Week II of the Gulf Coast Pensacola Winter Classics wrapped up on Sunday and crowned the victors of the Jr./Amateur Owner Arenus Jumper Classic.
Chasm Z, owned and ridden by Madison Akins of Bogart, Georgia, took the blue ribbon in Sunday’s feature class.
Sara Dee of Chatom, Alabama, riding her own Clearwater S, was the first horse and rider team to turn in a clear first round in a time of 61.849 seconds, well within the 74 seconds time allowed. She held the lead throughout the class and then followed with another clear first round in the irons of her own Rico S posting a time of 57.594. However, their second round in a time of 35.385 seconds resulted in a rail with a four fault jump penalty. Dee sat in first and second place until Madison Akins and her own Chasm Z entered the ring as the last to go. The pair turned in a clear first round in a time of 59.111 seconds and followed with a 36.318 second round, winning the class and moving Dee and Chatom to second place and Rico S to third.
Phoenix, owned and ridden by Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana, placed fourth overall with their four fault first round in a time of 67.000 seconds. Fifth was awarded to Capua, owned and ridden by Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, Missouri, for their eight fault first round in a time of 67.257 seconds and Zuber returned for sixth place with her own Firebird.
The $2,500 Elite Equine Sport Horse Medicine and Lameness Child Adult Jumper Classic took place on Sunday and Caroline Michele Dugas of Vestavia, Alabama piloted Helene Jones’ Skyfall to the win after posting double clear rounds in times of 55.058 seconds and 32.078 seconds, respectively.
First to go clear in the class, Mary Elise Nolen of Leeds, Alabama in the irons of her own Celebes Robusta, set the second round time to beat at 34.556 seconds which would see them finish in second place.
Katri Hunter of Washington, DC and her own Addison went clear in the first round as well as their second. However, their time of 39.22 seconds would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Sawyer Evans of Canton, Georgia and her own Contendra followed with double clear rounds and their second round time of 34.647 seconds found them with a third place ribbon. Dugas and Skyfall were next and took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Emily Liens of McClean, Virginia and Equinimity, LLC’s Quiloa went clear in the first round, but their fault free second round in a time of 35.616 seconds would find them finishing in fifth place overall. Abigail Beaty of Indian Springs, Alabama and her own Vin Dulorosa finished in fourth place after a clear second round in a time of 35.336 seconds. Seventh was awarded to Haley Cassidy of Mystic, Connecticut and her own Remy Martin and Hannah Showell of Ocean City, Maryland and HNS LLC’s Nashville placed eighth.
The Classic Company is wrapping up its last show of the 2014 Classic Company show calendar at the Georgia International Horse Park and the countdown is on for the first of the Classic Company 2015 shows in Pensacola!
Pensacola, Florida is the starting point of nine weeks of top show competition with the best in show management in the country. Consistent winners of the USHJA Members Choice Awards, the Classic Company launches its fourth year at the Escambia County Equestrian Park in Pensacola, Florida on January 7th. “This show has grown by leaps and bounds,” said Classic Company President, Bob Bell. “Exhibitors really appreciate the added attention they receive at the show, the opportunity to earn some great mileage at a user-friendly horse show, enjoy the coastal community and just have a great time,” he said.
Patty Foster of Brookville, Maryland and her Rolling Acres barn have started off their winter circuit here since the show’s beginning. “This is a great show to introduce our riders to the winter circuits; it gets the horses ready and lets us all acclimate to the winter show schedule,” she said. “There’s also no easier show to get to. Literally, the show is ten minutes from the airport; the town has a lot to offer with great shopping and dining and there are a bunch of hotels nearby,” she said. “Last year we all took Segway tours of the town and we all just loved it!” she said. “So far we have 26 on board for Pensacola; we all look forward to it!” she added.
The Saturday night grand prix schedule kicks off with a $10,000 Jumper Classic. “This is a great class for those horses getting introduced to grand prix levels as well as the riders moving up,” said Technical Coordinator, Allen Rheinheimer.
Week II offers the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix and Week III wraps up Pensacola with the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix. There are Derby classes each week and a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Week II. There will even be a complimentary Wild West Show Week III to close out this year’s Pensacola shows.
Partner hotels offer special rates for those showing in Pensacola. Long time sponsors, Red Roof Inn and the Best Western Plus Blue Angels Inn, offer special horse show rates. Red Roof Inn is a pet-friendly hotel in close proximity to the show grounds that offers complimentary Internet access, breakfasts and parking. Select rooms offer microwaves and mini-fridges. Coin laundry is available. Book your rooms early and remember to mention that you are showing at the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola shows!
The Best Western Plus Blue Angels Inn prides itself on friendly customer service, clean accommodations and a centralized location. Conveniently located in close proximity to the show grounds, the Best Western Plus offers free high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and cable satellite televisions. Additional hotel amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, free parking and a complimentary hot breakfast served daily. Make sure to book your room early and mention that you are showing at the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola shows!
Gulf Coast Winter Classics
The secret is out! Gulfport, Mississippi is THE place to show! With more than a million in prize money and awards, the best footing in the show world and the best management staff, add to that its Mississippi Gulf Coast location complete with beachfront hotels and condos and some of the best seafood and fishing in the country and you have a winner!
Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey shows in Gulfport every winter. Flashpoint Photography.
This year the Gulf Coast Winter Classics offer six consecutive weeks of grand prix, hunter derbies, meter 1.20, 1.40 AND 1.30 jumper classes. “Exhibitors really wanted the 1.30 meter jumper classes and we added them this year,” said Bell. “We’ve already had a lot of commitments that barns would be heading to show with us this year and we’re excited to introduce them to the Gulf!” he added.
The Gulf Coast Classics start on February 4 and run through March 15 – that’s right! It’s Mardi Gras season. Only 45 minutes from New Orleans – what a great way to spend your Mondays. Let the good times roll!
Six hundred eight permanent stalls and more than 500 tent stalls are available. Strict bio-security measures have always made these show grounds a safe haven for all horses. Complimentary riders’ lounges at the jumper and hunter rings, VIP service and tables offer a full cash bar and delightful meals and snacks Thursday through Sundays.
More than 130 RV spots complete with electric and water hook-ups are available as well as partnerships with world-class hotels located just a short drive from the show grounds. The Residence Inn by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn are a 10 minute drive to the show grounds and adjacent to the Biloxi International Airport. The Residence Inn by Marriott is pet-friendly and offers special exhibitor rates in addition to the Manager’s Reception three times a week and a complimentary hot breakfast every day! Click here to book your room at the discounted rate.
The Hilton Garden Inn is located next door to the Residence Inn by Marriott and offers an on-site restaurant and bar, complimentary WiFi, fitness center and outdoor pool and special discount rates for those showing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics! A mile from the airport and just ten minutes from the show grounds, the Hilton Garden Inn is looking forward to providing you blue ribbon service while in Gulfport. Click here for their special rates.
Exhibitor parties take place every week either on-site or at local world class casinos and restaurants. These are fun for the whole family!
The best news? The Gulf Coast Classic offers the best showing experience for a fraction of the cost of the other shows. Better footing, world renown course designers, a fun coastal town with world class shopping and dining, an airport just 15 miles away – what are you waiting for?
The 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 Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.
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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
