Browse > Home / Atlanta, Robbi Meisel, USA / From Pony Mania to Grand Prix Thrills 3rd Week of Atlanta Summer Classics Has It All




From Pony Mania to Grand Prix Thrills 3rd Week of Atlanta Summer Classics Has It All

July 20, 2025

Conyers, GA­­—July 20, 2008—Nicole White of Moorestown, NJ and her medium size pony Cozy Up now hold the unique title of Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion. “Pony Mania” was one of the highlighted events taking place during this 3rd week of competition at the Georgia International Horse Park hosted by the Classic Company.

Brainchild of Bob Bell, president of Classic Company, the Grand Kahuna Pony events are in their 3rd year and growing in popularity. Classic Company is trying to put more emphasis on the younger generation by adding specialties such as the Pony Modeling Clinic held at the June Atlanta show. Participants learned winning tips from two of the country’s top trainers, Bill Schaub of Over the Hill Farm and Bibby Hill of Don Stewart Stables, whose combined accolades would go from coast to coast. “Who better to help our kids than two of the most decorated pros in the pony world.” Bell commented.

Knowing that his July show dates fall just before the coveted USEF Pony Finals in early August, Bell saw a two-fold opportunity for pony folks with the creation of this event. “It’s one of the last chances some of these kids have to compete-fine tune their ponies before Finals.” Bell began, “But I thought with all the pressure they already face in qualifying and then the actual final competition, why not make it fun beforehand. On the one hand we do run the classes by the same rules and scoring system of finals, and on the other we make it something fun-like the amusing titles of Most Supreme Grand Kahuna, Grand and Reserve Grand Kahuna.” All size groups in each division from Green to Regular ponies are judged and accumulate points over two days in the modeling, over fence, and under saddle phases of competition. The final push for precious deciding points come from the classic rounds of each group. The anxious riders await totals to be announced and titles awarded as each division ends on the second day. Along with their new prestigious names, the top Kahuna’s rack up some pretty nice loot too. Winners receive a gift certificate for Farm House Tack, a custom made Essex Classics show shirt, a check upwards of a $1000 from Classic Company, and are featured in a full page color ad in The Chronicle of the Horse courtesy of Flashpoint Media Services-which hits the newsstands just before Pony Finals so all their friends and family can enjoy their 15 minutes of fame.

The 2008 Pony Mania top calls begin with the Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Champion, owner-rider Nicole White partnered with Cozy Up and trainer John Mastriano. Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Reserve Champion is owner-rider Caroline Crews with Hallelujah. The breakdowns by divisions are; Small/Medium Green Pony Grand Kahuna Champion is owner-rider Aleece Jarman and Short Story while the Grand Kahuna Reserve Champion is owner-rider Amanda Schaefer and Pennies from Heaven. Large Green Pony Grand Kahuna Champion is owner-rider Autumn Clarke with Millpond Silver Sunrise and the Grand Kahuna Reserve Champion is Fair Dinkum owned by Taylor Elliott and ridden by Paige Parker. The Small Pony Hunter Grand Kahuna Champion is James Blonde owned by White Willow Farm and ridden by Carly Reinsel while the Grand Kahuna Reserve Champion is owner-rider Aleece Jarman aboard Rico Suave. For the medium pony hunters the Grand Kahuna Champion is owner-rider Nicole White and Cozy Up with the Grand Kahuna Reserve Championship going to owner-rider Janie French and Happy Feet. Completing the divisions is the Large Pony Hunter Grand Kahuna Champion pair of Hallelujah with owner-rider Caroline Crews and the Grand Kahuna Reserve honor went to Cherrybrook Skye Blue owned by David Dowler and ridden by Paige Parker. “I just hope our little version of finals will help these riders have a great experience at Pony Finals. I wish them all the very best of luck!” Bell added, “We’ll keep expanding this format to help the kids anyway we can.”

Moving to the thrills of show jumping; Saturday evening’s victory in the $25,000 Juan Hernandez Memorial Grand Prix gave Hardin Towell and mount Cotopaxi 2 just what he wanted, no more “second best” jokes from fellow competitors-friends.

Towell got the last laugh this time as he bested both a tough field of riders and the course work of Allen Rheinheimer. “I thought it was a nice course,” said Towell of the first round test. “For the number in it-seven went clean which is just right,” he continued, “I thought it rode really well. Both my horses went good.” The 13 jump [16 effort] 92 second layout offered up the usual suspects-a triple combination of oxer to vertical to oxer out at #4ABC, the triple bar at #7, which lead into a wicked double vertical combination at 8AB, however, to much surprise the key element to success was fence #5- a simple looking vertical. “It was almost dead center of the end gate opening” Hardin rationalized why so many faulted here, “I think it was temptation to some and a distraction to others” The focused pair of mounts Towell piloted were quick and clear, Cotopaxi 2 in 82.051 seconds and Copado (owned by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare) in 82.877.

Five others, including 16-year-old Taylor Land the youngest in the field, joined them in the final round of 7 jumps [8 efforts] with a time allowance of 47 seconds. “It was a riders jump off.” Hardin commented of the curvy route that included a difficult turn back off a tall vertical [#15] to make it cleanly over the #7 triple bar and beyond. Hardin added with a laugh, “Fortunately for me a couple of the guys made some mistakes because they could’ve been faster than me.” Towell and Cotopaxi 2 were first to go and set the pace at a fast 35.641 and no faults. His next ride with Copado ended with a time of 35.156, but an unfortunate rail dropping on the last line. Despite their best efforts only one other rider managed a second clear round, the youngster of the group, Taylor Land had the final run at Hardin’s time but was more than happy to accept second place with a clear finish of 37.537. “She’s a great rider and tough!” a smiling Towell said after his victory gallop.

This marked the pair’s first grand prix victory since the 14 year-old gelded son of the great Contender return to competition after being off due to injury. “I bought him two years ago over in Europe.” an exuberate Towell spoke of partner Cotopaxi 2, “I showed him for about 6 months and then he got hurt in Florida. He’s been turned out for a year and half, and I just started him back. He showed in Tryon a month ago and here where he was first in the level 7 and second in 2 welcomes, and second in 2 prix.” The jinx of the seconds is now broken according to Towell who hopes to continue the winning theme next week when he returns to the grand prix ring with Cotopaxi 2, Copado, and top mount Rockefeller. “It’s kind of nice not to have all of them out. Rocke got the week off, but I’ll have him back for the next one-shoot for 1,2, and 3!”a chuckling Towell said as he strolled toward the barn.

Rounding out the results for the Memorial Grand Prix were Taylor Land and Canaille in 2nd place with a fault free time of 37.537, 3rd place went to Angel Karolyi aboard Boxster owned by Alex Jayne with 4 faults in 34.563, while Derek Petersen and Lazaro had a bittersweet 4th place finale for owner Jordan Coyne who is a former student of Juan Hernandez- Lazaro finished with 4 faults in 34.735, and completing the top five was Hardin Towell with the Mr. And Mrs. Ernest Oare entry Copado stopping the timer at 35.156 with 4 faults.

The evening’s event is held to remember the late trainer-rider Juan Hernandez who was taken from family and friends far too early in life. Juan was best known for his willingness to lend a helping hand to the young –up and coming riders like himself. “Never an unkind word and always a smile” is how close friend Juan Gamboa describes him. Joining Classic Company president Bob Bell and associate Robin Stoney for presentations was Dr. Juan Gamboa who escorted Rhode Robles who is Juan Hernandez’s mother. “We simply can’t forget good trainers…or friends. This event is an honor for us to do.” said Bell.

The Atlanta Summer Classics continue through July 27th 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 Saturday evening will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Summer Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.

Written by Robbi Meisel · Filed Under Atlanta, Robbi Meisel, USA 
Tagged:

Comments

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.