Friday, February 24 2017 / Published in General

MATT CYPHERT SCORES A TRIFECTA IN THE $8,000 HORSEFLIGHT OPEN WELCOME!

Matt Cyphert pilots Lochnivar to the win in the $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome
Photo: Alison Hartwell Photography

For Immediate Release: February 21, 2017

Gulfport, Mississippi

Matt Cyphert of North Lake, Texas, arrived at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit Week II and kicked it off with a trifecta win in Friday’s $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and brought home the first, second and third place ribbons!

As the first to turn in double clear rounds on his own Lochinvar, with times of 70.036 seconds and 37.313 seconds, respectively, Cyphert set the new time to beat besting the 47 second round time allowed.

Only two other horse and rider teams advanced to the second round besides Cyphert and included last week’s $25,000 Domino’s Grand Prix winner Lincoln Case’s Canebrake ridden by Whitney Boyce-Petrey of New Orleans, Louisiana and Helen Gilbert’s Al Pacini, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

Canebrake and Boyce-Petrey followed Cyphert and Lochinvar with double clear rounds, but their second round time of 44.150 finished them in fourth place overall.

Cyphert followed Boyce-Petrey and Canebrake with Hannah Donald’s Hector with the next set of double clear rounds. Their second round time of 43.054 seconds rewarded them with a third place finish.

Hicks and Al Pacini were the next horse and rider team to turn in a clear first round and although their second round time was the fastest in 35.973 seconds, four jump faults had them finish in fifth place.

Cyphert and Suzanne Suttles’ Better Judgement sat in the last to go position. Going clean in their first round, the pair’s fault free second round time in 39.347 seconds would have them finish in second place overall.

Gulf Coast Classic Company President Bob Bell greets Matt Cyphert and Lochnivar in the winner’s circle
Photo: Alison Hartwell Photography

Hicks returned for both sixth and seventh place ribbons in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and C’Havinia after turning in four fault first rounds in times of 70.113 seconds and 70.181 seconds, respectively.

Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu earned an eighth place ribbon after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 71.089 seconds.

For complete results, go to horseshowsonline.com.

Don’t miss a moment of the action! If you can’t be at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, you can keep up with the excitement because Shownet will be streaming and broadcasting the Sunday Grand Prix and the Week V $25,777 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Devoucoux!

Horseflight is the Official Equine Air Transportation Company of the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies and sponsor of all 2017 Open Jumper Welcome Classics. As a leader in international horse transport with locations in Greifswald, Germany, Califon, New Jersey, Ocala, Florida and Houston, Texas, with branches in Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California, Horseflight coordinates imports or exports anywhere in the world! With weekly flights to and from Europe, as well as the continental United States, Horseflight prides itself on transporting the competitive horse world, one flight at a time!

The Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies’ philosophy is to offer an event for every level of rider and horse. From lead line to Olympic level grand prix competition, from seasoned veteran horse and rider team to a first time horse show experience, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies offer competition that provides the competitor substantial prize money, award-winning facilities and courses, quality competition and the best customer service in the industry.

Service is what sets the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company apart from other horse show companies. Consistently awarded the USHJA‘s Member Choice Award for providing excellent customer-friendly competitions, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies provide champion service from in-gates to show office at all its venues. Top competition with an emphasis on southern hospitality is their hallmark and the reason thousands prefer to compete at Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company produced events each year.

All sponsorship and media inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel.

All show program advertising inquiries should be directed to Drew Coster.

VIP IS OPEN!

Don’t miss the opportunity for the best seats during Sundays’ Grand Prix every week at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit Photo: Lisa Engel

The VIP is open for service on Sundays during the Grand Prix and for only $35.00, you can purchase a ticket to the best seats in the house! Wine, champagne and soft drinks with light snacks will accompany your outstanding ringside views. There are limited seats, so email grace today and reserve.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Gulf Coast Classic Company President Bob Bell and Show Coordinator, Janet McCarroll
Photo: Alison Hartwell Photography

Service is what sets the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company apart from other horse show companies. Consistently awarded the USHJA’s Member Choice Award for providing excellent customer-friendly competitions, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies provide champion service from in-gates to show office at all its venues. Top competition with an emphasis on southern hospitality is their hallmark and the reason thousands prefer to compete at Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company produced events each year.

All sponsorship and media inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel.

All show program advertising inquiries should be directed to Drew Coster.

Exhibitor Information

2017 Gulf Coast Prize List

Grand Prix each week
USHJA International Hunter Derby II&V
USHJA National Hunter Derby Classes
Hunter and Jumper Classics

Schedule – Week 1

Schedule – Week 2

Schedule – Week 3

Schedule – Week 4

Schedule – Week 5

Schedule – Week 6

Entry Forms

Camper Reservation

Lodging Information

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

875 Beach Boulevard

Biloxi, MS 39530

888-464-2556

Luxury is what it’s all about! Beau Rivage is a 32 story, 1740 room AAA Four Diamond resort. With two gourmet restaurants, BR Prime and Jia, new Casino lounge, Tom Fazio designed Fallen Oak golf course, 85,000 square foot casino, spa, salon and lots of shopping, this is the ultimate destination on the Gulf Coast. Visit the website for a complete tour of the resort.

Click here to reserve

Best Western Plus Seaway Inn

9475 US 49

Gulfport, MS 39503

228-864-0050

The Best Western Plus Seaway Inn is offering a special Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show Rate of $59 per night.
Just off Highway 49, this airy hotel is a short distance from the Equestrian Center.
Featuring free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, the contemporary rooms offer desks, coffeemakers, minifridges and microwaves. Suites have in-room whirpool tubs and/or sitting areas. Exterior corridors leading to the rooms surround a courtyard. Amenities include free hot breakfast & parking, an airport shuttle, a pool in a courtyard, and a cocktail lounge. There’s also a business center and a fitness facilities.
Pet Friendly.

Call for the horse show rate

Clarion

9445 US 49
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-868-3300

Horse Show Rate of $64 per night.
Off Interstate 10, this casual hotel is short distance from the Equestrian Center.

The traditional-style rooms feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges, microwaves and coffeemakers; some have seating areas with pull-out sofas and/or in-room whirlpool tubs. Freebies include hot buffet breakfast, an airport shuttle and parking. There’s also an outdoor pool, a fitness center and a furnished terrace, in addition to a business center and meeting space. Pet Friendly.

Call 228-868-3300 and ask for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show Rate.

Click here to visit hotel website

Hilton Garden Inn Airport

14100 Airport Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-863-4996

The Hilton Garden Inn Gulfport Airport is conveniently located in close proximity to all the Gulf Coast offers! Spacious rooms, onsite dining and bar, relaxing pool, fitness room, well-equipped office center, and complimentary airport shuttle are just some of the amenities the Hilton Garden Inn offers its guests. Friendly and courteous staff and well appointed and immaculate rooms will greet you upon your return from a busy day of competing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics!

Click here to visit hotel website

Holiday Inn Gulfport-Airport

9515 US 49
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-679-1700

The award winning Holiday Inn Hotel Gulfport – Airport is offering a special Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show Rate of $89 per night.
You can enjoy a relaxing stay at our Gulfport accommodations, ideally located off I-10 and Highway 49, just a short distance from the Equestrian Center. Also, be sure to enjoy the complimentary airport shuttle provided by our hotel to the nearby Gulfport Airport. While lodging in Gulfport, take advantage of our heated, indoor pool, hot tub, 24-hour fitness center and on-site restaurant, which offers a casual dining atmosphere where kids can eat for free.

Book Online or Call 228-679-1700 and ask for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show Rate.

Click here to visit hotel website

Comfort Inn & Suites Crystal Inn Sportsplex9379 Canal Rd
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-822-9600Comfort Inn – Closest hotel to the Horse Show Grounds is offering a special Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show rate of $59 per night or if you stay for a week or longer, the rate will be $54 per night. Pet Friendly.Call 228-822-9600 and ask for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show Rate.Click here for reservations

The Residence Inn

14100 Airport Road

Gulfport, Mississippi 39503

228-867-1722

Located right next to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Residence Inn Gulfport-Biloxi Airport is an all-suite hotel. If you’re looking for an extended-stay hotel on the Mississippi Coast, you’ll find convenience and great amenities. Enjoy a spacious studio, one or two-bedroom suites offering separate living, eating and sleeping areas, complimentary high-speed Internet, full kitchens and luxurious bedding. Enjoy complimentary hot buffet breakfast daily, The Mix social hour three nights a week, grocery shopping service, fitness center, complimentary airport shuttle, and seasonal outdoor pool.

The Residence Inn is pet-friendly!

Click here to visit hotel website

ABOUT THE CLASSIC AND GULF COAST CLASSIC COMPANIES

The Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies‘ philosophy is to offer an event for every level of rider and horse. From Lead Line to Olympic level Grand Prix competition, from seasoned veteran horse and rider team to a first time horse show experience, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies offer competition that provides the competitor substantial prize money, award-winning facilities and courses, quality competition and the best customer service in the industry.