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Kelsey Maloney and la Coco Wrap Up Their Winter Circuit in the Winners Circle!
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Mar 15, 2019
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Kelsey Maloney and La Coco Wrap Up Their Winter Circuit in the Winner's Circle! Week IV Jumper News from the Gulf Coast |
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Kelsey Maloney and La CoCo Go out With a Bang in the $25,000 Beau Rivage Grand Prix
For Immediate Release: March 10, 2019 Gulfport, Mississippi
The $25,000 Beau Rivage Grand Prix took place today at the Harrison County Fairgrounds in Gulfport, Mississippi and Kelsey Maloney of Atlanta, Georgia and her own La Coco won the blue ribbon, adding a second grand prix win to their resume and an exclamation point to their winter show season!
Maloney bested a field of 21 horse and rider teams. “Gulfport was my last show in the US for the foreseeable future and maybe my last grand prix with her [La Coco] in the states. To finish like this is incredible,” commented Maloney.
The course was set on the beautiful grass grand prix field by the design team of Nancy Wallis and Paul Jewell of Lambertville, New Jersey.
“The first round course was fair and it was perfect to have eight in the jump off, “ said Maloney. “There were definitely elements where you had to regroup and pull your stride together because they can really get going on that field and then you’ve got a lot of horse in your hands,” she said.
“I think that the last line in the first round gave some of the riders problems. There was a steady six stride at the end to a vertical. I left out a stride heading into the triple combination which was not ideal for my horse, but I got lucky,” she said.
Only eight earned a spot in the jump off round. Chase Boggio of Canton, Georgia and his own Co Pilot were the first to turn in a clear first round. Grant Seger of Corpus Christi, Texas and Grey Fox Crossing’s Cantucchini also went clear, insuring a jump off to the delight of the crowd. Stephanie Tropia of Magnolia, Texas and Nordic Lights Farm, LLC’s NLF Newsflash added their names to the jump off roster and were later joined by Maloney and her own La Coco. Laura Connaway from Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Quite Funny, Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson’s Manchester, Boggio and Victoria Press’ Quesada D’Elle and Grant Segar again, this time in the irons of Grey Fox Crossing's Dr. J, all added their names to the jump off roster.
The jump off was set with a time allowed of 48 seconds. First to go Boggio and Co Pilot had a rail at the first fence and a time of 47.305 seconds.
Segar and Cantucchini followed, posting the first clear round in a time of 44.305 seconds. Tropia and NLF Newsflash followed, but their time of 50.267 seconds earned them three time faults and a fifth place finish.
Next to go Maloney and La Coco flew through the timers with a clear round and the fastest time of 41.609 seconds.
“We were really fast today. I saw Grant behind me in the order of go and knew he has some pretty quick horses. Chase also has two competitive horses, and he was another one to watch too. I knew I would have to pick up the pace,” she said.
Connaway and Quite Funny followed in the order and although they turned in a clear jump off round, their time of 45.972 was not fast enough to catch Maloney and La Coco.
Shepherd and Manchester were next and earned eight jump faults in a time of 43.713 seconds, which would finish them in seventh place. Boggio and Quesada D’Elle followed Shepherd, but opted to retire early and finished in eighth overall.
Last to go, Seger and Dr. J looked to take Maloney and La Coco’s lead with a clear round but their time of 42.168 seconds wasn’t fast enough and they finished in second place.
Maloney commented, “I think there were several challenges in the jump off round. There was a seven stride and then at the end of that you’d get to this two stride combination where you needed to really ‘whoa’ in the combination. Then, land and be efficient because you had to gallop across the field. I think that’s where I made my time up. Then there was a hooking right turn to an oxer and you had to keep circling to a roll back to a vertical-which I also sliced- and then you’d stay on that line to the last fence which was also an oxer,” she said.
“The jump off round was super fun for us because my horse has this massive stride. There was a leave out right there for us on the first fence. She felt really good and came back to me exactly where and when I needed her to; I did all the slices and lined the jumps up and she was just perfect,” she said. The $25,000 Beau Rivage Grand Prix wrapped up her two weeks at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. “I count my blessings for winning two grand prix in a row with her [ La Coco]. The fact that she is 16 turning 17 and is doing so well is amazing. My mom even came out to watch me and I don’t get to see her all that often. My Mom loves ‘ Puff’ [ La Coco] and she walks her to the ring for me. My Mom gets nervous when I jump, so in order to stay in her Zen bubble she videos me so she can stay somewhat removed from the situation,” she laughed.
"It was great to win today and go out with such a bang and I couldn’t be happier,” said Maloney.
Long time sponsor Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi welcomes all exhibitors to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. Beau Rivage offers world class dining, shopping and lodging, entertainment and gaming overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. |
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The champion cooler was provided by The Clothes Horse, makers of fine horse wear and drapes and the Official Sponsor of all Grand Prix Champion Coolers at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. Customization is what they are about and they provide excellent service and fast turnaround time as well as complete attention to detail! Visit them online at theclotheshorse.com |
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Kelsey Maloney and La Coco Win the $7,500 Welcome
Kelsey Maloney and her own La Coco, winner of the Week III $25,000 CWD Grand Prix returned to the winner’s circle Week IV to pick up their blue ribbon and check in the $7,500 Gulf Coast Winter Classic Welcome on Friday.
Maloney and La Coco beat a field of twenty four horse and rider teams over a course designed by Nancy Wallis and Paul Jewell.
The SCAD College Senior was up against some seasoned professional riders. “Puff [La Coco] was just super slick this week. Last week we didn’t have a jump off in the grand prix and so it was great to be able to do the Welcome and have a second round to gear us up for the Grand Prix,” said Maloney.
“The Welcome class and the schedule here works so well,” she continued, “To be able to ride in the grand prix field at a lower height is a great warm up,” she added.
The course was set with a first round time allowed of 85 seconds and only twelve advanced to a second round opportunity.
Grant Seger of Corpus Christi, Texas and Grey Fox Crossing's Dr. J were the first to post a clear second round in a time of 38.309 seconds, within the 40 seconds time allowed, and set the new time to beat.
The lead was short-lived after Laura Conway of Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Ceralena turned in a clear second round in a time of 37.632 seconds. The horse race continued when Chasen Boggio of Atlanta, Georgia and Victoria Press’ Quesada D’Elle followed with their second round clear and in a time of 35.844 seconds.
Camille Maynard of Leeds, Alabama in the irons of Li’L Red Ponies, LLC’s Safi VH Gavershof Z attempted to beat the time, but a clear round in 38.94 seconds would see them finish in seventh place. Heather Hooker of Wellington, Florida and her own Quester De Virton tried to beat Boggio and Quesada D’Elle’s time. Despite turning in the fastest second round time in 35.792 seconds, a heartbreak rail at the last fence earned them four jump faults and the pair would finish in tenth place overall.
Segar returned for another shot at the second round, this time in the irons of his own Catogi and turned in a clear second round in a time of 35.317, taking the lead.
Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama followed Segar with M & M Sport Horses’ Ebelina W but with four jump faults in a time of 36.175 seconds, would finish in twelfth place.
Maloney and La Coco followed Maddrix and their clear second round in a time of 34.973 took the lead. “I had a really good gallop to the last fence which was a plain vertical and the tendency was to leave super long or just have a panic and add to the last one. But it came up really nice for me. I think because of her stride, we made up a lot of time galloping across the field,” she said.
There were still nine horse and rider teams to go but no one would turn in a second round as fast as Maloney and La Coco.
Laura Connaway from Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Quite Funny also had a clear second round, but their time of 39.091 would see them finish in ninth place. Boggio and his own Co Pilot were also clear and their time of 38.610 earned them a sixth place ribbon.
Shannon Hicks and Helen Gilbert’s Ypsilon were the next to advance to a second round opportunity and their time of 38.258 seconds placed them fourth overall.
Segar and Grey Fox crossing’s Cantucchini sat in the enviable last to go spot and posted double clear rounds. Their time of 39.141 seconds earned them an eighth place finish but his ride with Catogi put them in second place overall. Conway and Ceralena placed third. |
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Brennan and Sun Tzu Win the $5,000 Gulf Coast Open Jumper Classic 1.25 m
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu were a force to contend with Week IV. The pair is known to be fast and they proved it once again besting a field of eighteen horse and rider teams in the $5,000 Gulf Coast Open Jumper Classic 1.25 m.
Only eight riders advanced to a second round opportunity. The abbreviated course was set with a time allowed of 45 seconds.
Camille Maynard of Leeds, Alabama and Tammy Wise’s Zathura was the first to advance to a second round and posted a clear round in a time of 36.250 which set the new time to beat.
Izabelle Quadracci of Hartland, Wisconsin and her own Tipperary Hill looked to beat Maynard and Zathura’s time and although they turned in a clear second round in a time of 36.574 seconds, they would finish in fifth overall.
Adam Sklansky of Skillman, New Jersey and Ellen Walker’s Fardento followed into the second round but four jump faults in a time of 36.759 seconds earned them a seventh place ribbon.
Meghan Hurst of Lafayette, Louisiana, aboard her own Lagoona Paradise followed as the next to advance to a second round, but eight jump faults in a time of 36.612 seconds finished them in eighth place overall.
Sandy Gregory of Chamblee, Georgia and her own Casall’s Eskada advanced to the second round and turned in the fastest fault free round yet, in a time of 34.682 seconds which took the lead.
It was a short-lived lead once Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu entered the ring. The horse and rider team turned in a lightning fast clear second round in a time of 31.320 seconds grabbing the lead and setting the new time to beat.
Three more clear trips followed Brennan and Sun Tzu, but none could catch their time.
Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi and her own Jet were close with their clear second round in at time of 31.621 but would finish in second place behind Brennan and Sun Tzu. Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas and Top Line Sporthorse International LLC’s Coldplay II were the last pair to advance to a second round, but their time of 37.774 would earn them a sixth place ribbon. Sandy Gerory and Casall’s Eskada finished in third place and Camille Maynard and Zathura finished in fourth place. |
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UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTED HUNTER FEATURES:
$10,777 USHJA Intl Hunter Derby - Week 6 $15,777 Green 3’/3’3” Classic - Week 5 $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby - Weeks 3 & 5 Green 3’/3’3” Incentive and Challenge Classics each week Green 3’6”/3’9” Incentive Classics each week Multiple Division Classics each week $5 Green 3’ & 3’3” and Young Hunter Division Entry Fees |
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UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTED JUMPER FEATURES: Grand Prix each week (held on the Incredible Grass Field) Welcome Class each week Open Jumper Classic each week 1.25m Multiple Division Classics each week on the Incredible Grass Field $5 Young Jumper Division Entry Fee |
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JOIN US ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST!
The Gulf Coast Winter Classic has two weeks added to make this year’s show a lucky 7 weeks of competition. Weekly $25,000 Grand Prix and a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Week VI along with weekly $5,000 Marshall & Sterling Classic Hunter Derbies (along with Non-Pro Rider Bonuses) offer something for everyone in your barn. Come and see why the grass is greener on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!
The Gulf Coast and Classic Company’s philosophy is to offer an event for every level of rider and horse. From lead line to Olympic level grand prix competition, from seasoned veteran horse and rider team to a first time horse show experience, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company offers competition that provides the competitor substantial prize money, award-winning facilities and courses, quality competition and the best customer service in the industry.
Service is what sets the Gulf Coast and Classic Company apart from other horse show companies. Consistently awarded the USHJA's Member Choice Award for providing excellent customer-friendly competitions, the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company provide champion service from in-gates to show office at all its venues. Top competition with an emphasis on southern hospitality is their hallmark and the reason thousands prefer to compete at Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company produced events each year.
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1600 East Beach Blvd Gulfport, MS 39501 228.864.4310 |
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Comfort Inn & Suites Crystal Inn Sportsplex Closest Hotel to the Horse Show Grounds Comfort Inn & Suites Sportsplex has been completely renovated and is offering special Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show rate of $75 per night. Rate Code LHorse
Free Hot Breakfast Choice Privileges Indoor Pool Fridge and Microwave 7 Miles to the Showgrounds
9379 Canal Road Gulfport, MS 39503 228-822-9600 |
| Harrah’s Gulf Coast is a Caesars Entertainment property. Located on the beaches of Biloxi, Mississippi, the resort completed a $14 million hotel renovation in Spring 2016 and features a 33,000-square-foot casino that boasts 800 of the newest and hottest slot machines, 35 action-packed table games and five dining amenities: Magnolia House, a fine-dining restaurant by Celebrity Chef Kelly English, the 24-hour restaurant, Steak ‘n Shake, Chef Thomas Genin’s The Blind Tiger - Biloxi Beach, Flavors Buffet and an upscale sports bar and lounge, Mix & Mingle that connects to an outdoor pool oasis. The restaurants complement Harrah’s Gulf Coast’s other award-winning amenities, including Grand Bear – a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course - the 16,000-square-foot relaxation retreat Bellissimo Salon & Spa, complete with a fitness center and The Great Lawn, a 10.5 acre event venue that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Featuring Total Rewards®, the most inclusive loyalty program in the country, guests have access to exclusive benefits across the country with the ability to redeem offers and reward credits at any of the 40 destinations within the network. For more information, please visit HarrahsGulfCoast.com.
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The Hilton Garden Inn Gulfport Airport is conveniently located in close proximity to all the Gulf Coast offers! Spacious rooms, onsite dining and bar, relaxing pool, fitness room, well-equipped office center, and complimentary airport shuttle are just some of the amenities the Hilton Garden Inn offers its guests. Friendly and courteous staff and well appointed and immaculate rooms will greet you upon your return from a busy day of competing at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics!
14100 Airport Road Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-4996 |
| Located right next to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Residence Inn Gulfport-Biloxi Airport is an all-suite hotel. If you're looking for an extended-stay hotel on the Mississippi Coast, you'll find convenience and great amenities. Enjoy a spacious studio, one or two-bedroom suites offering separate living, eating and sleeping areas, complimentary high-speed Internet, full kitchens and luxurious bedding. Enjoy complimentary hot buffet breakfast daily, The Mix social hour three nights a week, grocery shopping service, fitness center, complimentary airport shuttle, and seasonal outdoor pool. The Residence Inn is pet-friendly!
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Gulf Coast Classic Company | 228.832.2745 | info@gulfcoastclassiccompany.com GulfCoastClassicCompany.com |
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