May 21st ~ 2012, Conyers, GA – Yesterday marked the conclusion of the 9th annual Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show. The event took place at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA and saw a record number of participants this year. “We are beyond thrilled with the turnout,” said show organizer J. P. Godard. Godard, based out of his hometown of Aiken, SC, and his Equus Events have produced the show for the past nine years. “I have to thank all of our exhibitors, staff, and sponsors for their continued support of Equus Events and the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show; it is a team effort and without that support it is tough to grow in this economy. We have managed to build this event up the past 9 years and I am really looking forward to going all out for our 10th anniversary next year!”
The much anticipated $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix took place Saturday evening under the lights in the International Arena with 38 horse rider teams competing and a huge crowd set to cheer them on. Olympic silver medalist Michel Vaillancourt designed a course that was challenging giving many riders some tricky spots to contest with. The final jump, the Fenwick oxer #13, proved to be one of the more problematic spots as 9 riders had that final rail down in the first round. After the initial round, 11 horses and riders graduated to the jump off including 2 entries for Ocala, FL based riders Aaron Vale and Sharn Wordley. With only 4 clean, Aaron Vale and Carmen Rojas Admiral Clover soared to the win with a time of 40.648 just edging out Vale’s second jump off qualifier Tibor owned by Bonnie Smith. Megan Edrick, also hailing from Ocala, FL, took home the third place ribbon with the Procedures, Inc. owned entry of Cadence while Sharn Wordley and his Cederick rounded out the top 4 spots.
