The latest stop for the Equus Now! mobile rig was at the New Albany Classic. This is a show like no other! Every year, we are so thrilled and honored to be the ONLY mobile unit at this event, which raises so much for the Columbus Center for Family Safety and Healing. We enjoyed seeing our regular customers and welcomed so many new ones who not only came to shop, but also came to learn more about this sport that we love so much. And it was also a wonderful feeling to be able to donate one hundred percent of our proceeds to the Center for Family Safety and Healing. So, a big thank you goes out to everyone who made a purchase – you all made a difference!
This year, the Classic started out for us on Saturday with a fabulous reception at the store welcoming Meg Banks, a famous blogger who was here to cover the Classic. Meg came right off the plane from Florida to Equus Now!, and from 4 – 5:30, our guests all had a chance to meet Meg and have their picture taken with her or get an autograph. Bucky, the New Albany Classic mascot was there for photo opportunities, AND local New Albany Classic 2015 riders Ali Wolff and Andre Mershad showed up and were available for photos and to talk about their success stories. 2014 local New Albany Classic rider Gabriella Mershad also came to join in on the festivities. The store was packed and there was a line to meet Meg, who was so gracious to everyone. There was food and drink, and lots of pictures taken! We gave out goodie bags with lots of great stuff in them to the first 100 customers and they went fast. There were 20 New Albany Classic general admission tickets given away. The biggest give away of all was 2 VIP passes to the Classic. At the end of the night we did the drawing and the lucky winner was Fin Mueller! Fin and his family were new customers to the store, so what an exciting opportunity for them! Congratulations Fin! What a great way to end the party! It was certainly a lovely event and a great opportunity to meet Meg Banks. Even Gracie got a picture with Meg!
Be sure to follow Meg for the latest updates on the A circuit on Instagram (MEG_AT), Facebook (followmegat), and Twitter (@meg_at_). Plus, check out her blog!
But wait….. There’s more!!
After a wonderful pre show reception with Meg Banks as our guest of honor, the mood was set to continue on with the main event the New Albany Classic. The mobile rig, chock full of stuffed ponies, puppies, and of course, Breyers, was moved to the Classic the Friday before the event and set up in the perfect spot. How cool is it to be right next to Jurassic Park and the High Walk!
On the morning of the Classic, we quickly went to work organizing everything to get ready for the crowds. The awning was pulled out and quickly began to resemble a carnival with all of the stuffed animals clipped to it.
We also had Breyers galore, which filled up three tables outside and several shelves inside. The weather was perfect, with a slight chill in the air, but we were prepared with new Fall sportswear from Ariat and Noble Outfitters.
But this day wasn’t about new sportswear, it was about families. There were enough happy faces around to last a lifetime! And that’s why the New Albany Classic is not just another horse show – it’s a family event, from which 100% of all proceeds are donated to the Center For Family Safety and Healing. From the concert, to the rides, to the food trucks, and of course, to the horses, there was something for everyone to enjoy. There were kids with their faces painted like their favorite animal or super hero. There were zip line rides, petting zoos, incredible food trucks, and some of the most talented horses and riders in the world. It was a great day indeed!
The 125,000 Invitational Grand Prix was like no other. Close to thirty horse and rider teams competed for the Authentic Cup, named in honor of Abigail Wexner’s brilliant jumper, who had been retired at the New Albany Classic just a few years ago. The course, as always, was strategically designed and set on a well manicured grass field in a stadium like setting. The seats were filled with eager spectators for the main event. Two of Central Ohio’s own competed this year, Ali Wolff and Andre Mershad, both from New Albany. Ali, in her third Classic, and her horse Casall were fresh off of an exciting second place finish in the Welcome Classic at the Gold Cup. Andre and his horse Man and Black, in his first Classic, made history by being the youngest rider ever to compete in the Invitational. David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, who is well known in the Columbus area, also competed on Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC’s Call Me Hannes. All riders rode very well, but in the end, it was between Beezie Madden and Breitling LS and Irishman Conor Swail and his horse Simba De La Roque who finished with in seconds of each other. Swail bested Madden’s time over the eight jump course by a thrilling one second to win the Authentic Cup for the Irish for the second year in a row. Congratulations Conor Swail and Simba De La Roque on winning the 18th annual New Albany Classic!
The day ended with a mad rush for the last stuffed ponies and Breyer horses that we had left. As we packed up, we all talked about what a great day we had had. We were honored to be a part of this wonderful day for a wonderful cause. Special thanks go out to the Equus Now! New Albany Classic Team who volunteered their time- Julia Bowen, Kitty Amorose, Arielle Smith, Brian Wolfe, Jamie Barkhau,(who also volunteered her truck), and Rosemary Staeck. You all rock! Thanks also go out to Lisa Hinson and the team at Hinson Limited Public Relations for making the weekend run so smoothly. We don’t know how you do it! And to Abigail Wexner, whose vision and compassion for others that has turned into this spectacular event, we thank you.
The Equus Now! Mobile rig made its next stop at Equivents at Far and Away Farm, September 25-27. Gracie was working at Equivents. She wasn’t at the New Albany Classic because she was up way past her bedtime the night before! (A Princess always needs her beauty sleep!) Stay tuned for more blog posts! Until then, get out, get on, and go horse show!!
Check out our FACEBOOK page for more photos from the Pre Show Party and the New Albany Classic!
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