Gramercy Park and Thomas Brennan look picture perfect as they sail over a fence on their way to the winner’s circle. Flashpoint Photography.
March 9, 2013 – It’s Sunshine Week at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic in Gulfport and the big names, big money and big numbers provide the perfect setting to close out one of the most popular shows in the country.
Gramercy Park, owned by Lynn Rice and ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charles Town, West Virginia, won yesterday’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. “Charlie” is the 9 year old bay gelding who also won the USHJA’s 2012 World Championship Hunter Rider Program Hunter of Year.
Brennan and Gramercy Park scored an impressive 178 points in their first round which secured the lead. Their second round score of 186 brought their total score to 364 which would win the class by one point.
LPF Woodford, owned by LPF, LLC and ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, had a first round score of 171. Despite the option bonuses awarded the pair, their second round score of 192 would not be enough to best Gramercy Park. Their overall score of 363 would place them in second.
In third place was Triompf, owned by Loretta Patterson and ridden by Holly Shepherd. The pair scored a 157.5 for their first round and 189 for their second round effort, bringing their combined total to 346.5.
Robert Gabriel’s CR Carolato II, ridden by Jordan Siegel of Flower Mound, Texas, secured a fourth place ribbon with a combined score of 341. A combined score of 336.5 would secure the fifth place for Tell All, owned by Over Fences Farm, LLC and ridden by Maria Rasmussen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Seneca, owned and ridden by Kathleen Caya of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, secured sixth place with a combined score of 326.5. In seventh place, Fallon Bock’s Chief Heart n’ Soul, ridden by Jordan Siegel, scored an overall 321 points. In eighth place, Karen King’s Metternich, ridden by Laureen McKenzie of Keifer, Oklahoma, scored an overall 316. In ninth place, Eileen Fontaine’s Priority, ridden by Belynda Bond of Pilot Point, Texas, scored an overall 313.5 points. Tenth place saw Ellen Herrington’s Belvedere, ridden by Holly Shepherd, with a cumulative score of 295.5 points. In eleventh place, Pamela Ward’s Trump Card, ridden by Thomas Brennan, scored an overall 276 points. And in twelfth place, Sandra Staley’s Playboy, ridden by Courtney Calcagnini of Lantana, Texas, scored 229 points.
Friday Welcome!
Twenty three horse and rider teams tackled the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome class but it was Eduardo Braun of Bend, Oregon in the irons on his own H.J. El Magnifico who rode away with the win yesterday. The pair was first to go and the only clean round in the class with a time of 87.825 seconds.
Second place went to The Stables at Le Bocage’s Velano S, ridden by Brian Locke of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The pair had three time faults with a time of 95.737. The remaining places were a battle of the four-faulters. Third place was Theo Genn of Lebanon, Ohio riding Bridlebourne Stables LLC’s Winchester in a time of 84.111 seconds and four faults. Fourth place went to Helen Landon Terranova’s Creed, ridden by Vick Russell of Columbus, North Carolina, in a time of 85.337 seconds and four faults. Fifth place was awarded to Allison Ross’ Pako, ridden by Lillie Ross of Wheaton, Illinois, in 85.813 and four faults. Sixth place went to Calissandro owned and ridden by Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey, who turned in a four fault round in a time of 86.828 seconds. Jordan Siegel of Flower Mound, Texas rode her own Vasco to a seventh place finish in a time of 88.844 seconds and four jump faults. Ryan Genn of Lebanon, Ohio aboard Wilhelm Genn’s Cookie Monster wrapped up the class with eighth place in a time of 89.688 seconds and four faults.
The Groom’s Class Award Hunter Phase
The Groom’s Class sponsored by Reflections & Brick Church Farms awarded its Groom’s Class Hunter Champion yesterday to Wilmer Diaz who rode Wahlberg, owned by Nicole White. Diaz won the honors and a check for $1,500.00. Second place was awarded to Nico Lopez, riding Jennifer Gamboa’s Classic Z. Third place was awarded to Seymore Clark, riding Emily Green’s Oasis. The jumper phase is scheduled for tomorrow before the grand prix!
We Have a Winner!
Congratulations to Jill Zednick on winning the Sidelines Magazine Gulf Coast Classic Course Walk Contest. Jill submitted a photo of herself and her horse “on the sidelines” and it was selected by Sidelines magazine as the winner! Jill has won a course walk with top grand prix rider Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio. As one of the most winning grand prix riders in the country, Wilhelm will share his insights and expertise on how to tackle Sunday’s course with Jill. Jill and her family also received a VIP table during Sunday’s $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix. Congratulations Jill!
The grand finale is set for tomorrow with the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and presentation of Circuit Awards! There may be a few individual seats available in the VIP tents, so make sure to see Jennifer in the show office for more information. The new VIP tent has been a huge success and tomorrow is your last chance to savor the good life ringside. All reports say that the VIP tent is a huge success, so don’t miss your last opportunity of the year to watch the best in show jumping ringside while dining on Gulfport’s finest foods brought to you by the top restaurants on the coast. At only $275 per table, you can’t beat the food and champagne! Individual tickets are also available, so make sure to book your table now and see Jennifer in the show office.
The Gulf Coast Winter Classic in Gulfport is where the fun has been all winter! Mardi Gras in neighboring New Orleans ended during the show season and that festive atmosphere spilled onto the show grounds. With its close proximity to the Gulf Coast beaches, class offerings, prize money, and social scene, the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Gulfport shows is a must on everyone’s show list.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! And, this year the fun continues at the Gulfport show with complimentary exhibitor parties, breakfasts, luncheons and office snacks to make your showing experience the best ever.
Classic Company never charges a scratch or add fee for those last minute adds and scratches, so if you haven’t entered yet, go to the prize list or simply click on Equestrian Connect to fill out your entry form and stabling requests.
Equestrian Connect is Classic Company’s Official Service Provider and allows exhibitors to store their data one time, on the web, and then use that data to automatically fill out hunter/jumper entry forms across the country. The service offers a free 45 day trial period for new members. At the conclusion of the trial period, Equestrian Connect offers an annual subscription, or a “pay as you go” service. The service allows exhibitors to save both time and money. This is the one-minute online entry service that will help you get your entries in on time and you to the show!
So, whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Gulf Coast Classic shows in Gulfport, and let the good times roll!
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