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Gulf Coast Winter ClassicsClassic Company Launching New Winter Circuit for 2012 Terry Brown and 2006 Horse of the Year Sequel. Photo © Flashpoint Photography October 1, 2011 – Pensacola, FL – If you’re looking for a change from the same ole same ole in your winter showing plans, Classic Company president Bob Bell has the answer to your dilemma: three weeks of USEF AA rated Hunter/Jumper classes in Pensacola, FL at the Escambia County Equestrian Center from January 11th through the 29th. This isn’t the first time Classic Company has visited Pensacola. Following hurricane Katrina’s visit in 2005 to the Gulf Coast and the damages at the Harrison County Equestrian Center in Gulfport, the 2006 Gulf Coast Winter Classics were invited by the Pensacola community to hold an abbreviated version of the annual winter circuit at the Escambia locale, rather than be forced to cancel the event altogether. “The facility, the staff, and the surrounding community were all so welcoming to us,” Bell said, “and our three weeks in Pensacola were simply wonderful. I’ve never forgotten their hospitality or how much exhibitors enjoyed the series, so when I learned of some open dates in their calendar my idea of new winter option became a reality.” Since Classic Company’s last visit, the facility has undergone a million dollar renovation along with new footing in the hunter rings. The Pensacola series will offer an AA schedule similar to its larger sibling, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, which will kick off six weeks of exciting equestrian action in Gulfport, MS on February 8th and continue through March 18th. Each week in Pensacola will feature a $25,000 Show Jumping Grand Prix and the USHJA National Hunter Classic along with an array of rated classes for both hunters and jumpers. And for those riders just starting out, the popular Opportunity Classes will be offered to provide a fun experience and introduction to horse showing. Exhibitors can also count on some wonderful social gatherings during the three weeks. “We have a reputation here at Classic for throwing great parties and the Pensacola event will not be deprived of that!” Bell teased. Prize list for both the Pensacola Series and the Gulf Coast Classics will be available in mid-November. For early reservations or additional information, please call the office at 843-768-5503 or visit us on the web at www.classiccompany.com and for great hotel or condo rates, contact www.equestriantravel.com. Gulf Coast Winter Classics Wraps with Circuit Awards, $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix and a Bittersweet Farewell to Continental B Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. ©Flashpoint Photography GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 14, 2011 — “I want to thank the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport. Both Janet McCarroll [Co-Chair of the Winter Classics] and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended. It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit, but all good times must come to an end… until next year,” Bob Bell of The Classic Company said Sunday evening as crews began the task of packing up. This was the most anticipated week; exhibitors were on pins and needles awaiting the announcements for this year’s Circuit Awards. Aiken, SC based Daniel Geitner was the first recipient, taking the Grand Champion title in both the High Performance Hunters with the Robin Hughes owned Living Color and the Green Conformation Grand Hunter with Allison Mills’ Stature. Via text Geitner said he was thrilled with the news and had enjoyed the weeks of competition in the Gulf greatly. Jordan Siegel of the Flower Mound, TX based Summer Hill Farm garnered two Circuit Awards, beginning with the 1st Year Green Working Hunters partnered with Cherry Stone for owner Fallon Bock and later in the Performance Working 3’6-3’9 Hunters piloting Jetset for owner Castle Point Farm, LLC. And Memphis, TN based pro Phoebe Sheets grabbed a pair of Circuit Awards as well, first in the Baby Green Hunters with Jean Tuttle’s Ring Ling and in the Performance Working 3’3 Hunters aboard Casino for owner Cheryl Rubenstein. Gulf Coast Finale – Updates and RemindersI want to thank all the exhibitors, trainers, owners and my staff for the best winter shows we have ever had in Gulfport. Both Janet McCarroll and I are thrilled that our shows went so well and were so well attended. It’s always sad when all the horse trailers and campers start leaving after a circuit but all good times must come to an end. We look forward to six weeks of fun on the Gulf next year. The Harrison County Equestrian Center will start building the 500 new permanent stalls around April 1st. I will keep you all up on the progress. We had a great circuit and I would love to list the 45 Grand Champions but I am afraid it would make for such a long message, that no one would read the whole thing. They will be listed in an ad we are making for the Chronicle of the Horse along with some great pictures of our five winners our Grand Prix events. I will say that Lincoln Case was selected by the staff as the winner of the 2011 Gulf Coast Sportsmanship Award. Congrats to Lincoln and thanks for the support for 13 years. Today we also had a tribute to Continental B, a wonderful horse who was a great supporter of our events. It was a great few minutes between rounds of our Grand Prix to remember the history of CB. He looked great covered in all his champion ribbons and everyone ringside took the moment to remember all the classes he won. We were proud to have the tribute at our show in Gulfport and that he will be taking it easy from now on in a pasture. It’s A Magical Time in the Gulf for Frances Land and Merlin – First National Victory in the $25,000 EquiFit Grand Prix Frances Land & Merlin ©Flashpoint Photography GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 7, 2011 — “It’s a little surreal!” an amazed 16-year-old Frances Land said as the realization of her first national prix victory began to sink in. The duo bested a field of 22 prominent competitors in Sunday afternoon’s featured event, the $25,000 EquiFit Grand Prix. The audience’s excitement combined with the level of competitiveness among the starters was the perfect recipe for a thrilling afternoon. Course designer Allen Rheinheimer’s 12 obstacle [15 efforts] test on the vast grass field had all the action spectators expected, including two sets of combinations, one being the triple at 4abc, an oxer into a vertical and out over another oxer that caught several riders early in the course. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13402 Sarah Mechlin and Yes Indeed Win Gulf Coast Winter’s USHJA International Hunter Derby Sarah Mechlin & Yes Indeed ©Flashpoint Photography GULFPORT, MS — Mar. 5, 2011 — A very positive minded 23-year-old Sarah Mechlin of Cincinnati, OH partnered with Yes Indeed took the top spot over 50 competitors in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the fourth week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Fifty equine athletes were being braided before dawn and began lunging at 5:30 Friday morning in preparation for their first big test, the official presentation and jog before the panel of judges: Mike Rosser, Ray Francis, Betsy Perry, Tucker Erickson, and show veterinarian Juan Gamboa. Once soundness was established, riders donned Shadbelly jackets, shined their boots and mounted up for one last trip in the warm up ring before entering the arena to take on the first round course of 10 obstacles [12 efforts], comprised mostly of natural materials such as logs, brush, and gate planks, all from the creative minds of co-designers Paul Jewel and Allen Rheinheimer. Within the track riders encountered four optional fences offering a height choice up to 4’ which provide the opportunity to score bonus points, as well as bending and broken lines, an in and out, at least one line with an unrelated distance, and a fence with a long approach. The two panels of judges’ scores were combined to determine the top 12 who would be invited back for round two. Gulfport Winter III – Updates and RecapsWe had a great week in Gulfport again. Incredible weather, giant party, and a bunch of horses for good competition. We are setting all time records here in Gulfport. Next week will be the biggest show we have ever produced on the Gulf Coast. Please make sure you read the bottom paragraph if you are in Gulfport next week. Important meetings and events. So, this week again we hosted a USHJA National Hunter Classic. Congrats to the winner The Admiral, Jamie Jarvis and show to the win by Will Roberts. Adequan Newest Grand Prix Sponsor at 2011 Gulf Coast Winter Classics Dr. Juan Gamboa & Partizan ©Flashpoint Photography Gulfport, MS – December 16, 2010 – The Gulf Coast Classic Company is pleased to welcome Adequan (polysulfated glycosminoglycan) as the newest sponsor for the 2011 Winter Classics. “We are excited to continue our support of the Classic Company and the riders and horses that compete at these competitions,” stated Allyn Mann, Sr. Manager of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Our philosophy is simple: support those who are supporting you.” “Given the sport our athletes compete in, pairing with Adequan seems the perfect fit for both parties,” Bob Bell, Co-Chair of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, began. “Arthritis is an inflammation in the joints which at some time will plague many of our beloved equine partners and even our canine friends can suffer the ill effects of Arthritis. Adequan has made such strides in providing relief from the pain associated with this ailment and provided a longer career as well as improved life span.” 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.” Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z Double Down, Banking Two $25k Prix at Gulf Coast Winter Classics Fifth Week Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z ©Flashpoint Photography
GULFPORT, MS – MAR. 14, 2010 – Lebanon, OH based Wilhelm Genn has done it again, winning both the $25,000 Nordic Lights Grand Prix and the $25,000 Budweiser Grand Prix during the fifth week of the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Classics. International great Dave Ballard took up the reins of course designing for the double prix week. For Thursday’s $25,000 Nordic Lights event, the co-creator of the 2008 Olympic layouts built a 15 effort test full of curves that had some riders struggling to keep the horses balanced. Add to this the deceptive appearance several obstacles presented and competitors faced quite the challenge to clear the course in less than 96 seconds. “Sometimes when you have a lower oxer and then a higher vertical the horses jump a little flat and then don’t get enough height for the vertical,” Genn offered as explanation for one troublesome spot. From the 25 starters Genn and the Laura Ryan-Barnaclo owned Chantal were third in the order and first to make a clear run, finishing in 88.191. Five spots later owner-rider Kari Frey of Fulshear, TX aboard Solinus guaranteed a jump off round with their clear time of 87.750. Not long after New Jersey’s Amanda Flint with her mount Tiffany E VDL joined the list to return with a faultless ride in 86.677. And then there was Happy Z, Genn’s fearless 12-year-old Dutch bred mare. “With Happy, I looked where I went with Chantal, I went really tight with him, and I didn’t think I could stay on the inside track so I decided to just keep her straight for 1 to 2 extra strides, balance her and then turn her real quickly to get a run back to the oxer,” Genn explained his strategy for that last vital line. The duo’s time was 90.263. Genn Family Dominates Jumper Rings at Gulf Coast Winter Classics Week IV Theo Genn & Paradox. All photos ©Flashpoint Photography. GULFPORT, MS – MAR. 8, 2010 – Lebanon, OH based Wilhelm Genn commented earlier in the season that a perfect event would have three big triumphs, one for each of his sons and one of his own. Week four of the Gulf Coast Winter Series found Genn’s fondest wish coming true. In Thursday afternoon’s $5000 Lucky Sevens Open Jumper Welcome Stake it was Theo Genn riding the Thomas Bruinsma owned Paradox, a 10-year-old Zweibruecker German Warmblood gelding, who bested both the field of 23 competitors and the technical layout of course designer Allen Rheinheimer. “I feel like I got lucky. He’s [Paradox] still young and just moving into this level so there were several who could have beaten us. He’s still developing speed,” a very modest Theo said after a victory gallop. Rheinheimer had an 82 second allowance in which riders were expected to weave their way successfully from one end of the vast grass field to the other while clearing 12 obstacles [15 jumping efforts] that included a double vertical combo and a triple combo of oxer into two verticals out. “It was a snaky ride, but pretty straight forward,” Theo said of their clean 79.284 first round. Eight more horses would join Paradox in the jump off, among them Theo’s dad Wilhelm with the up and coming mount Loredo, owned by Micaela Kennedy. The abbreviated 8 fence/46 second layout had a beat the clock theme as its design was one for a quick pace and quick thinking. While speed was not an issue for most, being delicate over the plank vertical was. In total, only 3 riders had a second clear run. “You had to be careful and fast. Paradox was great!” a happy Theo said of their winning clear time of 39.332. |
