Source:  News Release

Resnick Takes Quantum Leap to Win in Memorial Day Classic Grand Prix

The audience at the Memorial Day Classic was treated to a thrilling seven horse jump off in the $10,000 Memorial Day Grand Prix, the concluding event of the Memorial Day Classic (May 26-30). Justin Resnik and Quantum Leap (Ama Marketing & Management, Inc., owner) were first to contest Jack Robson’s course in the first round and they set the standard for the eighteen horse field to match by handily posting a clear round. Jenni Martin McAllister was the picture of consistency as she piloted all three of her horses to clear rounds. Junior rider Brittany Albrecq, making her grand prix debut, followed in the footsteps of her coach, Jenni Martin McAllister, and piloted Union Jack to a clear round. Young professional Tommi Clark aboard her own Raska and Ron Keller on his Abukir 14 rounded out the seven clear rounds.

Then it was a race for the top prize. Once again Justin led the field and he set a fast pace of 33.715. Jenni took a shot with Majuscule (Christina Caruso, owner), and despite an inside dodge between two jumps on the way to the triple bar combination, she was a second behind. “I just wasn’t that fast to the last two,” said Jenni, “but my horse jumped great.” Brittany was on pace to win, but she got long and flat to the final vertical and caught the rail. She had the time, but four faults relegated her to fourth. Jenni returned aboard her own Sammy and finished just three tenths of a second behind Justin. “It was Sammy’s first grand prix and I wasn’t planning to go that fast, but the competitive edge in me took over,” said Jenni. The nine year old mare handled the quick pace and turns with aplomb. Ron pulled two rails and Tommi got so excited that she galloped right past one of the jump-off jumps.

Justin, who sported the world’s first 3-D camera used in show jumping, which was provided by Show Jumping Unplugged, was thrilled to not only bring dimension to his ride, but to do it in winning style. "I went in to win," Justin commented. "I thought I had the chance with each of my horses. It was my home turf so that makes it better, and it was a good place and class to give me a good shot at winning." Justin also rode Lycos (Ama Marketing & Management, Inc., owner) to an eighth place finish. As for his winning mount, a ten-year-old Holsteiner by Quantum, he added, "He's been great, and we've won a lot. He's a fighter and very competitive."

The power of show jumpers were a perfect match for the luxury sports cars O'Gara Coach Company (www.ogaracoach.com) presented over the weekend, offering the show's attendees the opportunity to test drive Astin Martins, Rolls-Royces, and more, right on the show grounds. The cars exemplify not only the speed and power of the jumpers, but also the grace of hunters and the style of equitation riders. “I got to ride in my dream car, the Rolls Royce Ghost,” said Tamara Peterson of Show Jumping Unplugged. "It was really fun."

On Sunday night, hunters had the chance to show their grace when crowds gathered for the $3,000 Memorial Day USHJA National Hunter Classic. After two rounds of competition and despite the unseasonal wind storm, Rebecca Bruce and Kenzington (Olivia McGovern, owner) led the pack to take top prize. "I was a little nervous with the wind because of my green horses," she recalled. "The classic being a night class didn't really bother me, but I was nervous, especially with the winner because of the wind and shadows but he didn't really care." Rebecca also placed ninth with her Cirque du Soleil.

Rebecca has not participated in this type of class for some time because she has had a lot of green horses to bring along. However, they are now old enough, and by her results, they are clearly ready for the challenge. "It's lots of fun to come back and do well," Rebecca added. "We imported these horses from Europe a few years ago so I've been doing a lot of training with them and haven't gotten to go in these big classes."

During the class, the berm was filled nearly to capacity for the After The Finish Line Derby Party. The event was a fundraiser for After the Finish Line (ATFL), an organization that finds show homes for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Spectators enjoyed dinner while watching the show, and riders and spectators alike bid on numerous silent auction items including a box at Del Mar Racetrack, horse racing art, restaurant gift certificates, tickets to television shows and other events, and more. All of the funds raised will go toward grants to California-based Thoroughbred rescue organizations to help California ex-racehorses.

"Everyone seemed to have a good time," commented Dawn Mellen, President of ATFL. "This is this first event we've held in conjunction with LEG and at LAEC, and it was a nice event. It was a nice place for people to settle at the end of the day instead of having to go off the property to eat, then come back to watch their friends and barn mates in the hunter classic. I was very happy; I thought it was a successful event." Dawn was even happier that the event raised much needed funds for Thoroughbred rescue organizations. "I am just glad we can help these horses," she stated.

On Saturday, style was the order of the day at The Memorial Day Classic Equitation Challenge, a competition between teams made up of a professional, a junior, and an amateur rider jumping for the highest combined score. The winning team receives a week's stay in Maui for the professional member of the team, while the other two take home beach bikes. This year's winning team was "Triple Threat," consisting of trainer Tommi Clark joined by Devon Manze (junior) and Belle Calkin (amateur). “It was almost more nerve-wracking watching my teammates ride than going in the ring and doing it myself,” said Tommi. "I just wanted them to do well. It was great, though, and my team members were awesome. We had a lot of fun."

In addition to its support for ATFL, the Memorial Day Classic also hosts a fundraiser for the California Professional Horsemen’s Association Foundation. George Chatigny, General Manager of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and secretary of the CPHA Foundation, heads the project. "It's a great blend of social fundraising activity that's out of the ordinary," he commented. "There's simple food and madness on the lanes. All of the funds benefit the CPHA Foundation, and they are used for the purposes of benevolence, education, and financial aid. We provide scholarships for CPHA family members and do our best to help out when a horseman is in need."

Each year the CPHA Bowling Benefit raises around $3,000 while providing people from the show to have some fun and enjoy camaraderie. However, competition is fierce among the top teams. This year the staff from the food stand lived up to their team name of Let’s Clean Up and captured the top prize. The LEG Up Bowlers were close behind in second. Many barns field teams and enjoy a fun night. George added, "LEG has always been a supporter of the Foundation and our decision to hold the fundraiser. The fundraiser is a perfect storm because of the horse show community at the show and the nearby bowling alley." A repeat participant of the event, Steve McAllister said, “I had a good time chatting and visiting with friends. It was fun, and it's a good cause.”

While the show was affected by people’s reaction to the EHV-1 outbreak, everyone adapted and those who attended the Memorial Day Classic were treated to a quality show complete with special classes and events surrounding the show.

For more information on the Memorial Day Classic, including a prize list and results, visit langershows.com.

The show season continues at LAEC with Gold Coast 4 (Jun 17-19), where horse show dads will be celebrated with games, food, and "Dadaritas"--margaritas made just for our faithful dads. The jumping action moves north to Woodside for the Woodside Circuit Opener (Jun 22-26) and the Bay Area Summer Festival (Jun 29-Jul 3).