Conyers, GA - June 18, 2005 – Pablo Barrios of Florida partnered with Juan Carmona’s Wild Cat went double clean in the Inaugural Horses Helping Horses Charity Grand Prix benefiting Old Friends Equine Rescue tonight.

Twenty-six competitors began the first round of course designer Michel Vaillancourt’s challenging layout. Barrios and the 9-year-old Westfalen gelding Wild Cat had a time of 85.463 and was the second of Pablo’s mounts to go clear. Owner Juan Carmona’s other entry Justice with Barrios in the irons had been the first clean round in the event with a time of 84.949. Only two other riders joined them in the jump off, Susie Fried with Highridge Farm’s Cheenookee and Tommy Feigel on board Erin Stewart’s Contendress. Wild Cat and Barrios went clear in the jump off with a winning time of 37.497 and finished second with Justice with a time of 38.789. “It was a very fair course” Pablo Barrios commented “fair to both the amateurs and the professionals riding it. I had a very good ride tonight and am happy to be here for the horses.”

Susie Fried and Cheenookee placed third, Tommy Feigel and Contendress finished fourth and rounding out the top five was Junior rider Jack Harden Towell, Jr with Eventual.

Horses Helping Horses was an idea photographer Robbi Meisel suggested to Classic Co president Bob Bell over lunch about 4 months ago. “A way to give something back to the horses most of us make a living from in some form or another. “ Bell described his feeling about the event. For Meisel it was the fulfillment of a promise she made to a special horse, Dallas aka Seabiscuit, who she and Bell first met at the National Horse Show in New York 2003 then later helped in Dallas’ own rescue. “Dallas opened my eyes to alot ! I learned firsthand just how easy it is for a great horse to end up in a bad situation. And how under appreciated people like Old Friends founder Michael Blowen truly are.” Meisel said when asked how her idea came about.

To kick things off a daily raffle of course walks with some of the professional Grand Prix riders and a Silent Auction raised a few thousand dollars. When told that the Grand Prix entry fees were also being donated to the horses, Cindy Grisolia from Old Friends stated, “This is just amazing to see! The public has just embraced this event. We’re so overwhelmed by the generous support”

Bob and Robbi are already planning the 2006 Horses Helping Horses, “Oh, we’re just getting started on this project” Bell smiled, “calls started coming in before the last horse finished the course! ~Dallas will be proud of us”

For further information on the 2005 Atlanta Summer Classics Series and results, please go to www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at (770) 602-2510. To learn more about Old Friends or make a donation please visit www.oldfriendsequine.com