Flashpoint Photography (Nicholas Dello Joio and Malcolm )
“These two big events are always a great way to end our show season, but there are so many other special classes occurring during our year end finale, such as the $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial, the Silver Cup Equitation Championship, and new classes too!” Classic Company's Bob Bell shared.
Week one, November 10-14, will see some heated competition for the Zone 4 Champion titles in both the hunter and jumper divisions. Riders residing in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi or Tennessee will compete in a total of three classes, for the hunters two will be over fences and one under saddle with judges issuing a numeric score for not only the division, but with bonus points going to the Zone Finals total. For the jumpers all three classes will be over fences in their respective divisions.
Equitation riders will vie for the top spots in the Zone 4 Silver Cup Championships in the Adult Hunt Seat, Children’s Hunt Seat, Junior Hunt Seat and the Pony Hunt Seat divisions. These classes will compete over a course of not less than eight obstacles at the appropriate fence height for each division with four to return for further testing in each section to determine overall champions.
Adult and Children jumpers are invited to the grand prix arena during week one for the 9th Annual $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial Jumper Classic. Qualifying rounds will be on Saturday November 13 from which the top 40 from each division will be invited to return Sunday to compete for the big payout.
“This is a special and personal event to the horse show staff. Barry Lane was not only a great supporter of the Atlanta events, but a dear friend to many of us. She is still missed, though each year we all feel her presence here and have to smile knowing how much she must enjoy this.” Bell said.
Week two will offer even more thrills to equestrian enthusiast, starting on Friday with the qualifiers for the National Classic Equitation Finals, presented by Equestrian Travel. Open to any rider who has competed in any “NCE” equitation class during the 2010 season. Eight divisions are offered from Short Stirrup to 3’6 Adults from which the top six of each will ride in the finals on Saturday evening. Exhibitors may choose one Final section to ride in and there are no entry fees. Winners from each section will receive the highly coveted letterman jacket for themselves, as well as one for their trainer. “The jackets alone are a big draw for these classes!” laughed Bell, “Each year I walk away hearing riders and/or trainers either excited about receiving one or plotting how to win one the next year!”
While visitors will enjoy seeing the lovely fall colors popping around the grounds, make no doubt the color most sought out will be some of the green being awarded during the National Hunter Jumper Finals of 2010. The finale week of Atlanta will include two big $25,000 events- Friday, November 19 will host the first major prize money with the Welcome Classic and come Sunday the money will be pouring out of the grand prix arena, beginning with the $10,000 NHJL Junior/Amateur Owner Classic followed by the $10,000 NHJL Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic and for a crescendo the $25,000 NHJL Atlanta Fall Grand Prix. And that’s just the jumper side. Hunters and even the pony divisions will see an increase in their NHJL Classic prize monies.
“It’s basically double the amount of money we normally award in the divisions. I like to think of it as an early Holiday bonus for our riders. Plus these two weeks of shows are a great jump start to early points in the new season.” Bell said.
Reservations are still being accepted, but it is advised to book soon as stalls are filling quickly. For more information on the 2010 Atlanta Fall Classics, visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at (843) 768-5503.
ENDS