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Aiken Summer Classic Week 1 Wrap Up
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Jun 16, 2025
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The Aiken Summer ClassicWeek 1 Wrap-Up |
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$25,000 Sidelines Grand PrixViva Las Vegas! |
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For Immediate Release: June 16, 2025 Aiken, South Carolina
Congratulations to Emma Irwin of Beech Island, South Carolina, and Rosalie Midyette’s Las Vegas on winning the $25,000 Sidelines Grand Prix, besting a field of sixteen horse and rider teams over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt.
“It was a really nice course,” said Irwin. “Michel always does such a great job designing.” Irwin continued, “There were a couple of interesting options throughout that made it both technical and educational, and a great experience for both horses and riders.” |
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With a first-round time allowed of 79 seconds, five would advance to the jump-off round. First in the jump off order of go was Rosalie Midyette of Aiken, South Carolina, and her own Luigi Van De Kornelishoeve. While the pair’s time of 33.352 seconds beat the time allowed of 42 seconds, they earned four jump faults. Next up was Brian Gjetley of Aiken, South Carolina, and his own Chaccozin. The pair earned eight jump faults in a time of 39.542 seconds. Isabelle Song of Charlotte, North Carolina, and her own Verdison followed in the order and earned four jump faults in a time of 33.014 seconds. Claire Connagham of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and her own Figment were up next and posted a clear jump off round in 38.051 seconds, taking the lead. That lead was short-lived when last to go Irwin and Las Vegas posted a clear round in a time of 37.471 seconds, earning the win and securing second place for Connagham and Figment.
According to Irwin, she’s been riding Las Vegas since the end of last year. “I’m thankful for our amazing owners, Rosalie Midyette and her husband, Brady Johnson. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had, and I’m incredibly grateful to them for the opportunity to ride him. We are all super excited about his future.”
Song and Verdison placed third, and Midyette and Luigi Van De Kornelishoeve finished in fourth. Gjetley and Chaccozin earned fifth and Midyette returned for a sixth-place ribbon with her own Feret MH, after earning the fastest four-fault first round.
Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina, earned a seventh-place finish with November Hill’s Jalanne, and Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, placed eighth with Diane Halpin’s Geronimo SCF.
Amanda Dollinger of Chicago, Illinois, and Endress Road Farm, LLC’s Kerly W finished in ninth place. Waylon Roberts of Aiken, South Carolina, and Sher E. Schwartz’s CS Carrera earned tenth and Laura Gaither of Bahama, North Carolina, in the irons of her own Carnlea Premier, finished in eleventh place. Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, and Loretta Patterson’s HJ Hercules wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com. |
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About Sidelines Magazine
Sidelines Magazine is the Official Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine of the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Companies. |
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About The Clothes Horse
The Clothes Horse is the Official Awards Sponsor of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. The Clothes Horse has been manufacturing custom made horse blankets, tack room drapes and trunk covers since 1972.
The Clothes Horse now makes items for some of the most prestigious show barns and horse shows in the country, as well as for private horse owners nationwide. The Clothes Horse has grown to be the manufacturer of the most elegant and well-crafted horse products available. Visit them at www.theclotheshorse.com. |
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$7,500 Aiken Saddlery Welcome,Presented by PurinaLuigi Van De Kornelishoeve and Rosalie Midyette Celebrate 1st Anniversary with a Win! |
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Luigi Van De Kornelishoeve and Rosalie Midyette won the $7,500 Aiken Saddlery Welcome, presented by Purina, besting a field of nineteen horse and rider teams.
Only five advanced to a second-round opportunity with a time allowed of 40 seconds.
Waylon Roberts and CS Carrera, owned by Sher E. Schwartz, earned eight jump faults in the second round in a time of 35.021 seconds, well within the 40 seconds allowed. Next to advance to a second round was Lillian Geitner aboard Oak Ledge Farm’s Fazous. The pair turned in a clear second round with a time of 33.785 seconds and took the lead.
Laura Gaither and her own Carnlea Premier followed and earned four jump faults in a time of 30.445 seconds. Midyette and Luigi Van De Kornelishoeve sat in the enviable last-to-go position. The pair turned in a clear, fault-free second round in a time of 30.106 seconds and took the lead.
Midyette said, “This show marks one year that I have been riding Luigi. He’s been really consistent for me, and with his huge stride, it’s easy to leave out a couple of strides. “ |
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Lillian Geitner and Fazous placed second, and Gaither and Carnlea Premier earned third overall. Waylon Roberts and CS Carrera finished in fourth place, and Addison Benio and her own Beast Mode earned fifth. Gaither returned for a sixth placing, this time with Dalastar LLC’s Hop Mouche.
Seventh was awarded to Deborah Gannon’s Elboy D, ridden by Florian Ferry of Williston, South Carolina. Frankie Owens of Pleasanton, Texas, and DS Holdings, LLC’s Just Jeremy ES, finished in eighth place, and ninth was awarded to Brian Gjetley and his own Chaccozin.
Rosalie Midyette and her own Fernet MH earned tenth, and Amanda Dollinger of Chicago, Illinois, aboard Endress Road Farm, LLC’s Kerly W, placed eleventh. Claire Connaghan and her own Figment wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com. |
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Luigi Van De Kornelishoeve and Rosalie Midyette celebrated their 1st Anniversary with a win in the $7,500 Aiken Saddlery Welcome, presented by Purina. |
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About Aiken Saddlery
Aiken Saddlery is your one-stop shop for all of your riding needs. Aiken Saddlery is located close by and offers a huge selection of the top-selling brands. |
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About Purina
Purina is the Official Feed of the Aiken Summer Classic.
When it comes to your horse, you need nutrition you can trust. For over 125 years, Purina’s PhD nutritionists and experts have taken on the biggest horse nutrition challenges using science. And their love of horses pushes them until they get it right.
Purina has a range of industry-leading equine feeds for nearly every discipline and life stage. Explore their portfolio of products to find the optimum nutrition for your horses |
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$10,000 Open Hunter Classic, sponsored by Schneiders SaddleryEMO Stables' Curious George Victorious |
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EMO Stables’ Curious George, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, won the $10,000 Open Hunter Classic, presented by Schneiders Saddlery, besting a field of sixteen horse and rider teams.
“Curious George had a fantastic week,” said Shepherd. “Not only did he win the $10,000 Open Hunter Classic, but he also won the 3’3” Green Championship.”
Second place was awarded to Admiral, owned and ridden by Jennifer Alfano of Ocala, Florida. Winter Moon, owned by Cathy Rheinheimer and ridden by Heather Kuiper of Indianapolis, Indiana, earned third, and November Hill’s NH Maui, ridden by Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina, finished in fourth overall.
Movie Star, owned by Suzanne Mattingly and ridden by Stephanie Von Bidder of Aiken, South Carolina, placed fifth, and Wind Haven Farm’s Blossom NPF, ridden by Kuiper, placed sixth. |
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Barbara Risius’ Evocative, ridden by Shepherd, placed seventh, and Wind Haven Farm’s Ollivander, ridden by Callie Rheinheimer of Lebanon, Indiana, placed eighth.
Geitner piloted his own Daylight to a ninth-place finish, and Von Bidder returned to the winners' circle to pick up her tenth-place ribbon with her own Zane Grey. Calaco R, owned by Wind Haven Farm and ridden by Emma Rheinheimer of Lebanon, Indiana, placed eleventh, and Freedom, owned by Rachel S. Miller and ridden by Alfano, wrapped up the class with a twelfth-place finish.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com. |
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About Schneiders Saddlery
Schneider’s Saddlery is an Official Awards Provider of the Classic Company and a proud sponsor of the Aiken Summer Classic’s $10,000 Open Hunter Classic.
At Schneider’s, their family-owned company has maintained a dedication to value, product quality, innovation, customer service, and a love and commitment to the equestrian industry. Visit them online at sstack.com. |
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$5,000 Marshall + Sterling Classic Hunter DerbyEMO Stables' Sidenote Headlines |
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EMO Stables continued their winning week, securing the blue ribbon in the $5,000 Marshall + Sterling Classic Hunter Derby with Sidenote, ridden by Derby Queen Holly Shepherd.
Twenty-three horse and rider teams competed for a final shot at earning a free entry for next week’s $25,000 Marshall + Sterling Classic Hunter Derby, including Non-Pro Rider Bonus.
According to Shepherd, she’ll be riding three horses in the $25,000 Marshall + Sterling Classic Hunter Derby next week. “The Oares are like family to me, and they are very excited about how all of their horses went this week. Sidenote is always a favorite!”
Even Steven, owned by Margaret Russell and ridden by Daniel Geitner, placed second. Geitner’s daughter, Lillian Geitner, rode Banks Mill to a third-place finish and also won the $500 Marshall + Sterling 3’3” Non-Pro Rider Bonus. Daniel followed in fourth with Tammy Smith’s Instagram.
Odyssey, owned and ridden by Eleese Shillingford of Milton, Georgia, earned a fifth-place ribbon and the $300 Marshall + Sterling 3’3” Non-Pro Rider Bonus. Fair Game, owned and ridden by Marlene Holland of Atlanta, Georgia, placed sixth and won the $200 Marshall + Sterling 3’3” Non-Pro Rider Bonus.
Gable Stone, owned by Diane Semer and ridden by Erin Dombrowski of Eagles Mountain, North Carolina, earned a seventh placing and Finch, owned by Lillian Wilcox and ridden by Austin Cumming of Madison, Georgia finished in eighth overall. Oslo MK, owned and ridden by Elizabeth De Golian of Washington, Georgia, earned ninth place, and Daily Planet, owned and ridden by Marlene Holland, placed tenth and won the $300 Marshall + Sterling 3’ Non-Pro Rider Bonus.
Scorpio, owned by Penny Worsham and ridden by Mattie Worsham Thompson of Woodstock, Georgia, placed eleventh, and Pecan Lane Farm’s No Limit, ridden by Amelia Schoenfeld of Bishop, Georgia, finished in twelfth. Megan Odozynski of Magnolia, Texas, and her own Parker Lane, won the $200 Marshall + Sterling 3’ Non-Pro Rider Bonus.
“We’re all very happy about the horses’ success this week and are looking forward to next week!” said Shepherd.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com. |
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About Marshall + Sterling
Marshall + Sterling Insurance is the title sponsor of all Classic Hunter Derbies at all Gulf Coast and Classic shows.
Marshall + Sterling Insurance specializes in personalized plans that encompass a full range of extensive coverage options uniquely tailored to fit your distinctive needs.
Marshall + Sterling’s Equisport Division was created by insurance professionals to meet the demands of horse owners from competing professionals, dedicated amateurs, and those who just plain love horses. With a client service and claims team second to none, one quick call to their office will provide you with instant answers.
Marshall + Sterling Insurance has been around for more than 100 years. Reach out to the company that stands the test of time. For more information, visit them online. |
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$500 2’6” Jr/Amateur Hunter Derbysponsored by Braemer Road |
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Congratulations to Emerado 2, owned by Angie Ruch and ridden by Anna Kyle Murphy of Wilsonville, Alabama, on winning the $500 2’6” Jr/Amateur Hunter Derby, sponsored by Braemer Road. The pair bested a field of fourteen horse and rider teams.
This was the pair’s second derby. According to Murphy, they imported Emerado [Hippo] a year ago. “He’s six and a lot of fun with a big personality. I am thankful to my family and my trainer Hanna Sierra for making this possible,” she added. |
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Pennyless Farm’s Pidarco De Valdespino, ridden by Sydni Therrien, finished in second place, and Colebrook, owned and ridden by Gail Szczecinski of Aiken, South Carolina, earned third. Little Sugaree, owned by Carson Douglas, ridden by Linley Johnson of Savannah, Georgia, finished in fourth place, and Red C, owned and ridden by Tracey London of Savannah, Georgia, placed fifth.
A Sunday Kind of Love, owned and ridden by Helen Clodfelter of High Point, North Carolina, finished in sixth place, and GC Ponies, LLC’s Ferrari, ridden by Jojo Howland of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, earned seventh place. Socialite, owned by Peppermint Stables, LLC, and ridden by Greta Johnson of Greensboro, North Carolina, finished in eighth place. Merilee Ventura’s Winterfell, ridden by Ansley Cotton of Stokesdale, North Carolina, earned ninth place, and Doctor M, owned by T.M. Hills Farm International Corp and ridden by Dominique Gonzalez of Ocala, Florida, finished in tenth. Elizabeth Zurn of Bluffton, South Carolina, piloted her own Lotrando to eleventh place, and Rushmore RW, owned by Lindsay Birkner and ridden by Addison Birkner of Delray Beach, Florida, wrapped the class up with a twelfth-place finish.
For more information, please visit horseshowsonline.com |
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Emerado 2, owned by Angie Ruch and ridden by Anna Kyle Murphy, in the winners' circle. |
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Watermark, owned by Rose Hill Farm LA, LLC, and ridden by Madison Orr Roberson, was awarded Champion. August, also owned by Rose Hill Farm LA, LLC and ridden by Eleese Shillingford, was Reserve Champion.
Roberson said, “It was a great week at the Aiken Summer Classic. I’m super excited to have been Champion in the Younger Adults with “Mark”, winning three out of four of our jumping classes and winning the combined Adult Classic! According to Roberson, “Mark is a new ride for me, so Friday was the very first time I ever sat on him. I went into the weekend not really knowing what to expect, and couldn’t be more pleased with our results. I know the competition would be tough with it being a WCHR week, and I know some of the riders I had to compete against ride great as well, but I had confidence in my trainers and new horse. We planned to just learn and do our best. The jumps looked beautiful, and the course was friendly for us amateurs. |
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This week was a little different for me since my mom and trainer weren't able to be here this week. Bella Randall and Ryan Kenny of Clarity Farm put me in the ring, and we had a ton of fun. It almost made it more exciting because it was all new and different. It’s always so wonderful to be able to show in Aiken at Bob’s shows. They’re run so well and have such a great environment. We all love the town of Aiken, and it's such a perk to be here with such great restaurants and energy.” |
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Protokol, owned and ridden by Jennifer Morris, was awarded Champion, and Emerveiller De Muze Z, owned by Mille Fleurs and ridden by Megan Odozynski, was Reserve Champion. |
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According to Morris, this was Protokol’s [Toki’s] last weekend as a six-year-old, and he’s turning 7 on Monday. (Happy Birthday!).
Morris bought him as a two-year-old, and he’s lived at home with her ever since. “Toki has a great brain- he is brave and likes to see all the hustle and bustle at the shows. He’s never met a stranger and loves to chew on everything and anything, especially reins,” she said. |
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Party Started, owned and ridden by Tricia Barr, was awarded Champion, and Red C, owned and ridden by Tracey London, was Reserve Champion. |
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Barr is trained by Penny Lombardo and said, “Party Started is now eight, but was bred by Pennyless Farm based here in Aiken. This was his first horse show as a four-year-old. It’s always fun to succeed in his hometown. He is such a competitor and wants to try his hardest for me each time he steps in the ring.” Barr continued, “He has been Grand Champion three times at the Aiken Summer Classic, so it feels like he is my seasoned partner.” |
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About Perfect Products
Perfect Products’ company mission is to offer formulas that help support your horse’s mental focus and athletic potential when it counts.
Don’t get caught by surprise when you enter the ring! Prepare your horse mentally and physically with Perfect Products’ show-safe line of nutraceuticals.
From the calming support you trust from Perfect Prep to their effective line of gastric, joint, muscle, and soundness solutions, Perfect Products supports your horse’s performance when it counts.
Ask for Perfect Products formulas at the retailers here at the show or find out more information online. Enter the ring confidently with Perfect Products. |
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Picture Perfect Winner of the WeekSponsored byPerfect Products |
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The Perfect Products Picture-Perfect Winner of the Week was Ella Vanzant and Picturesque Paintball.
Each week of the Aiken Summer Classics, the best photo will be chosen as a finalist for the overall winner of the Perfect Products Picture-Perfect contest and will receive a special prize from our sponsor, Perfect Products.
Make sure to submit your photo to lisa@classiccompany.com or post your photo on Facebook and tag the Classic Company and Perfect Products to enter! |
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Highlights of Week 2's Aiken Summer Classic are:
Week Two - June 18-22, 2025
• $25,000 Marshall + Sterling Classic Hunter Derby
• $7,500 Welcome Class
• $25,000 Marshall + Sterling Grand Prix
• $500 2'6" Jr Am Hunter Derby, sponsored by Braemer Road *New*
• $2,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby |
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Classic Company Southern Hospitality |
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Everyone was treated to a complimentary ringside breakfast during the $10,000 Open Hunter Classic. |
| Thank you to Oakwell Farms for sponsoring the Friday night Italian Dinner! |
| “Classic Company President said, "Everyone here is ecstatic. The dinner last night was great, and everyone was so appreciative. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone next week.” |
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About the Classic Company |
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The 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 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 Classic Company apart from other horse show companies. The Classic Company provides 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 Company produced events each year. |
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Sidelines Magazine is the Official Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine of the Gulf Coast and Classic Companies. |
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| The Classic Company, Ltd. | PO Box 1311 | Johns Island, SC 29457 US |
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