There are a couple of things that are guaranteed when your at a Derby of this quality. First, quality horse flesh. I dont mean just round about breeding stock quality horses, but bred horses that truly excel at this sport.

Before going into the Derby itself, honorable mention has to go to Peter Defreitas, riding Ray Jays Award owned by Double Run Farm of Leland NC. His Friday run in the 2000 dollar Open class scored a wild 154, and while walking out had a updated score to a 155. One thing was sure from the very first stop in pattern 10, Peter had his horse primed and ready to show. Its interesting how manuver score of 1.50 can surely wake up the crowd!! It was really enjoying to watch!!

We did have a couple of problems with the Web Cast during the show on Fri and Sat. But with some great help from Julie Burkett from Back In The Saddle Fund, Danny and Tanyas Silent Auction cordinator, we established a reliable connection from Saturday afternoon on, So THE DERBY WAS ON!!!

Many thanks go out to all who bid on the items from the Silent Auction on Fri and Sat night before the Derby. The show raised $10,000 with limited advertising. Once the Web Cast was up and running the bids took off and away we went !! Reiners taking care of Reiners !! But I honestly think it goes alot deeper than that. Those of us who work on the road either providing services, training or showing, know the road can be relentless and non forgiving, and sometimes just not fair. But we push on not knowing the future and what it may bring, just that tomorrow always holds a promise in people we deal with and the horses we ride!

With 28 making the call back on the Open side of the Derby, it didnt take long before Jonathan Gauthier riding newly acquired Out West Whiz for Tildon Whitehurst from Herford NC, to clocked a 229. His closest competition was himself scoring a 225.5 aboard Jacbsalinthrulites for Bryan K Knecht of Manassas VA.
This score was good enough to hold off the rest of the open as well as the Int Open, this is to also include the ABI side of the Derby as well.

Limited Open belonged to SLJ StubbornJuice rode by Albert Burton scoring a 220.5 for Smart Like Juice Inc, Markhan Il.

With 24 riders making it back for the Non Pro side of the Derby, Josiane Guathier riding Timber Finest, for her Dad Francois Gauthier, scored a 220.5. That score not only was good enough for the Carolina Classic Non Pro Championship but also captured the ABI side as well.

Layla Choate from Hazel, KY, happen to be the horse before Josianes ride. Layla riding Plus One Chex scored a 218.5 It just happens that Layla cross entered all the NP divisions which also included the ABI as well. Her score did however hold up to take the Int and LTD NP side of the Classic also the ABI side as well.

Primetime NP for us old timers went to a tie between Mike Hancock riding Twisters Hot N Spicy and J Wayne Norris Inscootable both scoring a very respectable 215.5.

We had a great time capturing the show as well as the Derby party on Saturday night. Dont forget The Carolina Fall Classic is around the corner, lets make plans to attend, GOD Bless and Be Safe Joe M TEM
Here are the unofficial cut off scores it takes to make it back for the Open and Non Pro Derby and ABI Class

Open Derby cutoff number

Level 4 212.5 ABI 211.5

Level 3 212.5 ABI 211.5

Level 2 211 ABI 207.5

Non Pro Cut off numbers

Level 4 209.5 ABI 209

Level 3 209 ABI 209

Level 2 207.5 ABI 208

Prime Time

204.5

FINAL Unofficial Scores can be found at The 2011 Carolina Classic Web Cast Tab

TAKE NOTE Derby to start at 3;45PM

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