Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio and his own Happy Z took the win in the first Gulf Coast Classic $25,000 EMO Grand Prix of the winter at the Escambia Country Equestrian Center last night.
Genn’s son, Theo, who just celebrated his 23rd birthday on the 11th, was the first to go on his father’s horse Cola and finished with a fault-free first round time of 87.084 seconds which put him in the jump off and landed him in fifth place overall. Second to go was Lissa TSP ***, owned and ridden by Christian Rogge of Cypress, Texas, who finished the class in twelfth place. Quite Ruffy 840, owned by Ann Anastasio and ridden by Wilhelm Genn, were the next to go and also went clean with a score of 83.362 seconds to place them in the jump off round and an overall third place finish. Indy, owned by RAF, LLC and ridden by Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland, was next to go and finished with four faults and a time of 83.226 seconds, which put her in seventh place overall. Zine Dine, owned and ridden by Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, was next to ride and finished with eight faults and a time of 77.874 seconds which placed the fastest fault ride in a final tenth finish. Mister Polite, owned by Sydney Johnson and ridden by Tommy-John Russell of Columbus, North Carolina, had eight faults and finished their round in a time of 84.836 seconds which placed them in a final eleventh place position.
Paradox was next to go, owned by Thomas Bruinsma and ridden by Theo Genn, and finished in a fault free time of 83.933 seconds to qualify them for the jump off round. The pair would eventually finish in fourth place. MTM Got Game, owned by Steel Horse Investments, LLC and ridden by Thomas Le Blanc of Folsom, Louisiana, tackled the course and finished clean with a time of 90.148 seconds. The pair would eventually finish in sixth place. Paulena Johnson of Bristol, Virginia, riding Paulexi, LLC’s Quastor Van De Helle Z, had four faults with a time of 85.040 seconds, which would see them finish in a ninth place position. Boysterous, owned and ridden by Danielle Grice of Northfield, Minnesota, took the course in a fault free, fast 81.848 seconds to advance to the jump off. The pair would eventually finish in second place by fractions of a second. Happy Z, owned and ridden by Wilhelm Genn, was next to go and finished the first round with a fault free time of 85.102 seconds and an overall victorious finish. Christian Rogge returned to the grand prix arena with his second mount Top Line’s EZ Touch, where they had eight faults in a 91.862 second round. Last to go was Genn’s son Theo, in the irons aboard Asirea Fortuna, owned by Eduardo Leon. They finished with four faults and a time of 85.007 seconds which would see them to the eighth place finish.
While six returned for the jump off, it was Genn and Grice who battled it out for the blue ribbon! “We were really fast,” said Genn. “The first horse I brought back [Quite Ruffy 840] is pretty new to our barn. I rode quietly because it was his first grand prix and I didn’t want to scare him. I just took it easy. When Danny [Grice] went before my next ride and went really fast, she got my time by three seconds! That left me with no other choice but to put the pedal to the metal,” he added. “Happy is an incredible mare and she knows what to do to get the job done. When she’s on, she is just amazing.” Genn won the class with a time of 34.411 seconds and Grice came in second with a time of 35.148 seconds.
“I designed this course to showcase the competition to the audience and make it an exciting event for them to watch. A lot of local spectators come out to watch and so I had several inside turns which really got the spectators into it,” said course designer Allan Rheinheimer. “But I kept in mind that a mix of seasoned and young horses was going to be jumping around, so it was very welcoming for all of them,” he added.
“I thought the course was very nice and inviting to get the circuit started. We had some newer horses in it as well as more experienced and we all had a great time!” commented Genn. He added, “We love how Classic runs the grand prix in the covered arena at night and we have schooling under the lights. It really changes the whole atmosphere and makes it a special event for all of us. It’s really special.”
“And the footing was really good. You didn’t need studs to go fast. The course was great, the atmosphere was really fun and the evening grand prix are always so much fun,” Genn added.
Genn brought twenty three horses to Pensacola this week. “My son Theo and I were in it this week and next week, my youngest son will be joining us too,” he commented.
“I think this circuit will grow every year. They do such a wonderful job and make everything so nice for us,” said Genn.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Pensacola shows started on January 9th and will run for three weeks. Offering weekly $25,000 Grand Prix, USEF AA Hunter Sections, weekly USHJA National Hunter Derbies, a USEF International Hunter Derby Week II, as well as a wealth of Jumper Classics for the Junior/AOs and the Children and Adult Jumpers, this is a show series that offers top competition and a vacation destination for the friends and families of the riders.
While all of the permanent stalls are sold out for Week II, there may be a few openings, so check at the show office. And remember; be sure to book your stalls for Week III too. Visit the prize list or simply click on the Equestrian Connect link for a one minute, online entry — you can’t beat that!
Remember, there is no late fee for those last minute entries, so what are you waiting for? And while you’re at it, don’t forget to make your own reservations at the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Official Hotels. The Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn and The Red Roof Inn offer the most convenient and horse show friendly accommodations and have partnered with the Gulf Coast Classic Company to make your experience showing in Pensacola even better. Make sure to mention you are with the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola Shows!
The prize list is on-line. If you are not on Classic Company’s mail list, make sure to email info@classiccompany.com to receive prize lists and news.
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 www.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 classicsponsorship@gmail.com. All program advertising should be directed to Nate Poliquin, Program Sales Representative at classicshowads@yahoo.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