The Classic Company began show management in 1989 with the Tryon Fall Horse Show in Tryon, NC.

Mother Nature staged the first event:  Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 hurricane, rolled through the show grounds about 7:00 am. The newly-minted show manager made his first management decision:  Bob Bell told everyone, "Go back to the hotel, have breakfast and we'll start at noon!"

At noon the sun came out and the show started... with the 39 horses that were left.

Tryon retired the date and the Camden Fall Classic started, a small show held in Camden, SC, with about 125 horses. The show was a combined effort of Mrs. Carol Kent and Bob Bell.

Frustrated with poor attendance and show management in the "Georgialina" tri-state area, Bob created the Charleston Summer Classic. The show was a tremendous success from the first year. Management expected 150-200 entries and received 450!

The following year maxed out the facility with 750. The show ran for seven years in Charleston before moving to the Biltmore Estate.

In the mean time, Charleston's success brought other events needing Bob's and Classic Company's management expertise -- including the addition of six Atlanta shows. Later Jacksonville and Gulfport were added to the schedule. And here we are today!

The Classic Company tours the country with shows at the Georgia International Horse Park, the 1996 Olympic equestrian venue in Conyers, GA; the magnificent home of George Vanderbilt, the Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, NC, plus a winter and spring circuit of shows in Gulfport, MS, and Charleston, SC.

Each winter the Classic Company manages an international competition in Jacksonville, FL. At the end of the show season, the Classic Company manages the most prestigious National Horse Shows, in both New York City (the Metropolitan) and Las Vegas (Indoor Championships).