Sergio Campos and Shakira Do Jacare win Lucky Sevens Welcome © Flashpoint Photography

CONYERS, GA (June 23, 2006) – The nine year old Brazilian bred mare, Shakira Do Jacare, beat both the field of 32 and the stormy weather to take first prize in the week two Horses Helping Horses Lucky Sevens Welcome Classic. The Classic, presented by The Plaid Horse Magazine, was a repeat victory for Shakira and owner/rider Sergio Campos, having bested last week’s field of 35.

“The course was a lot of fun,” Campos said of Buddy Brown’s challenging field, which utilized natural obstacles such as hills and banks, causing many of the competitors to struggle. “I thought he was very creative, the way he used the bank, it was the nicest course I’ve ridden since we’ve been here.”

The ominous clouds and thunder were no obstacle for Sergio and Shakira, who went clear with a first round time of 80.53 out of an allowed time of 86 seconds and immediately took the B option, guiding Shakira through the jump off for another clear round in a time of 35.632. “I tried to ride it very carefully, so I wasn’t sure we’d be fast enough to win,” Campos stated of his second round. Despite his doubts, their time proved impossible to beat, with Derek Peterson coming in second, third, and fourth on Heaven Bound, Cisco, and Cliff 28, respectively. Rounding out the top five was Alan Korotkin aboard Rocketman with a second round time of 37.427.

Sergio and Shakira, out of Longwood, Florida, are looking forward to the upcoming Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix this Saturday evening, June 24th, hoping to take top honors there as well. “It’s such a wonderful new concept for any event but especially for a Grand Prix. I’m impressed knowing the money will go to help horses in need,” Campos concluded.

Friday, June 23rd, will host the first ever $25,000 Horses Helping Horses Hunter Classic, presented by AME Financial Corporation in memory of Wissie Brede. The event includes a silent auction, which will run from 9AM throughout the day, followed by dinner at 6PM hosted by Outback Steakhouse and the main event beginning at 7PM.

The Atlanta Summer Classics continue through June 25th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event will be hosted at 7PM each Saturday evening. For more information or results on the Summer Classics visit www.ClassicCompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.