Gulfport, Mississippi [February 24, 2013] – What a day for Jay!  Jay Land and his own Nepal galloped away with the win in the $35,000 Nutrena Grand Prix today under perfectly clear skies and seventy degree weather at the Harrison County Fairgrounds and Equestrian Center.

Twenty horses took to the course designed by Michel Vailancort but only six returned for the jump-off.  Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey was first to go aboard Eagle Valley Partners, LLC’s Zosja *** and went clean in a time of 85.289 seconds. However, they incurred eight faults and a time of 37.817 seconds in the jump-off round which would finish them in fourth overall.  Second to go was Theo Genn of Lebanon, Ohio, riding Thomas Bruinsma’s Paradox *****.  The pair incurred four jump faults and a time of 84.309 seconds which would not qualify them for the jump-off, but placed them in tenth overall.  The next fastest four fault round was Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico riding Showcase 81 LLC’s Bon Giorno which, after earning a time of 80.670 seconds, would place them in eighth overall.

Devin Ryan returned to the grand prix field, this time aboard his own Calissandro, and after accumulating four faults and a time of 82.842 seconds, would finish in ninth place overall.  Theo Genn also returned to the arena, this time aboard his own Cola and qualified for the jump-off with their fault free round in a time of 85.753 seconds.  Although they went clean in the jump-off, their time of 42.640 seconds would put them in second place overall.  Next to go was Kelsey Van Ackeren of Austin, Texas riding her own Vernon G, but with four faults and a time of 87.368 seconds, the duo would place twelfth overall.  Bob Brawley of Flower Mound, Texas, riding DDM Equestrian, LLC’s Obelix, was the next clean round in the grand prix field with a time of 86.868 seconds.  Their jump-off round resulted in eight jump faults and a time of 39.389 seconds which would finish the pair in fifth overall.  Jay Land of Alpharetta, Georgia was next to go aboard his own Nepal and secured a clean round with a quick time of 86.806 seconds.  His subsequent clean jump-off round in a time of 39.107 seconds would win the class overall.

Click here to see Jay Land and Nepal’s winning jump-off round.

Devin Ryan again tackled the course, this time aboard No Worries, owned by Barbara Rowland, and went clean with a time of 82.808. But after an unplanned dismount in the jump-off round, the pair would finish in sixth place overall.  Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, winner of last Sunday’s $35,000 Adequan Grand Prix, rode Triompf, owned by Loretta Patterson, to a clean first round in 84.945 seconds, but after accumulating eight faults in 36.548 seconds in the jump-off round, would settle for a third place finish in today’s grand prix. Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio riding his own Happy Z had four jump faults in his first round in a time of 80.112 seconds which would finish the pair in seventh place overall.  Son Theo Genn followed, this time aboard Bridlebourne Stables LLC’s Winchester, but with four faults in a time of 86.471 seconds, would finish in eleventh place overall.

“Michel [Vailencort] did a great job,” commented Land, “The course was very technical in some places and it took a very scopey and adjustable-strided horse and today, Nepal was really adjustable and he really jumped well. It was his day,” he smiled. “Nepal is an Argentine horse and we’ve had him since he’s been five.  My daughters and I have all brought him along, shown and won on him.  We call him our ‘utility player’ and lucky for me, today I got to ride him,” he added.

“There’s a tough group here. It’s always hard to win. The Genns are here and they have at least six or seven in a class; Holly [Shepherd] is here and she won last week. And, this is probably the only time we haven’t seen Wilhelm in the jump-off for how many years?” he laughed. “But he had his son Theo in there, and he gave me a good run.”

Land continued, “Luckily this week I got to go after them; the first week I had to go in front of them all and didn’t have the advantage to see how they all rode it.  Today I didn’t go as fast as possible, but fast enough to keep the pressure on,” he said.

“It’s obviously great to be in the winner’s circle.  It’s fun to be my age, doing what I love – it’s really great,” said Land.  “We had a bad accident at the end of the circuit last year and I’m just getting back now. It’s nice to be back,” he added.

Land continued, “This is such a great friendly place and everyone is so nice to us. Our girls have grown up riding here and we’ve had a good time. This is as good as show jumping as you would want to do and we’re just happy we’re here!” he added.

Don’t forget, tomorrow night is the Exhibitor Happy Hour at Gulf Coast Classic’s sponsor, the Beau Rivage.  Complimentary food, drink and entertainment will be offered to Gulf Coast Classic exhibitors from 6 to 8 pm tomorrow night.  After the rave reviews from last week, you won’t want to miss it!

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