The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is officially underway, and 2008 is expected to be a great year for the series and its competitors. The series will see classes at more than 100 horse shows across the country before culminating in year-end championships at the National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, in December.

The series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two conferences—the East Conference and the West Conference. Series standings are used to help determine junior and amateur-owner entries for the National Horse Show.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series opened at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Week 1 Suncast® Corporation Opener CSI** presented by ShowGroundsLive.com in Wellington, FL. In the amateur-owner division, Addison Phillips of New York, NY, successfully navigated the course not once, but twice, resulting in first- and second-place finishes aboard her horses Trezebees and Regina V. Finishing third was Kelly Soleau of Marlborough, CT, with her horse Master Man. In addition to her third-place finish, Soleau, who also won the Thursday $2,500 High Amateur-Owner Jumper class, was named overall champion of the high amateur-owner division. This is the second year in a row that Soleau and Master Man won the High Amateur-Owner Division Champion Award during the first week of WEF competition.

In the junior division, the top three riders all put in clean first rounds, creating the need for a jump-off. Clementine Goutal of New York, NY, put in double-clean rounds aboard her mount Rastella, owned by Halifax Farm, resulting in a first-place finish. Finishing just behind Goutal in second place was Bille De Rouet of Bromont, Quebec, with her horse Sweet Dreams. Finishing out the top three was rider Christina Kelly of Wellington, KY, with Liberty Lady.

The first event on the West Conference schedule is at the Oaks Blenheim Spring Classic I in San Juan Capistrano, CA, March 26-30.

The 2008 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is sponsored by the Lake Placid Horse Show Association, Stadium Jumping. Inc, Practical Horseman, Langer Equestrian Group, Inc., and RV Sales of Broward.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL, was established in 1987 and formally opened in 1989. It was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame also conducts the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, held under grand prix rules and specifications.

The Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

Any horse show offering a class that meets all the criteria set forth in the 2008 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series specifications and has prize money of at least $1,000 is eligible to be part of the series.

For more information about the Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net.