February 3, 2012 – Green Cove Springs, FL – The Jacksonville Winter Series wrapped up its three week run on January 29th with the naming of Circuit Champions and a lot of fond memories for those attending.
Alexis Newman of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association summed up the series: “We enjoyed a fantastic three weeks of shows that were marked with great exhibitor parties, superb competition, wonderful camaraderie, near perfect weather, plus a touching and successful benefit dinner.” The support of attendees raised in excess of $14,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and local 4-H clubs. Show manager Bob Bell echoed Newman’s sentiment: “The number of exhibitors may not have been what we hoped for, but the competition was nothing less than fierce! I really feel this was one the best Jacksonville series yet – like Alexis said, we just had the best of everything come together and make for a great three weeks.”
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.”
Today was a kind of sad day in Pensacola because it’s the day we say good-bye and pack, but are very excited to head to our flagship show in Gulfport. Success is the best word to describe the new Florida winter circuit in Pensacola. We did not get the numbers we were hoping for our first year but all the divisions filled and our Grand Prix classes jammed the stands with spectators. We have signed on the dotted line to come back next year and maybe even for four weeks.
I flew back and forth for three weeks from east to west spending my time at both circuits in north Florida. I will be glad to stay in one time zone when we get to Gulfport next week.
The shows in Jacksonville were also a success. Again, the shows were lighter than they have been in the past but the shows ran well, thanks to a great crew and staff. The shows in Jacksonville will run in 2013 and NFHJA is also planning four weeks next year.
As I continue flying back and forth from Jacksonville to Pensacola I am very pleased to report that all is well in east and west Florida. Both circuits are lighter than expected but the weather has been fantastic; the classes have had top horses competing and the Grand Prix events have had spectators each week on the mild winter Saturday nights.
One more bit of news for those interested in 2013: Southwest Airlines is going to start serving Pensacola in the spring.
Last night in Pensacola Happy Z won the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix with the owner/rider, Wilhelm Genn.
January 21, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Classic Company and the Gulf Coast Classic Company in partnership with Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. makers of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), announce the formation of the Adequan Pre Green Classics and year end Adequan Pre Green Sweepstakes.
Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said, “We’ve created a new series of Pre Green Hunter Classics to be held at all our events in 2012, dubbed the Adequan Pre Green Classics. They will run as normal, held each week as two round events with the second ride of the second day counting as the first round of the Classic. The Adequan Pre Green Championship Classic will be a standalone two round event.”
One of the key differences in these Pre Green Hunter Classics will be the entry fees. Bell explained, “All the entry fees will be collected just as in the past, but these monies will be set aside to build the Sweepstakes bank, which will be offered at the Atlanta Fall Classic II, November 16th. The Classic Company will host the Adequan Pre Green Hunter Championship Sweepstakes for the top 20 horses, based on accumulated Championship points, to compete for the total Sweepstakes money.”
I just returned from the USEF Annual meeting in Cincinnati, so I missed the first week in Pensacola but I understand they had a great week. The following are the highlights and at the bottom of this page is lots of BIG NEWS.
This year we made some changes to our schedules so that the Classics are held on Saturday instead of Sunday. That made it so everyone was able to make their getaway flights since the show ended earlier. Classic Company will continue this “Classic” schedule with all their shows this year.
The week started out with a great party hosted by Pensacola Sports Association hosted an “Iron Chef” party with the finest chefs from the area and everyone was talking about it the next day.
Dear Exhibitors and Trainers,
Today our tent company will start putting up tents and stalls. As in years past, we only put up the number of stalls that we have reserved because of the expense so please call us for your reservations for the winter shows.
Pensacola 843 768 5503
Jacksonville 904-993-2053
We look forward to hearing from you and…
See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Just a few things…. For those planning to attend the Pensacola Series in January, the closing date is this Friday the 16th. The importance of this closing date is the reduced price of stalls if paid in full by closing date. So, this is just a reminder…. closing date is this Friday. Read the prize list for details.
We also had a couple of corrections in the Pensacola prize list. The 1.10m Children’s and Adult Jumper entry fee says $65 per class; it should have read $45. The YJC classes are $50 for five year olds, $60 for six year olds and $70 for seven and eight year olds.
The Jacksonville closing date for entries is January 19th.
I do want to remind you that the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Gulfport are on our website. The prize list for Atlanta Spring will be out mid-January.
See you at the rings,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Conyers, GA — Nov 20, 2011 — Week two of the Atlanta Fall Classics put the jumpers center stage for the finale event of Classic Company’s 2011 season with two big $25,000 classes. “This week’s big money classes were a nice way to end the season for our exhibitors. It’s been a great year of shows and the new season will be even better!” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.
Show jumping action kicked off on Friday with the $25,000 EMO Welcome Stake presented by EMO Insurance. The field of 31 was a virtual who’s who of the sport with the likes of Olympic vet Chris Kappler, USET Champion Schuyler Riley, and show jumping Million Dollar Club member Wilhelm Genn taking on Allen Rheinheimer’s complex 12 fence layout with one goal-clear the jumps and beat the 82 second time allowance.
We are excited to announce the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series and are fortunate to have Bob Bell and the Classic Company returning to manage the three week circuit. You will be pleased to see many familiar faces in the office, at the rings and on the tractors. The prize list is complete and is available on both the NFHJA <http://www.nfhja.com/schedule.htm> and the Classic Company <http://www.classiccompany.com/showinfo.html> websites. It will be in the mail at the end of the week.
There will be many notable changes in 2012 and we expect that you will be as excited about them as we are. Jumper Exhibitors will be pleased to find that each of the three weeks will feature a $5,000 Welcome Class in addition to a $25,000 Grand Prix. Hunter Exhibitors will be equally excited to find that each week also features a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic, in addition to the usual division classics. The $5,000 Equitation Classic will be an additional highlight of week 2, and should be a distinctive complement to the circuit’s standard classes. Week 3 will not be outdone with special class offerings, but the spotlight will likely be stolen by the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. We are delighted to be the host of this distinctive class for the second year in a row. Additional offerings of week 3 include the $5,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, $500 Circuit High Point Hunter & $500 Circuit High Point Jumper. You might also take note that the World Cup Qualifier is missing this year; however, we strongly feel, and expect that you will agree, that this change will allow us to switch the focus back to our main exhibitors and provide a smooth schedule jam packed with special offerings and prize money galore!
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Today was a kind of sad day in Pensacola because it’s the day we say good-bye and pack, but are very excited to head to our flagship show in Gulfport. Success is the best word to describe the new Florida winter circuit in Pensacola. We did not get the numbers we were hoping for our first year but all the divisions filled and our Grand Prix classes jammed the stands with spectators. We have signed on the dotted line to come back next year and maybe even for four weeks.
As I continue flying back and forth from Jacksonville to Pensacola I am very pleased to report that all is well in east and west Florida. Both circuits are lighter than expected but the weather has been fantastic; the classes have had top horses competing and the Grand Prix events have had spectators each week on the mild winter Saturday nights.
January 21, 2012 – St Johns Island, SC – Classic Company and the Gulf Coast Classic Company in partnership with Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. makers of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), announce the formation of the Adequan Pre Green Classics and year end Adequan Pre Green Sweepstakes.
I just returned from the USEF Annual meeting in Cincinnati, so I missed the first week in Pensacola but I understand they had a great week. The following are the highlights and at the bottom of this page is lots of BIG NEWS.
Dear Exhibitors and Trainers,
Just a few things…. For those planning to attend the Pensacola Series in January, the closing date is this Friday the 16th. The importance of this closing date is the reduced price of stalls if paid in full by closing date. So, this is just a reminder…. closing date is this Friday. Read the prize list for details.
We are excited to announce the 2012 Jacksonville Winter Series and are fortunate to have Bob Bell and the Classic Company returning to manage the three week circuit. You will be pleased to see many familiar faces in the office, at the rings and on the tractors. The prize list is complete and is available on both the NFHJA <
