New Improvements and Increased Prize Money at 2008 Wachovia Spring Spectacular II Horse Show
RELEASE: June 5, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Jennifer Wood
The Wachovia Spring Spectacular Horse Show II is held from June 17-22, 2008, at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. The "AA" rated show is organized and produced by Showplace Productions, which is one of the leading professional equestrian event management companies in the Midwest. This year's show features even more improvements to the Lamplight Equestrian Center and increased prize money.
The prize money has increased by over $50,000 this year for a total of $250,000 in prize money handed out to winners in one week of competition. This increase includes prize money for three new classes added to the schedule.
The $10,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance, featuring Walsh Harness and Saddlery, will be the feature event to open up the 2008 Wachovia Spring Spectacular II. It will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 17, in the grand prix ring. This special class is held for high-performance hunters and features two rounds of competition over specially-made jumps.
Reminiscent of jumps set on a fox hunting field, these international hunter derbies require horses and riders to tackle natural obstacles and varying terrain, and specifications of the class include natural fences and elements such as coops, stone walls, ditches, brush and gates, set between 3'6" and 4'. This class is one of a series held at different horse shows across the country, from Hawaii to Pennsylvania.
Immediately following the hunter derby is the new $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Speed Derby. The class is sponsored by the Hope Family. The jumper riders will compete in a speed format over many of the same jumps that will be used in the hunter derby.
On Friday, June 20, the third special class added to this year's schedule will be held. The $5,000 Gentlemen's Invitational is a spectator-friendly and fun class for everyone that will help raise money for charity. Ten riders each put in $500 and compete in a championship format, two-round class in the grand prix ring over a course set at 3'. Each rider chooses a charity and the money from all of the riders is given to the winner's charity. There will be a party held during the class, which will include a silent auction.
One of the biggest advancements in prize money this year comes in the Leading Rider Series, which will award $100,000 in prize money to the leading riders in six different categories:
—$50,000 Wachovia Securities Open Jumper Rider Series
—$20,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services Leading Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Rider Series
—$10,000 Bill Kay Auto Group Leading Children's/Adult Jumper Rider Series
—$10,000 Showplace Productions Owners Bonus, to the Leading Open Horse's Owner
—$5,000 Our Day Farm Leading Low Children's Jumper Rider Series
—$5,000 Ann K Hubbard's Low Adult Jumper Rider Series
This is an increase of $14,000 from last year, and the Wachovia Spring Spectacular II is the third show in the series of qualifying events for the awards.
The Lamplight Equestrian Center continues to be one of the prettiest and most welcoming equestrian competition venues in the Midwest. New landscaping has been added this year for shows. There are two new private VIP pavilions at the grand prix ring and the main hunter ring, as well as a new bar and restaurant located in the center of the property. In the quest to increase the safety of horses and riders, new golf cart paths have been made, which separate the motorized vehicles from horse-only paths around the rings.
The 2008 Wachovia Spring Spectacular II Horse Show is bigger and better, and they invite you to come and watch or compete in the best equestrian competition that the Midwest has to offer.
Wachovia Securities is the nation's third largest brokerage group and is based in Richmond, VA. It is a non-bank affiliate of Wachovia Corpor