2nd Annual Horses Helping Horses~A Huge Weekend of Winning and Giving
Conyers, GA – Elizabeth Towell of Camden, SC partner with Danube the 8-year-old chestnut gelding owned by Wyndmont, Inc kicked off a big weekend of winning and giving on Friday evening with a victory in the 1st Horses Helping Horses $25,000 Hunter Classic.
Sponsored by AME Financial Corporation in memory of Wissie Brede, company president James Pefanis stated, “Wissie was one of the finest members of the equestrian community and touched so many lives, both human and horse. Horses Helping Horses was a wonderful way to remember her, to give something back to those she so loved.” He added, “She would just love this event! I know she’s smiling.”
Course designer Jean Paul Goddard wasn’t the only one challenging the field of 23 riders as near perfect skies and record setting heat gave way to rumbling thunder late into the first round. Mother Nature added her own obstacles, such as rain and big wind gust as the final 9, 5 of which were junior riders showing in the massive Grand Prix Arena for the first time awaited their turn during a 20 minute delay. “I didn’t notice any of the horses getting bothered by the weather..or the waiting.” Kirsten Boe a junior competitor commented.
Elizabeth and Danube’s ride proved this true with a score of 89. Despite both wind and rain subsiding, reports of severe weather just to the north prompted the decision by management to forego a second round and air on the side of safety. “Heavy rains, lightening, and strong winds were on the weather reports for areas just outside the city but missing us for now. We’d just rather not take any chances.” Show manager Allen Rheinheimer said. Presenting the top honors with Classic Company president Bob Bell was the founder of Old Friends, Michael Blowen. “This is my first hunter-jumper event! It’s incredible!” Blowen exclaimed and added, “These are true athletes. Powerful and graceful combined. I’m just so grateful to all these riders participating tonight. Their support as well as Bob’s means the world to our horses.”
Second place honors went to owner-rider Brittian McNeel riding Onassis with a score of 88, followed by Nikko Ritter riding Double O Seven for owners Bibby Farner Hill and Erin Stewart with a score of 86. Fourth and fifth places went to rider Tommy Feigel respectively with What’D I Say scoring an 81 for owner Ann Garnett and Eldridge T for owner Emily Gardner with a score of 80.75.
Also premiering this week was the Pony Equitation Classic presented by the Classic Co. Taylor Adams riding True Blue for owner-trainer Bill Schaub of Sanford, FL took home the first silver trophy and top bragging rights. “What a great way to prep for the upcoming Pony Finals” Schaub commented of the first annual Classic. Winning rider Taylor Adams said, “I’m just thrilled with the way Blue rode and I can’t thank Mr. Schaub enough! It is kinda nice to be the first winner of this Classic. Helps me focus on Pony Finals.” Second place went to Ashley Warren riding How About That for owner Elizabeth Brown and third place went to When In Rome with Alise Oken riding for owner Lexi Piez .
Earlier in the evening the action began with a Silent Auction under a 200-foot marquee ringside along with a special dinner hosted by Outback Steakhouse benefiting anchor charity Old Friends Equine. One of the most anticipated “items” of the auction was lunch with one of Animal Planet’s Horse Power series stars Nikko Ritter. “I’m a little nervous but it’s all for a terrific cause. I just hope the winner isn’t disappointed.” Ritter commented with a smile. One of his biggest fans, 10-year-old Molly Jank of Ocala, Florida watched the bid sheet closely all evening and upped every amount. At 8:30PM bidding closed and young Jank had won, the total was more than enough to make a few rescue horses smile. “She’s such a fan of Nikko’s.” Sharon Jank aka mom began, “never missed an episode, thinks he’s the best rider around. She’s so excited about getting to ask him for all sorts of tips. Of course being as cute as he is doesn’t hurt!” laughing as she added, “I think it’s wonderful of him to do this.”
Saturday began with the opening of the second Silent Auction benefiting this time for the Georgia Equine Impound offering an array of horse related items as well as a live auction with a few of the wonderful rescued horses being offered in the hopes of second careers or just a loving home. Following the close of the auction attentions turned toward the Grand Prix arena where the evening began under the marquee again with a “Southern Nights” dinner hosted by Proof of the Pudding to benefit the Impound group.
The winning and giving theme continued under sunny blue skies with the $25,000 Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix sponsored by EMO Insurance. 22 horses took on the lengthy challenge set up by International course designer Buddy Brown with the audience cheering their favorites on to victory, but it all came down to 4 horses taking huge strides and calculated choices to assure a jump off spot. Brown took full advantage of the vast size of the arena once used for the Olympics in his 14 obstacle layout, including a sweeping uphill turn onto the bank to take a 4’7” vertical before heading down for a bigger 4’11” vertical that lead to the second combination, a 4’9” oxer and 4’11” vertical, on the course.
Cisco, the 8-year-old Holsteiner stallion out of the great Concerto II with rider-owner Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida in the irons were the second pair to go clean within the first round time allowance of 103 seconds posting a fault free run of 94.839. “Loved the course, it was a fun one and Buddy Brown is one of my favorite designers,” Petersen began in reference to the first round, “it was a long layout so you have to try to save your horse to make sure he’s got enough steam. The oxer combinations coming off the banks could really take it out of most horses, luckily Cisco just came off of breeding so he’s really pumped up and fit.” Several of the top contenders fell out of the running due to those very obstacles. “A big stride horse can cover the ground easily and get around that track. Cisco’s only 16.3 but he’s got the stride.” Derek further commented on the long layout. The second round consisted of a twisty track with 7 jumps most of which were oxers and a tight rollback to the dreaded triple bar, all to be completed cleanly in a 50 second time allotment. From the 4 returning only Cisco and Petersen accomplished the double clean in a time of 40.763. “Everytime I can go out and do this is another blessing from the Lord!” Derek said of the victory.
Finishing with the fastest time was Miraj the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Sherry Cooke and piloted by Daniel Geitner of Aiken,SC in 37.061 but with an unfortunate 4 faults on the final jump. Owner-rider Sergio Campos of Longwood, Fl., who won the Welcome Stake on Thursday evening with his 8-year-old Brazilian Sporthorse mare Shakira Do Jacare took home third place in a time of 40.472 and 4 faults. Junior owner-rider Jack Hardin Towell of Camden, SC continued to impress with Eventual, his 13 year-old Warmblood gelding finishing fourth in a time of 53.666 with 8 faults. And the fifth spot went to the fastest 4 faulter of round one, owner-rider Andres Rodriguez and Indien D’ Andriers with a time of 89.488.
“Another wonderful week, another generous group of competitors,” Classic Co president Bob Bell began with a reference to the donation made by Grand Prix winners Derek and Anita Petersen to Old Friends from their victory, “this event just continues to grow, which means only good things for the horses benefiting from it. Our exhibitors truly care and are excited by what we’re trying to do at this show.” Asked if the event will return next year Bell said instantly, “You bet! We’ve already started on it!”
Bell himself got quite the surprise when Old Friends Equine Rescue founder Michael Blowen and Horses Helping Horses co-chair Robbi Meisel pulled a surprise presentation of thanks immediately after the Grand Prix awards. Blowen said of Bell and Classic Co, “The on going support you’ve given is invaluable! No other event has ever tried or succeeded in giving so much help. We have an actual permanent new home for the Old Friends horses now…and you helped make that dream happen. Thank You Bob.” Bell was visibly moved and could only smile.
For more information or results on the Summer Classics visit http://www.classiccompany.com/ or call the office at 843-768-5503.
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