February 2, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, has officially announced the formation of two $25,000 Hunter Pony Derby Classics that will premiere this summer, the first at the Atlanta Summer Classic, Week II (June 20-24) and the next at the Charleston Summer Classic, Week II (July 17-21).
Bob Bell’s explanation for the development of the big money classes for the youngest set of competitors was an easy one: “I like the pony hunters. I like the trainers. I love the enthusiasm of both the children and their parents for this sport, because in most cases the pony hunter is their first introduction to the equestrian world. I simply wanted to create an event that appreciates this group and I don’t think this type of classic has been done before.”
Aside from the large cash pay outs, Bell believes these classics provide an added benefit. “There is so much talent in our pony riders and I feel they should be rewarded, not only with the money but these classics will give them two opportunities to go head to head with the best for those preparing to compete at Pony Finals later in the summer.”
Johns Island, SC — July 24, 2011 — The final week of the Charleston Summer Classics held at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center was much like an adventure packed vacation itinerary. One moment you’re enjoying the sport with friendly competitive rivals, then shopping together for the social gatherings.
This was also the week where the Wee Warriors of the Pony divisions battled for the coveted titles of Grand Pony Kahuna and the glory of being named Most Supreme Pony Kahuna. “I started the Kahuna competition as a fun method for our pony riders to prepare for the USEF Pony Finals, the scoring uses the same numerical judging system with daily accumulated points moving forward to their respective division Classic rounds. We award a Supreme Grand Kahuna in each of the six divisions and an overall Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. The prizes are nice – Essex Classic Shirts, custom Cooler, featured in an Ad – but the best reward is the knowledge and experience they can take into Pony Finals,” Classic Company president Bob Bell said.
The 2011 Most Supreme Grand Pony Kahuna is Paige Parker partnered with Champlain Sovereign, owned by The Hill Farm. This marked Paige’s second occasion as top Pony Kahuna having won the title in 2009 with Cherrybrook Skye Blue.
Johns Island, SC — July 17, 2011 — How often during the heat of summer can an exhibitor in the Southern portions of the US say they enjoyed horse showing? While much of the equine community is experiencing uncomfortable temperatures, participants at the Charleston Summer Classics are being treated to a resort like atmosphere.
Week one at the Mullet Hall Equestrian Center welcomed riders with a vacation sensory overload – from pleasant ocean breezes billowing across the beautiful grounds – to put them in a beachy frame of mind to tropical drinks under the ringside tent each afternoon. “Exhibitors are enjoying a resort escape that just happens to include a horse show! Everyone is having a ball,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said. The Charleston Summer Classic is one of Bell’s Boutique Shows, which he defines as: “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.” Bell even designed class schedules to allow exhibitors and their horses more time for fun on the multitude of white sandy beaches, a mere 10 minutes away.
Johns Island, SC — July 26, 2010 — The Charleston Summer Classics’ final week of competition at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC found most attendees weren’t so anxious to head home, but rather thinking of extending their stay at nearby Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island beach resorts.
Sunny skies and ocean breezes provided another perfect backdrop last week for not only competition in the arenas, but at area golf courses and nearby beaches as well. “We really have been fortunate with the weather here. With classes starting at 7:30 each morning many of the families have been able to hit the beaches by early afternoon and enjoy all this area offers,” Bob Bell of Classic Company said.
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.
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