Green Cove Springs, FL –Saturday’s Marco Family Foundation Grand Prix proved to be full of nail biting excitement as Wilhelm Genn and Chantal posted the faster of only two clean jump off rides to clinch the win. 

The featured event was preceded by a gala dinner provided by Cedar River Seafood restaurant. All proceeds for the evening will go to benefit H.O.R.S.E. Therapies, Inc. a nonprofit therapeutic equine program to aid people with special needs as well as military personnel through the Horses for Heroes and Wounded Warriors programs.

Taking on a field that included the likes of Aaron Vale, Hugh Graham, Tony Font, and Mary Lisa Leffler to name but a few, Genn knew he’d have his work cut out this evening. Add to this an intense Meter 1.50 course by California’s Buddy Brown and you have the makings of a thrill ride even Disney can’t compete against. Round one’s layout quickly became a case of looks being deceiving despite the first three horses going clean nearly 3 seconds below the allotted 85. “When I walked the course I thought it wasn’t too big as much as scopey, but it had to be a careful ride.” Genn said. And it was scopey but with one particularly challenging obstacle, the green plank vertical [#11 fence] heading into the corner…the somewhat dark corner facing into the VIP tent. “That was my main concern, try to be smooth as I can and allow him [Chantal] to focus on the jump.” Genn offered up an analysis of the “green bogeyman jump”. 

Ocala, FL based Aaron Vale and the Kristin Beyer owned Peasus were first on course and first to score a clean run in 81.560. Following his lead Genn, of Lebanon, OH, brought the 11 year-old Holsteiner Chantal through the timers clean in 82.431 to assure a jump off round. “Just hold him back a little –slow him and get him to focus on it!” Genn joked of his strategy to the bogeyman jump.  Michelle Spadone of Califon, NJ made sure the Redfield Farm entry Coco joined the jump off party with a clean 82.398. Soon after Samantha Schaefer, winner of Friday evening’s $10,000 Jerry Parks Insurance Group Hunter Classic added her name to the jump off list with Sugar Ray posting a clear 84.690. The last name for a while would be Blue Gate Farm’s Life is Life ridden by Wisconsin resident Denise Wilson in 84.412. Just when it seemed 5 would be the magic number- Theo Genn with Loredo, owned by Micaela Kennedy, came in clear with 84.992 on the clock. Vale would add another mount to the group bringing the ABC 4 Horses’ Platinum clean in 83.729, as would Wilhelm with the fiery Happy Z in 83.237, and Wilson’s For Elenor would be the final clear with a time of 81.625.

The fate of nine would be determined by the green bogeyman fence once again as it was no surprise to see it included in the abbreviated 7 obstacle- 8 effort dash for cash round. The time allowance was set at 48 seconds and the arena drew a deep breath as the tone sounded for first man out Aaron Vale with Peasus. 47.899 seconds later the bogeyman had its first victim. Next up the Laura Ryan-Barnaclo owned Chantal with Genn, “When Aaron Vale has two in it you have to risk it a little bit, either leave it up or not! I did try to be more conservative with Chantal. He’s not that good off a right turn so I gave him an extra stride.” And Chantal gave Genn a clear ride in 42.294. The next five horses weren’t so lucky as most were defeated by the bogeyman. Including Genn’s fabulous chestnut wonder horse Happy Z, “With her I tried to leave a stride out to make up some time, but she got there a little too quick and was already thinking about what was after that.” Genn likened the ride to his pool game, “When I’m thinking about the next shot I miss the one I’m on! I have to remember one at a time.”  Only one other duo would survive the green monster, week one’s victor Denise Wilson with second mount For Elenor finished clean in 46.590. “Afterwards she joked with Genn, whom she trains with on the road, saying “So we’re taking turns in winning? That means I get to win next week right? I was holding back tonight!”  Tune in next week to see who wins this friendly competition.

Official results for Marco Family Foundation Grand Prix were:

1st Wilhelm Genn & Chantal for owner Laura Ryan-Barnaclo in 42.294

2nd Denise Wilson & For Elenor for owner Blue Gate Farm, LLC in 46.590

3rd Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z for owner Wilhelm & Patty Genn with 4 faults in 43.048

4th Samantha Schaefer & Sugar Ray for owner Samantha Schaefer with 4 faults in 43.981

5th Aaron Vale & Platinum for owner ABC 4 Horses with 4 faults in 44.100

The Jacksonville Winter Series continues through February 7th  with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8AM until about 5PM except for special events on Saturday evenings at 7PM. Admission to the shows is free – parking at special weekend events is a $5 donation, which goes to support local charities. 

For more information or results on the 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 904-284-1579.