Source:  News Release/Leg Up News

$10,000 LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus in Hot Contention
at Lake St. Louis Winter Festival

Thomas Cerra tops the $15,000 Grand Prix Photo: Lili Weik Photography

It takes more than a little luck and skill to win a grand prix class, and more still to win more than one in a season.LEGISequine.com chooses to recognize those riders who are consistently at the top of their game by sponsoring the $10,000 LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus at Queenie Productions' Lake St. Louis Winter Festival, a series of shows that runs from December 2012 to March 2013. 

"I think it's incredible thatLEGISequine.com, Marnye, Larry, and their associates are so behind the sport as a whole and are working on improving it across the country, not just in their own backyard," commented John McQueen of Queenie Productions. "The LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus and programs like it are good incentives for the people to keep coming back to a specific circuit. Plus, it exposes them to the generosity of those of us who have been in the business as long as we have."

Grand prix riders at this season's Lake St. Louis Winter Festival shows have the opportunity to earn a little extra cash by winning more than one designated class during the series. Riders win $2,500 for winning two or more of the designated classes, $5,000 for winning three or more, or $10,000 for winning four or more. The catch is that riders have to win on the same horse. Eligible classes include:

$15,000 Lake St. Louis Grand Prix (Dec 8)

$25,000 Toys for Tots Grand Prix (Dec 15)

$15,000 Lake St. Louis Grand Prix (Jan 12)

$15,000 Lake St. Louis Grand Prix (Mar 23)

$15,000 Lake St. Louis Grand Prix (Mar 30)

Three of the designated classes are already on the books, and three winners are now in contention for a bonus check from LEGISequine.com. Thomas Cerra and Wocello (Glenwood Farms, Inc., owner) topped the $15,000 Grand Prix at Lake St. Louis Hunter/Jumper Holiday Show (Dec 5-9). "It's always fun to win a little extra money," Thomas shared. "Unfortunately, I won't have the opportunity to win because I'm in Palm Beach for the winter and won't be back for the final shows of the series. I think incentives like the LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus makes everyone a little more excited for these grand prix classes. They're the most fun and most competitive, and having a little more money available makes it extra special. My customers are a little more excited when there's more on the line, and it gets them behind me. I feel like I ride better when there are more people behind me."

Lillie Ross is high flying in the $25,000 Grand Prix Photo: Lili Weik Photography

The following week, Lillie Ross and Pako (Allison Rose, owner) topped the $25,000 Grand Prix at the Lake St. Louis Hunter/Jumper Show (Dec 12-16), throwing in her own bid for the bonus. "It's very exciting," she remarked. "It puts a little pressure on, but it makes me want to work harder to get the bonus. I think it's a good incentive to encourage people to come to shows; it's like a game everyone tries to win. There's a lot more at stake when a bonus like this is on the line. It also makes the exhibitors more interested in who's sponsoring the program and want to look to see who's part of it for more information." At 18 years old, Lillie is one of the younger riders in the grand prix field. "There's some pressure competing against older, more experienced riders, but I know a lot of them since I've been showing with them for a long time. It's a lot of fun to be able to rise to the challenge and be competitive with people who have been riding a lot longer than I have."

Lillie came back to place second in the $15,000 Grand Prix at the Lake St. Louis Hunter/Jumper I Horse Show (Jan 2-6). "We missed writing a check by 1/100th of a second," John recalled. "When you begin these programs, everyone's on the same plane. Then when the winners step up, they're the ones who get excited. They think, 'One more and I get a check, two more and I get a bigger check.' The excitement has just begun. There's already a buzz about this, and we're almost two months away from the final designated classes of the series."

Michael Burnett makes his bid for the $10,000 LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus by winning the $15,000 Grand Prix Photo: Lili Weik Photography

It was Michael Burnett and his Iron who edged out Lillie in the $15,000 Grand Prix and took his place in the lineup for a possible bonus check from LEGIS. However, his busy schedule means that he may only get one more shot at it. "I am taking Iron to Ocala for a few weeks this month so he might need a break after that, and my main focus at this point is college so that makes things hard," he explained. "However, the bonus creates a lot of excitement around coming to the Queenie Productions shows. If I come back in March, the main reasons will be that I have a chance at winning the LEGIS Bonus and that the Queenie Productions grands prix are such great classes. Winning the bonus in St. Louis would mean a lot to me because I've shown there on every level over the years, and reflecting back on that gives me a sense of accomplishment that I've followed through on my goals." 

The remaining shows in the Queenie Productions series offer some other fantastic incentives for loyal exhibitors. "We have a brand new custom CWD saddle for the Grand Circuit Hunter Champion of the circuit," John explained. "The second week of the February shows, we'll be one of the first to offer a Canadian derby in the United States. Canada has come up with their own version of the international derby. There are two height classes offered, one at 3' with 3'5" options and one at 3'6" with 4' options. It's a single round handy course. Each class throughout the year is a qualifier for the final at the Royal Winter Fair this fall. It's different and out of the box, and I'm really excited about it."

John and his staff understand that offering these incentives and special classes are just one part of putting on successful horse shows. "With this economy, competitors are much more wary about where they spend their dollars," John said. "The concept of 'put on a show and they'll come' will soon be a dead entity. There are too many options to choose from. Horse show managers need to offer not just bonuses and incentives, but the most incredible customer care and customer relations they can mount. Those exhibitors are our customers, and we need to take care of them."

The Lake St. Louis Winter Festival continues this week, featuring the $7,500 Jumper Classic, $3,000 Welcome Stake, $1,500 Child/Adult Jumper Classic, $5,000 Canadian Hunter Derby, and more. Jumper riders have two more chances for a bonus check in the final two shows, taking place Mar 20-24 and Mar 27-31. For more information, visit the Queenie Productions website.

LEGIS also offers Jumper Rider Bonus programs at LEG's Northern California shows and the West Coast Indoor Circuit.

Barnmice News story brought to you by Omega Alpha

Omega Alpha has you covered for all your equine natural supplements -
plus human and pet needs too!