Tag Archives: Atlanta Spring Classics

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Jagger Topping and Union Jack Tops in Classic Hunter Derby

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Jagger Topping and Union Jack closed Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics on a high note as victors in the Classic Hunter Derby.

Topping, of Sagaponack, New York, tackled the two-round derby aboard Alice Keller’s Union Jack. The pair finished the classic round with a score of 79 points, before weaving their way to the handy round’s top score of 84 points. The duo ended the class with a total score of 163.

“Alice, Union Jack’s owner, kindly offered to let me show the horse this week,” Topping remarked. “It was quite a treat for me. My wife and I teach the kids, and I go to shows often, but it’s nice to be a part of the game. It’s nice for the kids to watch me ride and see me struggle and work, because they have to struggle and work too.”

Topping said the rounds built for the derby suited Union Jack’s manner of going; he described the Dutch warm blood as quirky, but honest and a great friend to have in the ring. “Both rounds rode nicely — there were great options and the courses were twisty-turny,” he commented. “Union Jack is very good at the trot fence; he’s very good at landing on that correct lead. The single jumps on a diagonal asked some questions, but the horse held his leads beautifully.”

The Atlanta Spring Classic acts as a kick-off for spring horse shows for Topping, whose wife Amanda and daughter Phoebe were also contenders in this specific event.

“This is one of our favorite horse shows,” said Topping. “We’ve been here many, many years. This is the start of spring horse showing for us, plus we look forward to coming here and getting away from the northeast for a few weeks of outdoor riding.”

Gianna Cobb, of Marietta, Georgia, ranked second for her two-round performance astride her own Allure. The pair clinched the highest classic score of 85, but their score of 76 in the handy round kept them two points behind the winners. Cobb finished the event with an overall score of 161.

Cobb was also the recipient of the $250 1st place 3’3″ bonus for the Classic Derby.

The third-place ribbon was awarded to William Lyles for his performance with his own Jungle Book. Lyles, of Nashville, Tennessee, piloted Jungle Book to a classic round score of 82 points, before tackling the handy round. A handy score of 78 accrued the duo a total derby score of 160.

Amanda Topping, of Sagaponack, New York, ranked fourth. In the saddle of Yvette Rechler-Newman’s Celebration, Topping navigated the two rounds to a total overall score of 156 points. Covington, Georgia’s Cindy Ball placed fifth for her performance with Pansy Winters’ Wheels of Fortune. Ball rode the 13-year-old Hanoverian to a two-round score of 141 points. Ball also left the ring with the 1st place 3′ $250 Bonus for the Classic Derby.

Sagaponack, New York’s Phoebe Topping ranked sixth for her ride in the irons of Tracey Topping’s Perfektionist. The duo achieved an overall total of 122 points. Phoebe also received a $150 Bonus for the Classic Derby 3’3”.

Madison Winebrenner of Lexington, Kentucky ended the event in seventh place with her own App For That. Additionally, Winebrenner was awarded a $150 Bonus for the Classic Derby 3’0”.

Matthew Piccolo and Leland Win Sidelines Green Hunter Championship

The Sidelines Green Hunter 3’0”/3’3” ended its Atlanta circuit with Matthew Piccolo being awarded the championship title for Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classic.

Piccolo, of Thompson Station, Tennessee, was in the irons of Leland, a nine-year-old prospect owned by the L & N Group, LLC. Piccolo piloted Leland to an overall division score of 33 points.

“I’m proud of him — he had a great two days,” said Piccolo of Leland. “He’s a fun horse with a great canter; he’s very straightforward. We’re very excited about his future.

“I have a bunch of customers who buy young hunters and these green hunter divisions are a great opportunity for me to progress the horses and prepare them for my clients to ride.”

Piccolo said he’s been bringing Leland along for just under a year. He said the venue and show management for the Atlanta Spring Classic makes it a regular stop on his yearly competition schedule.

“We love to come to Conyers and usually make it here a few times a year. The courses have been great this week and the weather has been even better. It’s always better when the sun comes out and the rain stays away… And the Classic Company always puts on a great horse show, whether that’s here in Conyers, or Gulfport.”

Milton, Georgia’s Kelli Gibson took home the reserve championship for her performances across the division with Kellington LLC’s Tycoon. The duo achieved an overall division score of 30 points.

These coveted points are helping to boost Piccolo and Gibson on their way up the qualifying charts for the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic, set to run during the Atlanta Fall Classics.

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Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Business Is Booming for Jason Berry Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classics

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Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia was on fire Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classics. He ended the week with a win in the $15,000 Grand Prix, presented by EMO.

Thirteen horse and rider teams tackled the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana in the Olympic Arena at the Georgia International Horse Park.

The first round was set with a time allowed of 81 seconds and 43 seconds for the second round. Seven advanced to a second round opportunity.

Chasen Boggio of Canton, Georgia and his own Co Pilot were the first horse and rider team to turn in double clear rounds in times of 71.642 seconds and 32.241 seconds, setting the new time to beat.

Heather Hook of Wellington, Florida and Meredith Darst’s Quester de Virton followed with the next set of double clear rounds, but their time of 33.934 wouldn’t beat Boggio and Co Pilot.

Berry and Andrew Kocher’s Duvelke followed with the next set of double clears and their time of 30.362 seconds would temporarily take the lead. Duvelke and Berry have been partners for only a couple of weeks according to Berry.

Aida Sanchez Long of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Darragh Kerin’s Rossco followed with the next set of clear rounds but their time of 32.210 seconds couldn’t beat Berry and Duvelke’s time.

Boggio and Victoria Press’ Quesada D’elle followed with the next clear rounds and with a clear second round in a time of 29.567 seconds, temporarily took the lead.

“He [Rheinheimer] had set a vertical to six strides to a triple bar then five strides to an in and out and some folks had problems with that. He definitely didn’t hand us that line,” said Berry.

Berry followed with Fazous and challenged that time with their own double clear rounds and with a time of 29.055 seconds, took the lead and set the new time to beat. “I just had to go faster. I had the lead then Chase [Boggio] took it back so I just went a little faster with Fazous,” he said.

Jorge Ludwig of Newbury Park, California and his own Cricket sat in the enviable last to go position. Although the pair advanced to a second round, four jump faults in a time of 29.701 seconds would see them finish in seventh place and leave the win to Berry and Fazous.

Second place honors went to Boggio and Quesada D’Elle and Berry picked up a third with Andrew Kocher’s Duvelke.

Sanchez Long and Rossco earned a fourth place and Boggio returned for a fifth place ribbon with Co Pilot. Hooker and Quester De Virton rode home with a sixth place. Ludwig and Cricket earned a seventh place and Ludwig also picked up the eighth place ribbon in the irons of his own The Graduate.  Heather Steinman of Canton, Georgia and Maarten Huygens’ Justin earned ninth place honors for their four fault first round in a time of 69.406 seconds and tenth was awarded to Jorja Rose Jones of Byhalia, Mississippi and Diane Masters’ Light Show for their four fault first round in a time of 70.880 seconds. Eleventh was awarded to Charlotte De Smedt and her own Chido and Berry wrapped up the class with a twelfth place ribbon in the irons of Lee Cesery’s Quantos.

Berry Takes Top Three Ribbons in the $7,500 Welcome

Berry kicked off his winning week when he snatched up the top three placings of the Welcome Jumper Classic during Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classics. There were eight entries in the competition, with five pairs returning to the ring for the jump-off.

Berry, of Verona, Virginia, claimed the championship with Lee Cesery’s Quantos. Together they bested the other contenders, flawlessly completing the first round well within the time allowed of 81 seconds. Their jump off round was equally as seamless, with the duo finishing the shortened course in a clean and quick 36.857 seconds — one of two double clear efforts in the event.

The other double clear performance was also care of Berry, this time in the irons of Oak Ledge Farm’s Fazous. The pair left all the jumps up, but finished in 37.672 seconds — just a fraction of a second behind the winners.

Berry rounded off the top three placings for his ride aboard Andrew Kocher’s Duvelke. A clean first round gave the pair a shot at the jump-off, but a fallen rail at the last fence and a time of 37.268 seconds landed them the yellow ribbon.

Jorge Ludwig, riding his own Athenea, finished the class in fourth place. Ludwig, of Newbury Park, California, guided Athenea to an eight-fault jump off round, reaching the finish line in a speedy 34.824 seconds. The fifth place ribbon was awarded to Canton, Georgia’s Heather Steinman, who was completing with Maarten Huygens’ Justin. The pairing completed the second round in 42.159 seconds, accruing 12 faults.

Ludwig was back in the ring to pick up sixth prize for his ride with his own Cricket. Seventh place was awarded to Aida Sanchez Long, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who was in the saddle of Darragh Kerins’ Rossco. Ludwig rounded out the placings, ranking eighth with his own The Graduate.

Berry commented, “The horses went really well and the horse show was really good. The show management did a lot with the footing from schooling day throughout the week and it’s just getting better every day. Next week will be even better. Any shows that Classic Company manages, they just do better every time. There is always a major improvement, every year. Like the permanent restrooms in Gulfport were awesome this year. Some of the improvements are simple, but for other show managers, it’s like you have to pull teeth to get them to make any improvements,” he added. “Next week will be my Week 10 on the road, but I’ll be showing here in Conyers,” he said.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Hunter News from Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classics

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Christina Fox and End Game earn firsts in both the inaugural Classic Derby and 3′ rider bonus

With a name like End Game, you would expect a performance worthy of a mic drop.

And you would have seen impressive sport during Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classics, when Christina Fox made short work of the challenging courses laid in front of her during the Classic Derby. Fox was aboard the aptly named End Game.

Fox, of Aiken, South Carolina, piloted Southland Stables, LLC’s End Game for the challenging two-round class. The pair earned 75 points in the classic round, followed by 83 points in the handy round for an overall score of 158 points.

With a total score of 156 points, Marietta, Georgia’s Grace Ann Nolan was narrowly edged into second place. In the saddle of Donald Stewart’s Agiato, 16-year-old Nolan rode her way to the top classic round score of 80 points and a handy score of 76.

Lee Cesery, of St. Augustine, Florida, ranked third for her score of 151 aboard her own Candidate. Fourth place was awarded to Madison, Georgia’s Katie Kittrell, who piloted Autumn View Farm’s Golden Sun to a total score of 108 points.

Victory Tastes Sweet for Toblerone and Carolyn Bell in the Sidelines Green Hunter Division

The Sidelines Green Hunter division kicked off Week I of the 2018 Atlanta Spring Classics in Conyers, Georgia. And it started with the championship colors for Alpharetta, Georgia’s Carolyn Bell.

In the irons of Debra Rattary’s Toblerone, Bell secured the division title in the Sidelines Green 3’/3’3” Hunter. The duo chalked up a grand total of 36 points.

Kat Mulkey, of Madison, Georgia, was awarded the reserve championship for her performances with Grace Bridge’s Serenade. The pair accrued a total of 28 points.

“I am so pleased with Toblerone,” said Bell. “He is a kind, honest, quiet horse, but he’s also athletic and scopey. This was his third time in the green division, and his second time being champion.”

Toblerone was purchased three years ago by Rattary, with the intention of enjoying the horse at home at the barn, Bell remarked. Toblerone made his show debut this year when a student of Bell’s began leasing him, she said. The nine-year-old hunter prospect has been racking up ribbons ever since.

“I wasn’t surprised at all,” said Bell. “I expected the best from him. When we were in Germany looking at him, we were impressed with his brain — he’s calm, quiet and one of the smoothest horses I’ve ever ridden.”

Bell also ranked fourth overall with her own Ambiance. She said the Green Hunter division provides her up-and-coming hunters with a good solid foundation for a long and successful jumping career.

“The green division is a great place to learn the basics, such as balance and straightness,” she commented. “It provides a solid base, rather than moving up a division because a horse is athletic enough to jump bigger fences.”

With this win, Bell and Toblerone are well on their way up the qualifying charts for the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic, which is set to run at the Atlanta Fall Classics in Conyers, Georgia. There is still plenty of time to qualify for this finale event, held at the venue of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Points are still up for grabs during Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics, as well as during the upcoming Jacksonville Spring Classic and the Charleston Summer Classic.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Announcing the 2018 Atlanta Spring Classics

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Photo credit Alison Hartwell Photography.

The Gulf Coast Winter Classic six-week circuit kicks off on February 7th. The show moves directly from the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast to the home of the 1996 Olympics at the Georgia International Horse Park for the Atlanta Spring Classics which start on March 22nd and run through March 31st – no horse show on Easter Sunday.

Two weeks of exciting competition at the world-famous facility offer more than $200,000 in cash and awards. Special events include the Sidelines Green Hunter 3′ and 3’3″ Divisions which will count as qualifiers for the second installment of the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic scheduled for the Atlanta Fall Classics. The top 20 qualifiers will receive an invitation to compete in this Finals competition for no entry fee.

Don’t miss the new $5,000 Classic Hunter Derby offered both Weeks I and II at the Atlanta Spring Classic. In addition to the $3,000 prize money, a $2,000 Rider Bonus will be awarded to a non-professional hunter rider each week.

For the jumpers, the $5,000 Open Welcome is offered both Weeks I and II as well as the $15,000 1.35m Jumper Classic. There’s plenty of prize money for the Jr/Amateurs at the 1.20m and the 1.30m/1.40m as well as the Open Jumpers, 1.20m, 1.30m and 1.40m. Check the prize list, now online, for details.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, USHJA

Hunters Take Over Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics

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Marylisa Leffler with Headlines.

Mary Lisa Leffler Rides Headlines to the Win in the International Hunter Derby

Friday was a double header Derby Day during Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics when the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Nalley Toyota Stonecrest, and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took center stage.

Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, winner of last week’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and Stacey McFadden, LLC’s Wistful led the Classic round after earning a score of 174. Headlines, owned by Felicia Harrsch and ridden by Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, followed in second place after the first round with a score of 169.

North C, owned and ridden by Jaime Steinhaus of Milton, Georgia, followed in third place in the Classic round after earning a score of 164. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, in the irons of Stella Styslinger’s O’Ryan, sat in fourth position after earning a score of 164. Boyd also had the fifth place position after the first round with Finally Farm’s Shamrock, earning a first round score of 162. Kris Killam of Naples, Florida and Barbara Fishman’s Mr. Big sat in sixth place with their score of 160. Boyd also had the seventh place horse after earning a first round score of 158.5. Berry held both the eighth and ninth place positions after the first round with Willoughby Stables’ Falcor and their score of 158 and Oakledge Farm’s Cobalt Blue R with a score of 150. Tenth place after the Classic round saw Why, owned by Charlotte Warren and ridden by Julie Curtin of Villa Rica, Georgia, earn a first round score of 150. Sitting in eleventh place after the first round was Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, with a score of 149; Redfield Farm’s Fandango HX, ridden by Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey, sat in twelfth place after earning a score of 133.

The Handy Round of the Derby saw Kahle and Fandango earn a score of 147 for a total of 280, which would finish in twelfth place overall. Milliren and Valentine moved up to tenth place overall after earning a second round score of 160 for a total of 309. Curtin and Why moved to an eleventh place overall placing after earning a second round score of 143 for a total of 293.

Berry and Cobalt Blue R moved from a ninth place position to finish in fifth place overall after earning a second round score of 186 and overall 336. Berry also moved from the eighth place spot to sixth place overall with Falcor, earning a total score of 335.

Boyd and Cellino moved from seventh place to third overall after earning a Handy score of 185 and an overall 343.5. Killam and Mr. Big moved to finish in ninth place overall after earning a Handy score of 154 and an overall 314. Boyd and Shamrock moved up to finish in fourth place overall after earning a Handy score of 180 and an overall 342. Boyd and O’Ryan moved from a fourth place standing after the Classic round to an overall second place finish after earning a Handy score of 187 and an overall 351.

Steinhaus and North C moved to finish in seventh place overall after earning a Handy score of 160.5 and an overall 324.5.

Sitting in second place after the Classic Round, Leffler and Headlines earned a Handy score of 187.5 for a total of 356.5 which moved them into the lead.

Berry and Wistful were in first place after the Classic Round, but after earning a Handy score of 145 for a total of 318, finished in eighth place overall.

The heavy rains had moved through the area earlier that morning, so the main hunter event was moved to the Oval Ring. Liza Towell Boyd, whose resume includes three time Overall World Champion Hunter Rider as a Junior, four time recipient of the Best Child Rider Award at the Washington International Horse Show, and second place finisher in the Washington International Equitation Finals, as well as a multitude of National and International Hunter Derby wins, commented, “I was pleasantly surprised, that with all the rain the night before and how wet everything was, how great the rings held up,” she said. “I woke up, looked outside and thought that we may not even be able to show. You know, the Derbies are the equivalent of the Hunter Grand Prix and we were really looking forward to showing,” she said. “They moved the Derby to the Oval Ring which is so big and impressive and it’s actually even better for the younger generation of the up and coming Derby horses,” she said. “It was amazing how well the footing held up. It was really perfect. We were able to do those inside turns and the footing was great,” Boyd commented.

Sarah Milliren with Don't Tell
Sarah Milliren with Don’t Tell

Don’t Tell and Sarah Milliren Win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, followed the International Derby and saw Courtney Billings’ Don’t Tell, ridden by Sarah Milliren, win the class after earning first round score of 86 and second round score of 91 for a combined 177. Davinci, owned and ridden by Josie Baird, placed second after earning a first round score of 82 and Handy score of 88 for a combined 170. Third place honors went to Charlotte Warren’s Enticement, ridden by Julie Curtin, after posting a first round score of 80 and second round score of 87 for a total of 167.

Suntrust, owned by Sandra Ward and ridden by Jacqueline Ward, earned a first round score of 77 and second round score of 83 for a total of 160 and fourth place. Fifth was awarded to Replax du Plant, owned and ridden by Libby Greene. I’ve Been Spotted, owned and ridden by Rebecca Hollman, won sixth place; Iamwhatiam, owned by Dawn Mason and ridden by Jason Berry, placed seventh overall. Click here for more results.

All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

A Blue for Carracci Blue and McKenzie Kasper at the Atlanta Spring Classics

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Thursday the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action in the Olympic Arena for Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics.

Fourteen horse and rider teams tacked the course designed by Paul Jewel of Lambertville, New Jersey. “The course was a great opener for Week II,” commented Jewel.  “The goal here is to make the course inviting, yet challenging,” he added.  “It definitely accomplished this,” he added. The first round time allowed was set at 78 seconds and a majority of the horse and rider teams advanced to the second round.

Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland and Rolling Acres’ Bling Bling were the first to go and turn in a clear first round effort in a time of 73.718 seconds. Their second round resulted in four jump faults in a time of 38.689 seconds which would see them finish in eighth place overall.

M.I Hartwick, owned by Nelson Long and ridden by Aida Sanchez Long of Ooltewah, Tennessee, followed Leffler in the order. After posting a clear first round in a time of 74.042 seconds, four faults in their second round in a time of 37.870 seconds had them finish in seventh place overall.

Mandy Killam’s Black Diamond, ridden by Kris Killam of Naples, Florida, winners of the Week I $25,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Grand Prix, presented by EMO, turned in the next clear first round effort in a time of 70.291 seconds. Four faults in their second round in a time of 37.366 would see them finish in sixth place overall.

Diablo D’Raquelmes, owned by Ronda Stavisky and ridden by Jennifer Ramsey of Chrystal Beach, Ontario, Canada, had a fault free first round in a time of 74.549. They had one time fault in their second round after posting a time of 44.302 and finished in fourth place overall.

Darragh Kerin’s Corini, ridden by Paul Macrae of Alpharetta, Georgia, followed with a clear first round in a time of 74.360 seconds. Their second round was also clear, and with a time of 41.907 seconds, would set the new time to beat and advance to first place.

McKenzie Kasper of Alpharetta, Georgia, in the irons of her own Carracci Blue, followed Macrae in the order and turned in a clear first round effort in a time of 75.741 seconds. Their second round was also clear and their time of 39.333 would take the lead and set the new time to beat.

HHS Louis, owned by Cerulean Stables, LLC, ridden by Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, followed Kasper. Their clear first round in a time of 76.998 seconds advanced them to the second round. Although they went clean, their time of 41.962 seconds would see them finish in third place overall.

Kasarr, owned and ridden by Erin McGuire of Cornelius, North Carolina, turned in the next clear round effort in a time of 74.126 seconds. Four jump faults and four time faults in their second round in a time of 48.972 seconds would see them finish in tenth place overall.

Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, winner of the Week I Horseflight Welcome, followed Kasarr in the irons of Sandra Mazur’s Luca Toni. Their clear first round in a time of 72.945 seconds advanced them to the second round, but eight jump faults in a time of 39.045 seconds would see them finish in ninth place overall.

Killam returned to the Olympic Arena in the enviable last to go position, this time in the irons of Helene Jones’ Skyfall. They turned in a clear first round in a time of 69.078 seconds, but four faults in their second round in a time of 37.069 seconds would see them finish in fourth place overall.

McKenzie Kasper, the sixteen year old and youngest rider of the field, won the Welcome on her own Carracci Blue!

“The second round had a lot of options.  He [Jewel] left it open so you could be as quick and neat as you wanted to be, or you could ride the more technical options and make it a little harder,” Kasper commented.  “I added in one line so I could make an inside turn, which was a little risky,” she said.  “Because I knew if I had a rail, I would have been a lot slower,” she added.  “But, thankfully, I didn’t!

“I had a really great 1.20 m horse which brought me to my first Children’s Nations Cup when I was 14 in Wellington,” she said.  “I sold her and had one in between before we got Lenny a little over a year ago,” commented Kasper.  “I started Lenny [Carracci Blue] from the beginning in the 1m and then 1.10m.  I did Child Adult jumpers last year with him and to be able to compete here now and be where we are is amazing!” commented Kasper.  “I love Bob’s shows and am so thankful he runs these shows here.  It’s such a great experience for us!” she added.

“The new footing is so much better!  It really poured last night and I’m looking at it now and it’s perfect,” Kasper said.

“We’re going to the High Junior Amateur Classes and then maybe in the Fall, Lenny and I will try a grand prix,” she said.

Kasper and her family live on a farm outside of Conyers and have Lenny as well as two miniature horses. “I am so thankful for my family’s support,” commented Kasper.  “Especially my sister Olivia,” she added.  “She has been helping me so much and been working so hard,” said Kasper.  “I know she would like to be in the show ring and I am so thankful and appreciative of her,” she said.

What’s next for Kasper?  “I always wanted to be on the Young Rider Team and compete on the grand prix level before I go off to college,” she said.  “I’m not sure what the future holds for me, so I’m just going to keep working as hard as I can now,” she added.

All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Show Jumping

Kris Killam and Black Diamond Win the $25,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Grand Prix

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Saturday the $25,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Grand Prix, presented by EMO, galloped into the Olympic Stadium at the Georgia International Horse Park to close out the opening week of the Atlanta Spring Classics in Conyers, Georgia.

Five horse and rider teams turned in clear first rounds and advanced to the jump off phase. The time allowed was set at 47 seconds and Kris Killam and Helene Jones’ Skyfall were the first to tackle the second round and went clean in 37.990 seconds, setting the new time to beat.

Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia and Willoughby Stables’ Varios, winners of the Week I $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, followed Killam and Skyfall and also turned in a clear jump off effort in a time of 37.292 seconds and took the lead.

Katie Barnette’s Catalyst, ridden by Aida Sanchez Long of Ooltewah, Tennessee, followed Berry. Although they turned in a clear round, their time of 38.535 seconds would not beat Berry and Varios’ time.

Paul Macrae of Alpharetta, Georgia and Darragh Kerrin’s Corini followed Catalyst in the order of go, but a heartbreak rail at the final fence in a time of 37.559 seconds would see them finish in fifth place overall.

Killam returned to the Olympic Arena in the enviable last to go position, this time in the irons of Mandy Killam’s Black Diamond. The pair turned in a clear jump off round in a time of 36.326 seconds and took the win.

Final placings had Berry and Varios in second place followed by Killam and Skyfall. Fourth place went to Catalyst and Sanchez Long, and fifth was awarded to Macrae and Corini. Sixth went to the fastest four fault first round, Donnatello, owned by Highridge Farm and ridden by Susan Fried of Macon, Georgia, who posted a four fault first round in a time of 79.798 seconds. Click here to see full results.

The jumper action continued in the $3,500 Elite Equine Sport Horse Medicine and Lameness Jr. A/O Jumper Classic which saw Lauren Palko of Roswell, Georgia and her own Copy Cat take the blue ribbon and first place prize money. Jacqueline Ward of Seabrook, Texas and her own Cayman took second place honors, and Isabel Harbour of Alpharetta, Georgia and her own Captivate placed third. Fourth place was awarded to McKenzie Kasper of Alpharetta, Georgia and her own Carracci Blue. Fedel, owned and ridden by Gwen Goodwin of New Boston, New Hampshire, took fifth place. Syndey Johnson of Canton, Georgia and her own Casey Jones received sixth place, and seventh was awarded to Courtney Osborne of Marietta, Georgia and her own Hibiscus. Ward returned for the eighth place ribbon, this time in the irons of her own Quinta.

All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.

ClassicCompany.com
GulfCoastClassicCompany.com
Phone/Fax: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311, Johns Island, SC 29457

Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring Classic II

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I am glad that we are done with our 11 weeks of shows in a row but sad that I won’t be with all my friends until June.   We had a great winter and a great last week here in Conyers.  Many more horses than expected so next year we are planning to add a ring.  I do have high hopes for 2013 between the economy that will get better and what seems to be a little change in migration of the exhibitors from Florida.

Anyway, we had a good week.  Great Weather. Last night we had the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix and we had the All-American meal of hot dogs, hamburgers and brownies during the class.   Again this week, it was not a big class; we had 18 riders but it was a great course built by Allen Rheinheimer and an exciting finish.   The class was won by Kenwood, owned by Kenwood Syndicate and ridden to win by Daniel Geitner.

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Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring Classic I, II – Conyers

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We are finishing up our winter circuit in Gulfport on Sunday and heading direct to Atlanta.  I will fly home for a day to pick up any mail and such but if you need stalls you need to call us at 843 768 5503 and leave a message or you can email me at bbell@earthlink.net.  We will be arriving on Monday so if you plan to arrive earlier, please let us know.  The horse park has stalls but they do need to know you are coming and get bedding delivered.

Three More Things

Hunter Breeding will be held at Atlanta Spring Classic I, II, 2pm Friday

Performance Hunter 3’3″ and 3’6″ will be held on Thursday and Friday

Stalls for Atlanta – 843 768 5503

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Classic Company, Classic Company, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Spring Classic 2012

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Our Spring Shows, The Atlanta Spring Classics, starts on March 21 and runs until April 1st.  Our spring shows are USEF AA rated and we host a $25,000 Grand Prix each week. For the past few years these shows has been light and our grand prix has had less than 20 entries.  Being a light show, this is a great opportunity for barns seeking AA points and easier jumper money to join us and reap the rewards of a smaller AA show.

I want to remind you that the closing date for Atlanta Spring is February 25th.  Although many have learned to ignore the closing date of our shows, Classic Company does offer a $25 per stall savings if paid by closing date.  We know that with a two week show $50 is a savings on each stall price so we do encourage exhibitors to enter early. One of the Classic Company’s sponsors does make making your entries easy.  Equestrian Connect allows you to do your entries online and makes the process so easy and accurate.  I would suggest a visit to www.equestrianconnect.com and see what they have to offer.

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