Carson City, NV– September 14, 2010- With only a few days left to prepare for the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility, anticipation is mounting. Equestrians are traveling from all over to take part in the first standalone hunter derby on the west coast. Among the many hunter derby exhibitors will be top professionals John French and Jenny Karazissis. French will be accompanied by four hunter derby horses, which include two first-year horses. One of the first-year horses is Truman, owned by Mary Sweeney. The other horse is Woodstock, owned by Hope Glen, and his last horse is the famous hunter stallion Crown Affair, owned by Gail Morey of Yellow Dog Farm, LLC. Jenny Karazissis will be showing the athletic hunter derby horse, Forbes, owned by Tonia Cook Looker. Both riders are looking forward to competing in the September 19 derby in just a few days.
French noted, “I love the fact that this derby is a standalone event. I think the west coast really needed a class like this. This is like what the Oaks used to be it was a nice social event, with a brunch, and it was really special for the hunters. We don’t have the advantage that the east coast has of riding in Florida and then on the way home catching a few hunter derbies along the way. Each zone is located only a few hours form each other while on the west coast you may travel 10 hours to the next hunter derby.”
He continued, “I am excited that there will be many of the big jumps from the Chicago Hunter Derby. I think we will see some really special fences, some nice long lines between jumps, a beautiful big open field, and overall it will be a great experience. I just want to have fun with my horses and support this derby. It is really great that they are doing this and I hope that this year is a great experience so even more people will come next year.”
Many of the participants and spectators are making a vacation out of the derby by spending time at the local gaming venues in the Reno area. Some riders will be traveling large distances to compete at the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby including Jenny Karazissis who is 10 hours away.
Karazissis commented, “I am looking forward to Franktown Meadows. I have never been out to their facility before but I am very excited about it! Originally, I did not know if this derby would be possible for me because of schedule conflicts, but we worked out our schedule and will be making the trip to Reno. I was disappointed I could not go to the Kentucky Hunter Derby Finals so this got me excited again that I have another derby to do.”
Karazissis will be bringing Forbes to this derby. “Forbes and I have a great time doing the derbies, smiled Karazissis. “He is one of my favorite horses to ride. He is very handy so I enjoy when I get to the handy round and know I can do any turn. We have done well with every challenge I have come across and I look forward to hopefully doing well at Franktown.”
She continued, “I really appreciate the fact that someone is sticking their neck out to have a standalone event. That just doesn’t happen anymore especially for the hunters. To be able to go somewhere and know that they are going all out to make it a special class just for the hunters is exciting; This is how the derby should be. A lot of times the derby conflicts at the shows with other classes that you have to get ready for. So for this to be a standalone event and for the amount of money that they are putting up I am very grateful and very happy that I am able to go and support it.”
The $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby Fast Facts
EVENT: The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will be the first standalone hunter derby on the west coast. The derby will be a member event of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Series. This charitable event benefits the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that aids the Northern Nevada area.
WHAT: Over the course of three days, riders and spectators will enjoy a variety of exciting events with the best riders, judges, and course designers the sport has to offer. Additionally, those in attendance will enjoy great food, multiple exhibits for all ages, and first class hospitality.
WHERE: Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility is located 15 minutes south of Reno at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in historic Washoe Valley.
Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility
4200 Old Highway 395
Carson City, NV 89704
WHEN: Sunday September 19, 2010
SCHEDULE: 10:30 a.m. Gates Open
11:00 a.m. Champagne Brunch Served
1:00 p.m. Hunter Derby Begins
3:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony
JUDGES: George Morris, Scott Hofstetter, Jimmy Torano and Julie Winkel
DERBY MANAGER: Bobby Murphy of Kentucky Horse Shows LLC
COURSE DESIGNERS: Bobby Murphy and Jimmy Torano
THE FACILITY: Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility: Located on 41 acres at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Carson City, Nevada.
61 12 x 12 Box Stalls with 12 x 24 Outdoor Runs
3 12 x 16 Box Stalls with 12 x 24 Outdoor Runs
Pasture Boarding
Individual Tack Lockers
Warm and Cold Water Wash Racks
15 Grass Turnouts
125 x 225 Indoor Arena
125 x 215 Outdoor Jumping Arena
125 x 100 Small Arena
Dressage Court and Adjacent Warm-Up Area
Bridle Path and Extensive Trails within Minutes
24-Hour Security with Gated Entrance
ACCOMODATIONS: Atlantis Hotel Resort Spa in Reno, NV has rooms ranging from affordable, pet-friendly Motorlodge rooms to Penthouse Suites with amenities to suit anyone from the vacationing family to the high roller. With a convenient location to the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility the Atlantis Hotel and Casino is the perfect place for hunter derby exhibitors, spectators, and officials. The Atlantis Hotel will also be co-sponsoring the Exhibitor Party for the hunter derby participants adding to the excitement of the entire weekend.
Atlantis Hotel Resort Spa
3800 S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502
Reservations: 1-800-723-6500 or 775-825-4700
Website: http://www.atlantiscasino.com/index.asp
For more information about the FM Hunter Derby or for sponsorship opportunities please contact:
Founded in 1996, the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation is a non-profit, public charity dedicated to supporting the Lake Tahoe community. The Foundation seeks to encourage charitable giving, aid fellow non-profit organizations, and improve community well being. Charitable giving is simple and effective with the Foundation, as they partner with donors to meet charitable giving goals. Providing excellent stewardship of donor’s contributed assets, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation provides pertinent information regarding how the many generous donations are allocated so as to maximize community benefit. Joining efforts with other local non-profit organizations, the Foundation works together with the organizations they feel implement the types of programs that can provide for community needs. The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation promotes organizational innovation and collaboration as means by which charitable gifts can be used in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
Parasol provides local leadership by promoting a vision of communities that are healthy, inclusive, and sustainable. Giving every stakeholder a voice, the Foundation encourages lively discussion on current community issues and future community goals. The Northern Nevada & California community has been enriched through the kind generosity of donors, the quality services provided by local non-profits, and the hard work of many volunteers.
For more information about the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation please contact:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com
