Merrill Lynch Hunter Jumper Classic Celebrates 40th Anniversary of the Cleveland Grand Prix

The Week at the Classic

Organized by the nonprofit Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show, Inc., the 2005 Merrill Lynch Hunter Jumper Classic will begin with opening day competition on Sunday, July 10. Schneider Saddlery Opening Day is free to the public and visitors can enjoy two rings of equestrian competition from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Monday, July 11, a special Riders with Disabilities competition will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. National horse show jumping competition will begin on Tuesday, July 12 and three rings of competition will run simultaneously throughout the show until about 5 p.m. each day.

On Thursday, July 14, the Classic will host a benefit dinner for the Geauga Humane Society—Top Dogs Cool Cats. Guests will enjoy dinner and a fashion show. For more information on the benefit or benefit tickets call 440-338-4819.

Visitors can also enjoy nearly 50 unique boutiques from as far away as New Mexico and Florida, which have set up shop during the week. The shopper’s paradise displays jewelers, artists, antique shops, a masseuse and spa, clothing and hats, furniture, gifts, horse and dog equipment and a selection of eateries. The beautiful South Chagrin Reservation, accented by floral arrangements and horticulture creations, will also display the talents of many local landscapers and nurseries.

The Classic plays host to special evening events on Friday, July 15, and shops will be open until 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Classic kicks off with the $5,000 Open Jumper Speed Stake at 5:30 p.m. and continues with live musical entertainment. The final event for the evening is the Dog and Horse Relay Race. The Relay will pair horses and dogs in a race over obstacles against the clock! The event is the only one of its kind in the United States.

An elegant ringside cocktail party, Summer Fling, which benefits the Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center will also take place Friday evening. A separate ticket is required for Summer Fling — for more information phone 440-708-0013.

On Saturday, July 16 continuing through Sunday, July 17 Operation PetFix will host the third annual Paws at the Horse Show Adoptathon sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. adoptable dogs and cats will be waiting at the Route 87 entrance to the polo field to greet potential new owners. More than 25 shelters and foster groups from Northeast Ohio will showcase wonderful dogs and cats waiting for adoption. For more information contact the Geauga Humane Society at 440-338-4819.

The Benefit Brunch for the Babies of Providence House, Inc. of Cleveland, a crisis nursery, will be held on Sunday, July 17 in the Grand Prix chalet. Guests will enjoy brunch and a fashion show. For ticket information call 216-651-5982.

Family Fun

In addition to the daily horse show and shopping, activities will include the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) Dog Agility Trials presented by Medina Swarm. Beginning Friday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the dog agility trials will continue on Saturday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, July 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The area’s top canines will compete against the clock over jumps, ramps, tunnels and more!

Saturday, July 16 offers even more family entertainment with Family Day. Special family activities, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., will include pony rides, crafts, bouncy horse races, Mark Wood Fun Show, costume character appearances and a very special horseless horse show for kids 10 and under, where everyone is a winner! Saturday’s show jumping action will include the Young Jumper Championships. Children 12 and under are admitted free for Family Day.

The final day of the Classic, Sunday, July 17, will open with championship hunter and jumper classics at 8 a.m. Grand Prix festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m. with exhibitions and demonstrations celebrating the 40th anniversary of the nation’s first show jumping event. The highlight of the Classic, the $40,000 Cleveland Grand Prix begins at 2:30 p.m. and features the nation’s top horses and riders competing over jumps of five-foot heights and widths. In honor of the 40th anniversary riders will compete over the original course layout which was used for the first grand prix in 1965.

Historic Significance

On Sunday, July 17, the $40,000 Cleveland Grandprix will mark the 40th anniversary of the first show jumping event in North America, held here in Ohio! A historical marker was dedicated to honor this significant event and it reads:

On July 25, 1965, nearly 10,000 spectators traveled to the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field to witness the first-ever North American show jumping grand prix—the Cleveland Grand Prix—held on the Polo Field. It was an event that made history and gave birth to the multi-million-dollar sport of grand prix show jumping in the United States.

Held on the final day of the Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show, the Cleveland Grand Prix was defined by the 844-yard course of 16 obstacles designed by Laddie Andahazy and D. Jerry Baker. Twenty riders from six countries competed over the course. Mary Mairs Chapot won the event with Tomboy and her husband, Frank, an Olympic veteran, finished second aboard Manon.

The first grand prix made history and the nearly 10,000 people were on hand to witness the first grand prix caught a glimpse of a multi-million dollar sport in the making. Flags from six countries flew at the first Cleveland Grand Prix—The United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Great Britain, and Germany. Today this important show jumping event remains a favorite among equestrians who appreciate its historic significance.

Don’t miss the most entertaining and unique event of the summer—the Merrill Lynch Hunter Jumper Classic! The Classic raises money for many local charities including the Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in Bainbridge, Ohio, which provides therapy and education-based equine facilitated programs for children and adults with disabilities.

Tickets are available at the show’s gate during the event, or in advance at Schneider’s Saddlery in Bainbridge, or by mail. There is no admission charge Sunday, July 10 through Wednesday, July 13. Admission Thursday through Saturday is $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors; and Sunday, July 17 is $10 and $5, respectively. Limited box seats are available in advance by phoning 440-564-7187. For general horse show information phone 440-708-0013. Full information is available on the web site at www.ClevelandHorseShow.com.