Conyers, GA – With Zone Four Finals, National Classic Equitation Finals, the $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial Grand Prix, and the $25,000 Rio Vista Products Grand Prix the first week of showing at the Georgia International Horse Park offered a smorgasbord of talent for every equestrian taste.

The $25,000 Barry Lane Memorial Grand Prix continued it’s growing popularity with over 100 competitors in the qualifying round on Saturday, November 11th from which a field of 61 moved on to the challenging course designed by Patrick Rodes for Sunday’s championship rounds. The level 4 layout of 12 obstacles, requiring 15 efforts, offered a testing of the rider’s confidence as well as the horse’s abilities with only 16 riders making the final cut.

“It was pretty difficult!” commented the winner Alexis Bodo whose home base is Lebanon, TN when she’s not attending college in Bowling Green, KY, “Everything was set on 6 strides, which was easy but you had to ride forward through it.” Partnered with Frimousse Du Bec, fondly known as “French Fry” around the barn, the 13 year-old Salle Francis mare set the pace with a clear first round time of 65.506 well below the 79-second allowance. “The jump off was just fun!” Alexis went on to explain, “Just all turns! Very technical in you had to be on stride so whoever had the fastest route (on strides) would win.” Their speed paid off with a time of 23.209, which cinched the victory. When asked about future plans Bodo said “it’s tough to say, school comes first and my parents juggle their work to keep French Fry in shape while I’m away. It’s a team effort all the way.” Alexis shared how much a part of her horse showing the entire family is; “I’m only home on the weekends so my parents lunge my horse during the week to keep her exercised. When I ride at home they set jumps for me, they’re my trainers since I don’t really have a professional one to work with and they’re my cheerleaders! Even my 89 year-old grandmother comes to every show! I’m so lucky to have them.” She concluded with a warm smile.

Owner-rider Abigail Walker riding James T Kirk finished second with a second round time of 23.874, following in third place was owner-rider Adrian Jay and Liverpool with a time of 24.344, fourth position went to Marshall Shear and Elle for owner Jacqueline Shear in a jump off time of 24.760, and rounding out the top five was owner-rider Sandy Gregory on board Calimba finishing with a time of 25.028. Classic Company president Bob Bell had the honor of presenting to the winners and commented of the event, “this class just gets better each year and its growth is the best way we can remember Barry. She always enjoyed seeing the young riders succeed. I know she’s smiling today.”

Course designer Patrick Rodes of Argyle, Texas was a busy man on Sunday having to present two big challenges in one afternoon but had no problem rising to the occasion for either event. Following the Barry Lane Memorial, Rodes began to lay out a course of 13 obstacles (16 efforts) for the $25,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix, which on the walk seemed fairly simple-standard. Several sweeping turns, a few combinations, a Liverpool, and of course the often feared triple bar. “A good test for this field,” began today’s winner, owner-rider Derek Petersen of Archer, FL. He and his 11 year-old Holsteiner gelding Heaven Bound were the third to go clear out of 28 starters with a time of 82.07. “The most challenging part was coming home,” he continued, “they (the horses) don’t want to go to that far corner (off an oxer-fence 11 turning into the 12ab combination), it gets a little spooky up there. Can get a little loose there too. Then you’ve got the 6 stride to the last vertical and it just comes up fast on you.” Only five others joined Petersen in the dash for the cash final round. The second round of 8 jumps proved to be just as testing with tight turns being the theme. “Super fast” was the initial description today’s winner gave, “I scared myself!” Petersen remarked. “I got into the combination angled and he’s (Heaven Bound) not really good at turning left in the air. He pushed hard right and I had to pull him to straighten in that combo. I thought I was in trouble then but it made the five stride home really easy on him then.” Their time of 34.299 not only guaranteed the win but also brought the crowd to its feet cheering.

Finishing a little over 3 seconds behind them was bride to be Elizabeth “Liza” Towell of Camden, SC with Rockefeller in a time of 37.756. “I’m so proud of Rockefeller! He was wonderful” she began, “and Derek just did an amazing ride today. I’m very happy for him.” Derek found himself back in the winners’ circle with his 8 year-old Holsteiner stallion Cisco taking third place in a time of 39.227. Fourth place went to Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC riding Trading Places for owner Kyle Register with a final time of 39.303 and finishing the top five was David Beisel of Cincinnati, OH piloting Irish Hunt for owner Carlie Beisel with a time of 40.276 seconds and 4 faults.

Week one of the Fall Classics also hosted the National Classic Equitation Finals, sponsored by Connections, and once again brought out some very tough competitors in each of the five divisions. Open to riders who have competed in any NCE equitation class during the 2006 season, exhibitors can choose only one division for final championships. Winners were presented with a custom letterman’s jacket as well as a choice of vacation getaways. This year’s destinations included a week in a mountain resort, a weekend in a Florida condo (Orlando or Miami), a week in New York City or Atlanta complete with either Braves tickets or Six Flags theme park tickets. Trainers for each of the big winners were presented with the same great awards. In the JR-Amateur Owner division the tri colors went to Megan Massaro of Summerfield, FL riding Lyle for owner Mrs Randolf Rinehart and trainer Don Stewart, Jr. From the Children’s-Adult’s Division it was owner-rider Rebecca Hunter and Almost Famous taking top honors. Over in the Pony Division owner-rider Isabella Meyer got “Up Close & Personal” in the winners circle and owner-rider Tammy Cirillo rode her “Gift” for top call in the Pre Adult-Pre Children’s division. Rounding out the five grand champions was Elizabeth Butterworth and “Sportster” for owner Sandra Butterworth as the Short Stirrup-Children’s Pony division winners.

Wrapping up the first week in Conyers were the Zone Four Finals, among this year’s champions were Alex Andes on board Calypso for the 1st Year Green Working Hunter division, Lee Cesery and What D’Ya Know in the Amateur Owner Hunters 36 & Over division, Alise Oken in the irons of Alisette for the Small JR Hunters 15 & Under division, Been Swayed with owner-rider Lindsey Maxwell in the Large JR Hunters 16-17 division, new comer Taylor Ann Adams riding True Blue in the Medium Pony Hunters division, and a two way tie for champion in the Children’s Pony Hunter division between Reid Patton riding Bikini Beach and Maya Dillard aboard Tommy Girl.

Upcoming highlights for week two include the National Hunter Jumper League Finals. Over $88,000 in prize money will be awarded in less than 5 days of competition along with the presentation of the Lemon Springs trophy and the John Deere Tractor. The competition continues through November 19th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and at 2PM Sunday the $40,000 North American Hunter Jumper League Grand Prix finals take place in the Olympic arena. For more information or results on the Fall Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.

Photo Credit: Alexis Bodo and “French Fry” win Barry Lane Memorial; Derek Petersen and Heaven Bound win Rio Vista Grand Prix by Flashpoint Photography