Conyers, GA.—November 15, 2007—”Big finish for a big season!” Bob Bell president of Classic Company said referring to Darragh Kerins’ win aboard the Double H Farm entry Mayebelline in this afternoon’s $25,000 EMO Welcome Prix. This marked the first large payout of the nearly $135,000 in prize money being awarded during this finale week of the Atlanta Fall Series.
Kerins, currently based out of Wellington, FL, just started riding Mayebelline, a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare, this summer, showing her in the meter 20’s at Spruce Meadows. And she “has just been going stronger and forward every time,” said the rider. From there the pair moved onto the meter 40 at the Gold Cup and Kentucky. “This is her first Grand Prix actually,” proclaimed the proud Kerins.
Taking on the task of designing the finale jumper courses was Michel Vaillancourt , also of Wellington, FL. An International as well as Olympic-caliber talent, Michel prepared a seemingly straight forward layout of 12 obstacles [15 efforts-4′6 to 4′9] with several sweeping tracks, but, as Kerins described, “it was a tough walking course with lots of rollbacks and different options to consider.” It was what Vaillancourt does best, a thinking course, one that had riders asking themselves lots of questions about strides and approaches. With an eager starting group of 35 and generous time of 83 seconds, the first round could have easily been dubbed a stroll through the park-if based upon the designer’s scheme alone. But Mother Nature assisted in Michel’s task of netting the best of the best for the final dash for the cash run by adding some heady. “You know, I was worried about it [the wind] this morning, but turns out it was a good thing,” joked Kerins, hinting at a possible “tail wind” during their rides.
In the beginning it seemed like the afternoon would become one of 8-faulters, until Kyle King and Cincinnati, owned by Malibu Equestrian Estate, landed the first clear ride in a time 73.75, nearly 10 seconds quicker than the 83 allowed. Next in, Daniel Geitner partnered with Sympa, the entry of Mrs. Charles Bostwick, assured the crowd of a jump off round with another clean round in 74.82 seconds. In all, 12 more would join this pair of riders in the beat-the-clock finale of the day. Those who fell short of advancing found it wasn’t the wind that tripped them up but decisions of stride count versus amount of speed into the combinations, particularly the double at 4AB, an oxer into vertical. The B element [vertical] was nicked just enough to tumble it to the ground as riders adjusted speed for the slightly downhill #5 oxer that lay ahead. Mayebelline and Kerins were 8th in the order of go, giving him time to study both the course and his opponents. His approach was well planned and careful enough to beat the time allowed and give them a clear round at 77.37.
The seven-jump [8-effort] challenge deciding today’s victor offered it all for the spectators: speed, rollbacks, sharp turns, and split-second decision making on the rider’s part. The straight line from oxer #14 to vertical #1 probably the only easy moment competitors encountered. But an immediate rollback to vertical #16 lead to what may have been the toughest choice for riders. After galloping to the #2 oxer, the needed to choose between an extreme inside left turn to 10BC, or the less sharp sweeping turn in front of 10C to rollback for a short approach into combo. Only one rider dared the inside turn and paid a 4 fault toll. Those who followed took stock in the
lesson learned starting with Geitner and Sympa, who earned the first double clear round in 39.07 seconds, far below the allotted 47 limit. Two runs later Kerins and Mayebelline caught that “tail wind” and broke through the timers at 38.03. From the nine remaining horses only one other would have a clean round but not the time, assuring Mayebelline the victory. “We’ll be back for the Grand Prix this Sunday for sure,” said an exuberant Kerins.
Final results placed Geitner and Sympa in 2nd with a clear final time of 39.07. Pablo Barrios, riding Tibor for owner Bonita Smith, took 3rd with a clear time of 41.39. Fourth went to Kerins and Toscane R in a time of 48.68 with 2 faults, and completing the top five was Jack Hardin Towell with Iago Du Quesnoy, owned by Towell and Neill Sites in a final time of 36.79 and 4 faults.
This afternoon’s Prix was just the start of big-money classes during this final week of the fall series. Sunday will host several moneyed events ranging from $1,000 Pony Classics (in each size level) a $2,000 Hunter Classics for Juniors, Adults, and Children, the $10,000 JR A/O Jumper Classic, and a $10,000 Children’s -Adult Jumper Classic, Of course, there is also another exciting $25,000 Show Jumping Grand Prix. And if the cash prizes aren’t enough, one lucky Amateur Hunter will take also home a brand new John Deere Gator! The Classic Company’s Bell had pitched the idea for rewarding the Adult group to USEF [United States Equestrian Federation] and various committees in late 2005. “I just felt this is a group of exhibitors that so often is overlooked and that their efforts should be recognized in a big way,” Bell noted. Not only did USEF agree but John Deere took interest in the idea and generously offered a new Gator as the prize. The rules were simple: The winner would be the horse that accumulated the most Championship points. For 2007 those precious points were earned at the following Classic events: the Atlanta Spring Classics I & II [March 28-April 7], Atlanta Summer I & II [June 20-July1], Biltmore Estate Summer Classics I & II [July 18-29], and the Atlanta Fall Classics I, II, & III [October 31-November 18], with the winner being presented the John Deere Gator on the final week of the Atlanta Fall series.
The Atlanta Fall Classics continue through November 18th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday. Classes begin daily at 8am until approximately 4:30pm and the public is invited. Admission is free. This Sunday’s Finale will host an array of exciting Hunter and Jumper Classics including the Show Jumping Grand Prix at 2pm as well as the John Deere Gator presentation during this main event. For more information or results on the Fall Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at
770-602-2510.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected] or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected].
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