Holly Shepherd  [Photo credit: Alison Hartwell Photography]

For Immediate Release:  March 25, 2017

Gulfport, Mississippi

The 2017 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit wrapped up Sunday to sunny skies and happy faces after six weeks of wonderful weather and Premier Hunter competition on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Top riders in the country, including Matt Cyphert, Andy Kocher and Tom Brennan offered rave reviews about the show, the world class Grand Prix field and the $5 Sidelines Green Hunter Divisions.

Cyphert commented, "We're so lucky and fortunate to have world class, Olympic Course Designers here in Gulfport. Each one has their own style and to have Leopoldo Palacios and Michel Vaillancort, within a week of each other is just amazing," he said. "This venue, on the coast with these course designers, provides us with an excellent showing experience," he said.

Brennan hailed the Gulf Coast Classic management for offering the Green Hunter Divisions for $5. "This is the most important division at a horse show," Brennan commented. "The Green Hunters offer trainers the flexibility in bringing a horse along at their pace and using the trainer's discretion, rather than following specific age specs," he said. "This is integral to the development of our sport and we are thrilled that Bob [Bell] supports this initiative," said Brennan.

Kocher commented, "I've been coming to this show since I was a kid and groomed for my father. It's amazing how this show has had such a positive impact on our sport. I have students that used to just be spectators that liked to come out and watch the show on weekends. This show interested them enough in horses that they went on to take lessons, buy horses and show here," he said. "The community loves this show, the facility is great, the staff is awesome and the prize money is great. We come every year to Gulfport and always have a great time," he added.

Riders enjoyed excellent exhibitor appreciation parties at the Dominoes party, the Mardi Gras movie night as well as sponsored brunches and lunches. Sponsors got a chance to meet and network with riders and owners face to face, which fostered relationships.

Big prize money, live stream thanks to Shownet and USEF Network brought the show to equestrians around the world. Local press, television and radio coverage added to the Mississippi buzz and the community was out in full force for the Sunday Grand Prix every week.

Week VI also crowned the Circuit Champions. Congratulations to all competitors on a fantastic Gulf Coast Winter Classic! We look forward to seeing you next year!  All photo credits attributed to Alison Hartwell Photography.

Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Circuit Champion: Well Played, owned by Fox Ridge Farm and ridden by Janet Aertker

Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 3'6" Circuit Champion: Allure, owned and ridden by Gianna Cobb

Amateur Owner Hunter 36+ 3'6" Circuit Champion: Roland Park, owned by Mount Fair Equine, LLC and ridden by Dudley MacFarlane

Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 3'3" Circuit Champion: Calena, owned by Jason Schnelle and ridden by Kristen Schnelle

Confirmation Hunter Circuit Champion: Roland Park, owned by Mount Fair Equine, LLC and ridden by Megan Young

High Performance Hunter Circuit Champion: Nemesis 11, owned by Daniel Damen and ridden by Dominique Damico

Jr. Hunter Small 16-17 3'6" Circuit Champion: Balouette, owned and ridden by Kaitlyn Williams

Opportunity Circuit Champion: GPS Avicii owned and ridden by Alice Slayton

Performance Hunter Circuit Champion: Rio Bandit, owned by Susan Tice-Grossmann and ridden by Jason Berry

Pony Hunter Small Circuit Champion: Sunbeam, owned by Annabelle Brown and ridden by Lauren Reid

Short/Long Stirrup Hunter Champion: Belladonna, owned and ridden by Gabrielle Deflece

Adult Jumper 1.10 m Circuit Champion: Contendra, owned and ridden by Sawyer Evans

Children's Jumper 1.10 m Circuit Champion: Code Red, owned and ridden by Megan Cato

Child/Adult Jumper 1 m Circuit Champion: Halftime, owned and ridden by Grayson Bell

Child/Adult Jumper 1.15 m Circuit Champion: Cumlaude, owned and ridden by Abigail Bergin

Arenus Jr/AO Jumper 1.20 m Circuit Champion: Jet, owned and ridden by Lila Sessums

Open Jumper Circuit Champion: Rico S, owned and ridden by Sara Dees

Pony Jumper Circuit Champion: Fire Vanbattenbroeke, owned and ridden by Gracie Pippin

Young Jumper Circuit Champion: Cobra, owned by Seale Horses, LLC and ridden by Matt Cyphert

"Thank you to our sponsors, our competitors and their families, the owners and trainers, the grooms and everyone who made it to the Gulf Coast this winter. We hope you enjoyed your time and look forward to seeing you next year!" said Bob Bell, Gulf Coast Classic Company President.

The action continues as the Classic Company is well into Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classic. Qualifying opportunities for the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic, in memory of Ellen Veitch and presented by Ariat, JPC Equestrian, The Farmhouse and Friends will be held each week and now is the time to earn valuable points for this amazing Hunter offering. The top twenty in the standings will pay no entry fee for the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic. An additional five will be chosen by way of lottery. 

April 7 the Jacksonville Spring Classic gets underway and the first weekend is all about the Arenus Jr/Amateur Owner Jumpers! Lots of prize money up for grabs! Weeks II and III include weekly Grand Prix, Hunter Derbies, the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and qualifying classes for the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic. Reserve your stall and enter today!

The Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies' philosophy is to offer an event for every level of rider and horse.  From Lead Line to Olympic level Grand Prix competition, from seasoned veteran horse and rider team to a first time horse show experience, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies offer competition that provides the competitor substantial prize money, award-winning facilities and courses, quality competition and the best customer service in the industry. 

Service is what sets the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company apart from other horse show companies.   Consistently awarded the USHJA's Member Choice Award for providing excellent customer-friendly competitions, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies provide champion service from in-gates to show office at all its venues.  Top competition with an emphasis on southern hospitality is their hallmark and the reason thousands prefer to compete at Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company produced events each year. 

All sponsorship and media inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel.

All show program advertising inquiries should be directed to Drew Coster.