In addition to a new premiere location in Hampton Falls, NH, the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic welcomes a new course designer, Linda Allen of Salinas, CA. Allen will design the grand prix ring, which will feature the $75,000 Fidelity Investments AGA Grand Prix, the $10,000 Welcome Stake, the $10,000 Speed Stake and $15,000 Mohegan Sun Derby, just to name a few of the classes. There will be a total of over 20 classes held in the grand prix ring.

Allen has more than 30 years of experience in the show jumping world, from competing in the 1970s to designing the 1996 show jumping course in the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA, and the 1992 World Cup Finals in Del Mar, CA. She won the Walter Cox Trophy and American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) Course Designer of the Year award four times. Allen is one of only 10 individuals originally accredited in 1993 by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) as an FEI Official International Course Designer. She is an FEI International Judge, show jumping clinician, and has designed courses worldwide as well as throughout the U.S. U.S. show jumpers are familiar with her professionalism and designs that challenge the horse and rider while maintaining a safe environment for the athletes.

For the past nine years, the Jumper Classic has enlisted the course design services of Richard Jeffery of the United Kingdom, who worked with Allen on the 1996 Olympics.

"I am truly looking forward to doing the Jumper Classic as, from all that I have heard from both Richard and many riders, this event is one of the few unique and special events on the calendar in the U.S.," said Allen. "It will be a challenge to follow Richard Jeffery as course designer, but I believe that our shared philosophy—to always present courses that are challenging yet fair to each and every competitor taking part, as well as providing a beautiful and exciting spectacle to spectators—will help maintain a continuity for the Jumper Classic, keeping it an event that competitors look forward to returning to year after year."

Jumper Classic Show Manager, Margaret Lynch, who has been part of the exciting growth of this show over the past 19 years, said, "We are fortunate to have been able to secure Linda Allen to carry on the expert course designing at the Jumper Classic. Linda comes to us with top credentials. We are very excited about having not only a new venue but a new course designer to work with and the first ever American Grand Prix Association (AGA) competition at this great new location."

The Silver Oak Equestrian Center in Hampton Falls, NH, features a grass grand prix ring, an all weather grand prix ring, as well as four warm-up rings. All-weather footing and a grass stadium are key features of this new venue, which will retain the European flair that the Jumper Classic has become known for among its top-notch athletes and devoted spectators. It is the only AGA-sanctioned show jumping event in New England.

"The organizing committee has an avid interest and an attention to detail that brings it far above the 'cookie cutter' events that are the norm today," Allen said, adding that she strives to design a course that has an appeal for spectators as well, "be they afficianados of the sport or first timers."

For more information, please visit www.jumperclassic.com or call (978) 283-7708.