Charlotte, NC - Bob and Paige Johnson form a Dad and daughter team this weekend as Bob hosts the Charlotte Jumper Classic and daughter Paige will compete. A number of the USA’s top riders will be part of the 190 + entries that will compete.
According to The Classic, two of the top five-ranked riders in the world committed this week to participate in the third-annual Charlotte Jumper Classic, April 7-9, 2006 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil and Nick Skelton from Great Britain will compete in Charlotte’s Grand Prix show jumping event for $300,000 in prize money. More internationally ranked and Olympic riders to be announced in coming weeks.
For three days, Charlotte Jumper Classic riders compete in various classes and jump an obstacle course of between 15-20 fences set on a twisting, turning course with the goal of not dropping a rail or falling off the horse. Timing is critical in order to qualify for the jump-off round ‘ the sport’s version of sudden death overtime. In the jump off, speed and accuracy are of the essence. The rider with the fastest time and the fewest jumping faults is declared the winner.
“We are thrilled that such accomplished riders want to compete in the Charlotte Jumper Classic,” said LaRita Barber, Vice President, Community Relations and Player Development. “A new arena located in the heart of the city, coupled with a stellar rider field ensures this year’s Charlotte Jumper Classic will be one of the country’s premier equestrian events.”
Pessoa and Skelton are both internationally-known riders who have a long history of winning. Pessoa is an acclaimed show jumper who has participated in four Olympic Games for Brazil and holds an individual gold medal as well as two team bronze medals. He also won the World Championship title in 2002 and has won the World Cup Finals three times. This is the first year Pessoa is competing on the American show jumping circuit.
Skelton is a show jumping legend whose career spans more than 30 years, winning nearly 1,500 classes and more than $4 million in prize money. A near-fatal injury forced Skelton to retire in 2001, but he has made an amazing recovery and he is once again at the very top of the sport of show jumping. Skelton’s brilliant horsemanship is proved by the fact that no other rider has won so many major prizes on so many different horses. Nick holds the British equestrian high jump record, when he jumped over 7′7″ on Lastic in London back in 1978 and has competed at five Olympic Games (most recently in Athens in 2004). He has won ten European Championship Medals, six World Championship Medals, a World Cup Title and over 60 major Grand Prix’ titles. He has twice won the Du Maurier in Spruce Meadows, Calgary, a class which awards the highest prize money in show jumping history.
The Charlotte Jumper Classic, the Carolinas premier equestrian event, is a charitable event for the Charlotte Bobcats Charitable Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to enrich the quality of life for those in need, with a focus on children and youth and to build bridges between communities. Net proceeds from the 2006 Charlotte Jumper Classic benefit the Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital.
Tickets for the Charlotte Jumper Classic are on sale now. Three-day passes are $75.00, $45.00, and $15.00 (kids 3-12). Single-session tickets are $25.00, $20.00, $15.00, $10.00 and $5.00 (kids 3-12) (plus applicable convenience fee). Tickets will be available online at CharlotteBobcatsArena.com, or by calling 1-800-495-2295. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center ticket outlet.
Charlotte Bobcats Arena, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, opened in fall 2005 and is home to the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, WNBA’s Charlotte Sting, and ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers. The state-of-the-art arena will host more than 125 events a year including sports, concerts and family entertainment. Charlotte Bobcats Arena also provides Print and Park, an online, advance purchase parking program where arena guests are able to purchase parking up to 48 hours in advance of the scheduled event time in lots that are a 5, 10 or 15 minute walk from the arena. Guests can access Print and Park up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled event time by visiting CharlotteBobcatsArena.com.
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