Halifax, MA – June 23, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic continued today and hosted the $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake in the rolling grass of the Grand Prix Field. John Holmes of New Hope, PA, rode his horse Gideon to victory. The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic runs through Saturday, June 25, 2011, and is hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.
The “AA” rated show features exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers including the $25,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Open 3’3″ Hunter Derby, $7,500 Open Speed Stake, and $5,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Classic for two heights.
The $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake was a great way to introduce horses to the Grand Prix Field before Saturday’s $25,000 grand prix. Holmes and Gideon, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Hamlet, went first in the class. After a first round clear, they advanced immediately to the jump-off, where they were clear in a time of 52.600 seconds.
Holmes said afterward, “I thought he jumped good in the first round. I thought I went fast enough in the jump-off. I didn’t go as fast as I would normally go. It was misting and I’m really near-sighted, and I couldn’t wear my glasses! That was somewhat of a governor on my speed today.”
Cory Hardy of Norwell, MA, rode Ami des Gemmes for the International Group LLC to second place. They were double clear and crossed the timers in the jump-off in 53.762 seconds. Holmes placed third with his second mount Zilano M as the only other qualifier to the jump-off.
Holmes has owned and ridden Gideon for three years. “I bought him as a green six-year-old and he was a stallion, but he wasn’t too useful as a stallion. He had bad concentration problems,” he explained. “I’ve brought him along, from the 1.20m to Medium and High Amateurs, and occasionally I try to spot him to the friendlier, softer 1.40-1.45m grand prixs.”
Gideon and John Holmes
Gideon’s strengths are being “quick across the ground and quick in the air.” Holmes noted, “It’s what helps him be extremely competitive in the jump-off. In a big field like this, with open running and open turns, it really suits him well. With short, tight rollbacks, he gets distracted. This is more his cup of tea.”
This is the second season that Holmes has competed at Fieldstone. “The girl (Rachel Clawson) who manages the horses at home and at the shows for me, her father owns the show grounds, so she talked me into coming up here last summer. I enjoyed it and I wanted to show somewhere on the grass before Lake Placid,” he explained. “This really fit the schedule well. It’s a beautiful field and it’s a pleasant, laid-back show.” Holmes plans to show in the $25,000 grand prix on Saturday.
In Ring One this afternoon, the Children’s Hunters (horse) competed in their $500 classic, which was a qualifier for the Marshall & Sterling League, the North American League, and the Washington International Horse Show. The winner was Authentic, ridden by Jacqueline Snyder for Suzanne Snyder of Chester, NH.
Six rings will host hunter, jumper, and equitation competition tomorrow at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. The feature classes in the Grand Prix Field are the $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.15-1.20m), the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.35m), and the $10,000 Open 3’3″ Hunter Derby.
Final Results: $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake
1. Gideon, John Holmes, John Holmes (New Hope, PA): 0/0/52.600
2. Ami des Gemmes, Cory Hardy, International Group LLC (Littleton, MA): 0/0/53.762
3. Zilano M, John Holmes, John Holmes (New Hope, PA): 0/26/74.641
4. Grisset, Alissa Kinsey, Alissa Kinsey (Atkinson, NH): 4/93.470
5. Wednesday Mornin, Wendy L. Smith, Diane Denby (Somers, CT): 4/93.980
6. Tequila, DJ Volandre, Gina Volandre (Norwell, MA): 8/92.563
7. Cupid, Kristen Bumpus, Kristen Bumpus (Concord, MA): 12/87.389
Final Results: $500 Marshall & Sterling/NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic
1. Authentic, Jacqueline Snyder, Suzanne Snyder (Chester, NH)
2. Lancelot 235, Elizabeth Ranzo, Robin Burgess (Hampden, MA)
3. Quiddith, Julie Worthen, Julie Worthen (Hollis, NH)
4. The Closer, Emily Rhodes, Sue E. Marder-O’Connor (Southampton, NY)
5. Coffee Break, Alyssa Taylor, Alyssa Taylor (Concord, MA)
6. Santana, Madeline Vanummersen, Dawn Beckman (Boston, MA)
7. Remy Martin, Alexandra Hilton, Alexandra Hilton (Tiverton, RI)
8. Jack Black, Anne Mayer, Kimberly A. Kolloff (Stow, MA)
Conveniently located just 28 miles south of Boston in the heart of southeastern Massachusetts, The Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility is bar none in the New England region. The outstanding competitions provide a great opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers to experience something new and different from their standard horse show destinations. This beautiful, scenic facility is the perfect option for competitors looking to give their horses a breath of fresh air and compete in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Centrally located, the horse show is easily accessible from Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and anywhere in the northeast region.


The stunning show grounds offer competitors, guests and spectators beautifully manicured grounds, miles of trails and an exhibitor friendly atmosphere. The facility boasts nearly 100 acres, equipped with nine all-weather hybrid sand/felt/fiber show rings, permanent and temporary stabling, ample parking, and a beautiful all-grass Grand Prix field. Renovated in 2009, this field is a world-class venue for the facility’s premier classes. With show schedules boasting over $100,000 in cash and prizes and great exhibitor parties and events, these horse shows are not to be missed!

For more information on the Fieldstone Horse Shows, please visit www.showfieldstone.com, call 781-679-0701, or email info@showfieldstone.com.
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Photo Credit: Gideon and John Holmes won the $7,500 Open Jumper Welcome Stake at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. Photo © Tony DeCosta, www.horsesinmotionphotography.com. This photo may only be used in relation to this press release.