Holly Shepherd and Triomph are a formidable force in the grand prix arena at the Gulf Coast Classic’s Pensacola shows.
As the winter snows fall through much of the country and the trailers head south for the annual equestrian migration, all eyes are turned to Pensacola, Florida as the newest series of AA shows produced by the award-winning Gulf Coast Classic Company.
AA horse shows with a vacation destination feel are the hallmark of the Gulf Coast Classic Company and Pensacola is a perfect destination for show jumping and wave jumping! Pensacola gets hopping January 8 for three straight weeks of AA hunter and jumper competition on the Gulf of Mexico.
A non-stop hunter and jumper schedule gets started Week 1 with the $10,000 Open Jumper Class on Saturday night. Weeks 2 and 3 offer a $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday nights. “The community packs our arena on Saturday night to watch the show jumping; it’s really a social event here in Pensacola!” said Gulf Coast Classic Coordinator Janet McCarroll. “We find that our competitors really appreciate the Saturday night grand prix so they don’t feel rushed to catch a flight if they are heading home Sunday night,” commented Gulf Coast Winter Classic Company President, Bob Bell. “So it’s a win-win for the riders and the community,” he added.
The USHJA National Hunter Derby will be offered weeks 2 and 3. A comprehensive list of classes will be offered each show week ranging from the Child/Adult Jumpers, Jr./Amateur Owner Jumpers to Open Hunters to the Walk Trot Division. The Pensacola shows offer riders and their horses the opportunity to earn valuable experience and mileage in a fun, vacation-like setting at a top show facility.
The covered arena, the barns in close proximity to the rings, the dependable footing, and good courses are just some of the reasons riders pick Pensacola over other shows.
The town of Pensacola does the rest. Just twenty-five minutes from the airport and a short, ten minute drive from the show grounds, the coastal town of Pensacola offers charter fishing expeditions, sailing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, dining and shopping.
Patty Foster of Rolling Acres Farm in Maryland brings her barn for all three weeks of the shows. “My barn loves the Pensacola shows. I can take my kids who have never done a show to Pensacola and they all have a great time. It’s got a great location, the stalls are great, the camper area is really nice, and the footing is super and all the rings are always dressed to impress!” Foster added, “It’s so nice and Bob’s horse shows are always great. Classic Company always has the sort of customer service where I can call and make changes to my schedule and they will do it, no problem. Service with a smile all the time – they are so easy to deal with.”
The Pensacola shows are fun! And the footing is fabulous! The footing at the Escambia Equestrian Center is customized by Classic Company with the equine athlete’s well-being in mind. As a matter of fact, Classic Company travels to each of its shows and manages the footing prior to the start of the shows. “We have a footing trailer, complete with tractors and an assortment of drags that we bring to all Classic Company and Gulf Coast Classic Shows,” commented Bell.
Let’s Go!
When looking to book your accommodations for the Pensacola shows, please book with the Official Gulf Coast Classic Company lodging partners!
Just minutes from the Escambia Equestrian Center, beach, airport and quaint Gulf side restaurants and shops, Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Official Lodging Partners are ready to offer you award winning service and accommodations. The Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn, located at 2390 West Detroit Boulevard, offers its customer friendly service along with complimentary high-speed Internet access, microwaves, refrigerators and cable satellite televisions. An outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, free parking and complimentary daily hot breakfast will give you a leg up on your busy show day. Make sure to call them directly to ensure the horse show rate.
The Red Roof Inn Pensacola West, located at 2591 Wilde Lake Boulevard welcomes you and your pets to the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola shows. Conveniently located in close proximity to the show grounds, this pet-friendly hotel offers complimentary Internet access, breakfasts and parking. Select rooms offer microwaves and mini-fridges. Coin laundry is also available. Call directly to secure your horse show rate!
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 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
Today was a kind of sad day in Pensacola because it’s the day we say good-bye and pack, but are very excited to head to our flagship show in Gulfport. Success is the best word to describe the new Florida winter circuit in Pensacola. We did not get the numbers we were hoping for our first year but all the divisions filled and our Grand Prix classes jammed the stands with spectators. We have signed on the dotted line to come back next year and maybe even for four weeks.
As I continue flying back and forth from Jacksonville to Pensacola I am very pleased to report that all is well in east and west Florida. Both circuits are lighter than expected but the weather has been fantastic; the classes have had top horses competing and the Grand Prix events have had spectators each week on the mild winter Saturday nights.
I just returned from the USEF Annual meeting in Cincinnati, so I missed the first week in Pensacola but I understand they had a great week. The following are the highlights and at the bottom of this page is lots of BIG NEWS.