Germantown, Tenn. - June 2-6 at the Germantown Charity Horse Show the jumpers will be out in full force to win big bucks.  Every night of the week starting at 5:00 PM there will be fierce competition for money culminating in the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday.  The pros will be here to jump as high and fast as necessary to take home the prize money so generously donated by our sponsors.

On Tuesday the week starts with the $5000.00 Hunter/Jumper Versatility Challenge.  There are two rounds to this competition; the hunter-style round where the horses jump 3’3” to 3’6” and the jumper speed round looking for fastest clear round.  The top 12 jumpers from round one come back for round two. Overall winner is the highest point total from both rounds.  Last year’s winner was Dar Taniem ridden by Andy Kocher.

Aside from prize money, the winner receives the Keepsake Perpetual Trophy donated by Peggy Jones and Barney Mallace in honor of a 1990 Dutch warmblood named Keepsake who was noted for her versatility in winning both in the hunter ring and the jumper ring.  She was always game and willing to do whatever was asked including trail riding.

Wednesday is the $15,000 Welcome Stake Open Jumpers.  This competition was won last year by Cluny, ridden by Christian Heineking.

Thursday night is the $4000.00 Gambler’s Choice sponsored by the Harold Walker Family.  The jumps are numbered according to a point value from 10 to 200.  In the time allotted the jumps may be jumped in any order and as many times as possible to accrue points.  At the end the rider may choose to jump the JOKER for 200 points.  If the jump is missed the rider loses 200 points. Quaprice De Beaumont, ridden by Andy Kocher was the 2014 winner.

As a competitor Gambler’s Choice was a favorite class of the late Harold Walker.  He competed regularly in the 60’s and later as President of the Germantown Charity Horse Show.  He revived the class and it once again has become a crowd pleaser and competitor favorite.

Friday in the main arena, the $2500.00 Pony Hunter Classic and the $5000.00 Germantown Hunter Classic draw crowds of spectators.

Be sure to come early on Saturday to park and find a seat for the $25,000. Grand Prix of Germantown sponsored for the third year by Conway Services.  This year the commentator for the Grand Prix is Germantown’s own Melanie Smith Taylor, Olympic gold medalist, and TV commentator.  Melanie has also written a book “Riding with Life: Lessons from the Horse.”

The Grand Prix is an exciting array of 12-15 jumps that must be navigated with finesse and speed.  The turns are tight and the jumps are high.  After the first round, in the event of a tie for first place only, there will be a jump-off in which time will decide.  There is almost always a jump-off and tensions climb as the timer ticks off seconds between jumpers.  Last year’s winner was Cluny shown by Christian Heineking.

This year a perpetual trophy is awarded by Michael Tokaruk to the Grand Prix winner.  Winners names from as far back as 2005 will be on the trophy. Michael is a long time supporter of the Germantown Charity and has won the Grand Prix several times himself.

So if jumping is your favorite thing at GCHS, plan to come early, get a ring side seat and cheer for your favorite rider and horse all five days JUNE 2-6.

Go to www.gchs.org for more information and keep up with GCHS on Facebook for the latest.