Frank Owens and DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 win the $25,000 Open Welcome Prix. Flashpoint Photography.
San Antonio Texas’ Frank Owens won the $25,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix yesterday, besting a group of 26 riders who traveled from around the country to take part in week V of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Winter Classic.
The course was designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida. Stephens is known around the world as one of the most accomplished course designers in the industry. As a USEF R licensed hunter course designer, 4* FEI course designer, R jumper course designer, and judge, Stephens has pretty much done it all, including show jumping course designer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“My goal was to get more clear in the jump off than you have seen for the whole season,” said Stevens. “I wanted to get seven clean in this class and I accomplished that.” Stephens continued, “I am really pleased with what I am seeing. These jumps are big and the horses are going really well. It’s a national standard. If they can handle this, then they can handle the plus side of this where we’ll be on Sunday and I’m going to look for five clear. It makes it more interesting for everyone.”
Stephens continued, “I think everyone thinks that I’m coming into town and I’m going to kill them, but I’m not!” he admitted. “But I think they’re rising to the occasion; I think that’s what’s going on,” he said.
Owens rode DS Holdings, LLC’s Capricello 2 in the first to go spot and delivered a clean first round effort in a time of 97.651 seconds, within the 99 seconds time allowed.
Andrew Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and his own Le Conte turned in the second clear round in a time of 98.939 seconds and insured there would be a jump off.
Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio and his own Happy Z were next to go and made a jump off trio with their time of 95.979 seconds. Scott Lenkart of Lantana, Texas and his own Impulsive were next to go and their clean round of 89.052 seconds would advance them to the jump off too.
After a seeming string of clear first rounds, there followed a series of fault filled rounds and it was not until Ryan Genn of Lebanon, Ohio in the irons of his father Wilhelm’s Cookie Monster who would turn in a clear round in a time of 94.315 seconds. Daniel Grice of Northfield, Minnesota and Loretta Patterson’s Rapid Rewards would be the next clear round turned in, but with a time of 101.089 seconds, would incur three time faults and not advance to the jump off, finishing in eighth place overall.
Wilhelm Genn returned to the ring, this time in the irons of Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti and turned in a first round clear effort in a time of 98.914 seconds. Penny Brennan of Ocala, Florida would be the final clean first round in the irons of her own Sun Tzu in a time of 96.552 seconds.
Stevens set the time to beat for the jump off at 48 seconds and Owens was the first to tackle the course with Capricella 2. The pair went clean and set the time to beat at 40.869 seconds. With six to follow, the win was still up for grabs.
Kocher and La Conte took to the field next, but after a rail down in the combination, would finish fifth overall with a time of 39.424 seconds.
Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z, the most winning grand prix horse in the country, took to the field next, but after dropping a rail at the combination, their time of 37.702 seconds would see them finish in third overall.
Lenkart and Impulsive were next to challenge Owens, but with a rail down at the combination and the last fence, would finish them in 36.410 seconds and seventh overall. Cookie Monster and Genn were next to go but the pair dropped a rail on the first fence. Their jump off round in a time of 39.603 seconds would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Genn returned on his second mount for the jump off, Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti, and turned in a clean jump off effort. However, their time of 41.840 seconds would place them in second place overall. Brennan sat in the enviable last to go spot with her own Sun Tzu but had a rail in the combination and their time of 38.444 seconds placed them in fourth place overall.
“I think he did a really good job for it being a welcome class. He is very good at what he does and although we had seven clean, I think he did the right thing,” commented Owens.
“I had a couple of rough weeks so I took last week off and just reset and just went in and tried to make it look nice,” commented Owens.
Owens will be riding Capricello 2 on Sunday in the $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix, presented by Beau Rivage.
What’s for Dinner?
Back Bay is the Official VIP restaurant this week and patrons will be treated to the excellent cuisine that makes Back Bay Seafood Restaurant a favorite dining place among horse show exhibitors.
Back Bay Seafood Restaurant serves the “real local flavor” of the Gulf Coast with a diverse menu that is plentiful and affordable! From the best hand formed fresh ground sirloin burger to live Maine Lobster, Back Bay offers the discriminating diner a vast array of local seafood, steak, salads, pasta, and specialties. Even the lunch menu will amaze diners with the diversity and price: Shrimp & Grits, Seafood Bread, Asian Pot Stickers, and Shrimp Martinis are just a few favorites. In addition, grilled and healthy options are very popular and easily tailored to the any taste! Stop by Back Bay today and enjoy an excellent, yet affordable dining experience overlooking the water!
Back Bay Seafood Restaurant is located at 1458 Magnolia Street in Gulfport and is open for lunch and dinner. While reservations are not required, you may want to play it safe during horse show season and call (228) 248-0505. Be sure to tell them you’re from the horse show!
Grand prix tables are only $325 a week and tomorrow features some of the best food on the Gulf – ringside! Make sure to see Jonathan in the show office to secure your table today!
Free Live Web Streaming of All Welcome and Grand Prix Classes!
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic is proud to offer everyone the opportunity to watch show jumping action LIVE! Click on this link and catch the action LIVE and FOR FREE!
Gulf Coast Sunshine Classic V
Sunday March 9 at 2:00 pm $77,700 Governor’s Cup Grand Prix
Gulf Coast Finale VI
Sunday March 16 at 2:00 pm $25,000 Grand Prix
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The Gulf Coast Classic Company and 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