Laurie Jakubauskas and Mirage © Flashpoint Photography

GULFPORT, MS (March 5, 2007) — Exhibitors at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics got a taste of true Southern Hospitality on Friday evening, courtesy of the good folks from Harrison County. Over 1200 pounds of crawfish (boiled right on the spot), 600 pounds of shrimp, 300 pounds of spiced chicken, another 300 pounds of fried catfish and barbeque ribs, along with 100 pounds of spaghetti, and more extras than a small army could consume. All topped off with live music that kept the toes tapping. The community welcomed riders back with a bounty of delicious local cuisine, festive music, and down home warmth.

"Now this how to celebrate a victory!" exclaimed Wilhelm Genn winner of the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake that occurred earlier in the afternoon. The Classic Equine Equip, Inc sponsored event saw a field of professional and promising juniors tackle designer Allen Rheinheimer's 12 obstacle [15 efforts] layout that included 3 combinations and a very snaky rollback from fence 4 to 5 that would prove to be a time cruncher for many. "The course walked fine, stride count was good so the time allowed [82 seconds] didn't seem like a problem." began Gautama "G" Tschannerl who's first mount Commodoro went clear, but fell victim to the deception of the course, "Oops! Just didn't count on that roll back being as tricky and it definitely cost me a precious second too much." The line deceived almost half the starters as well.

"He [Allen] kept the time short", today's winner felt. "I think many were surprised by the time faults. After watching G and a few others get surprised I knew I would have to shave the turns a bit more." A strategy that worked well for Genn and his 10 year-old Holsteiner gelding Ariado giving them a clear first round finish of 78.326 seconds. This plan also assured his other two mounts made it to the jump off as well. Four other horse-riders joined them in the final round all-vying to beat out last week's winner but Ariado's huge strides stopped the clock at 30.582, well below the 41-second allowance and cinched a second victory for the pair. "My wife is going to be very happy with me" Wilhelm called out while still in the saddle, referencing that Ariado was her birthday gift from him last year. "I'm pleased with all of my horses today," Genn proudly announced, "They did very well. I'm looking forward to the prix." A mere 2 seconds off Genn's pace was Holly Shepherd riding Sarah Patterson's Quilmes to a 32.485 second place finish, while Genn's Happy Z and Chantal filled in the 3rd and 4th spots with respective times of 33.019 and 33.746 seconds, and completing the top five was rider-owner Whitney Owens and Santina H with a final time of 35.962.

Hunter Highlights for the third week of the Winter Classics found a couple of new names on the Champions lists. For the 1st Year Green Hunters it was Susan Baker's Tell All ridden by Russell Frey wearing the Tri Colors and in the 2nd Year Green Hunters the new Champion was Weston piloted by Courtney Calcognini for owners Yates HJ, LLC. Mike Rosser secured another big win for owner Donald Stewart with Besides That in the Green Conformation division and Holly Shepherd took the top honors in the Regular Working division with Contender for owners Dr Patrick Fortune and Micaela Kennedy.

The main event of the weekend was Sunday's Nutrena sponsored $25,000 Grand Prix where an excited audience lined the sides of the lush grass ring to cheer on their favorite horses. Once again Allen Rheinheimer produced a course that tested riders not only in the technical aspects but their stamina as well. "It was challenging." began today's victor Laurie Jakubaukas, whose home base is Kenneth Square, P.A., "I thought it was long. It tested their endurance, it tested their adjustability, and scope." The 14 obstacle layout which included 2 sets of triple bars, 3 combinations, and wicked turns such as the tight one off the #10 triple bar into the 11AB tall vertical combination, had an allowance of 98 seconds. "There wasn't anything that was particularly easy about it." Laurie said with a satisfied smile. She explained her confidence came from 12 year-old partner Mirage, the Dutch Warmblood gelding she's owned for almost 4 years and now returning to competition after being off due to an injury last season. "He's just a wonderful, wonderful horse. Actually he's more like a dog." Laurie said of the decorated champ whose ribbons include such events as Devon, Upperville, and the Hampton Classics. The pair were also the 2004 Gulf Coast $77,700 Lucky Sevens Grand Prix winners and the only to go double clear out of 41 competitors. "I know this guy really well. Even though I hadn't jumped him in 9 months, he's like sitting on my sofa or a comfortable massage chair." Their first round time was a quick and clean 95.96 seconds securing them one of the five jump off spots.

With a time allowed of 54 seconds in the final round consisting of long tracks and big twists, Laurie went second with her comeback kid after watching predicted class leader Wilhelm Genn's blazing chestnut mare Happy Z set a time of 51.032 but then drop a rail. "I'm glad Wilhelm had that rail."laughed Laurie, "He's always so fast and that meant I didn't have to get too crazy." Instead they made some cut backs to the jumps a little bit tighter and a flat out run on the track to the last jump to cinch the win in a time of 53.528. The only other clear round in the jump off belonged to Sea Cove with owner-rider Belynda Bond in the irons with a time of 53.948. Genn and Happy Z finished third with 4 faults in 51.032. Fourth place went to owner-rider Douglas King and Rex The Rascal finishing in 52.522 seconds with 4 faults and the fifth spot went to junior rider Megan Haag with new mount Nabucco in 55.422 seconds and 6 faults.

This is Laurie's first Grand Prix win with Mirage since his return to the ring, and only their 3rd class of the season making the victory even more meaningful. "He loves the grass fields! I'm just thrilled to see him enjoying it all again"she concluded of the day's event. With two more weeks of competition before heading back north Laurie may give the champ a week off from the big classes but assures Genn and other competitors they will be back for the final Grand Prix to challenge them again.

The Gulfport Winter Classic continues with more hunter/jumper and Grand Prix action through March18th. Admission is free and the public is invited to enjoy the exciting competition throughout the week along with another $25,000 Grand Prix each Sunday as well as the race for the of the $10,000 Budweiser High Point Grand Prix Rider, presented to the top rider, calculated by earned points, of the five-week series.