The Atlanta Summer Classic Wrap Up and the Tour with More Continues

The Atlanta Summer Classics wrapped up with Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida taking a lot of the green. Atlanta may have been hot, but Vale was on fire with wins in both the $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and the $15,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Open Welcome, the $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix and the $35,000 Classic Grand Prix, presented by EMO. He was also won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby honors both weeks as well as the Kastel Denmark Hunter Style of Riding Award. He tied for the win in the $10,000 Six Bar Class, presented by Regions Private Wealth Management and had a series of winning rides in the other rings.

Aaron Vale in the Olympic Arena at the Atlanta Summer Classic

Kelley Farmer had the WOW factor and brought the crowd to their feet with applause with her handy rounds in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Week II. Farmer went on to secure the first and second placings in the irons of Mindful and Dalliance, respectively, out of a field of thirty one horse and rider teams.

Week II the Zone 4 USHJA $1,000 Pony and $1,000 Junior/Amateur Handy Hunter Classic saw big numbers of riders looking to win a ribbon and qualify for the Finals. Ribbon winners have the opportunity to compete in the Finals either at the Atlanta Fall Classic this November or in Tampa.

Olympic Course Designers Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico and Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida designed the world class courses Weeks I and II, respectively. The top hunter judges also officiated and included Mary Babick, Joey Brumbaugh, Crystal Brumbaugh and Chance Arkillian. Week II welcomed William Sparks, Heidi Casciaro, Christine Schluesemeyer and Ginger Black.

Approximately 2,000 horses competed over the two weeks of the Atlanta Summer Classic and sponsors, Regions Private Wealth Management, Outback Steakhouse, Horseflight, Nalley Toyota Stonecrest, Essex Classics, Kastel Denmark, CWD, Devoucoux and others all enjoyed the volume of people and the level of interest in their products and services offered to horsemen.

The new footing installed in the arenas had been fine-tuned since the Atlanta Spring Classic and by all accounts was vastly improved. “It is much kinder to the horses,” commented Vale.

There are big plans for the Atlanta Fall Classic, so be sure to tune in for updates. It will be the Classic Company’s 20th Anniversary show and all are invited to attend and celebrate with them. “It will be an incredibly special show and we are planning on some exciting events to commemorate our anniversary,” commented Bob Bell, President of Classic Company.

The second leg of the Great Magnolia Show Jumping Tour is underway at Brownland Farms with one more week to go until the Charleston Summer Classic, the grand finale of the inaugural Great Magnolia Show Jumping Tour.

Brownland Farms, located in Franklin, Tennessee, offers weekly grand prix, National Hunter Derbies, Open Welcomes and a class for everyone. Their pastoral venue is in close proximity to the Country Music Capital Nashville and downtown Franklin offers boutique shopping, quaint streets and fine dining. Don’t miss a trip to downtown Nashville on a Monday or simply rent a jet ski and take to the water. Only one more week for Brownland Farms, so make sure to email them today and try to reserve a stall for the upcoming holiday weekend.

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