast Winter Classic headed into its final weekend for 2016 in Gulfport.
Twenty horse and rider teams tackled the course set on the world class grass grand prix field, considered the best in the United States by Olympic course designers.
The first round was set at 78 seconds and the second round at 47 seconds which saw only nine rides go double clean. Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida and his own Leconte were the first to go in the class and turned in a clean first round in a time of 66.569 seconds. Their second clear round in a time of 38.991 seconds set the new time to beat.
Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky and Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Wender followed Kocher with a clear first round in a time of 66.020 seconds. Challenging Kocher’s time, their second round was also clean and their time of 35.617 seconds set the new time to beat and pushed Kocher and Leconte into second position.
Kocher returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners’ C’Havinia, and posted a clear first round in a time of 69.364 seconds. Their clear second round in a time of 35.993 would have seen them finish in third place overall.
Christopher Schroeder of Wellington, Florida and Scott Head’s Carjo Z followed with double clear rounds in times of 69.503 seconds and 40.737 seconds which would not beat Hester’s time, and the pair would find themselves finishing in ninth place overall.
Kocher and Eagle Valley Partners’ Coconut followed Schroeder with double clear rounds in times of 69.55 and 36.677 seconds, respectively. They would finish in fourth place overall.
Hester returned to the arena with her second ride of three in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Lorstakov. The pair posted double clear rounds in times of 68.668 seconds and 37.705 seconds, which would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama, winner of last week’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, was up next in the irons of Meco Equestrian, LLC’s Cord 11. Although the pair turned in a clear first round in a time of 70.551, four jump faults at the first fence in their second round in a time of 43.852 seconds would see them finish in eleventh place overall.
Schroeder returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of GA Performance Horses, LLC’s Diamant De Revel for the next clear first round in a time of 69.574 seconds. Their second round in a time of 38.116 seconds would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Kocher and his own Red Lady followed Schroeder with a clear first round in a time of 67.031 seconds. However, four jump faults and a time of 35.226 seconds in their second round would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Hester and Hester Equestrian LLC’s Clueless P followed Kocher and turned in a clear first round in a time of 67.639 seconds. Their clear second round in a time of 36.972 seconds would see them finish with a fifth place overall.
Kocher and his own Ora Del Te Di La San Giorgio were the last to go in the class and turned in a clear first round in a time of 72.644 seconds. They needed to beat Hester and Wender’s second round time of 35.617 seconds for the win, and by fractions of a second, they did! The pair posted a clear second round in a time of 35.483 seconds, taking the win and giving the second place to Hester and Wender.
All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Mid-seventies, sunny skies and bleachers packed with an audience was the backdrop to today’s $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix that welcomed twenty-five horse and rider teams to the world renowned grass grand prix field on a course designed by Assistant Olympic Course Designer, Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico.
Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida and Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana, winners in Friday’s $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, returned to the winner’s circle today in the $35,000 Apollo Jets Grand Prix. Kocher also received a $5,000 gift card toward future Apollo Jets Charter Jet Travel, compliments of Brian Hillen, the Official Jet Charter Consultant for the Gulf Coast and Classic Companies.
The first round time allowed was set at 86 seconds which saw ten horse and rider teams advance to the jump off round.
“I loved Manuel’s course,” commented Kocher. “I thought it was going to be a course where a lot were going to be clear, but I think that was the goal. He wanted nine or ten. It was a beautiful day and a great crowd,” he continued. “It really turned out perfectly,” Kocher added.
“The most challenging part of the first round was the Horseflight jump to the Sidelines jump. Those two were toward the end of the course, the horses were getting a little tired, and going away from the gate you really needed to put your leg on. Then, they would be too strong for the Sidelines jump,” commented Kocher.
Kocher was the first to go in the jump off round in the irons of Postage Stamp Farm, LLC’s Prof De La Roque. Although their time of 45.725 seconds beat the time allowed of 62 seconds, they pulled a rail giving them four jump faults. “I was trying to be careful and not go with a lot of speed,” he said.
Amanda Comley of Waller, Texas in the irons of Joshua Tabor’s Cancum 2 followed Kocher in the jump off round. A rail at the second fence in a time allowed of 49.926 seconds would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama was next to go in the irons of Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone. They posted a clear round in a time of 49.996 and moved to second position behind Kocher.
Fleur de Lis Farms’ Ziezo, ridden by Scott Lenkart of Bartonville, Texas, followed up with a four fault jump off round in a time of 45.900 seconds which would put them in eighth place overall.
Kocher returned, this time in the irons of Ciana. “Since I was too careful the first time, I came at it with more speed this time,” commented Kocher. “There was this little girl, maybe 3 or 4 years old, at the end of the arena with her grandparents,” said Kocher. “I walked by before I started my jump off round and she was saying ‘1 2 3 takeoff! 1 2 3 takeoff!’ Her grandparents tried to hush her and I looked at her and said, ‘Okay, 1 2 3 takeoff!’ and I just went,” he said.
Take off they did as they turned in the fastest, fault free jump off round in a time of 44.991 seconds. “After I was awarded my blue ribbon, I rode over and gave it to her,” he said. “She looked really happy,” he added.
Nicki Wilcox of Parker, Colorado, in the irons of her own J.E.S. Quito, followed Kocher and Ciana. Although the pair went clear, their time of 51.671 seconds would have them finish in fifth place overall.
Honorway Farm’s Leander, ridden by Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York, turned in the next clear jump off round in a time of 45.956 seconds which moved them up to a third place finish.
Crowd favorite Lochinvar, owned and ridden by Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas, also turned in a clear round in a time of 45.725 seconds. Not quite fast enough to beat Kocher and Ciana, their time would find them finishing in second place overall.
Shepherd returned to the jump off round, this time in the irons of Patterson’s Triompf. A heartbreak rail at the final fence earned them four faults in a time of 43.688 seconds and a sixth place ribbon overall.
DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 and Frank Owens of Windcrest, Texas were last to go and also suffered a rail at the final fence in a time of 47.742 seconds which would see them finish in ninth place overall.
“Ciana is a great horse,” said Kocher. “She won the second week in Pensacola and the Welcome this week. She just did her first FEI class and did some of the ranking classes in the Nations Cup,” he added. “This course looked really nice to her,” he said.
“Ciana is nine years old and belongs to Karen Cobb. She owns most of the horses I have ridden over the past year and a half,” Kocher said. “I have about eight showing here right now and some down the road at friend’s farm. We just got four more in and we’ll have more next week,” he added. “I sold a boat load of horses here last year,” said Kocher. “I actually sold more than half a million in horses here last year and no doubt, we will be selling a more for the rest of the circuit,” he added.
“I am very pleased with how the Apollo Jets Grand Prix went today,” commented Brian Hillen of Apollo Jets. “The crowd was amazing, the riders and horses were extremely talented and the grand prix field was beautiful,” he said. “I think Bob and Janet did a super job ordering up the beautiful weather we had and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to sponsor this world class event,” Hillen added.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Twenty-eight horse and rider teams jumped the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome yesterday on the world class grass grand prix field which saw nine return for the jump off round.
Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida had all three of his rides qualify for the jump off round and he and his own Red Lady were the first tackle the jump off round after posting a clean first round in a time of 80.681 seconds, well within the eight six seconds time allowed. They also were clear in their second round in a time of 47.619 seconds, beating the time allowed of 62 seconds and temporarily took the lead.
Amanda Comly of Waller, Texas rode her own Can Do It 16 in a clear first round in a time of 84.974 seconds and their second round was also clean in a time of 47.804 which would have them in second place. But with seven more to go in the jump off, it was still anyone’s game.
Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, followed Comly in the jump off. She and Silverstone posted a clear first round in a time of 85.382 seconds. Their jump off round saw a rail come down which resulted in four jump faults in a time of 46.922. The pair stood in third with four left to go.
Kocher and Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana had a clear first round in a time of 82.991 seconds and their jump off round saw them go clean in a time of 45.480 seconds, taking the lead.
Honorway Farm, LLC’s Leander and Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York followed Kocher and Ciana in the jump off. The pair turned in a clear second round in a time of 47.329 seconds which would have them win the fourth place ribbon overall.
Shepherd returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of Patterson’s Triompf. The pair had posted a clean first round in a time of 82.035 seconds, but a rail in their second round in a time of 47.406 seconds would see them finish in ninth place overall.
Kocher followed Shepherd with his third ride in the jump off, Postage Stamp Farm, LLC’s Prof De La Roque. They had four faults in a time of 45.965 seconds which would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Shepherd returned with her third ride in the jump off, this time in the irons of Patterson’s Sky Miles. They turned in a fault free round in a time of 45.979 seconds, which would find them in second place in the class overall.
Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama and Baily Martin’s Contador De Bornival Z sat in the enviable last to go spot in the jump off round. Although they turned in a clear round in a time of 46.328 seconds, their time was not fast enough to grab Kocher and they would finish in third place overall.
Kocher took the win with Ciana, followed by Shepherd and Sky Miles. Third was awarded to Maddrix and Specialized, and fourth went to Leander and Kelly. Kocher and Red Lady returned for the fifth place ribbon, and sixth went to Comly and Can Do It 16. Seventh place went to Kocher and Prof De La Roq, and eighth was awarded to Silverstone and Shepherd. Shepherd returned for a ninth place ribbon in the irons of Triompf, and tenth place went to Jennie Nolen of San Antonio, Texas and Daryl Nolen’s Quasi Modo H. Frank Owens of Windcrest, Texas and DS Holdings’ MTM Twenties Girl earned eleventh place, and Hannah Donald of Highland Village, Texas and her own MTM Macho Camancho wrapped it up in twelfth place.
Microchipping is now a requirement!
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) now requires horses to be microchipped by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for Horse of the Year awards. Get ahead of this requirement at a very reasonable price while showing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Dr. Patrick Cleveland, the Official Veterinarian of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic, is offering those showing in Gulfport a discounted rate of only $28 to microchip your horse. Dr. Cleveland is available to discuss any questions you have about microchipping and Mary Babick, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunter Vice President, is also available for questions about the rule change.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Andy Kocher pilots Rooney IV to the win in Saturday night’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix.
The 2014 and 2015 USHJA King of Cash recipient Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida continued his winning streak to close out the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit yesterday and won the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix in the irons of BTS Entertainment and Sales’ Rooney IV.
Nineteen horse and rider teams tackled the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey and only four went clean, including two horses piloted by Kocher. The first to go clean in the first round was Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri in a time of 74.749 seconds, well within the 81 seconds time allowed. Four more horse and rider teams followed with faults until Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama entered the ring in the irons of Missy Nolan’s Specialized. The pair went clean in a time of 75.870 seconds, ensuring a jump off round!
Rooney IV and Kocher were the next to post a clean first round effort in a time of 73.359 seconds adding themselves to the jump off roster. Kocher returned as the last to go in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana and added themselves to the jump off trio after posting a clear round in time of 72.779 seconds.
The jump off round was set with a time allowed of 48 seconds. Hicks and Emir D were the first to go and went clean, setting the time to beat at 40.376 seconds. Maddrix and Specialized followed with a clean round in a time of 40.714 seconds and Kocher, winner of the Week II and III Horseflight Open Welcomes and the Week II $25,000 EMO Grand Prix, had the remaining two rides to go.
Kocher and Rooney IV were next to go and finished with a clean round in a fast 37.966 seconds taking the lead and setting the new time to beat for himself with his final ride, Ciana.
Ciana and Kocher turned in the final and the last clean round in a time of 42.320 seconds which put them in fourth place after he secured the win with Rooney IV. Hicks and Emir D finished in second; Maddrix and Specialty finished in third.
Fifth place went to the fastest four-faulter, Clueless P, owned by Hester Equestrian, LLC and ridden by Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky, in a first round time of 70.356 seconds. Kocher returned for a sixth place ribbon in the irons of his own Red Lady, after posting a four fault first round in a time of 72.264 seconds. Seventh was awarded to Quasi Modo, owned by Daryl Nolen and ridden by Jennie Nolen of San Antonio, Texas, after the pair posted a four fault first round in a time of 72.392 seconds. Cassuro Tsp, owned and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, was awarded eighth place after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 73.744 seconds. Ninth place went to Carlot, owned by Rolling Acres Farm and ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 75.006 seconds. Francois Lemontagne of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada and his own Chanel Du Calvaire earned tenth place honors, followed by Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling, ridden by Leffler, who was awarded eleventh place. Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Zine Dine finished up the class in twelfth place.
Today closed out the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit, which will now move down the coast to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Gulfport Circuit for six AA weeks of show jumping competition set to kick off on February 10th. If you haven’t sent your entries in yet, go to horseshowsonline.com and enter today. Come experience why the grass is greener on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
The $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome Class kicked off the high jump action Thursday Week III of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit. Sixteen horse and rider teams tackled the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey. Jewel set the first round time allowed at 83 seconds and the second round at 45 seconds.
Andy Kocher, of Ocala, Florida, continued his Week II winning streak and added the Week III $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome blue ribbon to his resume in the irons of his own Red Lady, after posting double clear rounds in times of 75.347 seconds and 33.482 seconds, respectively. He returned to the winner’s circle for second place in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners’ Coconut after posting double clear rounds in times of 76.562 seconds and 33.680 seconds.
“Red Lady is thirteen. She’s been ridden by a lot of good riders and she knows the drill,” commented Kocher. “I got her in England last October but we just started showing her,” he said. “She needed to get fit and conditioned, and her feet needed attention too. She’s going great and she just keeps getting better and better every time,” Kocher said.
“Paul Mcteer owns her and he owns some of the other ones I ride,” added Kocher. “It would be great if she won the Grand Prix this Sunday, but who knows? I’m riding a lot of great horses here,” he said.
Kocher, recipient of the USHJA 2014 and 2015 Dash for the Cash award, rode five horses in the class and besides grabbing first and second place ribbons, earned eighth and tenth placings in the irons of BTW Entertainment & Sales’ Rooney IV and Craig Morrison’s Four Roses Di Vie Z.
Kocher has eleven horses with him in Pensacola. “We had a really great day today; the weather was perfect and just awesome,” he said. “One of the girls I teach, Sarah Dees, just moved up to the Junior Amateur level last week and won her first class with her horse Rico S today and everyone at the barn was really excited about that,” he added.
Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky and Hester Equestrian’s Clueless P posted double clear rounds in times of 75.008 seconds and 34.147 seconds, respectively, and took third place honors.
Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, earned fourth place after going double clean in times of 78.605 seconds and 36.317 seconds.
Francois Lamontagne, of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, in the irons of his own Chanel Du Calvaire, took the fifth place ribbon with double clear rounds in times of 79.547 seconds and 36.784 seconds, while Specialized, owned by Missy Nolen and ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama, grabbed sixth place honors after posting back to back clean rounds in times of 77.846 seconds and 37.713 seconds. Christian Rogge of Spring, in the irons of his own Cassuro Tsp, earned seventh place honors after posting double clean rounds in times of 78.232 seconds and 39.979 seconds, respectively.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Kocher pilots Ciana to the win in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix.
Andy Kocher, recipient of the 2015 and 2014 USHJA Dash for the Cash Award, is well on his way to making it another winning year! Kocher, of Ocala, Florida, in the irons of Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s Ciana, won Saturday night’s $25,000 EMO Grand Prix, besting a field of twenty horse and rider teams at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit.
Kocher rode four horses in the competition and two of them qualified for the jump off round. Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, course designer and Technical Coordinator for the 2015 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, set the time allowed in the first round at 80 seconds. “It really was a good class and a perfect course to get my horses going this winter,” commented Kocher. “Not too big, good prize money and exactly what we need for our younger horses,” he said.
First to go in the class was Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and her own Japan. Although the pair finished in a first round time in 71.064 seconds, a heart break rail at the last fence would see them with four faults. Kocher was second to go in the class the irons of Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s Coconut and the first to turn in a clean first round effort in a time of 71.355 seconds. “This was his first grand prix,” commented Kocher.
The nine that followed Kocher’s clean round had rail after rail and it wouldn’t be until Jennie Nolan of San Antonio, Texas and her own Quasi Modo turned in a clean round in a time of 76.429 seconds to the delight of the crowd. There would be a jump off round!
Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama and Missy Nolan’s Specialized turned in a clean first round effort in a time of 76.454 seconds and joined the pair for the jump off round.
Kocher followed Maddrix in the first round line-up with Eagle Valley Partners’ Ciana with a fault-free first round time of 73.385 seconds and made it a foursome for the jump off round.
Kocher was the first to go in the irons of Coconut. The course was set at 46 seconds and Kocher and Coconut finished with one rail down in a time of 42.723 seconds. “My horses are small and catty and naturally fast enough,” he said. “I can do two strides in the same amount of time it takes the others to do one stride,” he said. “Coconut had a rail, but this is his first grand prix and I thought he did really well,” he added.
Nolen and Quasi Modo followed Kocher and turned in a fault free round in a time of 43.711 seconds, taking the lead! But with two left to go, it was still anyone’s win.
Kocher returned with Ciana. “I thought if I just jumped her around at her normal pace, she would leave them up,” he said. “She’s naturally fast and if she was going to knock one down, it would most likely be on the straightaway,” he added. “I ended up doing a lot more strides than anyone else in the lines and I can make tighter turns too,” he added. “I made the one inside turn and it worked out,” he said. The pair finished clean in a time of 40.104 seconds. Last to go was Maddrix and Specialty. With two rails and time faults, they would finish in fourth place overall and Kocher would take the win.
“This was Ciana’s second grand prix win,” said Kocher. “She won one in Ocala and she just jumped the 1.50 m classic in Wellington, which made this look very appealing to her,” he said. “She was really ready for it,” he added. Karen Cobb, head of Eagle Valley Partners, LLC and Ciana’s owner, bought the horse last spring in Holland. “She is just coming nine,” said Kocher, “We campaigned her last year and are really pleased with how she is going,” he said. “We will likely have her in Gulfport this winter,” he added.
Final results for the class had Kocher with first and third placings in the irons of Ciana and Coconut, respectively, Debbie Nolen and her own Quasi Modo in second place, Tim Maddrix in fourth with Specialized, and Brennan and Japan in fifth place as the fastest four-faulter.
Sixth was awarded to Kocher and his own Red Lady after turning in a four-fault first round in a time of 71.422 seconds. Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling, ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, earned seventh place after posting a four-fault first round in a time of 72.417 seconds, and Hester Equestrian’s Clueless P, ridden by Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky, placed eighth after posting a four-fault first round in a time of 73.919. Ninth was awarded to Kocher and Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s C’Havinia after turning in a four-fault first round in a time of 74.061 seconds, and tenth place went to Hester Equestrian’s Arly, ridden by Hester, in a time of 74.857 seconds and four faults. Eleventh and twelfth placings were awarded to Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois LeMontagne of St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada, and Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, respectively.
Tim Maddrix not only received the fourth place honors, but was also awarded the Kastel Denmark Style of Riding Award, selected by the Classic Company staff as the rider who exhibited the best American style of riding and possessed the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman Week II of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit.
Kocher Triumphant in $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome
Kocher kicked off his Week II winning streak when he won the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome on Thursday night riding his own Red Lady. One of twenty-four in the Horseflight Welcome, Kocher turned in a clean first round effort in a time of 61.258 seconds, within the time allowed of 71 seconds. His second round clean effort in a time of 27.880 seconds was well within the time allowed of 41 seconds and set the time to beat.
Tim Maddrix rode Audrey Muscari’s Cartograna to an overall second place finish after posting double clean rounds in times of 66.054 and 28.728 seconds, respectively. Penny Brennan and Meco Equestrian, LLC’s Cord II took the third place win after posting double clean rounds in times of 65.717 seconds and 29.278 seconds. Hester and Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P finished fourth overall after two clean rounds in times of 66.095 and 29.479 seconds, respectively. Hester also returned for the tenth place ribbon, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Arly, after posting double clear rounds in times of 66.983 seconds and 32.327 seconds, respectively. Kocher returned for fifth place with Eagle Valley Partners’, LLC’s C’Havinia, Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia rode Willoughby Stables’ Varios to a sixth place finish, Maddrix rode Missy Nolen’s Specialized to a seventh place finish, and eighth was awarded to Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling, ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland. Ninth went to Cassuro Tsp, owned and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas.
Kocher pilots his own Red Lady to the win in Thursday’s $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome
“Red Lady is my horse and the rest are Karen Cobb’s horses,” said Kocher. “Red Lady is 14 years old, but the rest are younger,” he said. “She [Karen Cobb] likes to buy them younger, bring them along and then sell them. She’s been doing this for a long time and this is my second year working for her,” commented Kocher. “She’s awesome to work with!” he added.
“Pensacola is a perfect show for us,” said Kocher. “It’s the same weather here as in Ocala, but we get to start at 9 am and finish by 3 pm. It’s low stress and you’re not freaking out because the jumps are too high. I didn’t want to jump somewhere where the courses would really be over their heads,” he continued. “This show really is great for our younger horses; it builds confidence and it gets the ball rolling for all of us,” he said.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Andy Kocher and his own Heliante clear the Budweiser oxer on their way to the win.
Twenty-seven horse and rider teams tackled Sunday’s $35,000 Budweiser Grand Prix course, designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico, in front of delighted crowds. Esparza is a top international course designer whose resume includes his position as an Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and his own Heliante were second to go in the class and the first to go clear in a time of 79.627 seconds which was within the time allowed of 80 seconds. Julie Cleveland Beam from Argyle, Texas and Hollow Creek Farm’s Reve Du Paradis followed Kocher and turned in a clean first round, but their time of 83.506 would incur four time faults which would see the pair finish in twelfth place overall.
Horse and rider teams one after another would take the rail down at fence 10. “That skinny was a real killer for all,” said Kocher. “The only way to jump it was add, add, add and then go left, then right and surprise them with the jump,” he said.
The next to go clean would be Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia, Texas and his own Quattro in a time of 77.351 seconds. With only six remaining in the class, the crowd was insured a jump-off!
The five rides following Bedoya all emerged with jump faults. Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas, in the irons of his own Lochinvar, was the last to go clean in the class posting a time of 74.380 seconds.
Esparza set the jump off time to beat at 57 seconds. Kocher and Heliante were the first to go and the pair turned in a clean round in a time of 44.878 seconds, setting the new time to beat.
Bedoya and Quattro followed Kocher, but emerged with twelve jump faults in a time of 42.128 seconds which would see them finish in third place overall.
Cyphert and Lochinvar were last to go and all eyes were on them as they entered the ring. The pair flew through the course but dropped a rail at fence 10 incurring four jump faults in a time of 42.703 seconds, putting them in second place overall, leaving Kocher the victor.
Fourth place was awarded to the fastest four faulter, Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s Triompf. The pair had four faults at fence ten and finished in a time of 73.038 seconds.
Fifth place was awarded to Kocher and Michael Rosenberg’s Crown Joker. They incurred four jump faults at fence ten and finished in a time of 75.031 seconds.
Scott Lenkart of Argyle, Texas in the irons of Fleur De Lis Farms’ Ziezo finished in sixth place after turning in a four fault round in 76.487 seconds.
Tiffany Cambria of Middleburg, Virginia and Amanda Hood’s Vavoom finished in seventh place with four faults and a time of 76.740 seconds.
Eighth place was awarded to Laura Linback of Long Grove, Illinois and Woodrun’s HH Dauphin after they posted a first round effort with four faults in 76.759 seconds.
Bon Giorno, owned by Showcase 81 LLC and ridden by Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico, placed ninth after turning in a first round effort in 76.792 seconds with four jump faults.
Linback returned for tenth place with Woodrun’s Whittaker Mynz. The pair had four jump faults in a time of 77.063 seconds. Eleventh place was awarded to Vinney Boy, owned by Sarah Percy MacMillan and ridden by Lincoln Russell of Columbus, North Carolina.
“It wasn’t an easy course; it took me five tries to get it,” Kocher commented. Kocher has his sights set on next week’s $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix, presented by Beau Rivage. “I sold Tiny Tim the other day and he was my best bullet for the $77,700 Grand Prix next week, so now I am going to practice on the others to see who feels the best and go with 3 or 4 of them,” he said. “They will be sharp for sure, so I hope the other riders will be ready!” he laughed.
Holly Shepherd received the Kastel Denmark Jumper Style of Riding Award as the fastest four-faulter in the class.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Andy Kocher and his own Heliante fly over an oxer on their way to the win in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix.
Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri reigned as King of the Grand Prix over the last two weeks at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics in Pensacola, Florida.
Besides winning Week II’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix and grabbing second and third place, Kocher won the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix aboard his own Heliante to close out the series. Add to that his wins in both $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcomes and it’s easy to say, Kocher was on a roll!
“This was Heliante’s first grand prix. She’s a really nice mare I just got out of Belgium,” Kocher commented. “Actually, another dealer just put her on a plane to me a little over a month ago and told me I would do well with her and he was right!” he added.
Kocher was first to go in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix aboard Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s C’Havinia. Four faults at the sixth fence in a time of 73.558 seconds would find them in seventh place overall. With the likes of Marylisa Leffler, Tim Maddrix and Hailey Henderson, it was anyone’s guess as to who would take home the win.
Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas was next to go and the first to go clean in a time of 74.830 seconds, well within the 82 seconds time allowed in the irons of his own Lissa Tsp.
Kocher followed him, this time riding Cuffesgrange Lux Good, owned by Oakland Ventures, LLC. The pair finished fault free in a time of 76.007 seconds and determined there would be a jump off.
Marylisa Leffler of Brookville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Carlot was next to go and turned in a four fault round in 74.519 seconds which would place them in eighth place overall.
Heliante, owned and ridden by Kocher, was next to go and turned in a clean first round effort in a time of 73.402 seconds, adding another horse and rider team to the jump off roster.
Kocher mounted up again, this time in the irons of BTS Entertainment and Sales’ Ufarno. Four faults at the fence six combination in a time of 69.249 seconds would see them finish as the fastest four fault round in fifth place.
Tim Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama, winner of both the National and International Hunter Derbies Week II, was next to go under the covered arena in the irons of Baily Martin’s Contador De Bornival Z. The pair had eight jump faults in a time of 76.859 seconds which would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Arion Legends, LLC’s Cantu 5, also ridden by Kocher, turned in a clean round with 77.820 seconds and added themselves to the jump off roster.
Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, in the irons of her own Zine Dine, finished with four faults at fence ten and a time of 73.104 seconds which would leave them in sixth place overall.
Kocher was last to go in the irons of Tiny Tim, owned by Emanuel Andrade, and turned in a four fault round in a time of 77.807 seconds which would see them finish in ninth place overall.
The jump off course was set with a time allowed of 56 seconds. Rogge and his own Lissa Tsp was first to go and finished clean and set the time to beat at 52.934 seconds. Kocher and Oakland Ventures, LLC’s Cuffegrange Lux Good followed with a clean round in a time of 50.098 seconds, taking the lead. Challenging his own time, Kocher returned with his own Heliante and turned in the winning clean round in a time of 48.678 seconds.
“I was really excited about winning the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix,” said Kocher. “I got killed in the donkey races the night before. I ran last!” he exclaimed. “I guess donkeys need different signals than horses,” he laughed.
“We had a good circuit here in Pensacola and I’m hoping my luck continues this winter,” he added. Kocher is planning on showing in each grand prix at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics in Gulfport which start on February 4th. “I’m going to leave the southeast with a big sack of cash,” said Kocher.
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.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Andy Kocher and his own Le Conte clear an oxer on their way to the win in yesterday’s $25,000 Domino’s Pizza Grand Prix. Flashpoint Photography.
Friday’s $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome winner, Andy Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, and his own Le Conte came back for their second big win of the week in yesterday’s $25,000 Domino’s Pizza Grand Prix, besting a starting field of thirteen horse and rider teams.
The driving rain Saturday night definitely dampened the turn out for the final Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic season grand prix yesterday, but of those thirteen horses that toughened it out, six went on to the jump off phase of the competition.
“Even though the sun came out yesterday, we decided to start the class a bit later and move it to the sand ring,” said Gulf Coast Classic President, Bob Bell. “It definitely was something the riders wanted and it was in everyone’s best interest to do so,” he said.
Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey designed the course. “The height was definitely there,” said Kocher, “but he [Jewel] worked with us. The striding in the lines was right on, the turns were good and the whole course was very do-able,” he said. “He worked with us and not against us; he made the course challenging but safe; he did the right thing,” he added.
Kocher was the first to go on his own Le Conte in the first round and went clean with a time of 94.439 seconds, well within the 97 seconds time allowed. As the first to go in the jump off phase, the pair would also go clean and set the time to beat in 36.363 seconds. With five horse and rider teams yet to go, the class was still up for grabs.
Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and her own Sun Tzu were the next pair to enter the jump off after a clean first round time of 94.409 seconds. The pair had a rail down and posted a time of 35.07 seconds which would land them in fourth place overall.
Brooke Kemper from Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified went clean in their first round with a time of 92.833 seconds and looked like they may win the class at the jump off with their clear round. However, their time of 36.714 seconds was just fractions of a second too slow and would land them in second place overall.
Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas and his own Lissa TSP turned in a clean first round effort in 90.075 seconds; however, four jump faults and a time of 40.687 seconds in the jump off phase would land them in fifth place overall.
Tommy-John Russell of Columbus, North Carolina and Lily Hahn’s Karenina turned in a clean first round effort in 93.098 seconds, but eight jump faults and a jump off time of 44.664 would see them finish in sixth place overall.
The last to go in the jump off phase was Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, Tennessee in the irons of Gunnar Paul Roeer’s Quinaro Alpha G. The pair went clean in their first round with a time of 90.948 seconds, and while their jump off round was fault-free, their time of 41.582 would see them finish in third place overall.
Brennan and her own Japan won seventh place after a first round time of 86.998 seconds and eight jump faults, and Danielle Grice of Northfield, Minnesota and Loretta Patterson’s Rapid Rewards placed eighth after a first round effort in 96.627 seconds and eight jump faults.
“The name Le Conte is French and I am pretty sure it means ‘the story’,” said Kocher. So here’s the story on Le Conte. Kocher bought the 13 year old Hollsteiner by Lancer 2 just this past October from Kristen VanderVeen. “I bought him at the Brownland show and he is by far the best horse I have ever had,” said Kocher. “He’s already won five grand prix for me since then,” he added.
What’s the story on Andy Kocher? Well, he calls Lake St. Louis, Missouri his home, but truth be told, he travels with ten to eleven horses in his rig which includes space for a Smart car. “I just drive it down the ramp and I’m totally self-sufficient wherever I go,” said Kocher. Kocher usually stays in hotels while on the road, but on those rare occasions when ‘Lady Luck’ is not on his side, “The trailer is roomy enough for me to crash in, if need be,” he said. “I live on the road; I trade horses and live off the prize money,” Kocher said. “I guess you could say I’m ‘living the dream’,” he laughed.
“I used to be a more ‘normal’ kind of trainer and took my students and horses on the road to shows, but I’ve made this change and it is really working for me,” he said.
Kocher showed at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic over the last three weeks with eleven horses and after buying, selling and trading some, he will be leaving with nine. “I have my new string with me,” he said.
“I went to my first Gulf Coast show when I was fifteen,” said Kocher. “I’m thirty now!” Kocher said. “I had a great time showing here this winter. The staff was great and really easy to work with,” he commented.
What’s Next?
The Gulf Coast Classic Circuit Awards will be announced tomorrow, so stand by for results. This has been a fantastic winter for the Gulf Coast Classic show team and they would like to thank all riders, owners, families, grooms, spectators, community, and the horses for being a part of this classic event!
Atlanta Spring Classic on Deck!
The Classic Company is on the move and heading to Conyers, Georgia, home of the Georgia International Horse Park and the Atlanta Spring Classic that kicks off on Wednesday!
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.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
Andy Kocher pilots Le Conte to the win in yesterday’s $5,000 Welcome Class. Flashpoint Photography.
Twenty-six horse and rider teams tackled the $5,000 Open Jumper Welcome Class yesterday designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey, but only but only five would emerge clean and tackle a second round.
Shakira, owned and ridden by Jennifer Waxman of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was the ninth to go and the first horse and rider team to go clean in a first round time of 78.127 seconds, well within the 81 seconds time allowed. However, a rail down in the final combination of the second round would cost them four penalty points in a time of 44.442 seconds, finishing the duo in fourth place overall.
Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri rode five mounts in the class. He was the next clear round to go after Waxman in the irons of his own Reminton K in a time of 80.098 seconds. But with three rails down in the jump off phase and a time of 41.643 seconds, he would finish in fifth place overall.
Kocher proved more successful on his next clean ride, this time in the irons of his own Le Conte. The pair finished their first round in a time of 78.771 seconds and went clean in their second round effort in a time of 40.888 seconds, well within the time allowed of 46 seconds. But with six left to go, their win was not a ‘done deal’.
Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, Tennessee was next to go fault free riding Gunnar Paul Roeer’s Quinaro Alpha G in a first round time of 79.835 seconds. The pair had a rail down in their second round in a time of 41.806 seconds which would finish them in third place overall.
Tommy-John Russell of Columbus, North Carolina, riding Karenina, owned by Lily Hahn, was next to go and turned in the fastest and clean first round effort in a time of 77.808 seconds. However, a time fault in their otherwise clean second round effort would cost them one fault and a time of 46.401 seconds, placing them in second place overall, locking in the win for Kocher and Le Conte.
Tony Font, riding Ashton Galo Paley’s Calotta, received sixth place honors for their first round effort in 82.245 seconds and two time faults. Heidi Hildebrand of Delano, Minnesota and her own Saloso Z placed seventh overall for their first round effort in 82.296 seconds and two time faults and Font returned for eighth place honors with Deana Blackburn’s Kissimmee – the pair turned in a first round effort in 82.646 seconds incurring two time faults.
The Gulf Coast Classic Circuit Awards will be announced tomorrow, so stand by for results. This has been a fantastic winter for the Gulf Coast Classic show team and they would like to thank all riders, owners, families, grooms, spectators, community, and the horses for being a part of this classic event!
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.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
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
