Wilhelm Genn and Le Argento winning Grand Prix © Flashpoint Photography

PENSACOLA, FL (February 11, 2006) — The second half of the Sunshine Circuit kicked off this week at its new location, the Escambia Equestrian Center, with three weeks of USEF AA rated shows. “National and International competitors’ continued support of the Gulf Coast Winter Series is why we are here,” Co-Chairman Bob Bell commented on this year’s relocated event. “Tradition still means something to these riders.” Even Mother Nature provided a generous welcome to exhibitors for opening week with plenty of bright sunshine and comfortable riding temperatures around 67 degrees.

Thursday afternoon saw owner-rider Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH, and partner, 8-year old Dutch Warmblood Happy Z, winning the first Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake presented by WB Equestrian. They beat out a field of 23 competitors on a challenging layout by Aiken, SC, based international course designer Michel Vaillancourt. “A few tough spots in there,” Genn commented after his winning jump off time of 30.714. “One was the triple combination and I felt a big question on the outside line, but that triple was the hardest one. Beautiful course and I’m happy to be here,” he concluded warmly. Second place found Bill Lowry aboard Winsor Farm Sales, Inc’s 9-year old Hessian gelding Rio Corde, in a time of 32.967. “Michel built what we needed in there, size wise. It was a fair course,” stated Lowry.

Michael Tokaruk and Jetset © Flashpoint Photography

The first Hunter Champions were also named this afternoon. In the Baby Greens it was Boy George with owner-rider Katherine Smith taking top honors. First Year Green Working Champion was Jetset with Michael Tokaruk in the irons for owner Lindsay Strafuss. Second Year Green Working Champion went to Sinners Prayer owned by Bridget Moseley and ridden by Russell Frey.

Friday evening, February 11, spotlighted the first $25,000 Grand Prix of the series, the Gulf Coast Winter Premier presented by Michelob, with a field of 26 strong competitors taking on another daring layout by course designer Michel Vaillancourt. “Basically it’s a little delicate since I have such a mixed group of horses,” Michel began in describing the 12 obstacle, 15 effort choices he made. “I didn’t want the triple combination to be too much of a powerful test so I stayed very kind on the distance and the distance heading into it.” Even with a time allowance of 76 seconds the first round looked simple enough but it certainly had some deceptions. “The double is a little trickier because it’s really a rider’s line because they need to follow the line of the bend properly to it.” Vaillancourt finished with a mischievous grin, “My intention is to catch people over silly little jumps-like a simple vertical.”

And catch them he did! In particular fence 2, an easy vertical, seemed to be the troublemaker for most riders tonight. A mere 6 returned for the jump off but none accomplished a second clear round. Wilhelm Genn had two of his three mounts back. Le Argento, the 9-year old Oldenburg gelding owned by Harry and Cary Van Wormer, was the first clean in round one with a time of 71.058, and ultimately had the fastest 4-fault jump off time of 32.731 to claim the win. “I told Michel at the course walk what a great layout this was,” remarked Genn after the win. “A hard one was the triple oxer to oxer and then the vertical out. Having the easy jumps early in the course (fence 2 simple vertical) I think the horses got a little laid back. Everybody was just pretty confident about that jump. Maybe over-confidant.” Wilhelm also took the fourth place win with his own 9-year old Holsteiner gelding Ariado in a time of 33.889 and 4 faults.

Closing in on Genn was second place winner rider-owner David Q Wright of Murfreesboro, TN, and partner 15-year old American Thoroughbred gelding Step Right Up aka Teddy finishing with 32.952 and 4 faults. “Great course! Michel did a good job of learning Thursday what he could work with in here the rest of the week,” Wright commented. “He caught a lot of people/horses, including a couple of mine, with jumps in the corners. If you weren’t organized off the landing you weren’t going to be organized getting to the next one,” he finished.

Co-Chairman of the Gulf Coast Winter Series, Bob Bell, presented tonight’s awards and said afterwards, “This is a fantastic start for the series! We’ve got so much talent here! The support from the horse community to see this event continue still overwhelms me. It’s going to be a series to remember!”

The Gulf Coast Winter Series continues through February 26th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8:00AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and each Saturday will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Gulf Coast Winter Series visit www.ClassicCompany.com or call the show office at (850) 944-7703.