Missy Luczak and Goodness Gracious win $25k Child Adult Classic
Concord, NC – Owner Mary Piez of Tennessee decided cheering up a friend would be a lot more fun than going for the big dollars herself so she asked barn mate Missy Luczak to take the reins of her 12-year old Thoroughbred gelding Goodness Gracious in this evening’s $25,000 Child Adult Hunter Classic presented by High Hopes Foundation and the Oken Family.
This evening’s big money event turned the spotlight on 29 Children and Adult amateur competitors. Taking on course designer J.P. Goddard’s challenging first round to test their abilities in the hope of being among the 15 called back by judges Sue Ashe, Ronnie Beard, and Kim Dorfman for the decisive final trip. The cut off score was established at the midway point to be 73.33.
Goodness Gracious or “Mannie” as he’s best known at home and Missy’s first round score of 81.66 was among the highest going into the final round. “It was really a fun course. Challenging but yet it was the kind you could go in and pick up a great pace.” Luczak described the first layout, “Everything rode very similar, which enabled me to pick up a pace, stay the same, and not feel like I had to do a lot of adjusting. JP had different elements to it, with singles, direct lines, broken lines, and I loved having the option on a jump in both rounds. That just makes it interesting to watch and see how each rider chooses a course”
A beaming owner, Mary Piez said of tonight’s victory “I’m just so proud of everyone! Mannie, my farm boy who lives at home with me but can step up to the plate. My best friend, Missy, who rides so beautifully, and my trainer Robbie Hunt who creates such a good atmosphere here at the barn. But my husband goes to the top of the list for being supportive!” Piez normally rides the gelding in the Adult Hunters but after learning her friend’s horse sustained an injury prior to leaving home for Concord thought a ride with Mannie after a rough week would be just the pick me up for Missy. Their second round score of 83.33 for a 164.99 total became a happy ending for all. “I’m so happy I could just burst!” Piez exclaimed as they headed in for the presentation, but she and Luczak insisted on the whole Hunters Lane family being included, from trainer Robbie Hunt to the grooms to all the barn staff and friends. “We’re a team!”
Second place went to owner-rider Stephanie Ingram and Ocean Front with a two round score of 161.33. Last Laugh with Kaitlin Campbell in the irons for owner Jaclyn Osterstock finished third with a total score of 159.66. Fourth place honors went to owner-rider Leslie Kirk with her mount Concorda and a total of 157.91. Completing the top five was owner-rider Christina Gaither and her partner Tenacious with a final score of 157.66.
The Queen City Classic’s finale is Sunday, April 9th with a $10,000 Pony Hunter Classic followed by the featured event, the $100,000.00 Queen City Hunter Classic. The public is invited to take advantage of this opportunity to watch some of the country’s best hunters at the Cabarrus County Arena and Event Center. For more information on the Queen City Classic visit http://www.queencityclassic.com/.
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