Halifax, MA – June 25, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic concluded its main competition today and hosted the $25,000 Grand Prix in the lush grass of the Grand Prix Field hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, Massachusetts.

Michael Nielson of Diamond Bar, CA, was the course designer of the Grand Prix which saw four horse and rider combinations jump the first round clear to advance to a thrilling jump-off. Only two of the four in the jump-off were able to go double clear, and Gideon and Holmes had the fastest time of 38.528 seconds to earn them the win in Gideon’s second career grand prix.

Holmes imported Gideon, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Hamlet, as a 6-year-old stallion. After not having much success, it was decided he would excel better as a gelding, which has proven true as Gideon primarily shows in the High Amateurs and does quite well. However, when the opportunity arises, Holmes “tries to put him in some of the smaller 1.40m or 1.45m grand prixs like the one today at Fieldstone.”

Showing first over the shortened course on his other mount Zilano M, Holmes had the advantage of previewing the course when he returned with Gideon three horses later. Holmes said his plan for the jump-off was “made a little easier having the luxury of riding another of my horses earlier in the jump-off. So I got to see the turns and I knew there was a flat out open run from the first to the second fences of the jump-off and I went for it with Gideon. With Gideon, I had the opportunity to slice back to the third jump because he is a more experienced horse. After that I just kept running and the jumps just kept coming up right on target even when I was leaving strides out.”

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