Tag Archives: Gulf Coast Winter Classic

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

Hester and Clueless P Win Opening Week $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

Leave a comment

Lauren Hester and Clueless P.

Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky started this year’s Gulf Coast Winter Circuit in the winner’s circle, besting a group of 14 horse and rider teams in the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P.

Course designer Nancy Wallis of Lambertville, New Jersey set the course with a first round time allowed of 88 seconds.

Hester was first to go in the class in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Wender. Hester and Wender had a good run at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit and won the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic Week I. Yesterday, the pair jumped a clean first round in a time of 79.242 seconds, but had two rails down in the second round in a time of 33.978 seconds. “He’s a super careful horse, so I was kind of shocked he had two down in the jump off round,” commented Hester. The pair would finish in ninth place overall.

Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida and Meeco Equestrian’s Cord 11 turned in the next clean first round in a time of 87.134 seconds and advanced to the second round. A heartbreak rail at the last fence in a time of 36.396 seconds would see the pair finish in seventh place overall.

Hester returned to the grand prix field, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Dutch Warmblood, Arly. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 81.459 seconds and 37.150 seconds, respectively, and took the lead. “He’s really big and we made a couple of big turns,” Hester commented. Their lead would be temporary and the pair finished in fifth place overall.

Willoughby Stables’ Varios, ridden by Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia, grabbed the lead from Hester and Arly after turning in double clear rounds in times of 77.889 seconds and 34.623 seconds, respectively.

Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia followed Berry in the irons of her own Classified and posted double clear rounds in times of 83.377 seconds and 36.186 seconds, which would find the pair finish in fourth place overall.

Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois Lamontagne of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, followed Kemper with double clear rounds in times of 82.066 seconds and 35.008 seconds, respectively, which would award them with third place honors overall.

Hester returned to the field, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Clueless P. “She was really spooking at the second jump,” commented Hester. “She really peeked at the triple bar and I was kicking her up to it,” she added. “She is so little and she chipped to it, so I just kept her galloping the rest of the course,” Hester said. The pair turned in double clear rounds in times of 80.146 seconds and 33.665 seconds, which would take the lead and eventually win the class. “I like little horses,” said Hester. “They turn easily and are closer to the ground, in case you fall off,” she laughed. “I was happy with how we did,” she said.

Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania followed with the next double clear rounds in the irons of Cerulean Stables, LLC’s HHS Louis in times of 87.310 seconds and 39.379 seconds, respectively. The pair would finish in sixth place overall.

Molly Ben-Menachem’s Dontez, ridden by Sarah Scheiring of Stockton, New Jersey, turned in a four-fault first round in time of 86.626 seconds and finished in tenth place overall.

Hester and her fourth ride in the class, Hester Equestrian, LLC’s Lorstakov, turned in the final round of the class with a clean first round in a time of 82.470 seconds and a four fault second round in a time of 38.479 seconds. The pair would finish in ninth place overall. “I didn’t expect him to go clear, but he jumped really well,” said Hester. “He has come a long way,” she added. “He needs to jump bigger because he is just not so impressed with the smaller jumps,” she said.

“I’m showing all of them in the $25,000 Foley RV Center Grand Prix on Sunday,” said Hester. “The grass field here felt really good; it’s really nice. We weren’t slipping on it and it’s not too hard. I hate hard grass and this is really lovely,” she said.

For complete results on the $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, click here.

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

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Cartagena BD Takes the Win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Leave a comment

Marylisa Leffler and Cartagena BD.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took place Friday at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit under sunny skies in Pensacola, Florida.

Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, led the class after the first round with a score of 88. Kirsten Pollin’s Cartagena BD, ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, was right behind her with a score of 87, and Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Panetta of Brookeville, Maryland, stood in third place on the class after posting a first round score of 84.

New Dream, owned and ridden by Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, was first to go in the Handy round after posting a first round score of 67. Their second round score of 63 for a total of 130 points had the pair finish in sixth place overall.

Catherine Kologinczak’s Carino, ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, followed New Dream in the Handy round after posting a first round score of 73. They earned a Handy score of 76 and a combined total of 149 which moved the pair into fourth place overall.

Gray Street and Alexandra Panetta followed and earned a Handy score of 87 for a total score of 171, which would see the pair temporarily take the lead. The lead was short lived since Marylisa Leffler followed Gray Street in the irons of Cartagena BD, and earned a second round score of 90 and a total score of 177 which took the lead and moved Gray Street into second place.

Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren, was in the lead after the first round; however, their Handy round earned 78 points for a total score of 166, and would see the pair drop to third place overall.

Cayenne, owned by Madison Barksdale and ridden by Hailey Henderson, finished in fifth place overall after posting first and second rounds of 72 and 65, respectively, while Third Day, owned by Abigail Beaty and ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina, finished in seventh place overall.

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

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

Dash for Cash King Kocher Closes Out Pensacola on Winning Streak

Leave a comment

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Red Lady Takes the Blue! Wins Week III $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome

Leave a comment

Andy Kocher and Red Lady.

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

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

Winning Week II for Kocher at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit

Leave a comment

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
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

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

Comanche Soars and Gray Street Victorious at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit

Leave a comment

Megan Young pilots Comanche to the win in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Apollo Jets, kicked off the second weekend of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit yesterday and saw 15 horse and rider teams hunt for the blue. Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey designed the course.

The first round put Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida and Lee Cesery’s Comanche in the lead with a first round score of 180. The pair was followed by Willoughby Stable’s Falcor, ridden by Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, who posted a first round score of 178. Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama stood in third position with Alina Dumitrescu’s Shutterbug after posting a first round score of 175. Standing in fourth place after the first round with a score of 172 was Charlotte Warren’s Enticement, ridden by Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia. Cobalt Blue R, owned by Oak Ledge Farm and ridden by Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, earned a first round score of 162 which placed them in fifth position after the first round while Rockaway, owned by Lee Cesery and ridden by Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida, earned 159 total first round points and stood in sixth place going into the Handy round.

Standing in seventh place after the first round was Charlotte Warren’s Why, ridden by Julie Curtin after earning a first round score of 159, and standing in eighth place with a total of 156 points was Jeanne Pitre’s Player, ridden by Thomas Le Blanc of Folsom, Louisiana. Also with a score of 156 points after the first round was Showcase Limited’s Essence, ridden by Terry Brown of Canton, Georgia, who stood in ninth place going into the Handy round.

In tenth position after the first round with a score of 155 was Fig Street’s Duchess, owned by Cynthia Hallman and ridden by Christina Jason. Standing in eleventh with a first round score of 147 was Helen Gilbert’s White Lightening, ridden by Andy Kocher of Ocala, Florida. Stone Lane Farm’s Premium Blend, ridden by Alyssa Mansfield of Wellington, Florida, stood in twelfth place after the first round with a score of 145.

The Handy round had Mansfield and Premium Blend earning a second round score of 174 and a combined total of 319 points. Kocher and White Lightening followed and after turning in a second round score of 159 and earning a total score of 306, the pair would move into twelfth position and move Mansfield and Premium Blend into eleventh place.

Christina Jason and Fig Street’s Duchess returned for their second round and after earning 168 points for a total of 323, the pair would hold their tenth place position overall.

Curtin and Why returned for their second round and earned a Handy score of 179 for an overall total of 338. Their score would move them up to finish in sixth place.

Young and Rockaway earned a second round score of 177 and an overall score of 336 which would see the pair finish in seventh place.

Berry and Cobalt Blue R returned for their Handy round and earned a score of 190 which boosted them to a total score of 352, putting them in a fourth place finish.

Brown and Essence followed and after earning a Handy score of 170 and total score of 326, the pair moved to a ninth place finish.

Le Blanc and Player returned for their Handy round and earned a score of 188 for a total of 344. The pair would move to finish in fifth place overall. Enticement and Curtin finished their Handy round with a score of 157 and overall 329 which would move the pair to the eighth place finish.

Maddrix and Shutterbug maintained their third place standing in the class after posting a score of 180 and earning a total score of 355. Berry returned with Falcor for the Handy round and would also maintain their second place standing after earning a score of 179.5 and an overall 357.50 points. Last to go was Young and Comanche and they earned an impressive 200 in their Handy round for a total of 380 overall points and the championship. “I watched Jason and Tim go before me,” commented Young. “I saw them both take the other option and knew that in order to hold my lead, I needed to really showcase his [Comanche] handiness and just go for it,” she said.

Comanche, also known as Floyd, is only eight years old and this is only his sixth Derby. “I plan on showing in Gulfport this winter and hope to be able to compete in the $77,700 Derby Week V,” she added.

Gray Street Wins $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took place yesterday after the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Apollo Jets, and saw a field of eight horse and rider teams compete for the win over a course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey.

Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Penetta, sails over an oxer on their way to the win yesterday in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Penetta, sails over an oxer on their way to the win yesterday in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Gray Street, ridden by Alexandra Panetta of Brookeville, Maryland, won the class after earning a first round score of 87 and a Handy score of 83 for a grand total of 170 points. Carino, owned by Catherine Kologinczak and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, received second place after posting scores of 82 and 79, respectively, for a total score of 161. Third Day, owned by Abigail Beaty and ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina, received third place after earning a combined score of 158.

Motivation, owned and ridden by Salter Hydinger of Mountain Brook, Alabama, was awarded fourth place for their combined score of 144 and A Perfect Gentleman, owned and ridden by Brittany Wyatt of Fayetteville, Georgia, earned fifth after earning a total of 142 points.

Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, received sixth place with a combined score of 136. Madison Barksdale’s New Dream, ridden by Christian Rogge, earned seventh place with a total combined score of 133 and Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, in the irons of Christian Rogge’s Cassia TSP, wrapped up the class in eighth place with a total score of 132.

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

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Week I Pensacola Wraps Up

Leave a comment

Evans Sawyer piloted her own Contendra to the winner’s circle in the $1,500 1.10 m Child/Adult Jumper Classic.

Week I of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit wrapped up on Sunday and featured the 1.10 m Child Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Finish Line Horse Products, as well as the Jr./A-O Jumper Classic, sponsored by Elite Equine Sports Medicine & Lameness.

The 1.10 m Child Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Finish Line Horse Products, awarded Contendra, owned and ridden by Evans Sawyer of Canton, Georgia, the blue ribbon after posting double clear rounds in times of 62.005 seconds and 31.826, respectively. The pair bested thirteen horse and rider teams to win the blue.

The Jr./A-O Jumper Classic, sponsored by Elite Equine Sports Medicine & Lameness, saw Indy, owned by RAF, LLC and ridden by Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland, in the winner’s circle after turning in a clean first round in a time of 70.019 seconds and as the fastest four-faulter in their second round in a time of 44.055 seconds. Foster rode also rode Amon De Diamante, owned by Rolling Acres Farm, in the 1.40 m section; Amon De Diamante was fourth overall.

Week I highlights included Hester Equestrian’s Wender winning the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic, ridden by Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky. Wender was one of five rides for Hester and she was also awarded the Kastel Denmark Style of Riding Award.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, was awarded to End Game, ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina. The pair was first to go in the class and held their lead for both rounds proving that for End Game, it was game on!

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

Classic Company, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Wender Wins $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit

Leave a comment

Lauren Hester pilots Wender to the win.

Saturday’s featured class, the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic, saw fifteen horse and rider teams tackle the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana.

Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky and Hester Equestrian’s Wender galloped off with the blue ribbon after posting a first round time in 68.966 seconds and a clean second round in a time of 40.50 well within the 48 seconds time allowed.

Hester competed five horses, all owned by Hester Equestrian, LLC. “I missed watching all the other horses go because I was jumping off and on all of mine,” said Hester. “I have three people helping me here, and I’m thankful that we’re stabled so close to the ring that they could bring them up as I was getting off,” she added.

Hester was the first to go in the class in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Katie Riddle and the pair posted a time of 69.631 seconds with four jump faults. “I haven’t had her quite that long, but she has a big stride and after I walked the course, I felt like it was geared for a more normal horse stride. Most of the lines were set really nice. The last line walked a touch long, but since it was the last line heading toward the gate, I knew it would come up short,” she said. “I just rode it pretty normal and was very satisfied with how she [Katie Riddle] went and I couldn’t ask more of her,” she said.

Christi Israel in the irons of her own Cracky Z followed and turned in a clean first round effort in a time of 76.050, just within the time allowed of 77 seconds. Their second round resulted in four jump faults and the pair finished in seventh place overall.

Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling followed Israel and were the first pair to turn in double clean rounds in times of 70.460 seconds and 43.333 seconds, respectively, setting the new time to beat.

Southland Stables’ Vancouver IV, piloted by Christina Jason, followed Leffler and Bling Bling, but with four jump faults in a time of 70.158 seconds, would finish in ninth place overall.

Hester returned to the arena, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Lorstakov. The pair posted a first round time in 71.635 seconds with eight jump faults. “I’ve had him a little over a year,” commented Hester. “He is just seven and has all the scope in the world but we are working on his ‘rideability’ because he is a little difficult,” said Hester. “He jumps really well but then gets really excited and fast. I forget he is so young because he jumps so well,” she continued. “Basically, he’s really young and green, but I was really happy with his round,” she said. The pair finished in twelfth place overall.

Francois Lamontagne, of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, followed Hester in the irons of his own Chanel Du Calvaire. Four jump faults in a time of 75.649 seconds would see the pair finish in eleventh place overall.

Leffler and Bling Bling continued to hold the lead until Jason Berry and Willoughby Stable’s Varios turned in double clean rounds in times of 71.893 seconds and 40.639 seconds, respectively, setting the new time to beat.

Leffler returned to the ring, this time in the irons of Rolling Acres’ Carlot. Although the pair posted double clean rounds in times of 71.865 seconds and 42.298 seconds, respectively, their time was not fast enough to take the lead from Berry and the pair would settle for third place overall.

Hester and Wender followed Leffler. “He [Wender] turns really tight and smooth,” commented Hester. “I don’t need to gallop and I can just let him go. He knows his job and likes to win,” said Hester. The pair turned in double clean rounds in time of 68.966 seconds and 40.501 seconds, respectively, grabbing the lead and setting the new time to beat.

Christi Israel of Birmingham, Alabama and her own Clouseau followed Hester and Wender, but after posting a four-fault, first round time in a time of 72.550 seconds, the pair would finish in tenth place overall.

Hester returned to the ring again, this time in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Clueless P. After turning in a clean first round in a time of 70.708 seconds, a rail in the second round in a time of 40.745 seconds would see them receive the sixth place ribbon. “We’ve had Clueless for less than a year and she was third in the Atlanta Grand Prix,” commented Hester. “She [Clueless] has a shorter stride which helped us in the jump off because I had to gallop her more,” said Hester. “She could have beat Wender but after I got the rail, I slowed her down a bit,” she added. “She’s 10 year old and only 15.1 hands. People say, oh look at the pony! And I tell them not to say that because we just let her think she is a big horse,” she laughed.

Hester also had the last ride in the class, in the irons of Hester Equestrian’s Arly. Despite double clean rounds in times of 72.360 and 44.390 seconds, respectively, the pair would finish in fourth place overall. “We just bought Arly and we’ve had him about a year. He was kind of hanging out after recovering from an injury and I’ve been bringing him back slowly,” commented Hester. “He is a grand prix horse and since he is on his way back, I didn’t want to run him around and he just jumped it so easy,” she said.

Gulf Coast Winter Classic Show Coordinator, Janet McCarroll, presents the awards for the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic to Wender and Hester

“I’m really excited how well Wender is going,” said Hester. “Last year he was sick for a long time,” she said. “He was found to have PSSM Type 2 which is basically an insulin resistance for horses,” she said. “It’s a genetic disorder and he can’t have any sugar. For instance, he gets celery instead of carrots,” she said. “He has just been coming back into competition again and I just started showing in November. He has been doing really well and I anticipate that he will continue to do so all winter,” she added.

“This is our first time showing in Pensacola,” said Hester. “We like it a lot here! It’s very warm, and the people are so nice!” she said. “I couldn’t believe it, that about a week and half before the show they [Classic Company staff] called me and asked for our order of shavings, feed, hay and I just couldn’t believe the level of service! I never got this sort of treatment from another show,” she said happily.

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

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, USHJA

Game On for End Game, Winner of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Leave a comment

Christina Jason pilots End Game to the win in yesterday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina and Southland Stables’ End Game were definitely ‘game on’ yesterday at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit when the pair won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, out of a field of twelve horse and rider teams.

End Game was first to go in the class and earned a first round score of 89 which included four bonus points. They held the high score for the first round which put the pair in the leading advantage as they entered the Handy round.

“The class was a lot of fun! My horse rode well and jumped great over a very nice, but challenging, course,” commented Christina Jason.

Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Panetta of Brookeville, Maryland, received a first round score of 86. However, End Game’s Handy score of 91 and combined score of 180 beat Gray Street’s second round score of 88 and combined score of 174.

Rockaway, owned and ridden by Lee Cesery of Jacksonville, Florida, received a first round score of 85. They pair earned a Handy round score of 88.5 and combined score of 173.5 which would see the pair finish in third place overall.

Third Day, owned by Abigail Beaty and ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina, received a first round score of 84 and second round score of 89. Their combined score of 173 would see the pair finishing in fourth.

Scutosa, owned by North Ridge Equine, Inc. and ridden by Casey Johns of Palatka, Florida, finished in fifth place overall after receiving scores of 81 and 84, respectively, with a combined score of 165.

Christina Jason returned for sixth place honors this time in the irons of Cynthia Hallman’s Fig Street’s Duchess. The pair earned scores of 80 and 81, respectively, and a combined score of 161.

Ricardo, owned and ridden by Audrey Muscari of Germantown, Tennessee, finished in seventh overall with a combined score of 159. Can’t Buy Me Love, owned and ridden by Mathieu Rein of Milton, Georgia, finished in eighth place with an overall score of 157, and ninth place was awarded to Perfect Gentleman, owned and ridden by Brittany Wyatt of Fayetteville, Georgia. Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia rode Harbor Hill, LLC’s Hitchcock to tenth place and Charlotte Warren’s Entitlement to eleventh place. Signature, owned by Megan Martin and ridden by Caroline Wilson of Germantown, Tennessee, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

Pensacola is underway! The fifth anniversary of the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola Circuit started Wednesday and will run through January 31st before the circuit heads to Gulfport, Mississippi for six weeks of AA world-class show jumping.

The talk of the horse show world is the $5.00 Pre-Green Division offered only at the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classics. This special offering is a testament to the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company’s commitment to the development of the young horses in the United States. For only $5.00, owners and trainers can earn valuable competition mileage for their young horses. The specially priced division will be extended to all Gulf Coast Classic shows in Gulfport following the Pensacola Circuit.

For those looking to get from barn to ring to camper to office a bit faster, rent a golf cart! The Golf Cart Guy is onsite and has several golf carts available to rent while showing at the Gulf Coast Pensacola Circuit. You don’t need to hoof it! Call 919.337.7456 to reserve your cart now.

Still on the fence? Come discover why the grass is greener on the Gulf and join us on the Emerald Coast in Pensacola, Florida. Call the office at 228.832.2745 to reserve your stalls today and you can enter online at horseshowsonline.com.

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

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

Historic $5.00 Pre-Green Division Entry Fees Offered at All Gulf Coast Winter Classic 2016 Shows

Leave a comment

To celebrate the fifth tour of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola shows, which kick off on January 13th and run through January 31st, the Gulf Coast Classic Company is proud to announce that the Pre-Green Division entry fees will be $5.00 a division or $1.00 a class. That’s right! All three weeks of the Pensacola Gulf Coast events will offer $5.00 Pre-Green Division entries or a $1.00 per class in the Pre-Green Division. This special will be continued through the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit in Gulfport, Mississippi, which is set to kick off on February 10th and run through March 20th, offering a total of 9 weeks of $5.00 Pre-Green entry fees on the Gulf Coast!

Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, the Gulf Coast Classic Company and USHJA Board Member, said, “From discussions at the committee and board levels, there has been much conversation concerning the development of young horses and the associated competition costs.” Bell has wholeheartedly supported the Pre-Green Incentive and Challenge programs by offering them at almost every Classic Company and Gulf Coast Classic Company horse show. “I feel that further advancement in the development of our young horses can be made by the Gulf Coast Classic Company and therefore am pleased to announce that we will offer all Pensacola Pre-Green Divisions and Pre-Green entries $5.00 and $1.00 entries this winter. Further, to demonstrate our commitment to the sport, we will extend this offer to our Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit in Gulfport, Mississippi,” he added.

Janet McCarroll, Gulf Coast Winter Classic Show Coordinator, commented, “We are so excited to be able to offer a discount to our pre-green owners and riders. The cost of showing our horses can be excessive,” she said, “but through reduction of the show fees at the pre-green level, the Gulf Coast Classic Company can help so our riders can continue to develop their young horses,” she added.

Patty Foster of Rolling Acres Farm, located in Brookeville, Maryland, said, “We are looking forward to the 2016 Pensacola shows. We are really excited that Bob [Bell] has reduced the Pre-Green entry fees to $5.00! All I can say is way to go Bob and Janet!”

The 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic will celebrate its 18th year of operation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Equestrians move into the Gulfport area for six to eight weeks along with their staff, clients, families, owners and trainers. The Gulf Coast Winter Classic offers over one million dollars in prize money and awards and the Mississippi Gulf Coast offers the rest-world class dining, accommodations, entertainment, shopping, casinos and breathtaking Gulf Coast sunsets.

The 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic gets underway on February 10, 2016 and runs for six consecutive weeks until March 20. Come discover why the grass is greener on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and visit www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.

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