Chase Boggio flying over a jump in the Olympic Stadium. Flashpoint Photography.
May 1, 2013 – Summer is around the corner and so is the Atlanta Summer Classics. “We have so much planned for the Atlanta Summer Classics this June, it’s really going to be a summer spectacular!” said Classic Company President Bob Bell. “We kick off the two weeks of shows with the prestigious USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, produce the first-ever Children’s and Adult Jumper Regional Championships and the inaugural Freestyle Equitation Classic, offer the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the World Champion Hunter Rider and the $2,500 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Divisions Week II, and we’ve got weekly Grand Prix and some of the best prize money on the circuit,” he added. Week II will also include the Emerson Burr Program for pony riders, the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Classic, the $5,000 Future Class, the Atlanta Cup Equitation Classic and the Grand Puba Junior Hunter Championships.
The USHJA Children’s Adult Amateur Jumper Regional Championships offers riders the opportunity to ride in a Nations Cup format, representing their states and zones. But riders must apply in order to have a chance to represent their state. Riders in the south only have until May 5 to apply for the 2013 year, so time is of the essence if you want to be part of this exciting new program! For more information, go to www.ushja.org.
And if that competition schedule didn’t offer you enough, the USHJA Zone 4 Committee will offer two FREE clinics for its zone members on June 17 and 18. On June 17, accomplished judge and horseman Bob Crandall will lead a general horsemanship riding clinic in the covered arena. This clinic will be filled on a first come, first-served basis for 30 riding participants. The participants will be grouped by skill level, and fences will start at 2’6″ up to 4′ and auditors are welcome to attend.
On Tuesday, June 18, legendary Steve Stephens, Olympic course designer, will conduct a water jump clinic. Stephens will teach you and your horse how to jump an open water element. This clinic will be filled on a first come, first-served basis for 15 riding participants. Auditors are welcome to attend.
These complimentary Zone 4 clinics fill fast, so be sure to reserve your spot now by contacting Janet McCarroll at gcclassic@aol.com or call her at 228-669-2687.
In “Classic” form, the exhibitor parties will be an integral part of the show experience. VIP will be the place to be, so make sure to see Jennifer in the show office to reserve your table. And while you’re there, be sure to purchase your tickets for the Outback Steak House Charity Dinner which will take place during the Freestyle Equitation Classic. Riders will have the opportunity to jump a course set to their own music – this event is going to be a classic!
And “classic” describes the venue to a tee. The world class Georgia International Horse Park, home to the 1996 Olympics, will be the backdrop of Classic Company’s two weeks of non-stop show jumping action. “It is so cool to ride in that arena,” said Adam Cramer from Equi Sport, LLC, in Pittstown, NJ. “I mean, where else can you get that Olympic feel?” he added.
Devin Ryan, Grand Prix Rider from Long Valley, New Jersey, showed at the Georgia International Horse Park just a few weeks ago at the Atlanta Spring Classic. “This was my first time showing at the Georgia International Horse Park and it is a fantastic venue,” he said. “The rings are great and the stabling is excellent – the stalls come with mats, the aisles are wide and the barns are permanent.” And there is no better office staff and show staff than the Classic Company. They are so pleasant to deal with, so nice and they attract that sort of person to the shows. The whole experience is so positive that they really make my clients happy, which makes me happy!” he added.
Joe Fargis, winner of the 2012 Lifetime USEF Achievement Award and former Olympic medalist both in 1986 and 1988 with gold and silver medals respectively, also participated in more than 30 FEI Nations Cup Competitions, and who represented the United States in the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, is a “regular” at the Atlanta Spring Classics. “The office staff is the one of the most pleasant I have encountered. The whole show committee is very accommodating. It’s a great facility and my horses went very well there. There’s plenty of space, the courses were good, the footing is good and stabling is really great,” he commented.
Anyone who has shown with the Classic Company knows what sets them apart from the rest: Classic Shows are FUN! Complimentary exhibitor parties, luncheons, Saturday pizzas and the friendliest show management team anywhere work hard to make your showing experience the best. Classic Company never charges an add or scratch fee for those last minute changes and there is no office fee added for credit card payments.
Entries close May 22nd so make sure to fill out and mail your entries in now! Click on the prize list or for those looking save the cost of postage, paper, or personal time, make sure to go to Equestrian Connect, Classic Company’s Official Service Provider, to submit your entries today!
Equestrian Connect 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 novice looking for a positive show experience, look to the Classic Company shows and join them in Atlanta this summer. 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 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