Melissa Rudershausen and her own Gunner fly over the Beau Rivage vertical under the covered arena during the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix. Flashpoint Photography.
Amateur rider Melissa Rudershausen of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and her own Gunner won their first grand prix Saturday when they emerged the victors in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix, besting a field of fourteen horse and rider teams.
Rudershausen purchased the Holsteiner-Thoroughbred cross from Aaron Vale about three years ago and has been showing him in the high amateurs until last year and just this year, started their grand prix competitions. While they have placed in three of their last four grand prix, their win in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix proved that the fifth grand prix was their lucky number.
The weather forecast looked ominous and the Classic Company management team made the executive decision to move the grand prix to the covered arena. “Paul Jewell did a great job,” commented Rudershausen. “The lines were technical but straight-forward. Sure, they came up on you a bit being under the covered arena, but it was a very inviting course overall,” she said. “The crowd didn’t seem to mind,” said Classic Company President, Bob Bell. “The VIP was sold out and everyone was there ringside. It was a great class for everyone!” he added.
Last week’s $25,000 CWD Grand Prix winner, Glenn Hartigan of Canton, Georgia, was the first clear round to go in the class riding Ace of Spies, owned by Phyllis Hines, and turned in a first round effort in 76.610 seconds, well within the 79 seconds to beat. Their jump off round was also clean and the pair set the time to beat at 41.641 seconds, within the time allowed of 45 seconds. However, with thirteen more to go, it was still anyone’s class.
Rudershausen and Gunner was the next horse and rider team to turn in a clean first round effort. Her jump off round in 36.998 seconds set the new time to beat, making it clear for anyone in the class that she and Gunner were going to be a force to contend with.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey was next to go clean in the irons of the Coverboy Group’s Newlight VDL and posted a time of 77.973 seconds. However, their subsequent clean second round in a time of 40.507 was not going to beat Rudershausen and Gunner and Flint and Newlight VDL finished in second place overall.
The last to go in the class was Thomas John Russell of Columbus, North Carolina in the irons of Lillian Hahn’s Karenina. The pair turned in a clean first round effort in 75.769 seconds. Despite the fact that the two sat in the enviable last to go spot, their jump off round resulted in four jump faults and a time of 38.274 seconds. The pair would finish in fourth place overall and secure the win for Rudershausen and Gunner. Second place would rest with Flint and Newlight VDL, third place would remain with Hartigan and Ace of Spies, and fourth place was won by Thomas John Russell and Karenina.
Fifth place was awarded to Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina and Friller, owned by Catherine Stumberg, after the pair turned in a first round effort with four jump faults and 75.519 seconds.
Sixth place was awarded to Francois Lamontagne of St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada and Ferme Lamontagne’s Usefull who turned in a first round effort with four jump faults and one time fault in a time of 79.048 seconds. Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey and Sima Morgello’s Chantilly placed seventh after a first round effort in eight jump faults with a time of 72.956 seconds. Geitner returned for an eighth place ribbon, this time riding the Kenwood Syndicate’s Kenwood after posting a first round time in 73.889 seconds and eight jump faults. Anne Bingler of Winter Garden, Florida and her own Tanimara finished in ninth, Flint and the Coverboy Group’s VDL Zedaldine wrapped up tenth place, Hartigan and Phyllis Hines’ Johny Bravo captured eleventh, and Flint and the Coverboy Group’s Child Z finished in twelfth place overall.
Rudershausen started riding on the family farm in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania with her mother and was one of the cute little riders in the Devon lead line. She started showing when she was six and rode in the local shows until about the age of nine. “I discovered jumpers at the age of fourteen and never looked back,” she said. “Some key trainers for me along the way have been Don Stewart, Sergio Campos, Emil Spadone, Chrissie Kear and most recently Paulo Miranda,” said Rudershausen.
“I had a great winter and showing and winning at the Atlanta Spring Classic with Gunner was great. But I’m also really happy because my six year old horse, Undelie de Roset, won the six year old class here too,” she added.
Rudershausen splits her time between Ocala, Florida at her Barren’s Edge Farm and the Kennett Square area in Pennsylvania. Besides a busy show and training schedule, the ambitious amateur rider is also active in finding homes for horses she has rescued and specifically, providing second careers for off the track Thoroughbreds.
“We had a very good turnout for our Atlanta Spring Classic and would like to thank all of the competitors, their trainers, family and friends for making this such a tremendous success,” said Bob Bell, President of Classic Company.
“We especially appreciate the support of our sponsors, and would like to thank them for their contribution to Classic Company show jumping events as well as the sport as a whole,” he added.
“We wish everyone a happy Spring and Easter and bid you safe travels wherever your truck and trailer may lead you,” he said. “We hope that your horse show road heads back to see us this June in Atlanta.”
Atlanta Summer Classic
June is just around the corner and the Classic Company is busy putting the finishing touches on a fantastic Atlanta Summer Classic event set to kick off on June 11 through 22 and will offer more than $325,000 in cash and prizes over the two week AA circuit. Week II offers the Junior Hunter Frenzy which will be topped off by the Grand Puba Junior Hunter Championships. Friday night, June 20, is the ever-popular Outback Steakhouse Dinner Benefit which will include dinner, drinks, silent auction and a front row seat for the inaugural Six Bar Class. With class offerings ranging from walk-trot to grand prix, you won’t want to miss these two weeks of non-stop show jumping action!
Charleston Summer Classic
Did you book your beach condo? The Show-cation destination is coming up at the Charleston Summer Classic which starts July 8 through 19. Beach front condos a few minutes from the show grounds is where the riders stay so don’t miss out on the best show-cation of your life! Bring the family, friends, dogs and horses! Minutes from the beach and only a short drive to historic Charleston, this is the show that offers something for everyone from fishing to kayaking, to shopping to wave jumping, from walk-trot to weekly grand prix and hunter derbies – this is your Show-cation destination!
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Friday night exhibitor parties, Saturday night grand prix, complimentary ringside Saturday pizza and luncheons all with the exhibitor in mind! And remember, Classic Company does not charge extra office fees for credit card transactions nor is there a scratch or add fee! Classic Company wants to make your showing experience the best ever!
So whether you are a seasoned veteran or novice looking for a positive show experience, head to a Classic Company event this summer and get the red carpet treatment you deserve!
The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. Together, they offer the best exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events each winter. Please visit them on the web 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 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