The Jumper Classic, New England's premieer high-performance show-jumping event held each September since 1989, welcomes a new show manager—Bridget Fleming. Fleming steps up to the position Margaret (Peggy) Lynch held for 19 years and brings an extensive background in events management, sales management, and hunter/jumper equestrian competition to her new position. She is a resident of Hampton Falls, NH, home to the Jumper Classic at Silver Oak Equestrian Center.
"Bridget has been both an exhibitor and a vendor for several years at the Jumper Classic. She gained extensive knowledge of the scheduling and business side of the show by working closely with Peggy last year," said Melissa Lovasco, President and CEO of the Jumper Classic. "She is a gracious and very organized person, qualities that will make her an excellent show manager, and she will make the transition very smoothly."
Known to many riders as East Coast Sales Manager for CWD custom saddles and tack from 2005-2009, Fleming focused not only on overall management and customer service, but on team input from professional trainers, professional riders, and amateur riders alike. This year she will be spending her fifth season in Wellington with a new venture representing Northrop and Johnson Yacht Sales of Boston, MA. She will assume duties for the Jumper Classic throughout the year, leading up to the event to be held September 9-15, 2010. "I'm looking forward to working closely with the riders and am committed to making the Jumper Classic one of the best jumper shows in the country," she said. "I'm proud to be part of an event that prioritizes the rider and the horse."
Fleming's events management experience began in 1992, as business manager for sports marketing and promotion company Jumpin' Jack Sports, Inc. Among her duties were sponsorship sales, notably Anheuser Busch and Red Bull brands, events including the Jeep World Outside Festival, and managing the first Silver Oak Equestrian Festival in the 1990s. Fleming is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and holds a Master's in Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. She began riding as a young adult and has competed in hunter/jumper classes from Vermont to Wellington.
Past Show Manager Lynch, who has been instrumental in evolving the Jumper Classic from its origins as a two-day jumper show to a nationally recognized show-jumping competition featuring the AGA-rated $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, has launched a new events management business on Boston's North Shore. Going into the 2010 season, Lynch will continue to support the Jumper Classic through consulting with show management and assisting with obtaining sponsorships.
"We owe a great deal to Peggy for her guidance and dedication to the show, the sport, and the exhibitors over the years," said Jeff Papows, Chairman of the Jumper Classic. "We know that we will be able to go forward into our 21st year with success due to her organizational skills and the standards she has helped set in place, and look forward to bringing bright new talent to our show."
Show dates for the 2010 Jumper Classic are September 15-19. For more information about the show please visit, www.jumperclassic.com.