GULFPORT, MS.—”I thought it was anyone’s day today.” An exuberant Laurie Jakubauskas said as the realization of having just won back-to-back Grand Prix hit her. The community of Harrison County presented this afternoon’s $25,000 Magnolia Classic Grand Prix and turned out in record numbers to enjoy the beautiful spring weather while watching some of the best show jumpers in the country compete.
Three unfortunate scratches from the original order of go didn’t change the audience’s excitement or the level of competitiveness among the remaining starters. Course designer Tim Hott’s 12 obstacle [15 efforts] test on sweeping long tracks seem to have all the thrills a spectator could hope for, including two sets of combinations, one being the final jump at 12abc, a vertical into oxer out over a vertical. “This group is ready for the big guns to come out.” Hott quipped regarding the level 9 layout that had fences set at maximum heights ranging from 4’9” to 5’ and widths on a few oxers close to 5’6”, all to be completed within the 95-second time allowance. First onto the field was Wilhelm Genn with his little mare Happy Z, winners of Thursday’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake, who went clear in 93.360. Genn would prove to be the busiest rider of the day with a total of 4 mounts in the competition. Laurie and her 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Counter Foil would be 12th in the order, following Genn’s third ride, her taking note of others misfortunes and mistakes served them well with a clear first round time of 89.27. “Tim had a lot of good single jumps, you just needed to be careful and lucky.” Today’s winner commented of the first round, where both skill and luck paid off for the pair.
Only seven horses qualified for the infamous “Dash for the Cash” final round, three of which came with Genn. The abbreviated course of 7 fences proved to be where things would get technical quickly, as the time allowed dropped to 50 seconds and the turns got dicey. “I think slicing the two verticals [fence #3 to #15] is how we won. He [Counter Foil] was really good there…and really fast.” Laurie smiled confidently, “He likes to go fast”, then giggling added, “I don’t like to go so fast all the time.” The pair’s talent and speed resulted in a victorious clean time of 37.848 seconds.
Wilhelm finished in 2nd place with mount Chantal crossing the timer at 38.587 clean. Third place finisher Belynda Bond with her partner Sea Cove also had a clear final round in a time of 39.508, while the Robert Skib owned Monaco finished 4th with Christian Rogge in the irons and a clear round time of 41.530. Wrapping up the top five was owner-rider Michael Tokaruk with Lord Byron in a fast time of 37.392 but with an unfortunate rail down resulting in 4 faults.
The Kennett Square, PA resident also made a little history by becoming the first rider to win back-to-back Grand Prix at the Gulf Coast Winter Circuit. Having won last week’s Nutrena $25,000 Grand Prix with mount Mirage, Nutrena is also one of Jakubauskas’s sponsors, combined with today’s win now has folks taking friendly bets on the approaching $10,000 Budweiser Rider Bonus to be awarded next weekend. Odds had been favoring Wilhelm Genn but Laurie may hold the wild card of change now. Noting that Mirage had been given the week off, “He was so mad today.” There appears to be no doubt Mirage intends to make up for time off at next week’s finale Grand Prix. Laurie restated her horses’ love of the grass rings and the excellent quality of this particular field may just be a key factor in her strategy, “the footing is perfect and both my guys love the grass!”
No matter the outcome, Laurie expressed it has been a wonderful 4 weeks on the Gulf Coast, “We’ve loved our time here. The weather has been wonderful, the competition is great, and the people of the community have been so nice. This has just been the best time for us.” Aside from a successful series in the saddle, a new sponsor, Heritage Gloves, chose Jakubauskas to represent their product line. One she was more than happy about as it turns out she was already a big fan of theirs, “I love these gloves! And have no problem telling anyone how great they are.” A smiling Laurie concluded, “It’s just been a wonderful winter series. The horses are healthy and happy, I couldn’t ask for more.”
The Gulfport Winter Classic begin their Finale Week Wednesday the 14th with more hunter/jumper and last Grand Prix along with the conclusion of the $10,000 Budweiser High Point Grand Prix Rider, presented to the top rider, calculated by earned points, of the five-week series on March18th. Admission is free and the public is invited to enjoy the exciting competition throughout the week.
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