The crescendo for the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Classics’ six weeks of competition occurred Sunday with the final $15,000 National Hunter Jumper League (NHJL) Nordic Lights Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic and the announcement of this season’s Circuit Champions.

Zionsville, IN-based Allen Rheinheimer gave the jumpers their swan songs as course designer for the last week of competition in the Gulf, creating layouts that challenged the will of both rider and horse. Sunday morning’s finale junior-amateur $15,000 Jumper Classic, sponsored by Nordic Lights Farm, had only three advancing to the jump-off. The final spotlight fell upon Akron, OH’s Natalie Geller riding the Redfield Farm entry Caletto V to a flawless victory in 50.025. The reserve spot went to Eirin Bruheim with mount Eternity 18, owned by Bruheim-Sims Show Jumpers with a clean time of 50.530 and third went to owner-rider Mary Antonini aboard Saladin finishing with four faults in 45.201.

Similar to the Oscar presentations held earlier this month, the excitement and nerves reached a fever pitch as riders, owners, and trainers anxiously waited to learn if their talents and hard work would be rewarded with a Circuit Champion title. Janet McCarroll, co –chair of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, stated, “The competition has been superb this year, even the judges commented on what wonderful talent we had here.”

The 2010 Grand Circuit Hunter Champions are:
First Year Green - Wallstreet West, Owner-Allison Harding, Rider-David Wright
Second Year Green - Casino, Owner-Cheryl Rubenstein, Rider-Phoebe Sheets
Baby Green - Big Sur, Owner-Journey’s End Farm, Rider-Amanda Forte
Conformation - Purple Heart, Owner-Lynn Rice, Rider-Thomas Brennan
Pre Green 3’ - Gold Stone, Owner-Phoebe Weseley, Rider-Tony Sgarlata
Pre Green 3’3 - Figaro B, Owner-Linda Bobrick, Rider-Holly Shepherd
Regular Working - Primera, Owner-Helen Gilbert, Rider- Shannon Hicks
Adult Amateur (18-35) - Wellington, Owner/Rider-Ashley Herndon
Adult Amateur (36-49) - Overseas, Owner/Rider-Mindy Wurzburg
Adult Amateur (50 & Over) - Resort Casual, Owner-Rider-Christine Scherrer
Amateur Owner (18-35) - Unikat, Owner-Thomas LeBlanc, Rider-Katherine LeBlanc
Amateur Owner (36 & O) - Promenade, Owner-Twin Oaks, Rider-Pamela Deslauriers
Amateur Owner 3’3 - Fun One, Owner/Rider-Emily Woodall
Children 14 & Under - Levi, Owner-Aubrey Hill, Rider-Aleece Jarman
Children 15-17 - NLF Casabella, Owner/Rider-Lene Bruheim
Child-Adult 3’3 - A Streak of Luke, Owner/Rider-Caroline Collins
Children Pony - Humble, Owner-Amber Hill Farm, Rider-Emma Mandarino
Non Restricted Child Adult - NLF Casabella, Owner/Rider-Lene Bruheim
Non Restricted Children Pony - Double Mint, Owner/Rider-Austin Glang
Opportunity - Clovermeade Call Me Peaches, Owner-Rabbit Hill, Rider-Ellie Ferrigno
Pre Adult - Shiloh, Owner/Rider-Sandra Bryant
Pre Children - Picasso, Owner/Rider-Haley Farrell
Short/Long Stirrup - Professor Plum, Owner/Rider-Ava LeRaris
Small JR (15 & Under) - Marvelous, Owner/Rider-James Fisher
Small JR (16-17) - Ruby, Owner/Rider-Holly Labry
Large JR (15 & Under) - Even So, Owner/Rider-Paige Parker
Large JR (16-17) - Abercrombie, Owner/Rider-Brooke Kennedy
Sm/Med Green Pony - Champlain Serenade, Owner-Kibby Schipper, Rider-Nicole White
Large Green Pony - Champlain Sovereign, Owner-The Hill Farm, Rider-Paige Parker
Small Pony - Rico Suave, Owner-Aleece Jarman, Rider-Brittany Jarman
Medium Pony - Champlain Celebration, Owner/Rider-Nicole White
Large Pony - Cherrybrook Skye Blue, Owner-David Dowler, Rider-Paige Parker

The 2010 Grand Jumper Circuit Champions are:
Adult - CR Prada, Owner-CD Show Horses, Rider-Caroline Donnally
Children - NLF Valhall, Owner-Eirin Bruheim, Rider-Lene Bruheim
High JR AO - Merlin, Owner/Rider-Frances Land
Low JR AO - Tusker, Owner-Pinetree Ponies, Rider-Taylor Land
Low Children-Adult - Tornado Alley, Owner-Sovan Hill, Rider-Evan Maxwell
Modified Children-Adult – Five Star, Owner/Rider-Elizabeth Lindsay
Open Jumper - Cabarette Z, Owner-Tuppy Doughtery, Rider-Holly Shepherd
YJC - Chinedine PP Z, Owner-Gillian Dunleavy, Rider-Amanda Flint

2010 Best Child Rider for Gulf Coast Winter Circuit: Aleece Jarman

Co-Chair of the Gulf Coast Classics, Bob Bell, summed up the series, “We had a wonderful winter here in the Gulf. Exhibitors had great weather, lots of food at the parties, tough competition in the rings, and great fun outside the rings. What more can we ask for? My staff and I appreciate all the support from our exhibitors and look forward to seeing everyone next year! Congratulations to all this year’s champions! I wish all our exhibitors a great 2010 season.”

For more information or complete results on the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter Classics, please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at (843) 768-5503.