NEWS RELEASEFeb. 20, 200812th Annual AHJF Hunter Classic at PBIEC Saturday NightWELLINGTON, Fla., Feb, 20-The American Hunter-Jumper Foundation will host its 12th annual AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular at the 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival presented by Zimmerman Advertising at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Saturday night. The battle is on to qualify for this no entry fee event which showcases the Olympians of the sport of hunters under the lights in the beautiful new all-weather footing International Arena. The International Club is where the party will be happening for the AHJF's major fundraising dinner. To purchase a table for the sponsor reception and "In the Pink Party!" call the AHJF at 774-696-0170. Since its inception in 1997, the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular has been a highlight event for hunter horses and riders, who put great effort into being one of the lucky competitors. Champion and reserve champion riders, who are current members of the AHJF, qualify throughout the week of Feb. 20-23 in the various hunter divisions to compete in this prestigious two-round competition. About $50,000 is awarded through 12th place with $12,000 guaranteed to the winner. Since it is an add-back competition the final prize money is not determined until that night. Roughly, 25 horses qualify to compete in the first round and the top eight come back for a second round. The final list won't be decided until that day but a number of competitors are already qualified. They include Peter Pletcher, of Magnolia, Tex., the 2007 Monarch International WCHR Pro Champion; Tim Goguen, of Wellington, last year's winner; Kirsten Coe, of Toluca, Calif., the winner of the 2007 WCHR Pro Challenge; Krista Weisman, of Sherborn, Mass., 2007 WCHR Amateur-Owner Champion, and Lucy Davis, of Los Angeles, 2007 WCHR Junior Champion. The tent, filled with sponsors who have purchased tables, buzzes with conversation while on the hillside around the arena friends, family and newcomers enjoy watching the nation's top hunters. The action starts about 6:30. While the VIP Tent is humming the horses and riders begin by first walking the course before the formal introduction of each of the riders. Riders and horses will prep in the schooling area before they enter the ring, beginning at 7:30, to each take their turn over the galloping hunter course. The AHJF was formed in 1992 to further the development of the equestrian sport of show hunter competition by providing a national office to organize, coordinate and support hunter rider equestrian competition. While the sport of hunters is not part of the Olympics, these competitors are the Olympians of the hunter world. For a sneak peek into what is in store for that evening, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dyrSjh8k18 and view the video of the 2007 event on YouTube. For more information contact the AHJF at 508-835-8813, www.ahjf.org or email: ahjf@earthlink.net. CN is a leader in North American and worldwide freight transportation. CN is the only railroad crossing North America east-west and north-south serving ports on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts to link customers in all three NAFTA nations--the USA, Canada and Mexico. CN Worldwide makes global trade a reality. Zimmerman Advertising, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is an Omnicom Group company and the 15th largest advertising agency in the U.S. Offices are in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Atlanta. FTI exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value. FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. |