Summer Classic Horse Show Daily Report by Carol Dean-Porter

August 11, 2000

Friday saw the conclusion of the jumper divisions including Modified, Junior/Amateur Owner, Childrens, Adult, Training, Schooling and Ponies.

A third hunter ring was opened to accomodate the Limit, Novice and Pony equitation classes.

The highlight of Friday's performance was the $2,000 South Coast Plaza Gambler's Choice class held during the Exhibitor's Bash presented by the Summer Classic horse show management.

Gambler's Choice is an exciting "point accumulator" class. Each competitor is allowed 60 seconds to jump as many fences as possible and accumulate points. The jumps are given point values based on difficulty and size. Each jump can only be jumped twice and if a jump is knocked down, the points are not scored and the jump may not be jumped again. At the end of the 60 second time period, a tone is sounded and the rider must cross the finish line to stop the timers. A second tone is sounded and the rider is given the opportunity to attempt the "Joker" fence, usually a larger and more difficult jump than the other fences on the course. If the Joker is knocked down, 200 points are subtracted from the total score. If the Joker is jumped cleanly, 200 points are added. The choice to attempt the Joker or not, must be made within 20 seconds. 

Tomorrow on the Grand Prix field are the special Classics for Modified Junior Amateur Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers and Pony Jumpers. 

The highlight will be the $2,000 Orange Coast Music Derby at 1:30 pm.

The hunter rings will continue with Junior, Amateur Owner, Childrens, Adult Amateur, Pony and Modified Jr/Am hunters. There will also be Equitation classes for various age groups and Medal classes for all levels.