January 21, 2013 – ‘Sold out!’ ‘Super Success!’ are phrases that accurately sum up the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s second week at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola, Florida.
Riders, sponsors and spectators came out in droves to support the Gulf Coast Classic’s second week in Pensacola. Saturday morning’s International Hunter Derby saw the best in sport compete for $10,000 in prize money while Saturday evening’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix had the stands packed with spectators as the jumpers fought for the big check.
Hunters Have It!
The USHJA National Hunter Derby and the International Hunter Derby drew some of the biggest hunter talent to Pensacola Saturday morning. The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby saw a field of talented horse and rider combinations tackle the course designed by noted course designer Allan Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana.
The final results put Triompf, owned by Sarah Patterson and ridden by Danielle Grice of Northfield, Minnesota, in first place with a combined score of 358. In second place was Trending, owned by Stella Styslinger and ridden by Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama, with a combined score of 348. Belvedere, owned by Helen Herrington and ridden by Bradley Cox of Mobile, Alabama, took third place with a combined score of 315. Golden Compass, owned by Heathfield Hunters, LLC and ridden by Alyson Gurney of Washington, D.C., took the fourth place overall ribbon with a combined score of 307. In fifth was Caracas, owned by Marie Claire Ray and ridden by Bradley Cox, to a combined score of 298. In sixth was Paddington, owned and shown by Lillian Hahn of Tryon, North Carolina, to a combined score of 292.5. Seventh place saw D’Oro, owned and shown by Kimberly Huffstuttler of Mobile, Alabama, finish with an overall combined score of 289. In eighth place, Ufonia P., owned by Paulexi, LLC and ridden by Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland, had a combined score of 283. In ninth position, Jessica Adams’ Saigon, ridden by Kristen Cox of Columbus, North Carolina, had a combined score of 267. In tenth place, Carino, owned by T & V Partnership and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, earned a combined score of 260. Annie Friedman’s Sin City, ridden by Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, received an eleventh place with a combined score of 253. Wrapping up in twelfth place, Kalifornia, owned and shown by Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana, had a combined score of 149.
Immediately following the International Hunter Derby, the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby kicked off and saw Capitano, owned by Alina Dumitrescu and ridden by Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama, ride to the win. Second place was Bocelli, owned by Kathryn McFadden and ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas. Third place was Axtrex owned by Paulexi, LLC and ridden by Brianna Simms of Maryland. The fourth place ribbon was won by McGwire, owned and ridden by Allison Bergmeyer of Lincoln, Nebraska. Zivago, owned and shown by Kianna Fiore, placed fifth overall, while Allyson Quirk of Washington, D.C. rode her own Fortissimo to the sixth ribbon. Amanda Wise of Fairfield, Connecticut wrapped up the class in seventh place aboard Reiner Neiwisch’s Maggie.
The action did not stop and in Classic fashion, the Grand Prix took center stage under the lights Saturday night. As the spectators packed the stands to watch the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix, opening ceremonies saw a mounted drill team lead with the flag and were followed by trick riders who performed to the delight of the crowd.
Keeping it in the family!
Of a field of noted riders representing the Southwest, South East, Northeast and Midwest, it was the Genn family of show jumpers from Lebanon, Ohio, who rode away with big prize money after Saturday night’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix. The powerhouse Genn clan claimed the top five spots and the eighth and twelfth spots! The course was designed by Paul Jewell of Lambertville, New Jersey. “I designed this course with some added technical aspects that would challenge both the experienced and up and coming riders and horses.”
First to tackle Saturday night’s $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix was Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, Ohio, riding Palim Palm ***, owned by Nancy Gooding. After four faults in the first round and a time of 69.862 seconds, the pair would settle for twelfth place. Second to go was Genn’s son Theo riding his father’s horse Cola, receiving four faults at fence six and a time of 71.786 seconds. Third to go was Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana riding her own Zine Dine in a first round time of 66.212 seconds with eight faults between fence six and ten. Fourth to go was Ashley Foster of Brookeville, Maryland in the irons aboard RAF LLC’s Indy and they opted to retire early. Fifth to go was the first fault-free round of the evening and had the crowd cheering! Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, New Mexico rode Showcase 81, LLC’s Bon Giorno to a clear round in 70.370 seconds. After the jump-off round, the pair posted four faults and a time of 39.046 seconds which would land them in sixth place overall. Robbie Donaldson of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada kept the clean rounds coming aboard his own Ruby Tuesday in a fault free time of 71.454 seconds. After a four fault jump off round with a time of 43.225 seconds, the pair would finish in ninth place overall. Next to go was Paradox, owned by Thomas Bruinsma and ridden by Theo Genn. The pair went clean in a time of 71.172 seconds and after a clean jump off round in a time of 39.844 seconds, finished in third place overall. Father followed son, when Wilhelm entered the ring aboard his own Happy Z. The pair won the $25,000 grand prix last week and looked to take the win again as they rode the first round fault free in a time of 68.293 seconds. However, with four faults in the jump off round and a time of 37.107 seconds, the pair would settle for fifth.
Amanda Wise of New Fairfield, Connecticut was next to go in the irons aboard Reiner Niewisch’s Collin. Their round produced four jumping faults and a time of 69.063 seconds which would place them in tenth place overall. Ann Skogerboew of Longview, Texas, riding Steel Horse Investments, LLC’s Maximus, had sixteen faults and a time of 72.666 seconds knocking them out of the ribbons. MTM Got Game, owned by Steel Horse Investments and ridden by Thomas Le Blanc of Folsom, Louisiana, posted twelve faults in their first round with a score of 73.058 seconds. Next to go was Theo Genn, this time riding Bridlebourne Stable’s Winchester in a fault free round of 71.302 seconds. After a fault free jump off round in a time of 41.814 seconds, the duo would finish in fourth overall. Wilhelm was next to tackle the course aboard Ann Anastasio’s Quite Ruffy 840 in a fault free round of 67.528 seconds. They finished their jump off round in a fast time of 38.679 seconds which secured the blue ribbon. Next to go was the young Ryan Genn aboard his father’s Cookie Monster. The pair finished their first round clean with a time of 75.44 seconds and after four faults in the jump off round with a time of 43.154 seconds, would land them in eighth place overall. Bryn Sadler with her second ride, Cincinnati, owned by Showcase 81, LLC, went clean in the first round with a time of 72.104 seconds. Their jump off round produced four faults and a time of 41.326 seconds which would land them in seventh place overall. Last to go was Theo Genn, riding Eduardo Leon’s Asirea Fortuna in a fault free ride in a time of 69.637 seconds. After a fault free jump off ride in 39.461 seconds, the pair would finish in second place overall. For those of you keeping track, the Genns finished with Dad Wilhelm in first, son Theo in second, third and fourth, Wilhelm in fifth, Ryan grabbed the eighth place finish and Wilhelm rounded out the family collection with a twelfth place finish for the family.
“Theo is really developing as a young professional and it was great to see him force his Dad’s A game to secure the win,” commented Course Designer Paul Jewell.
“This is only their second year in Pensacola, and the show continues to grow. Classic Company does such a great job and treats all of us great!” said Wilhelm Genn, grand prix rider and trainer who brought 23 horses with him for the three weeks. “We’ll bring the barn to Gulfport next; Bob does such a great job we don’t see the need to go anywhere else,” he added.
Week II was a sold out success and Pensacola’s Grand Finale looks to be another winner! The Classic staff will be happy to take your entries and there is never a late fee! And don’t forget to visit Classic Company’s sponsor Equestrian Connect for a one minute, online entry — you can’t beat that!
The Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Pensacola shows started on January 9th and will run for three weeks. Offering weekly $25,000 Grand Prix, USEF AA Hunter Sections, weekly USHJA National Hunter Derbies, a USEF International Hunter Derby Week II, as well as a wealth of Jumper Classics for the Junior/AOs and the Children and Adult Jumpers, this is a show series that offers top competition and a vacation destination for everyone – in or out of the saddle!
For those last minute lodging needs, please visit the Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Official Hotels. The Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn and The Red Roof Inn offer the most convenient and horse show friendly accommodations and have partnered with the Gulf Coast Classic Company to make your experience showing in Pensacola even better. Make sure to mention you are with the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola Shows!
The prize list is on-line. If you are not on Classic Company’s mail list, make sure to email info@classiccompany.com to receive prize lists and news.
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