hunter/jumper
Gulf Coast Classic continued from page 108 Bridlebourne’s Winchester. Previously, Genn had been forced to settle for a number of second place ribbons, but he finally earned his blue during week four. “The whole circuit was fantastic,” Genn commented about the event. “The people are awesome—from the exhibitors to the sponsors, to the show management. The field is great and our horses did well. We’ll definitely be back next year.” The circuit was certainly a special one for so many this year. The USHJA Horse of the Year, Gramercy Park, owned by Lynn Smith and ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charles Town, WV, made the Gulf Coast hunter rings his home over five weeks of competition. “One of the things I love about Gulfport is that you can bring a horse here and by the time you go home, you know what you’ve got and you know what they can do and you’re ready for the year,” Brennan said. Also successful at the Gulf Coast Classic was Alexandra Efrid. Riding It’s Rooney, she earned the Circuit Championship for winning the Large Junior Hunter 16-17
Alexandra Efrid earned the the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division and Junior Equitation Circuit Championships.
division. Then, in the equitation ring, she earned the Circuit Championship after winning Junior Equitation. For the first time in its 15-year history, the Sportsmanship Award was presented to local resident, Ann Stewart, for her pro-Gulf Coast Classic Company efforts. “Ann became a friend of the horse show in its first year in 1999 and has since worked tirelessly to promote and improve the show and its home at the Harrison County Fairgrounds and
Equestrian Center,” said Janet McCarroll, Gulf Coast Classic Show Coordinator. When presenting Ann with the beautiful needlepoint pillow and Sportsmanship Trophy, McCarroll said, “Ann has gone from being a cheerleader at Long Beach High School years ago to being the Gulf Coast Winter Classic’s best cheerleader and most supportive friend.” For more information and results from the Gulf Coast Classic, visit classiccompany.com.
PHOTO: FLASHPOINT PHOTOGRAPHY
June 2013
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