North Florida Hunter Jumper Association Chosen to Host Maclay Regional in 2007
Green Cove Springs, FL—FEB. 3 2007—The National Horse Show (NHS), the governing body of the The Maclay, has chosen the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association to host the ASPCA Maclay Region 3 (Southeast) Regional Qualifier, to be held Sept. 7-9 2007 at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL. The show will be managed by The Classic Company, which also manages the NFHJA’s Jacksonville Winter Series each January.
The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Trophy is the ultimate junior show jumping award, presented to one rider age 18 or under who has competed in a series of qualifying classes and earned enough points to participate in a regional contest. A percentage of the regional winners then advance to the year-end National Championships, which were held last year in Syracuse, New York in November. Region 3 (Southeast) includes athletes from Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, and in the past has been held in Camden, S.C, and Brazelton, GA. This will be the first time the event will take place in Florida.
Last year’s region 3 winner was Nikko Ritter of Geneva, FL.
“We’re very excited at the choice the NHS has made,” said NFHJA President Tony Weight. “We’re so happy that this facility is now recognized as a World-Cup venue,” he added, referring to the fact that the $75,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier was held at the Ag Center on Jan.20. “And it is an extraordinary state-of-the-art facility, “ he continued. “The covered arena is 66-feet high with superior footing and the freedom of an outdoor showground. This event will give the juniors riders a great opportunity to ride here.”
“It’s a great thing to have the Maclay here,” said Bob Bell, President of the Classic Company, “”because so many of the competitors are from Florida.” As to how Green Cove Springs was chosen, Bell commented: “I’m sure many factors played into the NHS’s decision. But the NFHJA has a wonderful reputation now. There’s a lot of pomp and circumstance for the exhibitors here and there are always exciting things happening. All of that will combine to make for a stellar event.”
Bell added that holding the regionals in Green Cove Springs, which is just outside of Jacksonville, would help contribute economically to the community thanks to additional vendor spending and additional visitors. “Jacksonville has a huge number of hotels and restaurants close to the Ag center and is prepared for increased tourism.”
The Classic Company tours the country with AA-rated shows, including seven weeks of competition throughout the year at the Centennial Horse Park, in Conyers, GA., and events at the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, N.C., and the show grounds in Gulfport, MS.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY., is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected] or Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected].
Photo: Nikko Ritter ©Flashpoint Photography
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