CONYERS, GA—June 24, 2007—While enroute to the Pan Am Games in Rio, Brazil Pablo Barrios dropped in to raise the temperature at the Atlanta Summer Classics with a blistering Grand Prix performance. The Wellington, FL based pro rode Tibor an 11 year-old Belgian bred gelding, owned by Anna Lisa Smith to win the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix.

Crystal blue skies prevailed and rumors of near 100 degree temps felt real, but the native of Venezuela barely broke a sweat as he and Tibor burnt the 13 obstacle first round of designer Michel Vaillancourt's expansive layout. "The course was great." began Barrios, "I came here on my way from Minnesota with one of the horses' I'll be taking to the Pan Am Games [Sun God owned by Ron and Cheryl Krise] because it's always a good show with a mix of amateurs and professionals. The classes are always big and technical enough."

The starting field of 34 horse-rider pairings proved to be a truly International level of competition with 6 various countries represented, including members of the Ecuador team also competing in the upcoming Pan Am Games as well as members of the Columbian team. "This is a perfect opportunity for us to tune up prior to the games in Brazil." Barrios explained, "Our horses will have to go into quarantine for about 10 days before flying out of Florida and most of us just want to ride one more quality event before then."  And a quality course is just what Vaillancourt gave them, technical in a few of the turns but simplistic in the lines perhaps too much so as a mere six made it to the jump off round. Nearly half the horses had 4 faults, what the designer would later refer to as an easy but senseless 4 faults and 90% were early on in the course at the 5ABC combination. Vaillancourt suggested the horses were "a little short coming in but it's still early on and they [the horses] should be fresh. It's really not a difficult line maybe just a lot of bad luck." When presented with the theory of why so many faulted Barrios had his own idea, "I think the horses with a big stride could have trouble coming that tight off of #4 but those with a smaller stride would make it easy enough."  Referring to the 4 mounts he piloted tonight as an example, "Three of mine made it through that combination fine but Sun God had trouble with the C element and he's the one with the bigger stride."  In the end of round one only Tibor managed to go clean in a very quick 78.097 seconds, well below the 85 allowed.

Barrios spoke with a good deal of pride when asked to share some thoughts on Tibor's performance, "We're working on building his [Tibor] confidence back up. Anna Lisa bought him in Europe last summer but they had a little rough going so we've been bringing him back and Anna Lisa too. I found another good horse for her to work back up with while Tibor comes back. He's been clean in his last 5 Grand Prix outings and this is his first win. It's good for him."  Owner Anna Lisa stood by nodding in agreement and added with a bright smile, "he's [Tibor] a Ferrari!"

The final round became quite boisterous as it was dubbed a "Multi National Round" by spectators around the former Olympic arena with many suggesting it had the same flavor of the 1996 games. One lone American rider, Derek Petersen of Archer, FL joined the roster of only six returnees, which included two of the Ecuador team, two from Columbia, and Barrios, who represents his home country of Venezuela. Vaillancourt's abbreviated course of 7 obstacles, keeping the now notorious 5BC in, had a time allowance of 50 seconds, which proved no problem for owner-rider Ricardo Villa and Calico Z of Columbia who were first to return and went clear in a time of 46.925.

Barrios watched the first two competitors go in the final round, "I knew there were fast horses to come after me. I know Derek Petersen's horse is very fast." His strategy was simple enough, attempt to follow every hoof print on the ground but cut a little closer inside so that the time would be faster and those following would have to take a little risk in order to catch him. It paid off with a clean ride and heart stopping time of 39.910 seconds. Petersen followed on his 9 year-old Holsteiner gelding Cisco, "When he [Derek Petersen] goes-he goes all out to win." Barrios said. What an all out effort it was heading towards the final line of two jumps Petersen was 2 seconds ahead but be it the sharpness of his turn into the line or just a hoof skimming the top too much, the rail fell and Peterson's final time clocked in at 39.229 with the 4 faults in tow. Victory was now one horse away from Barrios as the last rider, Carlos Ramierz representing Columbia riding his own 12 year-old Argentine bred mare Amazonas crossed the start line. The 5C fence was the first to fall and then another giving Ramierz an 8 fault round in 42.682 seconds and cinching the win for Barrios. "It was a fun and exciting jump off.", the winner exclaimed after his victory gallop.

Official results were Pablo Barrios and Tibor in first place with a clean 39.910 second round time; owner-rider Pablo Andrade of the Ecuador team with Hanz finishing 2nd with a clean time of 40.547; placing 3rd owner-rider Ricardo Villa representing Columbia with Calico Z in a clear round time of 46.925; in 4th owner-rider Derek Petersen and Cisco with 4 faults in 39.229, and the 5th position went to owner-rider Carlos Ramierz representing Columbia with Amazonas finishing with 8 faults in 42.682.

Pablo Barrios will remain for the second week of competition here in part hoping to reclaim his championship position in the Outback Steakhouse Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix, which benefits Old Friends Equine Retirement. Barrios was the winner of the inaugural running of this special event. "I had to miss last year's unfortunately but I'd like to take my title of defending champion back.", he said with a chuckle.    

The Atlanta Summer Classics continues with more hunter/jumper and Grand Prix action through July 1st. Week II will include with the "Horses Helping Horses" Silent Auction on Saturday June 30th beginning at 10AM until 4PM in the horse park's Carriage Room (located behind the covered arena) with an array of tack, 5A Baker Blankets, Racing Memorabilia, Jewelry, and much more. At 5PM the dinner tent located on the Grand Prix field will open with dinner from Outback Steakhouse being served at 6PM. All proceeds from both the auction and dinner go to Old Friends Equine Retirement facility. Also at 6PM in the Grand Prix ring, visitors will be introduced to "Mick", the special guest horse representing Old Friends, benefactor of proceeds from the weekend of giving back. And at 7PM the thrilling $25,000 Outback Steakhouse Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix. Admission is free to the public (with the exception of the charity dinner-tickets can be purchased by calling Becky Miles at 404-791-5963 or at the show grounds).