The Legend Continues in Atlanta
Conyers, GA –Spring and eternal youth exuded from Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY and Diams as they claimed victory in the $25,000 Cherry Blossom Grand Prix sponsored by Bayer-Legend.
Course designer Buddy Brown set a challenging first round track of 14 obstacles with sweeping turns, quick roll backs, and plenty of wide oxers all to be completed within the 88-second time allowance. A seasoned 35 horse and rider combinations took on the task laid out by Brown, but only 3 were successful in making it to the dash for the cash second round. “I think my course was the right size, the time allowed might have been just a little bit tight.” Brown commented of his layout, “If we’d given them a few more seconds then we’d had 7 clean in it. It was exciting in the sense there was drama, but I’d like to have a few more in the jump off”
Until literally the last rider of round one, Fargis had the only clear runs with both his mounts. Thursday’s Welcome Stake winner Edgar 12 was the first to succeed with a time of 86.414 seconds, followed by the 13-year old Selle Francis mare Diams III owned by Mary B. Schwab and Oeji Farm in a very quick 83.889 seconds. “I thought the course today was very, very good. What made for not so many clean rounds was the time allowed, it was very tight, but I think that’s a good thing a lot of times. It makes one gallop.” A smiling Fargis said of his first tracks. The third horse to jump clean was Chianto the 13-year old Hanoverian gelding owned and piloted by Alison Moore with an impressive time of 86.219. The dash for the cash round was just that as all three horses gave it their all against the 48 second countdown through a weaving track of 9 jumps.
Fargis and Diams cinched the win with a second clear ride time of 41.204. Finishing second was Joe again with Edgar and another clean time of 42.392. Alison and Chianto had a blazing time of 40.750 but finished with 4 faults putting them into the third position. Constantine with Stephen Pack in the irons for owner Melinda McMahon took the fourth spot with a first round time of 88.857 plus a 1 fault and rounding the top five was owner-rider Myra Simard and Dutch Treat with a first round time of 89.428 plus 2 faults.
Chairman of the Atlanta Spring Classics Bob Bell presented the awards to the two time Olympic veteran and commented, “What a gentleman! Joe is not only a living legend but truly the definition of sportsman, an example of what is good in this competition.”
When asked what is it that keeps Joe Fargis going strong and continuing to compete? The tall gentleman with the twinkle in his blue eyes replied simply, “I enjoy it!” he continued to elaborate, “I have good horses right now, plus I don’t feel the pressure I use to. I don’t feel like I have to do something big or prove it anymore. I’ve had a wonderful career and I’m just trying to relax now~enjoy it. That’s what keeps me going.” Joe and both his Grand Prix partners will return to compete in next week’s event.
The Atlanta Spring Classics continue through April 2nd with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and each Sunday afternoon will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Spring Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.
in my opinion Joe Fargis is still one of the best riders in the world.
toulouse - March 28th, 2006 at 8:56 amI always tried to catch his rounds at shows - just amazing to eatch - I had a poster of him on the little throughbred mare (I forget her name) for years.
Lauren - March 30th, 2006 at 10:07 amMill Pearl ……..
JulieMontgomery - March 30th, 2006 at 5:51 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.