World Wide Horse ShowServices

Sharn Wordley wins the $30,000 Grand Prix Championship on Mr. Flanagan at the First Coast Invitational held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center; Sharn then captures Third Place on Epsom.

Michael Morrisey takes 2nd place on Crelido, owned by Eugene Mische of Stadium Jumping, Inc.

Jacksonville, Florida - December 1-2, 2007 - What a beautiful day for a Grand Prix event in Jacksonville, Florida! With an amazing 54 entries for the Grand Prix event held on Saturday, December 1st on a new grass ring and next to newly finished stalls, the JEC has shown that the Jacksonville has what it takes for a first-class show jumping venue. Bill Joyce of Shadow Rock Farm in Ballston Spa, New York, the director, producer and show manager, put on an event that attracted the best of the best in the show jumping world. The mini Grand Prix on the following day had 48 entries 'to boot'!

The First Coast Invitational benefited Builders Care, a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association established to reduce substandard housing by providing repair services to seriously deteriorated homes belonging to the low income, elderly and disabled.

Eugene Mische of SJI was on hand to help Ringmaster, John Franzreb present the awards and personally congratulate his nephew, Michael Morrisey on his second place win. Two-time Olympic silver medal winner and Captain of the USET, Frank Chapot and Wendy Chapot Nunn did a wonderful job as the show's course designers. Frank and Wendy also shared judging duties with announcer Steve Sarafin and Vincent Sava, the ring steward. Sava is an "RC1" Steward and an FEI Chief Jumping Steward. Joyce coaxed Kathi Baker out of semi-retirement working as a CPA to be the Event and Show Secretary. Kathi kept the show process running smoothly and deserves a big 'thank you'! A good show secretary is hard to come by and everyone who worked behind the scenes, from the night watchman, show farrier, the stall cleaners and all the helpers deserve a huge appreciation for their support. Whizzer Baker also did a fabulous job as the Show Coordinator.

The most important single element of Show Jumping is actually a team. The union of horse and rider is the very essence of the event, and while athleticism, courage intelligence and knowledge are essential to be competitive, the quality of the meld between mount and rider is what elevates to championship level.

The First Coast Invitational (http://www.WorldWideHorseShows.net ) was advertised as 'The best kept secret in Florida" and "Where the North Meets the South" - A unique idea come to life in the equestrian world. A blending of two cultures, the First Coast Invitational brings to the Jacksonville Florida Equestrian Center the very best of two separate universes: the old world sophistication of the Show Horse Community with Olympic Show Jumping, contrasting with the excitement and tradition of the American Cowboy and Rodeo's Premier Event, Professional Bull Riding. Joyce has managed, organized, promoted, judged and provided logistical support for horse shows across the North American continent and overseas.

The riders loved the footing in the new grass Grand Prix Field and the newly built stalls donated to the JEC by the City of Jacksonville and filled with Suncoast Bedding. All Grand Prix entered horses got free stalls and free night watch was provided for all entries. Lesa Williams the manager of the JEC, even had her own horse in the show. Lesa, whose background is from managing shows at Devon, has been tirelessly working to promote the JEC to the City of Jacksonville for 4 years and now it has paid off - the JEC is getting signage on the interstates 95, 295 and 10.

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