Charleston, SC—July 18, 2009—As the Charleston Summer Classics began their final week of competition at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC exhibitors weren’t thinking of packing up to leave, but rather of expanding their reservations at nearby Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island beach resorts.

Once again Mother Nature provided a perfect backdrop for not only competition in the arenas, but outside on golf courses and nearby beach volley ball courts as well. “You couldn’t have designed a more perfect week!” Bob Bell of Classic Company said. Classes kicked off early Tuesday morning with a lot of unique awards and titles on the line. The most heated being the 4th Annual Supreme Pony Kahuna competition among the wee warriors of the riding world.  The brainchild of Bell, pony riders get a taste of what the USEF Pony Finals are like, with the Pony Model and Under Saddle being judged using the same USEF numeric system.  At the end of each day the points and standings were posted at the horse show office. These points moved forward to the Classics of each pony division to aid in determining the ultimate winners. Overall scores were added up as follows: points from the Pony Model classes will count as 25%, points from the Pony Under Saddle classes another 25%. These two scores were in turn be added to the two Classic rounds, which will count as the remaining 50%, to decide the final total scores.        

A Supreme Grand Kahuna Pony was awarded in each size of each division:

2009 Small Pony Kahuna-Caroline Hargreaves riding Harmony

Medium Pony Kahuna-Nicole White riding Champlain Celebration

Large Pony Kahuna-Paige Parker riding Cherrybrook Skye Blue

Green Pony Kahuna-Sydney Johnson riding Double Whammy

All four champions will receive prizes from the sponsors: a Crystal Trophy from The Farm House Tack and a custom Essex Classic shirt -just in time for Pony Finals.

Total points gathered from the Small, Medium, and Large Grand Supreme Champion divisions determined the 2009 Most Supreme Grand Kahuna Pony Rider Champion. This year’s champion is Paige Parker of Southampton, NJ partnered with Cherrybrook Skye Blue-owned by David Dowler. Paige received an embroidered cooler commemorating the occasion, a large Crystal Trophy courtesy of The Farm House Tack and a custom Essex Classic riding shirt.

However, Paige Parker’s weekend of accolades didn’t stop there! By the end of Saturday’s competition she had amassed the following impressive awards; The Rave Trophy presented to the Grand Large Junior Hunter, The Hummel Trophy for Grand Overall Junior Champion, The James Vaugh Trophy for Grand Hunter Rider, The Keith Nichols Trophy for Grand Pony Rider and was named Best Child Rider on a Horse (3’6 height). No doubt her suitcase went home heavier!

Additional presentations Saturday included:

The Marie Reynolds Trophy-Grand Regular Hunter to Hardin Towell and Val D’Isere

The Sit Down Trophy-Grand Green Hunter to Terry Brown and Tasty

The Beverly Finkle Trophy-Grand Pre Green Hunter to Terry Brown and Lifestyle

The Seabrook Trophy-Grand Amateur Hunter to Drew Coster and Tormoline

The Sweet Surprise Trophy-Grand Small Jr Hunter to James Fisher and Marvelous

The Hillbright Farm Trophy-Grand Adult Hunter to Laurie Barna and Tribune

The Trick or Treat Trophy-Grand Children’s Hunter to Emily Weeks and Believe (14 & Under) and Jessica Reber with On Star (15-17)

Best Child Rider Horse 3’6- Paige Parker and Even so

Best Child Rider Horse 3’- Jessica Reber and On Star

Best Child Rider Pony- Bergen Sanderford and First Edition

This week was quite festive inside the Hospitality Tent, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons saw the return of Robin Stoney’s popular and delicious Pusser Pain Killers then on Friday it was a Daiquiris gathering with exhibitors-already out of the saddle for the day- enjoyed sipping on cool drinks as they watched friends compete. Folks finishing classes early in the day took advantage of spending time at the beach, golfing, or boat tours and still returned to enjoy socializing on the show grounds. Thursday evening was the night all eagerly awaited- The 18th Annual Unbridled Affair, this year held at the beautiful Seabrook Island Country Club on a terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Guest decked out in resort casual wear swayed to the tunes of a Reggae band while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeures all evening long. Hosted by Seabrook Island Development, Poplar Grove Plantation, and The Classic Company the event was another overwhelming success. “What a beautiful setting- ocean waves crashing on shore to the rhythm of the band and watching the sunset with 300 of your closest friends. It’s perfect!” a smiling Bell commented.

Bell confirmed plans are already in the works to return to Charleston next year and alluded to wonderful additions. “I want to continue building this Boutique event into something special for the hunter riders. Can’t give away the surprises just yet, but trainers and riders can anticipate big things in the future.” Bell said with a glint in his eyes. 

For complete results or more information on the Boutique events please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503.