National Sunshine Series Finishes Strong with $25,000 Sunshine Classic

Thermal, CA (November 13, 2014): The all-new National Sunshine Series called it a wrap late Sunday afternoon, but not without a final exhilarating jumper class. All eyes were on the Grand Prix Stadium for the $25,000 Sunshine Classic which drew an impressive list of decorated riders and horses, including Olympians and World Cup alumni.

Thirty-eight took a go at the13 fence course designed by Alan Wade, which proved tricky for all but eight who would move into the jump off. Jill Humphrey, of Sacramento, California, rode Alicia and Chris Foster’s Zubliem to lead both rounds in time and secured the win in a crisp 42.21 only after besting Bliss Heers’ and Cortina 179 clear track and 43.04.

Humphrey’s trainer and business partner at Leone Equestrian, Rudy Leone, was ecstatic about the win and the overall show experience.

“Ali and Francie with HITS have created a pretty exciting event that has remained entertaining and competitive the entire time. I think they knocked it out of the park in working to please exhibitors,” said Leone.

“All the little details made for a terrific but extremely competitive time for both hunters and jumpers alike,” he continued. “It’s like going on a vacation but coming to compete with hundreds of your friends too.”

Heers, of Olivenhain, California, placed second behind Humphrey, adding to her other National Sunshine show ring success, including third in the $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome. 

-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(C) ESI Photography

Jill Humphrey and Zubliem on the way to their $25,000 Sunshine Classic win during National Sunshine Series Week II. 

 

 

Place	Horse	Owner	Rider	Prize	Rd. 1 Faults	JO Faults	JO Time
1	Zubliem	Alicia & Chris Foster	Jill Humphrey	7500	0	0	42.218
2	Cortina 179	Bridgeside Farms LLC	Bliss Heers	5500	0	0	43.04
3	Paloma	Melanie Brooks	Keri Potter	3250	0	4	39.953
4	The Dude	Monarch International	William Simpson	2000	0	4	41.572
5	Lux Lady	Harry and Mollie Chapman	Rich Fellers	1500	0	4	42.524
6	Big Star	HC Sport Horses	Sayre Happy	1250	0	4	47.163
7	Geledimar	Monarch International	Hannah Heidegger	1000	0	8	45.235
8	New York	Onlyjumpers.com	Juan Pablo Gnecco	750	0	12	42.585
9	Valencia	Highpoint Farm, LLC	Darragh Kenny	750	4	-	-
10	Soraya De l'obstination	Kessler Show Stables	Reed Kessler	500	4	-	-
11	Miss CashCall	Gregg De Long	Eduardo Menezes	500	4	-	-
12	Chianto	Forest View Farm, Inc.	John Pearce	500	4	-	-