Gulf Coast Winter Classics Horse Show continues at the Harrison County Fairgrounds
The Gulf Coast Winter Classics is on its fifth week of horse show competitions.
Every year, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics brings the Coast an economic boom. Winter Classics Coordinator Janet McCarroll said, “We calculate it to be about $40 million for each time we’re here. If we’re at full capacity, which we are.”
The classics showcases riders and their horses from all over North America at the Harrison County Fairgrounds for six full weeks of competition. “This is the sixth year that we’ve come here. And the only thing we don’t like is we didn’t come here sooner.”
“Food is wonderful. You know, I think I gained six or eight pounds every winter.”
Competitions consist of two types of jumping contests. And although it is free to spectators, the human eye can sometimes mistake the ease of the ride. Equestrian Gianna Aycock said, “First thing I would tell them is it doesn’t feel how it looks. We always say it looks like Mozart and feels like Metallica. The sport itself is really intense but your partnership with the horse is really quite sensitive.”
The sport is unique, with a human depending on their horse for a flawless jump. “When you and your horse are in partnership it’s also calm. You know like you’re in the eye of the storm. When I go in the ring I don’t hear the music. I don’t hear the announcer, I don’t hear the crowd. It’s just pinpoint focus and feeling between me and the horse and it’s an amazing feeling.”
A course never stays the same as the right stride keeps the horses on track. Field Designer Paul Jewell said, “It’s a great horse facility, probably one of the best fields, if not the best field in the country. With the grass that horses’ strides get bigger than they do on the sand. So, as they open up their strides, we have to open up our distances between the jumps.”
“And sometimes they designed a course that really kind of pokes at your weaknesses. And it’s really difficult to win when the course is sort of not designed toward what you’re strong at but when the course is sort of designed in your favor, then you then you have a better shot for sure.”
“Every day is different track and every week you’re setting up to try to develop the horses and make them get better as the week goes on.”
As for prizes go. “So, this week, they’ll be jumping for $50,000 in that one class. So, we think we’re going to get a good crowd and there.”
“The feeling of galloping across the field it I mean; it sets my heart on fire.”
Competitions run until March 24th.
