On Sunday, February 12, many of the top national equestrians tested their skills in the Bayer-Legend $25,000 Grand Prix Sponsored by Gulf Coast Winter Series. The competition was held at the Harrison Country Fairgrounds on County Farm Road in Gulfport, MS.

The winner of the Bayer-Legend $25,000 Grand Prix was I.Z’s Lifetime, owned by Bjorn and Clara Ikast of Laredo, TX with Bjorn Ikast in the irons. I.Z.’s Lifetime, an 11-year-old stallion won $7,500 with two clear rounds. Second place was CR Fantasia, owned and ridden by Paolo Tropia of Houston, and a close third was Rubens Z, owned by Courtney Jones and ridden by Holly Shepherd of Mobile, AL.

The sponsor of the Winter Premiere’s kick-off grand prix event was Bayer. The five-week series will host almost 1,000 competitors each week from across the country as well as several international exhibitors.

In the hunters this week, First Year Green Champion was Lionheart, ridden by Mike Rosser of Southern Pines, NC for owner Barnes Brooks. In the Second Year Green and Regular Working, the champion was Sequel, owned by Showcase, Ltd., ridden by Terry Brown of Atlanta, GA. The first Small Pony Champion of the series was All Aroan, owned by Tustin Farm and ridden by Leah Curtiss of Mobile, AL. The Large Pony Champion this week is Woodland’s Silver Creek, owned and ridden by Lindsey Davitt of Wakefield, RI.

"We're pleased to welcome these fantastic competitors to the Gulf Coast Winter Series Horse Shows," stated show chairman Bob Bell. "I hope that many spectators take advantage of this opportunity to come out and enjoy the exciting equestrian action,” he added. The series runs through March 13 and admittance to the show grounds is free. The show starts each Wednesday at 8 a.m. with classes going until about 4 p.m. each day. The prestigious grand prix events are held each Sunday at 2 p.m.

For further information on the 2005 Gulf Coast Winter Series and results, please go to www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at (228) 832-0080.~~~