October 16th, 2012- Equus Event’s first annual Aiken Harvest Classic Horse Show came to a close on Sunday with a weekend full of gorgeous weather and exciting hunter and jumper action. The show featured a unique set of offerings including Hunt Night, a Pony Hunter Derby, Children’s Adult Hunter Derby, and the first annual $5,000 Aiken Jumper Derby. “With the success of the International Hunter Derbies and Derby Finals, we wanted to offer riders who don’t often get to par-take in classes like that the same sort of experience at a regional level “A” show”, said show organizer JP Godard. “The idea came for the Aiken Jumper Derby because we wanted to offer something unique. The class took place out on the Dietrich Derby Field and included the bank as one of the elements which we don’t see in show jumping classes in the area. “It was a fun class and we are looking forward to making it bigger and better next year”, Godard said. Gold sponsors of the event included; Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance, One K Helmets, Equifit Inc., Fenwick Equestrian, Oak Manor Saddlery, The Mark Lexton Collection, The Barn Book, Reflections Farm, Gamboa Veterinary Services, and JRS Construction. Equus Events thanks these gracious sponsors for their generous support.
Friday featured the annual Hunt Night which had previously taken place during the Aiken Fall Festival in September and has now found a new home in October at the Aiken Harvest Classic with cooler temperatures and a more flexible horse show schedule. Cathy Chambers and her Yak took top honors in the Field Hunter division while the Hunt Team class was won by Arnie Bloom, Sally Kay, and Ann Lawhorne. Fenwick Equestrian High Performance Equestrian Products sponsored the Aiken Harvest Classic Hunt Night. All participants took home fabulous custom Bamboo Coolers.
Saturday afternoon featured fun activities for the entire family including pumpkin decorating and a costume contest while the evening included the $1,000 Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance Children’s Adult Hunter Derby. The course designed by JP Godard featured many natural obstacles and a long flowing course with multiple options. The top call of the night went to Fit To Print Farm’s Headliner and Leigh Cofer who took home the blue ribbon, Centaur Turbo Dry Cooler and custom derby champion jacket. Cindy Prestage and her Westside took home second place and Toulouse and owner rider Shannon Dienst Fletcher rounded out the top three placings. Spectators were treated to an exhibitor’s party under the Harvest Classic Tent during the class sponsored by Gagne International. Complete Results are as followed:
1) Headliner, Fit To Print Farm, Leigh Cofer
2) Westside, Cindy Prestage
3 )Toulouse, Shannon Dienst Fletcher
4) III Wishes, Elizabeth McKim
5) Timber Point, Jeanne Smith, Emily Staib
6) Wilma, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
7) All The Right Moves, East Coast Sport Horses, Alanna Geoffroy
8) Worthy, Kristen Hair
9)Seaside Bay, Andie Paszkiewicz
10) Si Como No, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
11) Benedetto, Noelle Johnson
12) Montreux, Mary Marshall
The stage turned to the pony hunter ring on Sunday morning where the $1,000 Reflections Farm Pony Hunter Derby took place. Zoe Phillips and her Orchard Hill’s Fine By Me had a impressive week taking home the Small/Medium Pony Championship and the win in the Pony Hunter Derby. Complete results are as followed:
1) Orchard Hill’s Fine By Me, Zoe Phillips
2) Pussycat Doll, Isabella Di Benedetto
3) Cloudy With A Chance, Kayla Jacobs
4) Woodlands Gardenia, Traci Combs, Taylor Combs
5) Eddie Bauer, Alexandra Henson, Alley Milam
6) Hillcrest Smokey Joe, Lochmoor Stables, Lance Marquette
7) Kachina Doll, Isabelle Song
8) Wish List, Lance Marquette
9) Woodlands Troubador, Briar Field Farm, LLC, Helen Ulrich
The weekend capped off with a 2 PM start for the $5,000 Aiken Jumper Derby sponsored by JRS Construction. The crowd enjoyed mimosas under the Harvest Classic tent as 13 riders contested over the JP Godard designed course in the Dietrich Derby Field. Mike Rubin’s Eli with Angel Karolyi aboard proved to be the best taking the top spot with a 36.582 in the jump off just edging out Emanuel Andrade and Hollow Creek Farm’s Black Pearl who stopped the clock at 36.858. JF Gagne and The Bus would take home the third place honors with a time of 38.745. Complete results are as followed:
1) Eli, Michael Rubin, Angel Karolyi
2) Black Pearl, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
3) The Bus, JF Gagne
4) Carboni, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
5) Ohio Du Thot, Hollow Creek Farm, Emily Williams
6) Rumours, Shannon McGrath
7) La Fe Forli, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
8) Mississippi LS, Hollow Creek Farm, Emanuel Andrade
9) Colline Z, Booth Parker
10) Ancho Du Pomme, Shannon McGrath
For more information and complete results of the Aiken Harvest Classic Horse Show please log on to www.equusevents.com or call 803-643-5698. Equus Event’s 2013 horse show schedule and sponsorship information will be available online soon. For more information pleae email info@equusevents.com.
