Aaron Vale riding Pandur for owners Town Creek Investments © Flashpoint Photography

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL (February 4, 2006) — Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, riding Pandur, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding for owners Town Creek Investments, won the Jacksonville Winter Finale $25,000 Grand Prix presented by Ring Power.

After a gloomy start to the day, clouds began to part, spilling peaks of golden sunrays onto the layout as designer Pierre Jolicoeur prepared the grand finale course this afternoon. A mix of seasoned pros and junior amateurs comprised the 28 starters going for the ultimate prize, to be number one this evening. While Thursday’s Welcome may have been just that, tonight’s 13-obstacle layout was all business. “It’s a nice easy going tract” Jolicoeur commented with a wink. “There’s a tough vertical gate but I’m expecting 8-10 to go clean.” The first round featured lots of twists and turns along with two sets of combinations, one of which became troublesome for several riders. Jolicoeur had fence 7 set as a triple-a vertical in and out to an oxer, in and out to another vertical; it was the a-b section that seemed to be the sticky spot to some. The “vertical gate” mentioned by the designer was indeed the other bothersome point on course. Fence 9 was a narrow all white high vertical facing into the bleachers. If the horse’s focus wasn’t dead on, it was easy to miscalculate that top rail. The time allowance of 93 seconds didn’t prove to be a problem. From the original field, an even dozen went clear and returned for round two. “They jumped well. I’m happy with it,” Jolicoeur said between rounds.

The 7 jumps for round two included a hard left turn off the starting fence, one combination, and a lot of speed. Vale’s first round time with Pandur of 85.911 fell about average with most of the starting field, but their lightening fast jump off time of 37.134 gave them the top spot. “He’s cool,” Vale commented of his mount. Asked about the course, “very nice” he said.

Hot on the winner’s trail was second place winner owner-rider Daniel Damen of Hebron, MD, riding Jewel Thief, a 14-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. They brought the crowd to their feet with a blazing second round time of 37.991. “A very good course, very fair for this level,” Damen said of tonight’s layouts. As to what was the hot spot, “Middle of the course – the triple bar then to the triple combination, obviously it wasn’t set on such a difficult distance. It was just the way the jumps themselves were set, made it airy underneath.”

Rio Corde, the 9-year old Hessian gelding with Bill Lowry for owners Winsor Farm Sales, Inc., finished third with a time of 40.947.

Newcomer Gautama Tschannerl riding Black Forest Commodoro, a 10-year old Holsteiner gelding for owner Karl Giebmanns, was awarded fourth place with a jump off time of 41.7333. “Absolutely fantastic! Very rideable!” G as he likes to be known said of the first round. Having spent the past 8 years living in Ireland while competing throughout Europe, this was a first appearance at the Jacksonville Winter Series for rider and horse. Asked for his impression of the first round layout G responded, “Not too technical but still could be easy to make mistakes. For myself, the concern was going from fence 6, the triple bar to fence 7abc the triple combo. The jump off was straight forward enough, but again still easy to make mistakes if you concentrated on just speed.” He said in regards to Commodoro’s abilities and the second round, “He’s got enough scope to get over it. It’s just a matter of getting the right distance and being straight. The course was open and wide. I loved it.” St. Augustine, Florida’s newest resident made quite the impression and plans to return next year.

Rounding off the fifth position tonight was owner-rider Wilhelm Genn aboard the 9-year old Holsteiner gelding Ariado with a time of 42.952.

The luckiest person tonight has to be Lou Ritter, former Mayor of Jacksonville, as his name was drawn as winner of the 2006 Pontiac Torrant SUV, generously contributed by the Coggin Automotive Group of Orange Park, FL, and valued at over $25,000. General Manager of Coggins, Wayne Watkins, was joined by Marine Corps Sergeant Linda Haymond-Bock; Sue Rindal, Marketing Director for the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, and Tony Weight, President of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, for the drawing that took place prior to the start of round two. Approximately $15,000 in proceeds are being donated to the Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation.

The Jacksonville Winter Series concludes tomorrow with classes beginning at 8:00AM until 4:00PM, and the Sunshine Circuit continues with three weeks of USEF AA rated competitions in Pensacola, FL, at the Escambia Equestrian Center. This portion of the circuit will be dedicated to the communities of the Gulf Coast so devastated by Hurricane Katrina, with special guests from Gulfport and fund raising events to further aid those in need.

For more information or results on the 2006 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.ClassicCompany.com or call the show office at (904) 284-9492.