Queen City Classic Returns for 2008

Release: March 27 2008

By Robbi Meisel The Queen City Classic returns April 9-13, 2008, for the spring show season with a new location and USEF AA-rated classes, including a $25,000 Hunter Challenge. This year’s event will be held in Monroe, NC, at the “Why Not an American Ark” Equestrian Facility, located outside of the Charlotte area. “We are delighted to have the Queen City Classic coming to the Ark. To bring such an event to this part of Charlotte is great for the area,” commented Jeff Wylie of the facility. The show grounds include two all-weather footing outdoor rings measuring 250 x 150 each, one sand-clay mix footing covered arena also measuring 250 x 150, a grass jumper field at 350 x 250, and schooling areas that are 200 x 100. Additional information and directions to the Ark can be found at www.whynotanamericanark.com. Aside from the big $25,000 Hunter Challenge, the event will feature $1,000 Classics in each of the hunter and pony divisions. Equestrian enthusiasts across the board will find this event fills a void in the industry with its commitment to producing a quality-fun event reminiscent of show days from yesteryear. Robert Hunt, Queen City Classic Chairman, noted, “Showcasing the hunters is very important, their classic style and athleticism is often times taken for granted or just overlooked all together. We were very successful at illustrating their talents as well as drawing attention with the amount of prize money offered in 2005 and 2006.” Show manager Stephen Carroll added, “We look forward to building on that success for a bigger and better show here.” While the main focus does center on the hunters, the Queen City event will offer jumper divisions as well. For the 2008 return, a distinguished and respected panel of judges was chosen, for the hunters Joey Darby and Scot Evans will have the honors and Jimmy Wofford will oversee the jumper divisions. Available stabling is limited and expected to sell out so early stall reservations are highly recommended. Reservation-entry forms and additional information can be found at www.queencityclassic.com. Stall reservations can also be placed over the phone with Marie Irby at (704) 578-7131 or via email at marieirby@aol.com. Prize lists have been mailed out. If you haven't received one it can be downloaded from the web site or email a request for one to queencityclassic@aol.com. Sponsorship opportunities and VIP tailgating ringside adjacent to the Hospitality areas are still available. To learn more, please contact Stephen Carroll via email at queencityclassic@aol.com.

 

 

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Released In the Charlotte Observer Thurs March 27, 2008

Queen City Classic host

ESTHER ROBARDS-FORBES

erobards@charlotteobserver.com

What could be the first national hunter/jumper equestrian competitions in Union County are coming to Monroe next month.

The Queen City Classic, which began in 2005 at the Cabarrus Arena and Event Center in Mount Pleasant, will be April 9-13 at Why Not An American Ark Equestrian Facility in Monroe. This is an AA, or highest, rated equestrian competition where riders can compete for points toward the national finals and a piece of more than $50,000 in prize money.

More than 300 competitors from several states are expected at the facility on Charlie Williams Road south of Monroe. The facility has previously hosted national equestrian events, but not the more stylized hunter/jumpers.

Hunter competitions simulate the movements of a traditional fox hunt. Horses and riders pass over a pattern of jumps in an arena. Judges look for proper form and athleticism from the horse and rider.

Jumping competition is a timed event where the horse and rider try to make it over as many jumps as possible within a time limit. Form is not judged. Jumping is featured in the Olympics.

Running simultaneously with the national competitions are a Piedmont Hunter/Jumper Association-recognized show for less experienced riders. This show allows professional, amateur and junior (under 18) competitors to interact.

"There's a lot of equestrians in that area, but not a lot of shows," said Stephen Carroll, show manager for the Queen City Classic. "There's a growing need. This brings a rated show right in their backyard."

The national event is expected to bring nearly 1,000 people from outside the county to Monroe.

"These people will likely spend about seven days, spending their money in Union County. They'll be staying in local hotels, eating at restaurants and gassing up," Carroll said.

The Queen City Classic is a relatively new show on the East Coast circuit, but organizers are hoping it will become a premier show. The event is relatively early in the 2008 national season. Most of the shows in the Carolinas are in the late spring and summer. Also, there is only one other nationally recognized show of this type in the immediate Charlotte area each year, the Charlotte Jumper Classic at Bobcats arena, held the same weekend as the Queen City Classic.

Why Not An American Ark Equestrian Facility could become a destination, too. The facility has hosted events since 1998, but the Queen City Classic will be twice as large as any previous event.

The facility features two indoor arenas, one covered and two outdoor arenas, as well as cross-country courses with five levels of jumps.

The facility is owned by Jeff Wylie who said he developed the site because he was involved in the show circuit and got tired of traveling so far.

"(Why Not An American Ark) is convenient and it has a lot of potential," said Carroll. "It's a little more horse-friendly than (previous venues).

Want to go?

The event begins the afternoon of April 9. The most exciting events, organizers say, will be hunt team challenges at 5 p.m. April 11 and 12. This event will feature a professional and an amateur riding as a team. All five days of the event are free to spectators.

Queen City Classic, April 9-13, Why Not An American Ark Equestrian Facility, 1126 Charlie Williams Road, Monroe. The entrance to the facility is on Medlin Road and cannot be accessed from Charlie Williams Road. For more information, call 704-226-5406.

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Release Date: February 14, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For stall reservation information contact Marie Irby at marieirby@aol.com or call # 704-578-7131 or Fax 704-292-1435

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