Equus Events Atlanta Summerfest I Wrap Up

August, 21st – 2012 – The second annual Atlanta Summerfest I came to a close on Sunday. The show is the first of a two week series hosted by Equus Events that takes place at the Chattahoochee Hills Equestrian Center in Fairburn, GA. “It is one of our favorite venues”, quoted show organizer JP Godard. The footing and stabling is exceptional and the facility itself is one of the most scenic around “.

Kelci Krenshaw and Camera Ready (Photo by Holly Ridge Photography)

One of the week’s highly anticipated events was the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby which took place Friday evening in the main hunter ring which was opened up to include the schooling area allowing riders to gallop along the open and flowing course designed by JP Godard. Exhibitors and spectators were also treated to a “Derby Pizza Party” sponsored by Gagne International and JF Gagne along with Carsten Peters in the hospitality area. A strong field of 24 horse/rider teams competed in classic round with the top 12 graduating on to the second handy round which featured a more technical track with several inside options. New Vintage Farm and trainer Julie Curtain of Woodstock, GA had a banner evening with several rides and students. She took home top honors for the second year in a row on Donna Basinger’s Miramax. The pair garnered the top scores of the evening from judges Joey Darby and William Sparks bringing in a two round total score of 170. Along with the blue, they also took home a fabulous Centaur Turbo Dry Dress Sheet from English Riding Supply. Curtain also took home the second place ribbon with Davis Equine, LLC’s Blackmail and the sixth place with Viaggio owned by Pembroke Pointe, LLC while New Vintage Farm student Morgan Connely and her Hanover On The Rocks came home with an impressive tenth place finish. Earlier in the day New Vintage also picked up a couple of tri-colors in the performance 3’6″ hunters with Blackmail bringing home the championship and Hanover On The Rocks taking the reserve championship with Curtain up for both rides. Complete derby results are as follows:

Julie Curtain and Miramax (Photo by Holly Ridge Photography)

Saturday night featured the $10,000 Atlanta Summerfest Jumper Classic along with exhibitor’s party sponsored by the 2012 Atlanta Summerfest hospitality sponsors which includes: Brad Spragg and The Atlanta Hunt Club, Christina Jason and Cn’C Stables, Elizabeth Warmington and Brooksgate Stable, Inc., The Friedman Family, JF Gagne and Carsten Peters/Gagne International, Julie Curtain and New Vintage Farm, Lauren Marcinkoski and Swamp Fox Farm, Matt Martin and Raffi Kechejian/Windy Oaks Farm, Sunny Stevens and Stevehaven Stables, and the Tack Room of Camden, SC. Kelci Crenshaw and Fit To Print Farm’s Camera Ready captured the win with the fastest and only fault free jump off finishing up with a time of 35.212. The pair also took home a Centaur Turbo Dry Dress Sheet and a $50 gift certificate from Free Rein Designs. Junior rider Alexa Bogio and her Straight Guy finished strong bringing home second place honors with just 4 faults and a time of 37.053. Complete derby results are as follows: