Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Celebration of Hunters – Gulf 4

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This week was the largest week that we have ever had in Gulfport.  The Celebration of Hunters was a giant success.  I would like to thank all the exhibitors who were part of this show.  The weather did not want to work with us on Friday or Saturday but it all worked out fine on Sunday due to great exhibitors and trainers.

On Friday we hosted the USHJA International Hunter Derby.  We started the day with a breakfast for everyone sponsored by Adequan.  The class had 50 entries and it was great to watch.  Not only did Allen Rheinheimer and Paul Jewel build a challenging course, but the morning had rain and strong winds that added to task of a good round.  The results of the class were as follows:

Official Results for the 2011 Gulf Coast $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

1st Yes Indeed with Sarah Mechlin for owner Olivia Weaver

2nd Primera with Catherine Rinehart for owner Helen Gilbert

3rd Ovation with Courtney Calcagnini for Taylor Reid

4th Corazon with owner-rider Patrick McGinnis

5th Carson with Courtney Calcagnini for owner Kristen Blomstrom

6th Figaro B with Holly Shepherd for owner Linda Bobrik

7th Dress Up with owner-rider Jana Rodes

8th Carlano with Will Roberts for owner Andrea Ramirez

9th CR Carolato II with Jordan Siegel for owner Buddrus Equine, LLC

10th Dolce with owner-rider Sue Takata

11th Marquis with Daniel Geitner for owner Lee Cesery

12th Damocles with Daniel Geitner for owner Janet Peterson

Continue reading Celebration of Hunters – Gulf 4 →

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Sarah Mechlin and Yes Indeed Win Gulf Coast Winter’s USHJA International Hunter Derby

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Sarah Mechlin & Yes Indeed ©Flashpoint Photography

GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 5, 2011 — A very positive minded 23-year-old Sarah Mechlin of Cincinnati, OH partnered with Yes Indeed took the top spot over 50 competitors in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the fourth week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics.

Fifty equine athletes were being braided before dawn and began lunging at 5:30 Friday morning in preparation for their first big test, the official presentation and jog before the panel of judges: Mike Rosser, Ray Francis, Betsy Perry, Tucker Erickson, and show veterinarian Juan Gamboa. Once soundness was established, riders donned Shadbelly jackets, shined their boots and mounted up for one last trip in the warm up ring before entering the arena to take on the first round course of 10 obstacles [12 efforts], comprised mostly of natural materials such as logs, brush, and gate planks, all from the creative minds of co-designers Paul Jewel and Allen Rheinheimer. Within the track riders encountered four optional fences offering a height choice up to 4’ which provide the opportunity to score bonus points, as well as bending and broken lines, an in and out, at least one line with an unrelated distance, and a fence with a long approach. The two panels of judges’ scores were combined to determine the top 12 who would be invited back for round two.

Continue reading Sarah Mechlin and Yes Indeed Win Gulf Coast Winter’s USHJA International Hunter Derby →

Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Ferrell and Moshi Make a Lasting Impression in the Green Conformation Hunters

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Sandy Ferrell and Moshi are the Green Conformation Hunter Champions during the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, is well into its second day of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The sun was shinning along with strong gusts of wind as the Green Conformation Hunters made their way into the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Thursday morning.

Sandy Ferrell was aboard the new entry from Stephanie Riggio, Moshi, for the championship win in the Green Conformation Hunters. Riggio purchased Moshi, a seven-year-old Belgium Warmblood gelding by Quintus, around the fourth week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “He’s a new ride for me, so I get to be the lucky girl, which is nice,” beamed Ferrell.

Moshi and Ferrell secured the championship honor by winning the model and the under saddle classes. The duo went on to win another over fences class and receive a second and two thirds in the division’s remaining classes.

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Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring – Summer – Charleston Summer

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Just some updates… Atlanta Spring (March 23 – April 3) – I know so many of you are in the middle of your winter circuits but if you are planning to attend, we need to hear from you about stall reservations.   843 768 5503

Atlanta Summer (June 15-26) – Lots of new classes and much more prize money this summer.   We will have a $25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby this summer again in the Grand Prix ring. We will also have two $35,000 Grand Prix classes.  We will have several clinics including a Water Jumper Clinic, a Pony Model Clinic, and an Ask the Judge Clinic.  This will be along with the 2nd Annual Freestyle Class in the Grand Prix.  Lots planned for the Summer Show in Conyers.  The prize list will be out around the 1st of April.

Charleston Summer Classic (July 13-23) – The new schedule is on the web and the prize list will be out around the 1st of April.  This will be another fun filled two weeks on the coast.  Remember, it’s time to get your condos reserved.

We are now on Facebook: www.facebook.com/classiccompanyltd.

See you at the rings,

Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX:  (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311  Johns Island  SC 29457

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Ladies Reign in Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal, Ocala, and Arizona as Winter Show Season Heads into Final Weeks

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© Flying Horse Photography. Hope Glynn and Sabrina Hellman's Woodstock in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.

SAUGERTIES, NY (March 2, 2011) — The Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final is the talk of the town this season and its key to qualifying, the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, continues to be one of the most popular offerings at the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, Florida, Thermal, California, and Tucson, Arizona. Never before has a purse of this magnitude been offered for hunters, and never before have so many talented riders at all levels of their careers had the opportunity to aspire to such a lofty goal.

United States Chef d’Equipe George Morris was on-site at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California this past weekend and got to witness first-hand the excitement and energy of the Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

During his visit, Morris shared in the enthusiasm that’s sweeping the sport. “Doing the Hunter Prix series at 3’3” was genius. It really crosses over to so many different riders and is sure to continue to be overwhelmingly popular. I look forward to being back in Europe and asking my European horse colleagues ‘what sort of prize money is Europe offering now?’ We are jumping for a half a million in the Hunters in the States. I can’t wait to see their faces,” Morris said with an approving smile.

Continue reading Ladies Reign in Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal, Ocala, and Arizona as Winter Show Season Heads into Final Weeks →

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Pre-Screening of Sundance Award Winning Film BUCK to Support Emerging Athletes Program

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Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – Support the USHJA’s Emerging Athletes program by purchasing tickets to see the Sundance Award Winning film Pre-Release Screening of BUCK on Sunday, March 6 at 7:00 PM in the Special Events Tent by the Grand Prix Arena on the WEF Showground in Wellington, Florida.

You must put the name of the person for the ticket and each ticket is $100.00, which includes a big Event night filled with the spirit of the Horse Whisperer himself.  Food and drink and a very worthy cause: our young riders of the USA who need sponsorship and help to fulfill their dreams of a chance to be one of America’s best in the saddle.  Come on folks! Support these kids! If you can’t make it, you can still support and donate.  Almost every other country in the world has a support for young equestrians to get training and consideration.  It’s time for us to do MORE! SUPPORT THE SPORT!

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit https://www.ushja.org/sa/foundation/movieTickets.aspx.

Continue reading Pre-Screening of Sundance Award Winning Film BUCK to Support Emerging Athletes Program →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, JRPR

Hunter Champion Scott Stewart and Blessed Win The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division At WEF

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Scott Stewart and Blessed won the Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sportfot)

Wellington, FL (March 2, 2011) – Scott Stewart is a well-known winner on the hunter circuit, and the veteran hunter rider proved he could take a new horse and ride it into the winner’s circle when he piloted Blessed to The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The division is sponsored by The Sanctuary at PBIEC, a new world-class full horse therapy and conditioning center located on the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

Stewart, of Flemington, New Jersey, purchased Blessed about a month ago from Derek Braun. The six-year-old gray Holsteiner mare not only took home the championship in the High Performance Working Hunters, but also proved she could handle the International Ring when she navigated the big ring to win a hunter stake class with a score of 90.

Stewart, who is a four-time World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Champion, said he thought the mare might need to stay in the pre-green division for a while, but added that after a few times it the ring he knew she was up for the challenge of competing in the high performance working hunters and the big leagues of WEF. The Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter Division is a new division at WEF this year and is open to all riders and horses and includes fences ranging in height from 4’ to 4’6”.

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Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation

Victoria Colvin and Ariel Win Four of Five Classes for Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship

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Victoria Colvin and Ariel are the Martha Jolicoeur & Illustrated Properties Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under champions during the seventh week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2011 – As week 7 comes to a close here at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, looks back on another successful week of competition. The younger section of Small Junior Hunters, presented by Martha Jolicoeur and Illustrated Properties, awarded their championship early this morning in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.

Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, rode Ariel to the championship honor this weekend. Neither her, nor her mount, Ariel, are new to the championship winner’s circle. Scott Stewart, who also trains Colvin, owns Ariel, a six-year-old Brandenburg mare by Lancado.

The winning pair secured the tricolor honor this morning by winning a stunning four out of five classes in their division of nine entries. They placed fifth in the division’s remaining class.

Colvin, arguably one of the best and busiest young riders here in Wellington, keeps very busy showing everything from pony hunters to the junior equitation classes. Furthermore, she does it all successfully and stays focused throughout. Colvin will remain busy throughout the rest of circuit showing numerous horses and ponies as the weeks continue.

Continue reading Victoria Colvin and Ariel Win Four of Five Classes for Small Junior 15 & Under Hunter Championship →

Classic Company, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gulfport Winter III – Updates and Recaps

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We had a great week in Gulfport again.  Incredible weather, giant party, and a bunch of horses for good competition.  We are setting all time records here in Gulfport.  Next week will be the biggest show we have ever produced on the Gulf Coast.

Please make sure you read the bottom paragraph if you are in Gulfport next week.  Important meetings and events.

So, this week again we hosted a USHJA National Hunter Classic.

Congrats to the winner The Admiral, Jamie Jarvis and show to the win by Will Roberts.

Continue reading Gulfport Winter III – Updates and Recaps →

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Mardi Gras Fun Highlights Third Week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics

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Daniel Geitner & Living Color. ©Flashpoint Photography

No Worries for Devin Ryan in the $25,000 Adequan Grand Prix

Gulfport, MS — February 27, 2011 — Exhibitors at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics got a taste of Mardi Gras along with scrumptious local cuisines during week three, courtesy of the fine folks from Harrison County, who served well over 1200 pounds of crawfish (boiled right on the spot), 500 pounds of shrimp, 400 pounds of spiced blackened chicken, another 400 pounds of fried catfish, and more extras than a small army could consume. Friday evening’s party even had a mini Mardi Gras float that show co-chairman, Janet McCarroll, created with her golf cart to toss the infamous beads and special treats from. And to top the night off live music kept toes tapping. “Southern Hospitality” is this community’s heritage and one they relish sharing with exhibitors each year.

“’Tis the season!” laughed co-chairman Bob Bell, adding, “Every year this is the party we all anticipate most and every year Mike McMillan [Director of the Harrison Co grounds] just seems to outdo himself again. Great food and fun, that’s our reputation here.”  After having seconds or even thirds, many took to the dance floor swaying the night and extra calories away.

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