Organizers of the Queen City Classic announced several big changes for the new season, beginning with the event’s move to the South Carolina Equine Park in the horse friendly town of Camden.
The Queen City Classic will present the Camden Spring Fling April 7-11 at the newly renovated horse park. The grounds include two 250 x 150 outdoor arenas with new all-weather footing, one covered ring with a sand-clay mix footing and expanded schooling rings that measure 250 x 300, plus another schooling area to be completed prior to the spring event. Show manager Lewis Pack shared there will be on going improvements to the grounds and stables, which currently offers 290 permanent stalls—all upgraded to rubber matted flooring in preparation of the town’s first USEF AA-rated event. The facilities manager, Larry Westfall, was quoted to say, “We are delighted to have the Queen City Classic bring such an event to Camden. This is great for our area.”
The AA-list of judges attending the Camden Spring Fling’s inaugural event will include Scott Hoffstetter, Rob Bielfield, Diann Langer, Mike Lowry, and Steve Sarafin. “Showcasing the hunters is very important to us. We were quite successful at illustrating that point in years past and wish to continue building the recognition given to them so we’re bringing in some of the industry’s best judges,” Queen City Chairman Robert Hunt said. To further spotlight the talent of the hunters the Spring Fling will play host to a $10,000 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby, sponsored by The Tack Room of Camden, SC, on Saturday evening April 10. Exhibitors and spectators are invited to come relax and enjoy the action at a ringside Derby Dinner.
And show jumpers are not to be forgotten. Come Sunday afternoon, April 11, the best of the best will vie for the big paycheck in the $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Queen City Classic. A special luncheon will be served in the exhibitors’ tent as the thrills of show jumping unfold.
“Our goal is to continue building on the successes of previous years for a bigger and better Queen City Classic at our new home in Camden.” Technical Coordinator Stephen Carroll said. Additional class offerings are being finalized now and prize lists will be both online and in the mail within a couple of weeks. From local trainers to equestrian enthusiast across the country the Camden Spring Fling will have something to please all. Additional news will be forthcoming in the months leading up to the event to ensure exhibitors and trainers time to plan their trip to Camden.
Reservation forms and updated mailing information can be found online at www.queencityclassic.com. Sponsorship opportunities and VIP tables in the ringside Sponsor tent are still available. For more details, please contact Leslie Kirk at [email protected]. Stall reservations can be made with Lewis Pack at [email protected] or call (828) 894-2721.