Asbury, NJ – October 29, 2014 – Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio have combined decades of national and international horse show experience to create a five-star horse show venue. The Ridge at Riverview hosted The Sixth Annual Asbury Classic I and II in Asbury, New Jersey, with superlative success October 9-12 and October 16-19 to benefit The Wounded Warriors Project. The show offered hunter, jumper and equitation divisions at all levels with outstanding sponsorship, beautiful exhibitor amenities and unparalleled management, carefully crafted by Garson and D’Ambrosio.  

The competition was held in three state of the art “all-weather” sand rings and on the well-manicured grass derby field. Although weather was less than spectacular at times, the show had great turnout with riders of all levels competing for top awards in an array of divisions including low, medium, and high derby jumpers – a great opportunity for green horses and riders to test their skills out on the turf. From lead line to grand prix, all had a good time.

The Asbury Classic’s Exhibitor’s Hospitality Tent welcomed competitors by serving wine and cheese in the afternoon as well as daily specials. Spectators and exhibitors alike were able to relax during the day while enjoying a crisp glass of chardonnay, or indulging with a dessert at the picturesque venue. Every tree lining the property was decorated for the autumn festivities to set the scene.

Asbury Classic Week I 

During week one of competition, October 9-12, competitors vied for the top prize in the $2,000 Asbury Hunter Derby. Batman, ridden by Samantha Davis for Brilliant Stables, came away with the top prize money and the blue ribbon. Coming in second place was Swanky, owned by Frake Van Der Meer and guided by Pheobe Weseley. Genna Weisner and Park Avenue, owned by Park Avenue Stables, rounded out the top three. Weseley had the opportunity to steal a win by placing first in the $500 Child/Adult 3′ Hunter Derby on her mount, Poker Face while Maxie Formal rode Doctor Bombay to the second place.  

In the M&S Children’s/Adult 3′ Hunter Horse Derby, Phillip Haber rode his own Paolo to the top, taking it all with two flowing rounds. Lilly Kirschner also piloted her Carpe Diem to the second place. In the M&S Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic, Janet Rizzo and Penny Lane stood center ring for the blue ribbon presentation after laying down two consistent rounds, to take the win. Catherine Smith and her Chili Pepper 5 accepted the second place spot.

Over in the jumper ring, Kevin Babington on Borindy took the top placing during the first section of the $1000 1.35 Jumpers, while Sarah Sheiring on Winston JS took home the blue for their efforts in the second section. Babington was on a roll when he and Cariatide, owned by Cariatide LLC, flew around the course and captured the $5000 The Ridge at Riverview Grand Prix. Borindy and Babington continued their winning ways by bringing home the red ribbon while Compino 2 and Alec Bozorgi captured third place. 

Asbury Classic Week II 

The festivities continued into the second week of the Asbury Classic, October 16-19, despite some evening rain showers. Sarah Scheiring kicked off the week with a one-two finish in the $3000 Open Jumper Welcome Class. She galloped around the course on Jamie Maillet’s Prosper for the win, defeating herself on Brian Branch’s Santa Ana Lux Z. Coming in behind Scheiring’s top placings, Hugo Huesca led Sati De La Violle, owned by Literacy Orange, to the third place finish.

The M&S Children’s Hunter Pony showed a fabulous turn out, with Stephanie Smith putting in a flawless trip to earn the first place prize with her Benlea Thunder. Tia Maria, owned by Sydney Cole and ridden by Olivia Holtz earned the second place ribbon. The winner of the Asbury Hunter Derby also captured The Gary Zook Perpetual Trophy. This year’s winner, Paolo and Phillip Haber put in a beautiful round while Kaedee Nowakowski rode Tara Daugherty’s Conquistador to the red ribbon.

Bridget Perier took the inside track on the Perier Family Farm’s Boston VDL to win the competitive $1500 M&S/NJPHA High Children/Adult Jumper Classic, adding their name on the Lisa Berman Perpetual Trophy. Stephanie Lemanis rode Jamie Maillet’s Temptrist to a second place finish.

The two weeks of spectacular competition concluded with the $20,000 B.W. Furlong and Associates Ridge at Riverview Grand Prix. The tension ran high as riders raced against the clock but once again, Scheiring bested her peers for the win aboard Santa Ana Lux Z. The win got her name on The Rebecca L’Heureux Perpetual Trophy presented by the L’Heureux Family and a travel voucher from Whip Jet. Hugo Huesca couldn’t quite catch Scheiring again so he settled for second place on Sati De Le Violle. Jackie McQueen broke into the ribbons to receive the third place award on Wild Romance, owned by Shelly Stettner.