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Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Matt Cyphert and Hector Victorious in $25,000 CWD Grand Prix

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Matt Cyphert and Hector [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]

Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and Hannah Donald’s Hector won the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix over a course designed by world-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios.

“I think it’s really interesting how the course designers have such different styles. Last week we had Michel Vaillancourt and he is just brilliant and this week to have Leopoldo [Palacios]! Both are amazing and have such unique styles. We’re so lucky and fortunate to have those experiences with the top designers here in Gulfport,” he said.

“Leopoldo used the whole field and you galloped the whole thing. There weren’t a lot of related distances,” commented Cyphert.  Of the fourteen horse and rider teams, only three qualified for the jump off and Cyphert had two in the mix.

Cyphert and his own Lochnivar were first to go in the jump off order and turned in a clear round in a time of 49.811 seconds, within the 60 seconds time allowed, setting the new time to beat. “I was first to go and I thought I was really fast on Lochnivar and thought he was really good. I’m at the in gate discussing strategy with my girlfriend Kelly and I turned to Pedro Tamayo who is my longtime groom and in charge of Hector and said, ‘I don’t think I can go that fast on Hector’. Then Jorge [Ludwig] went in and beat our time! Pedro turned to me and said, ‘Well I guess you have to now’,” he laughed. Jorge Ludwig of Newbury Park, California and his own Lamarque beat Lochnivar and Cyphert’s time with their own 49.042 seconds.

Last to go in the jump off order was Hector and Cyphert. “I’ve had Hector for a couple of years and the Donalds purchased him for their daughter. She did the Young Riders with him last year and then went off to school. So, we just sort of needed him to do something and continue to show,” said Cyphert.

“Leopoldo used a large part of the field for the jump off. There was one set track and we all did the same turns, so I just really tried to let him gallop between the jumps. That was the first time I really called upon Hector and the first time I pushed it with him. He was really good, just wonderful and listening to me, coming back before the jumps. It was a really fast jump off and I went as fast as I could, especially to the last jump which was the CWD jump. When I talked to Jorge after the class, that’s where he thought I caught him,” said Cyphert.

Hector and Cyphert finished their fault free jump off round in a time of 48.207 seconds and took the win! “We will never underestimate Hector again!” commented Cyphert.

“Hector is one of the most athletic horses I have ever ridden and he just covered the ground and jumped out of his skin,” said Cyphert.  “The Donalds are fantastic people and clients and I’m so happy for them,” Cyphert added. “It’s a privilege to ride a horse that nice.”

The class wrapped up with Cyphert taking the first and third place ribbons with Hector and Lochnivar, respectively, and Ludwig taking the second place ribbon with his own Lamarique.

Sun Tzu, owned and ridden by Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama, picked up the fourth place ribbon as the fastest four-faulter with a time of 82.213 seconds, followed by Laura Connaway of Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Ceralena, who placed fifth with their four-fault first round in 83.852 seconds.

Sixth went to Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama and her own Clearwater 5 for their four-fault first round in a time of 84.978 seconds. Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama earned a seventh and ninth place ribbon with Deja Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS and Loretta Patterson’s Sky High. Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri picked up an eighth and twelfth place ribbon with Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and Al Pacini, respectively, while Dominique Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and her own Canoso placed tenth. Brennan returned for an eleventh place ribbon in the irons on her own and Michelle Guardino-Dettelbach’s Mister Money.

“We were thrilled we won the class,” said Cyphert. “And then the craziest thing happened. I got a call from a friend with some terrible news. He told me that Jim Calareso who owned Fox Creek Mobile Equine Outfitters suddenly died of a heart attack this morning,” he said. “We were crushed. We went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Jim was such an icon in Colorado. I’ve known Jim for half of my life. He lived life to the fullest; he loved his friends, vacation and the entire equestrian community. His loss is huge to the Colorado horse community and those that knew and loved him,” he said. “So I am dedicating my win today to Jim. He meant so much to me and others. He will be terribly missed,” he added.

The $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome took place on Friday and fourteen horse and rider teams tacked the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Only four advanced to a second round opportunity. Matt Cyphert and Suzanne Suitles Better Judgement turned in a clear second round in a time of 50.175 seconds, well within the 55 seconds time allowed and set the new time to beat.

Laura Connaway and Ceralena

Laura Connaway and her own Ceralena followed Cyphert and Better Judgement with a clear second round in a time of 48.697 seconds, moving Cyphert and Better Judgement into the second place position.

Penny Brennan and her own Sun Tzu were the next horse and rider team to advance to the jump off round. However, four faults in a time of 46.143 seconds would find them as the fastest four faulter and sitting in third place. Cyphert returned with Hector for their second round opportunity, but four faults in a time of 48.499 seconds would see them finish in fourth place overall.

Fifth was awarded to Dominique Damico and her own Canoso for their first round which suffered one time fault in a time of 86.330 seconds. Holly Shepherd and Hanley Morrison’s SCS Luigi placed sixth after earning two time faults for their first round in a time of 87.199 seconds.

Evan Coluccio of Middleburg, Virginia and EMC International’s Fluttersby placed seventh with their first round in a time of 87.672 seconds which earned them two time faults.

Brennan and her own and Michelle Guardino-Deffelbach’s Mister Money earned an eighth place ribbon after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 82.534 seconds.

Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama and her own Clearwater 5 placed ninth after a four fault first round in a time of 84.940 seconds and Jorge Ludwig and his own Lamarique placed tenth.

The Arenus Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classics 1.20 m and 1.30 m awarded Madison Akins of Bogart, Georgia and her own Chasm Z the blue in the 1.20 m and Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi and her own Jet the win in the Arenus 1.30 m Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic.

Only six riders in the 1.20 m earned a second round opportunity and Akins and Chasm Z were the fastest on the field, turning in a clear second round in a time of 32.341 seconds. Olivia Epple of Palmetto, Georgia and Livhaven Stables’ Corini earned a second place ribbon with their clear second round in a time of 35.446 seconds.

The Arenus 1.30 m Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic had only two horse and rider teams return for a second round opportunity and the first to go in the order, Jet and Sessums, soared fault free over the beautiful grass grand prix field in a time of 33.158 seconds, setting the new time to beat. Second place finisher Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana and her own Phoenix also advanced to the second round. Although their round was fault free, their time of 35.946 seconds would see them finish in second place.

The $4,777 Jumper Classic, always a favorite at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, saw eighteen horse and rider teams go for the blue. Penny Brennan and her own Japan rode away with the win after turning in lightning fast double clear rounds in times of 72.675 seconds and 32.643 seconds. Lila Sessums and her own Jet earned the second place ribbon after their double clear rounds and second round time of 35.040.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Hunter Action Amps Up on the Gulf Coast

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Julie Curtin and Fairfax [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]

The action kicked off with the overwhelmingly popular Sidelines Green Hunter 3′ and 3’3″ Divisions, which are offered for only $5, thanks to sponsor Sidelines Magazine.

Twenty-two horse and rider teams competed in the 3′ Division and eight in the 3’3″ Division. Tom Brennan and Olivia Falkenberry’s Notes from the Underground took the Championship in the 3’3″ Division and Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia and Rebekah Warren’s Cassico were Reserve.

Courtney Calcagnini and Lori Mathews’ Sidenote were champions in the 3′ Division and Tom Brennan and Riley King’s Refined were awarded Reserve Champion.

Trainer Tom Brennan commented, “The division formerly known as Pre-Green, now currently Green, are the most important divisions for horse shows to pay attention to. The pressure in our sport is to focus on the age of our horses, the young horses, when in fact we need to focus on good horses. They need a place to develop and this development process costs money. If you can ‘incentivize’ the people with a $5 entry fee, this is good for the future Juniors and Amateurs who will own these horses.” Brennan continued, “All of the owners I’ve had have noticed the discounted entry fee and it hasn’t gone unappreciated. If the class doesn’t go well, it’s easy to laugh it off and say, ‘Well, it was only a dollar,'” he laughed.

“My mission is to save the Green Hunters,” said Brennan. “The best thing about the Green Hunters is that those divisions allow the trainers of the horses the flexibility to decide what the horse is ready for. Maybe this is a second career horse, maybe it hadn’t been discovered, and maybe it was doing dressage. The pace we bring them along is more important than some specification in a division like age or something that dictates what height they should be jumping,” he said. “It’s the trainer’s job to decide what that horse is ready to do and the Green Hunters provide that flexibility,” he said.

Julie Curtin commented, “The $5 Sidelines Green Hunter Division is awesome. I have a couple of sale horses and it can get really expensive campaigning them. This Division gives me the opportunity to get them mileage.”

The hunter action continued Friday with the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Kruse Cushion Ride [KCR] on Friday and thirty three horse and rider teams went on the hunt for the blue.

Julie Curtin and Liz Hudspeth’s Fairfax bested the field of 33 and took the win. “I actually wasn’t even going to ride him that day,” she said. “Liz was going to ride him, but the scores were really high and last minute I ended up riding. There were a lot of single jumps and I thought the judges were looking for a bold ride. So I just picked up a gallop and approached them that way,” she said.

Curtin and Fairfax earned a first round score of 90 and a Handy score of 93 for a combined 181 which won the class. Second place finisher Jade, owned by Shaw Johnson Price and ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, earned a first round score of 91 and a second round score of 87.5 for a combined 178.5. G.K Cassio, owned by Erin Mulloy and ridden by Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida, was awarded a third place ribbon after earning a first round score of 88 and Handy score of 89 for a combined score of 177.

Shepherd picked up a fourth place ribbon in the irons of Micaela Kennedy’s Magnus Jaque Mate Mail for their combined score of 176 and fifth place went to Helen Gilbert’s Primera, ridden by Sarah Young of Spring Hill, Kansas, for their score of 174.5.

Curtin returned for a sixth place ribbon in the irons of Wesley Wilson’s Whitny for their combined score of 173.25. Shepherd and Belle Rolfe’s Boure placed seventh with their overall score of 172.75 and Paige Parker of Southampton, New Jersey rode Jane Gaston’s Taken to an eighth place finish with their overall score of 170.5. Ninth was awarded to Riley King’s Refined, ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charles Town, West Virginia, for their total score of 154. Lee Cesery’s Candidate placed tenth and Curtin returned for an eleventh place ribbon in the irons of Rebekah Warren’s Cassico. Whiskey Tango, owned by Lee Cesery and ridden by Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia, wrapped up the class with twelfth place.

“The footing is great in this arena,” said Curtin. “The horses go very well and land just beautifully with this footing,” she said. “Although the weather here has been great, if it rains, the footing is seriously all weather, holds really well and there’s no slipping at all,” she added. “The size of the main hunter arena is great. It’s really large and so nice to ride in,” she added.

Brennan commented, “We love this show circuit. It improves every year, every time. I like the Hunter Arena and I think the best thing about it is that they religiously work the footing. We had some rain earlier in the week and then some dry weather and the footing was fine,” he said.

Lauren Reid and Good Reason

The pony rings expanded and the course was built for the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Week III and Lauren Reid of Nazareth, Pennsylvania brought home both the first and second ribbons with Good Reason, owned by Capstone Farm, LLC and Annabelle Brown’s Sunbeam.

Third place was awarded to David Dowler’s Cherrybrook Deblue, ridden by Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and fourth and fifth was awarded to Stars Above and Cherrybrook Just Blue In, respectively, both owned and ridden by Erica Van Dyken of Moorestown, New Jersey.

Mr. Hollywood, owned and ridden by Nicolette Perry of Milford, New Jersey, placed sixth and Competition Equstrian’s Ontario, ridden by Valerie Staniloff of Setauket, New York, earned a seventh place ribbon. Eighth was awarded to Hidden Springs Woodstar, owned and ridden by Gabrielle Roderick of Spring Hill, Kansas, and ninth went to Tangled Up in Blue, owned and ridden by Hailey Hurst of Zionsville, Indiana.

Brownland Miss Kimmy, owned and ridden by Calder Trotz of Memphis, Tennessee, placed tenth and Wind Haven Farm’s Brownland’s Millennium, ridden by James Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana, earned eleventh place. Ever After, owned and ridden by Gabrielle Sokolow of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, wrapped up the class with twelfth place.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Emir D and Shannon Hicks Win the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix

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Shannon Hicks and Emir D [Photo Credit: Alison Hartwell Photography]

Jumper action was in full swing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics and Sunday’s beautiful weather was the perfect backdrop to the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix which closed out Week II.

Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri rode away with a first Grand Prix win for Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and also picked up third and fourth placings with Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia and Al Pacini. “Emir has been second and third a bunch of times, but this was our first win together!” said Hicks.

World renowned course designer Michel Vaillancourt designed the course.  “It was tough,” commented Hicks. “Week I was soft. This week was more of a test than last week. The lines were a little tricky and the jumps were wider. It wasn’t easy, but it was better for my horses because they jump the higher jumps better,” she said.

Vaillancourt set the first round time allowed at 83 seconds. “Al Pacini was my first ride in the class. We left a stride out on our way to the Horseflight jump. We then rolled back to the liverpool and we got a little dull when we were organizing for that and had a rail,” she commented.  The pair finished their first round with four faults in a time of 76.858 which would find them finish in fourth place overall.

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and Mister Money, owned by Brennan and Michelle Guardino-Dettelbach, followed Hicks. Brennan won last week’s $8,000 Horseflight Welcome with her own Sun Tzu and after posting a clear first round in a time of 81.906, sat in the lead position.

“Emir was my second ride and has a shorter stride. I added to the Horseflight with him and he went clean,” she commented. The pair qualified for the jump off round after earning a first round time of 76.946 to the delight of the crowd.

Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia was her last ride in the class. “With C’Havinia, I left a stride out to the Horseflight jump and got there a little earlier than I planned and she had the back rail,” said Hicks. The pair finished in third place with four faults in a first round time of 73.989 seconds.

No other horse and rider teams advanced to the jump off round. “Penny is notoriously fast and I thought that if she goes in there and lays it down then I’m out,” commented Hicks. “When I saw her drop some rails I realized I could take it easy with Emir and just cruise around and if anything, I just got a little too conservative,” she said. Brennan and Mr. Money suffered three rails with twelve jump faults in a time of 47.369 seconds and left the door open for Hicks and Emir D. They finished the jump off round with four faults in a time of 43.984 seconds, securing the win and leaving Brennan and Mr. Money in second place.

Fifth place was awarded to Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama and her own Clearwater 5 after they turned in a four fault first round in a time of 77.039 seconds. Sixth was awarded to Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and his own Lochinvar for their four fault first round in a time of 78.258 seconds. Brennan and her own Sun Tzu earned a seventh place ribbon for their four fault first round in a time of 78.540 seconds and eighth went to Cyphert and Hanna Donald’s Hector for their four fault first round in a time of 80.897 seconds. Dominique Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and her own Canoso placed ninth overall after posting a four fault first round in a time of 80.947 seconds. Tenth was awarded to Dejan Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, and eleventh went to Whitney Boyce-Petrey and Lincoln Case’s Canebrake.

“This week Matt [Cyphert] and Holly [Shepherd] got here and Penny and I were joking like we were here first, but now they’re going to kick our butts,” she laughed. “So we were both definitely pleased with how we did,” she added.

“I’ve had Emir the longest. I got him from Andy Kocher last November and he is my old reliable. He is 13 and has a lot of mileage, and he’ll jump clean every week if I don’t screw up,” she laughed. “He’s not super-fast at the jump offs, but he jumps very high and lofty,” she added.

“Helen Gilbert owns all of these horses and she is the greatest owner ever. She’s super supportive on all fronts and lets me do what I want,” said Hicks. “Without her, I wouldn’t be here,” she added.

“Even though Helen [Gilbert] wasn’t here ringside, she had an especially great week! Holly [Shepherd] won the Derby with her horse White Lightening and then Emir won the Grand Prix and C’Havinia and Al Pacini were also in the ribbons,” she said.

“I’ve been coming to the Gulf shows on and off since it started but we have been here consistently the last five or six years for sure,” said Hicks. “I come here because I love Bob’s shows. He gives away great money and the Grand Prix field is awesome. There are so few places in the country you can jump on that beautiful grass field week in and week out. The weather is here is awesome and the area is great!” she added. “We’ll definitely be here all six weeks,” she added.

The Arenus Jr./Amateur Owner Jumper Classic took place on Sunday and awarded Rico 5, ridden by Sara Dees, the win, besting a field of fourteen horse and rider teams. Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana and her own Phoenix took second place and Amanda Scule rode Seale Horses, LLC’s VDL Endorado Ryal K to a third place finish. Zuber returned to the winner’s circle for a fourth place ribbon, this time in the irons of her own Firebird. Ramble On Farm’s Shaq, ridden by Kaitlyn Williams, placed fifth and Shanna Beyer and her own Invictus earned a sixth place ribbon.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Matt Cyphert Pulls a Trifecta Win in the $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Matt Cyphert and Lochinvar [Photo Credit: Alison Hartwell Photography]

Matt Cyphert of North Lake, Texas arrived at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit Week II and kicked it off with a trifecta win in Friday’s $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and brought home the first, second and third place ribbons.

As the first to turn in double clear rounds on his own Lochinvar, with times of 70.036 seconds and 37.313 seconds, respectively, Cyphert set the new time to beat besting the 47 second round time allowed.

Only two other horse and rider teams advanced to the second round besides Cyphert and included last week’s $25,000 Domino’s Grand Prix winner Lincoln Case’s Canebrake, ridden by Whitney Boyce-Petrey of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Helen Gilbert’s Al Pacini, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

Canebrake and Boyce-Petrey followed Cyphert and Lochinvar with double clear rounds, but their second round time of 44.150 finished them in fourth place overall.

Cyphert followed Boyce-Petrey and Canebrake with Hannah Donald’s Hector with the next set of double clear rounds. Their second round time of 43.054 seconds rewarded them with a third place finish.

Hicks and Al Pacini were the next horse and rider team to turn in a clear first round and although their second round time was the fastest in 35.973 seconds, four jump faults had them finish in fifth place.

Cyphert and Suzanne Suttles’ Better Judgement sat in the last to go position. Going clean in their first round, the pair’s fault free second round time in 39.347 seconds would have them finish in second place overall.

Hicks returned for both sixth and seventh place ribbons in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and C’Havinia after turning in four fault first rounds in times of 70.113 seconds and 70.181 seconds, respectively.

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu earned an eighth place ribbon after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 71.089 seconds.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

It’s All about the Hunters Week II at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics

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Holly Shepherd and White Lightening [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]

The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicked off the hunter action Week II at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit. Helen Gilbert’s White Lightening, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, galloped away with the blue ribbon after earning the highest Classic and Handy Round scores of 174 and 189.5, respectively, for a combined 363.5.

The second place ribbon was awarded to Fairfax, owned and ridden by Liz Hudspeth of Alpharetta, Georgia, after earning a Classic Round score of 160 and a Handy score of 187 for a combined 347.

Love Game, owned by EMC International and ridden by Evan Coluccio of Middleburg, Virginia, earned a third place ribbon with their first round score of 162 and Handy Round score of 174 for a total of 336 combined points.

Coluccio returned for a fourth place ribbon in the irons of Larry Antonini’s Six Pack after earning a Classic Round score of 159 and a Handy score of 155 for a total of 314.

Estander, owned and ridden by Leah Toscano of Chesterfield, New Jersey, placed fifth after earning 150 points in their Classic Round and a score of 154 for a total of 304.

In the Black B, owned and ridden by Liana Brown of Carmel, Indiana, took home the sixth place ribbon after earning a first round score of 140 and a Handy round score of 163 for a combined 303. Seventh was awarded to Allure, owned and ridden by Gianna Cobb of Marietta, Georgia, for their combined score of 302. Nemesis, owned by Daniel Damen and ridden by Dominique Damica of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, was awarded eighth place. Coluccio returned to the arena for both the ninth and tenth place ribbons with Ellen Addison’s El Tindo and Mary Antonini’s Rocking the Boat. Autograph, owned and ridden by Tim Sweat of Milton, Georgia, placed eleventh.

Jason Berry and Cammarata

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby followed the International Hunter Derby and Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia and Kirsten Martin’s Cammarata took the win, besting sixteen horse and rider teams. Enticement, owned by Rebekah Warren and ridden by Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia, was awarded a second place while Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, Pennsylvania and her own Balouette placed third. Berry returned with EMO Stables’ Capiche to pick up the fourth place ribbon and Katie Thomas’ Yahtzee, ridden by Kelley Buringa of Northlake, Texas, earned fifth place. Liana Brown of Carmel, Indiana rode her own Marengo to a sixth place finish. Curtin returned to the winner’s circle to pick up the seventh place ribbon this time in the irons of Wesley Wilson’s Whitny and Robin Hood, owned by Jacob Brupbacher and ridden by Mary Antonini of New Orleans, Louisiana, placed eighth. HC Sport Horses’ HC San Patrignano, ridden by Lucy Heaton of Clarksdale, Mississippi, placed ninth and Katrina Seitz’ Notre Montrachet, ridden by Amy Tilson Ochoa of Zionsville, Indiana, finished in tenth place. Lily Gumenick of Richmond, Virginia rode her own Summit to an eleventh place finish and Hil Cat Farm’s Casting Call, ridden by Catherine Castle of Folsom, Louisiana, finished in twelfth place.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

The hunter grooms were recognized Friday thanks to Sheila and Shirley Murphy. Tito Aguilar won the class and the cash award. Second place went to Missie Morrissey and third place was awarded to Josette Ward. “The grooms are often the unsung heroes of the horse show world and this class is a great opportunity to thank them for their commitment to the well-being of our horses,” said Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Classic Company.

The $2,000 Sidelines 3′ and 3’3″ Green Hunter took place and for an entry fee of $5, Jason Berry and Kirsten Martin’s Cammarata won the 3’3″ Green Hunter Championship and Julie Curtin and her own Honey Badger won the 3′ Sidelines Green Hunter Championship. Twenty-three horse and rider teams competed in Week II’s $2,000 Sidelines Green Hunter Division and it continues to be successful, largely in part of Sidelines Magazine’s sponsorship of the Green Hunter Division offered for only a $5 entry fee. “Sidelines is happy to sponsor this division which is so important to the development of our Hunter horses,” commented Bradley Spragg, Publisher of Sidelines Magazine.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jumper Action on the Gulf

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Catherine Zaunbrecher and Leonardo [Photo Credit Alison Hartwell Photography]

Week I of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic offered beautiful weather and exciting competition for the horses and riders in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Arenus Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic awarded Catherine Zaunbrecher of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Leonardo the win and blue ribbon.

Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana earned a second place ribbon aboard her own Phoenix and Kelsey Gore of Prairieville, Louisiana rode her own Goldfinger to the third place ribbon. Jet, owned and ridden by Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi, rode to a fourth place finish and Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, Pennsylvania rode Ramble On Farm’s Shaq to a fifth place ribbon. Zuber returned for a sixth place in the irons of her own Firebird and seventh was awarded to Atkins Ward of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and her own Manhattan.

Arenus is the sponsor of all Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company Jr./Amateur Owner Jumper Classics in 2017.

The $1,500 Children’s Adult 1.10 Jumper Classic also took place Sunday and Carson Ruff of Jackson, Missouri rode Ron Daugherty’s Toulouse to the win, besting a field of thirteen horse and rider teams. Second place went to Bailey Doloff of Sykesville, Maryland in the irons of Sharon Hyland’s Liz Taylor. Megan Cato of Covington, Louisiana and her own Code Red placed third and Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi and her own Little Elvis placed fourth. Doloff returned to pick up the fifth place ribbon in the irons of Darren Chiacchia’s Habenero, DMC and a sixth place ribbon with Lee Ann Martin’s Lyons Creek. For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Whitney Boyce-Petrey Pilots Canebrake to 1st Grand Prix Win in $25k Domino’s Grand Prix

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Whitney Boyce-Petrey and Canebrake [Alison Hartwell Photography]

Whitney Boyce-Petrey of New Orleans, Louisiana and Lincoln Case’s Canebrake won the $25,000 Domino’s Grand Prix under sunny skies at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. As their first Grand Prix win, the victory was especially sweet!

Course Designer Nancy Wallis of Lambertville, New Jersey set the first round time allowed at 79 seconds. “I think Nancy did a great job designing all week,” commented Boyce-Petrey. “She built all week and got everyone comfortable. Each class she designed would present us with a new challenge or question on the course leading up to the Grand Prix,” she added.

First to go Shannon Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia turned in a first round effort in a time of 73.434 seconds, but with four jump faults would finish in second place as the fastest four fault round.

Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama in the irons of her own Clearwater 5 followed in a time of 75.961, but a heartbreak rail at the final fence had them finish in sixth place overall.

Penny Brennan and her own Sun Tzu, the victors in Friday’s $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, had a rail at the second fence and their time of 75.067 would find them finishing in fifth place overall.

Boyce-Petrey had her first ride in the grand prix field on WRB Show Stables, LLC’s Mira, but their time of 79.688 seconds with five rails and time faults would find them finishing in eleventh place overall.

Dominique Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and her own Cauoso followed with an eight fault first round in a time of 75.759 seconds, awarding them an eighth place overall.

Evan Coluccio of Middleburg, Virginia and EMC International’s Fluttershy also earned eight jump faults, and their time of 79.993 seconds added one time fault for an overall ninth place finish.

Hicks returned to the field, this time in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Al Pachini. Four faults in a time of 74.495 seconds earned them a fourth place ribbon.

Brennan and Mister Money, owned by Brennan and Michelle Guardino-Dettelbach, followed in the order, but eight jump faults in a time of 74.762 seconds awarded them a seventh place finish.

Boyce-Petrey was up next, this time with Canebrake and the pair turned in the only first round leaving all the rails up. Their time of 79.049 seconds earned them one time fault, but also the win.

“The course walked nice and didn’t scare you when you walked it,” said Boyce-Petrey, “but it rode a little different,” she said. “It was fun and rode well, but it was a bit tougher,” she added.  Boyce-Petrey continued, “The Horseflight jump wasn’t near the in gate, but you had to ride toward the gate and then make a 90 degree turn to get to the Horseflight jump. With my first horse I rode, I overrode the one stride and then my horse spooked really hard at the Horseflight jump.  For my second ride, I made sure my horse saw the Horseflight jump,” she said.

Dees returned with her own Rico S for her second ride, but twelve jump faults in a time of 73.089 seconds saw them finish in tenth place overall.

Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s Emir D sat in the enviable last to go position, but four jump faults in a time of 73.862 seconds would see them finish in third place overall.

“We just got him [Canebrake] in the beginning of the fall and this was his first Grand Prix of the season and his first win,” Boyce-Petrey exclaimed. “We got him from a friend of mine in Ohio who got him as a Low Junior Jumper. She did some smaller classes with him and thought he could be something special and that’s when we bought him,” she said.

Boyce-Petrey continued, “We started working for the Case family about a year ago and they are just the loveliest and most supportive people. Since then, our business has grown tremendously. And we have a great staff! Heather Hays, Andrew Michael and Cullen Latimer are just amazing,” she added.

“We really like showing in Gulfport every year,” said Boyce-Petrey. “We brought nineteen horses with us and we’ll be here next week too. It’s a great show; we live in New Orleans so it’s an easy hour drive from home so we can run back and forth when we need to and the people here are so nice!”

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GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Brennan and Sun Tzu Win the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome at Gulf Coast Winter Classics

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Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu [Photo Credit: Alison Hartwell Photography]

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu kicked off the opening week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic with a blue ribbon in the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome besting a field of fifteen horse and rider teams! “That was such a fun class!” exclaimed Brennan. “It was like a horse race! You had a bunch of double clears and they just kept getting faster and faster,” she said.

Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia were the first to go in the order and turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 71.808 seconds. Although their second round in a time of 33.234 seconds beat the time allowed of 40 seconds, their four jump faults would see them finish in seventh place overall.

Dennis Murphy, Jr. of Vandiver, Alabama and Lila Sessums’ Jet followed in the order with double clear rounds in times of 76.313 seconds and 37.938 seconds, setting the new time to beat.

Sydney Luzicka of Albuquerque, New Mexico and her own St. John 10:9 were the next to turn in double clear rounds in times of 68.312 seconds and 32.881 seconds, taking the lead.

Hicks returned to the Grand Prix field, this time in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and turned in the next double clear round in times of 72.122 seconds and 33.127 seconds, respectively, and would finish the class in fourth place.

Whitney Boyce-Petrey of New Orleans, Louisiana and Lincoln Case’s Canebrake followed with the next clear round in a time of 77.106 seconds.  However, their second round in a time of 50.062 seconds with fifteen faults would find them finishing in eighth place overall.

Dees returned to the field with the next clear first round in the irons of her own Clearwater S and posted double clear rounds in times of 69.987 seconds and 33.828 seconds, respectively, which would earn them a fifth place ribbon.

Brennan and Sun Tzu were the next to turn in double clear rounds. The pair is a force to reckon with each year at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics and it looks as if 2017 will be no exception. Brennan piloted Sun Tzu through the first round fault free in a time of 72.054 seconds. Their lightning fast, clear second round in a time of 29.950 seconds set the new time to beat and would take the lead.

“It was a really fast class!” said Brennan. “There was jump one and then two, then a roll back over the vertical and then another roll back. After the roll back there was a hedge around the gazebo and I swear I cut it so tight I went right through it! There were leaves all around me – that’s how hard I hit it!” she laughed.

“The Horseflight oxer was narrow and square, set on an angle and set up to have the front rail down,” commented Brennan. “It felt like you were jumping into the VIP tent which took the horse’s focus,” she added.  “The way it was set, it was hard to slice it but Shannon sliced it and went through it,” she said. “The distance I saw was the angle and we took the tight distance which is not what I meant to do. But if I hadn’t, we wouldn’t have won the class and Sun Tzu is just that brilliant,” she added. “We did a flat out run to the last jump. I walked it in 10 and I think we did it in 8!” she said.

Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s Al Pachini challenged Brennan and Sun Tzu’s round, posting double clear trips in times of 71.383 seconds and 30.858 seconds, respectively, which would find them finishing in second place.

Sydney Luzicka and her own St. John: 10:9 finished with third place honors and Hicks returned for a fourth place ribbon with Emir D. Sara Dees and her own Clearwater S finished in fifth and Dennis Murphy, Jr. and Jet took sixth place. Hicks returned for seventh with C’Havinia and Whitney Boyce-Petrey and Lincoln Case’s Canebrake finished in eighth place.

Dees and Rico S placed ninth and Dominique Damico and her own Canoso earned a tenth place ribbon.

“My horses had a little time off and this was a first class for us for the season and I’m so happy how well we did!” commented Brennan. “And it was great winning one with my Dad here who flew in from Birmingham, England,” she added. Added her father, “It was worth every bit of the journey! Penny was absolutely brilliant!”

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jumper Action Wraps Up Week III of the Pensacola Winter Circuit

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Shannon Hicks and C’Havinia are greeted in the winner’s circle by sponsor Pensacola Sports [Mr. and Mrs. Ray Palmer and Mr. and Mrs. Jean Clark] and Pam Maldwin, Director of the Escambia County Equestrian Center [photo credit Bob Bell]

Jumper action closed out Week III of the Gulf Coast Pensacola Winter Classic Circuit with the $25,000 Pensacola Sports Grand Prix presented by Nutrena Saturday night as well as the Arenus Jr./Amateur Jumper Classics and Elite Equine Sport Horse Medicine & Lameness Child/Adult Jumper Classics on Sunday.

Saturday night welcomed Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri riding Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia to the winner’s circle after their double clear rounds in the Grand Prix finale that saw eleven horse and rider teams go for the blue.

Hicks and C’Havinia were the first to turn in a clear first round effort in a time of 76.965 seconds, well within the time allowed of 85 seconds. It looked as if there would be no jump off round until Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas and GK Performance Horses’ Kahlua turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 79.913 seconds.

The jump off round was set with a time allowed of 42 seconds and Hicks and C’Havinia were first up. As first to go, they had four faults with a time of 29.955 seconds, leaving the win open for Rogge and Kahlua. However, as last to go, they too had four jump faults and with their time of 39.051 seconds would finish in second place, leaving Hicks and C’Havinia the winners!

Hicks returned for third place with the fastest four fault first round in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Al Pachini. They posted a first round time of 75.194 seconds.

Fourth place went to last week’s Sidelines’ Grand Prix winner, Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling for their four fault first round in a time of 75.906 seconds.

Juan Lavieri and his own Don Pedro placed fifth with their four fault first round in a time of 72.629 seconds. Rogge returned for a sixth place ribbon in the irons of his own Mojo TSP after posting a four fault first round in a time of 79.577 seconds. Hicks picked up a seventh with Helen Gilbert’s Emir for their four fault first round in a time of 79.583 seconds and Sarah Dees of Chatom, Alabama placed eighth place with her own Rico S. Hailey Rogge of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Zine Dine finished in ninth place overall.

The Arenus Jr./Amateur Owner Jumper Classic took place on Sunday and awarded Jennie Nolen of San Antonio, Texas and Daryl Nolen’s Quasi Modo II the blue ribbon for their double clear rounds. Rico S, owned and ridden by Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama, took the second place ribbon and Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland piloted Rolling Acres’ Carlsberg to a third place finish. Fourth was awarded to Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana and her own Firebird and she also picked up a fifth place ribbon with her own Phoenix. Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, Missouri and her own Capua were awarded sixth place.

The $1,500 Elite Equine Sport Horse Medicine & Lameness Child/Adult Jumper Classic saw Austin Cumming of Madison, Georgia and Steven Turilli’s Raphael IV in the winner’s circle, besting a field of twelve horse and rider teams.

Second place was awarded to Abigail Holloway of Eatonville, Georgia and Sarah Milliren’s Zanardil and third place went to Hannah Showell of Ocean City, Maryland and HNS LLC’s Nashville. Caroline Michele Dugas of Vestavia, Alabama and Helene Jones’ Skyfall placed fourth and Nelson Long of Signal Mountain, Tennessee and his own Merlerault were awarded fifth place.

For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

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Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Christian Rogge and Mojo TSP Win the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

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Christian Rogge and Mojo TSP.

Jumper action Week III of the Gulf Coast Pensacola Winter Classic Circuit kicked off with the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome.

Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas in the irons of his own Mojo TSP rode away with the blue after posting double clear rounds in times of 83.164 seconds and 31.233 seconds.  “I am the owner, rider and breeder of this horse.  I bred him myself and owned him since then and brought him along through the rankings.  Last weekend he did his first Grand Prix and had two rails in the jump off and got sixth. Yesterday he was really cool and understood the jump off better and took the class,” commented Rogge.

First to go, Shannon Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s C’Havinia posted a clear first round effort in a time of 82.252, within the 91 seconds time allowed. Their second round in a time of 32.818 seconds was well within the time allowed of 44 seconds, but four jump faults would find them finishing in third place overall.

Marylisa Leffler of Brookville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling followed in the order, but four faults in their first round in a time of 78.781 seconds had them finish in eighth place overall.

Rogge had his first ride in the class, GK Performance Horses’ Kahlua, and turned in a clear first round in a time of 87.578 seconds. Their second round in a time of 32.547 seconds resulted in eight jump faults and they would settle into eighth place overall.

Rogge’s wife, Hailey Rogge of Lafayette, Louisiana, followed in the order in the irons of her own Zine Dine. The pair turned in a clear first round in a time of 80.975 seconds and a four fault second round in a time of 33.368 seconds which would see them finish in fifth place overall.

Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s Emir D were next up and went clear in their first round in a time of 80.630 seconds. Their four fault second round in a time of 32.825 seconds earned them fourth place overall.

Leffler and Rolling Acres’ Carlot followed in the order and were the first horse and rider to turn in double clear rounds in times of 80.432 and 32.930 seconds, setting the new time to beat.

The lead was short lived when Christian Rogge and his second ride, his own Mojo TSP, turned in double clear rounds setting the new time to beat at 31.233 seconds.  “Marylisa [Leffler] has some really nice, experienced horses and mine are really young. I was really proud that my horse won and did really well against such seasoned grand prix horses,” commented Rogge.

Hailey Rogge and Andrew Kocher’s Tresor Platiere followed and turned in a four fault first round in a time of 80.55 seconds which earned them a ninth place finish.

Hicks was last to go in the class on Helen Gilbert’s Al Pachini. Although the pair turned in a clear first round in a time of 80.790 seconds, their second round in a time of 33.146 seconds earned eight jump faults and the pair would settle for a seventh place finish overall.

Rogge said, “I want to thank Bob [Bell] for continuing to produce these Pensacola shows.  We love coming here so early in the season so we can develop our horses.”  Rogge continued, “We also love the experienced Classic crew, the office, the in gate, the VIP and all that Allen [Rheinheimer] and Janet [McCarroll] do here to make it such a positive experience for us year after year.  It’s such a nice atmosphere and we really appreciate all the Classic Company does to make this such a great show for us,” he added.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457