Osiris is considered to be the King of the Egyptian gods, and the horse Osiris lived up to the name when he ruled the grand prix and won the $25,000 Bohicket Marina Grand Prix on July 19 to wrap up the Charleston Summer Classic on Johns Island, S.C.

British show jumping superstar Gemma Paternoster, now of Wellington, Fla., was the first to go with Osiris, owned by Julia Harrison-Lee. The pair turned in a clean round in 84.198 seconds, well within the time allowed of 94 seconds. 

Frank Owens of San Antonio, Texas, was next to go aboard DS Holdings, LLC’s MTM Twenties Girl and also turned in a clean first-round effort in a time of 88.758 seconds.

Jordan Gilchrist, Flower Mound, Texas, was next to go with Shawn Hodgen’s Okaletto. Although the pair had no jump faults, they incurred 2 time faults to finish in ninth place overall.

The next clear round would come three trips later when Paternoster returned to the ring, this time aboard the mare Zonneglans, also owned by Harrison-Lee.

Texas was on the heels of Paternoster, when Whitney Owens of San Antonio entered the ring on DS Holdings LLC’s S & L Shoe Guru. The pair turned in a clean ride, and Whitney would join her brother Frank against Paternoster.

Gilchrist came back on Jenny Booth’s Lucie De Brecey. The pair was victorious in the $5,000 Open Welcome on Wednesday and posted a clean round in a time of 83.816 seconds.

Paternoster increased her odds for a win when she qualified a third horse for the jump-off, Figarro D, also owned by Harrison-Lee.

Nashville, Tenn.’s Haley Lubow rode Krisley Hill Equine, Inc.’s Calligraphy to a clean first-round effort, as did Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, on his own Lissa TSP, the final clean first round.

Paternoster returned for the short course first in the order aboard Osiris and turned in a clean effort in 40.119 seconds, setting the time to beat.

“I wanted my first ride to be fast enough to put pressure on the others and force mistakes,” she said. “[Osiris] has such a massive stride, amazing scope and can make such tight, fast turns. I just left him in his rhythm and didn’t interfere.”

Frank Owens and MTM Twenties Girl were next to go, but 8 jump faults would see them finish in seventh place. Zonneglans and Paternoster suffered a rail at the final fence, finishing fourth overall. “I was trying to beat my time [on Osiris] with her, and she really flew,” said Paternoster. 

Whitney Owens and DS Holdings, LLC’s S & L Shoe Guru also incurred 4 jump faults to place third.

Gilchrist and Lucie De Brecey had two down and 2 time faults to finish in eighth place.

Paternoster and her final ride, Figarro D, turned in a clean effort in a time of 40.584 seconds. That moved her into second place with two rides to go. “I think dropping that rail [with Zonneglans] helped me ride my last horse better.” she said.

Lubow and Krisley Hill Equine Inc.’s Calligraphy had one down and 1 time fault to finish sixth.

Rogge sat in the enviable last-to-go position with Lissa TSP, but 4 faults at the fourth fence would see the pair finish in fifth place, leaving Paternoster in the first, second and fourth place.

“I had such a great time here,” said Paternoster. “Being able to hone in on two classes a week and really concentrate for those classes and be very successful was such a treat. I could have gone to another show, but I wanted to look after myself better, try to incorporate beautiful places like Charleston in my show schedule, and I love the beach.

“It’s hard to achieve balance in this industry, but this show helped me do it for the past two weeks,” she said. “I want to come back next year and bring a string of horses.

“I loved how the barns are right next to the rings, and the trails are right here too,” she continued. “I did a lot of riding on the trails which was great for my horses. The footing here is really nice. It doesn’t shift, you don’t slip; it’s really safe and very nice on the horses’ feet. This was really a great show for both me and my horses.”

Bob Bell, President of Classic Company said, “Some people call it a horse show, but I call it one big, fun party with my friends who have horses. We started this show 22 years ago by inviting a few of my friends to come and compete. Twenty-two years later, the tradition continues, and it looks as if I have a lot more friends!”