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Flashpoint Media ServicesKelley Farmer and Rosalynn Win $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Kelley Farmer & Rosalynn ©Flashpoint Photography Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Take $25,000 National Grand Prix Green Cove Springs, FL – January 23, 2010 — Kelley Farmer, who hails from Keswick, VA, partnered with Rosalynn to capture the top spot of North Florida’s Inaugural $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance, Great American Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, held Saturday under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL. The evening was kicked off in the “Marques at Green Cove Springs”, the stylish and inviting VIP tent adjacent to the arena, with a delicious dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a very special Live Auction to benefit HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center. “While we raised a lot of money for HOPE, the generous bidders were big winners too. They got some outstanding deals on an array of items- like the Sea World Aquatic package and the Golf World getaway,” Tony Weight, President of North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, said. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13035 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic Presented by Porsche Begins Competition
 Tim Hooker and Sovereign Mystery. Photos © Flashpoint Photography. Timothy Hooker Wins Der Dau 1.20m Jumpers Hampton Falls, NH – September 15, 2010 – The Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, presented by Porsche, started today with a great turn-out of competition at the Silver Oak Equestrian Center. Located in the beautiful seacoast town of Hampton Falls, NH, the Jumper Classic is New England’s premier equestrian event. This elite level competition attracts the country’s top riders, past Olympians and local equestrians who compete for over $200,000 in prize money. The Jumper Classic runs through Sunday, September 19, with the highlight class, the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, on Sunday. Olympic course designer Linda Allen is designing the tracks in the Coldwell Bankers Previews Grand Prix Field this week. The first rider into the Shire Equestrian Winner’s Circle was Timothy Hooker of Lake George, NY, and Wellington, FL, on his horse Sovereign Mystery. They topped the 26 horse field in the Der Dau 1.20m Jumpers with double clear rounds and a jump-off time of 33.706 seconds. Second place went to Schuyler Riley on Conquest Z (35.444 seconds), while Caitlin Venezia finished third on Calmiro (35.595 seconds), owned by Olivia Magliochetti. Summer Classics in Charleston, SC Welcome Exhibitors from Near and Far Liza Boyd & Macket ©Flashpoint Photography Johns Island, SC — July 20, 2010 — Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC welcomed exhibitors to something truly special in horse showing. The Charleston Summer Classics, a Boutique Horse Show produced by The Classic Company, began its two week run by offering lots of Southern Charms. Returning to the historical Low Country area for a second year, Bob Bell, Chairman of the Summer Classic, continued the rebuilding of the original series with the expansion of the jumper offerings, new hunter classics, old favorites, and lots of fun social gatherings. “I started the Charleston Summer Classics at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center in July of 1992, but the show out grew the facility after seven years and moved to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC where we stayed for several years.” Classic Company may best be known for producing larger events such as the Gulf Coast Winter Series in Gulfport, MS and the Atlanta Classics series in Conyers, GA at the Georgia International Horse Park, site of the 1996 Olympics, “but for years I’ve had this longing to return to Charleston… to our roots,” Bell said. Southeast US “Queen of Speed” Retires from Show Jumping
Hendersonville, NC — Shakira do Jacare, the brilliant 14-year-old Brazilian bred chestnut mare owned by Sarah Owen and Muny Sunk Stables, officially retired from the sport of show jumping in an emotional ceremony during the 2010 Atlanta Summer Classics. Dubbed the “Queen of Speed” by her competitors, Shakira’s presence alone at many a grand prix was enough to rattle the nerves of most seasoned jumpers. However, this mare’s story begins with Longwood Equestrian Center’s owner and professional rider Sergio Campos. Shakira was bred by Campos at his family’s ranch in Campo Grande, Brazil. She is the offspring of his champion stallion Primo, who died tragically in a barn accident in 1997. “She [Shakira] was very tough to break; it took a lot longer than most normal horses. I remember when she was a 3-year-old she jumped out of one of the paddocks… over 6 foot tall fencing! She always showed signs of being a Champion.” Campos shared then added with a laugh, “When we imported her to the US she had an accident loading onto the airplane and got 20 stitches in her rump. She missed that plane and arrived 2 weeks later, proving both her headstrong nature and resilience.” A handy mare, known for her speed and turn-of-hoof, Shakira helped Campos lead the victory gallop in four Grand Prixs during their debut in 2005 as well as numerous mini prixs and Welcome Stakes throughout the Southeast. Over the next few years the number of wins only grew, but fate’s crossroad lay just ahead. Boutique Event Returns to Harmon Field in Tryon, NC
 Mike Millon & Forte - Harmon Field Tryon, NC ©Flashpoint Photography Tryon, NC — April 19, 2010 — Last Spring Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, debuted the first Boutique Horse Show at the historical Harmon Field in Tryon, NC to rave reviews and numerous requests to repeat the event. He’s happily obliging on May 28th through the 30th. Bell created a new “definition” for this event that has not only become catchy among exhibitors, but with local residents as well. Boutique (boo teek) – noun – A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at wonderful venues with excellent accommodations for special horses, owners, and riders. Always includes parties, trendy classes, and fun events. Always has stylish trophies and rewards for Grand Champions. Always has Mimosas on Sunday mornings. 2010 will be no exception in standards with the awarding of Silver Trophies to division winners and the naming of three Grand Champions, the Best Young Horse, a Grand Junior rider, and Grand Amateur rider all to be presented very special trophies courtesy of The Farm House. Daniel Geitner Victorious in $25,000 Atlanta Spring Grand Prix Finale Daniel Geitner & Sympa ©Flashpoint Photography
Conyers, GA — April 3, 2010 — The Atlanta Spring Classics series closed this Easter weekend under perfect blue skies and more heated competition among hunters and jumpers. Held at the Georgia International Horse Park, home of the 1996 Olympics, in Conyers, GA, the two-week event presented by The Classic Company came to a close this afternoon with the announcement of division champions. “We’ve had two weeks of glorious showing here in Conyers with great weather, good rings, and some of the best talent around. Who could ask for more?” quipped event manager Bob Bell. Local hero Terry Brown of Canton, GA repeated her victory as this week’s division champion in the combined 2nd Year Green and Regular Working Hunters aboard the Sandy Gregory owned Formality. Brown also picked up a Champion title in the Pre Green Hunters with the Margaret Ellen Weaver entry Euphoria. Woodstock, GA resident Julie Curtin returned to the winners circle riding the Karen Frandsen owned Empire to another 1st Year Green Working division champion award. And Lauren Kissel of Canton, GA brought Janet Salem’s Soiree to top honors in the Baby Green Hunter section. Let’s Dance – Classic Company to Debut Musical Freestyle Hunt Seat Equitation Championship Olivia Hostetter and Cinzano ©Flashpoint Photography
Conyers, GA — March 31, 2010 — Classic Company’s president Bob Bell announced the first ever Musical Freestyle Hunt Seat Equitation Championship will premiere at the upcoming Atlanta Summer Classics, June 16-27, in the former Olympic Grand Prix arena of the Georgia International Horse Park. The idea came to Bell while outside a schooling ring on an off day of his show, sitting in a golf cart chatting on his phone the sound of a nearby stereo drifted over causing his attention to shift towards the horse and rider working over the fences to the beat of the music playing. “I saw the look of pure enjoyment on the rider’s face. Both horse and rider were having a great time with the music as a backdrop to their workout, so it started me on a quest to recreate that fun in our class offerings,” Bell mused. Land Sisters Open Atlanta Spring Classics with Big Wins Frances Land & Merlin ©Flashpoint Photography
Conyers, GA — March 27, 2010 — The Atlanta Spring Classics welcomed the new season with Cherry Blossoms in bloom, blue skies, and heated competition among hunters and jumpers. The biggest competition this week centered around two sisters, Frances and Taylor Land, who dominated the jumper rings. Produced by the Classic Company and held at the Georgia International Horse Park, home of the 1996 Olympics, in Conyers, GA, the two-week event runs March 24th through April 3rd with classes running Wednesday through Sunday on Week One and a special Easter schedule of Tuesday through Saturday for Week Two. “The scheduling of events was reorganized to accommodate exhibitors who show weekends only and those wishing to enjoy Easter with their families,” show manager Bob Bell explained. Another of the schedule changes is the use of Wednesday (week one) solely for Hunter Pony Breeding Classes with regular hunter-jumper classes running on Thursday. For Atlanta Spring’s second week Tuesday will be the Hunter Pony Breeding day, while Wednesday through Saturday will host the hunter-jumper performances. Gulf Coast Winter Classics Announce 2010 Circuit Awards 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Classics ©Flashpoint Photography
GULFPORT, MS. – MAR. 22, 2010 – The crescendo for the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Classics’ six weeks of competition occurred Sunday with the final $15,000 NHJL Nordic Lights Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic and the announcement of this season’s Circuit Champions. Zionsville, IN based Allen Rheinheimer gave the jumpers their swan songs as course designer for the last week of competition in the Gulf, creating layouts that challenged the will of both rider and horse. Sunday morning’s finale junior-amateur $15,000 jumper classic, sponsored by Nordic Lights Farm, had only three advancing to the jump off. The final spotlight fell upon Akron, OH’s Natalie Geller riding the Redfield Farm entry Caletto V to a flawless victory in 50.025. The reserve spot went to Eirin Bruheim with mount Eternity 18, owned by Bruheim-Sims Show Jumpers with a clean time of 50.530 and 3rd went to owner-rider Mary Antonini aboard Saladin finishing with 4 faults in 45.201. Similar to the Oscar presentations held earlier this month, the excitement and nerves reached a fever pitch as riders, owners, and trainers anxiously waited to learn if their talents and hard work would be rewarded with a Circuit Champion title. Janet McCarroll, co-chair of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, stated, “The competition has been superb this year, even the judges commented on what wonderful talent we had here.” Looking for Last Minute Spring Event? Classic Company Has Answer Atlanta Spring Beauty ©Flashpoint Photography
Conyers, GA — March 18, 2010 — The 2010 Atlanta Spring Classics are less than a week away, but for competitors who are still undecided where to head as winter season wraps up the Georgia International Horse Park can be a perfect solution. Classic Company’s president Bob Bell announced there are still some stalls available for the Spring Classics. “I’ve been surprised by the calls just this week asking if we might have room. Several said they just didn’t know where they wanted to spend spring and had procrastinated this year. We still have some room so I’ve been saying come on up the weather’s great!” Bell chuckled. Held at the Georgia International Horse Park, home of the 1996 Olympics, in Conyers, GA, the facility has 700 permanent stalls and boasts some of the best ring footing in the country. This year’s two-week event runs March 24th through April 3rd with classes running Wednesday through Sunday on Week One and a special Easter schedule of Tuesday through Saturday for Week Two. “We’ve reworked the scheduling of events to accommodate both exhibitors who show on the weekend only and those wishing to enjoy Easter with their families,” Bell explained. Among some of the schedule changes is the use of Wednesday solely for Hunter Pony Breeding Classes with regular hunter-jumper classes beginning on Thursday. For Atlanta Spring’s second week Tuesday will be the Hunter Pony Breeding day while Wednesday through Saturday will host the hunter-jumper performances. |
