November 26, 2006

Classic Season Ends on Many High Notes

Conyers, GA –With a record number of exhibitors from across the country the 2006 Atlanta Fall Classics concluded it’s two week AA rated series in Classic style presenting over $88,000 in cash alone the final week as well as 2006 year end awards, the coveted National Hunter Jumper League Finals titles, the Lemon Springs Trophy, and the John Deere-USEF Memberperks prize.

Classic Company president Bob Bell said of the fall series, “This has been the most amazing two weeks ever for the fall venue! The talent we’ve seen this year is nothing short of the best in our sport from across the US. Just wonderful!” adding, “I can’t wait to see what the 2007 season holds in store!”

From the Hunter Divisions week two saw the crowning of the Bayer-Legend sponsored 2006 National Hunter Jumper League winners, which included Erin Stewart riding Likewise in the $2500 Amateur Owners group, Jack Hardin Towell with Blink in the $2500 Large JR Hunters, Alise Oken and Alisette in the $2500 Small JR Hunters, Ann Lineberger and Uptown for the $2000 Older Adult Amateur Hunters, Lily Hahn and Sion for the $2000 Younger Adult Amateurs, Greg Guinn and Golden Rule in the $2000 Older Children’s Hunter, and Ellen Walker with Veraldea Magic Z in the $2000 Younger Children’s Hunters. Over in the Pony Hunter divisions top honors in the finals went to Deep Forest Stable’s Brownland’s Bugs Bunny in the $1000 Large Pony Hunters, Anne Gardner and Kiss the Rain for $1000 Medium Pony group, and Jennifer Waxman with Rainbow Brite winning the $1000 Small Pony Hunters.

Friday evening the Classic Company 2006 Horse of the Year awards were handed out during a banquet dinner hosted at the Hawthorn Suites of Conyers with Bob Bell handing out the silver to honorees. The horse’s recognized with trophies were:

• Natalie formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Tosh in the Green Working Hunter division
• From Day One and owner Bonnie Lee Mandich for the Green Conformation Hunters
• Sequel for owners Showcase Limited, Inc in the Regular Working Hunters
• St Patrick and Allie O’Brien for the Amateur Owner 18-35 Hunters
• What D’Ya Know and Lee Cesery for the Amateur Owner 36 & Over Hunters
• Mosaik and Ashley Kennedy in the Small JR Hunters
• Gold Edition and Ashley Kennedy for the Large JR Hunters
• Vangogh and Lauren Hulen for the Adult Amateur Hunters 18-35 division
• Goodness Gracious with owner Mary Piez in the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters
• Play Station and Lana Currie for the Adult Amateur 46 & Over Hunters
• Bling Bling and owner Sarah Ward in the Children’s 15-17 Hunters
• Co Star with Linda Ketcham for the Children’s 14 & Under Hunters
• Georgetown with Molly Gardner in the Children’s-Adult 3’3” Hunters
• Buzz Light Year for Mary Corbin-Burlingame in the Small Pony Hunters
• Mea Gold Card and owner Alise Oken for the Medium Pony Hunters
• Time To Talk and owner Lauren Hogan for the Large Pony Hunters
• All Heart with owner Bill Schaub in the Large Green Pony Hunters
• Fantabulous for owner Lori Postal in the Small-Medium Green Pony Hunters
• Bonpoint and Astrid Michelson won the Children’s Hunter Pony
• Dreams Come True for Brittany Davis in the Short Stirrup Hunters
• Dolce and owner Hannah O’Brien in the Pre Children’s Hunter
• Gift for owners Equicents, LLC in the Pre Adult Hunters
• Benvolio for owner Sleepy P Ranch won the Children’s Jumper division
• Loughnatousa and Holly Hayman for the Adult Jumpers
• Firewater and Pablo Gamboa for the Low JR AO Jumpers and
• Valentino with Jenny Childs for the High JR AO Jumpers
• The Lemon Springs Trophy for High Scoring Amateur, sponsored by Sandra Brown, was presented this year to Allie O’Brien and St Patrick.

The long awaited John Deere-USEF Memberperks High Scoring Adult was announced and the winner, Mary Piez along with her mount Goodness Gracious were awarded a John Deere Gator. “I’m absolutely thrilled! But so much of this win also goes to Missy (Luczak), about half way through the season I got injured and she just took up the reins for me. She’s done such a wonderful job and I can’t thank her enough.” Piez commented after learning the news she’d won the big prize.

Sunday also saw the conclusion of the National Hunter Jumper League Finals in the grand prix ring beginning with the $10,000 Children’s-Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Classic Company, and Katie Smith riding Josire Brulaire taking home the big check over 72 other competitors. Next up was the $10,000 JR AO NHJL Classic where 15 sought the top prize but in the end it was owner-rider Melissa Rudershausen of Kennet Square, PA partnered with Cowboy the 13 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding formerly owned by Rodrigo Pessoa taking it all. “He’s such a great horse! Gives his all everytime.” Rudershausen said of her mount. “ And my trainer…he’s the best. I’ve learned and grown so much with Sergio.,” she added, referring to trainer Sergio Campos of Longwood Equestrian Center in FL.

The winning story of trainer and student’s next chapter came in the highly anticipated finale of the fall series, the Bayer-Legend sponsored $40,000 National Hunter Jumper League Grand Prix with Sergio Campos and his 9 year-old Brazilian bred mare Shakira do Jacare writing a first place happy ending. Campos also took third place with his up and coming 8 year-old Zangersheide gelding Cognac do Jacare while student Melissa claimed fourth place with partner Prins, her 14 year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

Campos said of the 13 obstacle first round layout by course designer Allen Rheinheimer, “Very straightforward. It was an honest ride all around.” The time allowance of 98 seconds also proved no issue for the fast Shakira who went clear in 81.526. Coming into the jump off with 8 other competitors, Campos soon learned where the true test of the designer lay in the twisting turns of the 8 effort course, 5 of which were oxers with wide spreads and a short time of 45 seconds allowed. “She’s a handy horse,” he said of partner Shakira, “she can make those tight turns.” Their all out gallop to the last line brought the audience to a cheering frenzy and resulted in a victorious clear time of 37.061.

Finishing second was Christian Currey on board Cenzo for owners Mr and Mrs Brownlee Currey in a clean time of 42.921. Back into the winner’s circle for third place was Sergio Campos, this time with Cognac do Jacare for owners Campos and Rodrigo Pessoa with a clear second round time of 43.042. The fourth position went to Campos’ student Melissa Rudershausen and her mount Prins with a clean time of 43.130 and rounding the top five was rising junior owner-rider Jack Hardin Towell piloting Cotopaxi 2 to a finish of 4 faults in 41.585 seconds.

For more information or complete results on the Fall Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sergio Campos and his 9 year-old Brazilian bred mare Shakira do Jacare Photo by Flashpoint Photography