The 2008 Gulf Coast Winter Classics, a 5-week equestrian event, was recently held for the eighth consecutive year at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. With a participation increase of 30 percent from 2007, the event is sure to be a success for years to come and will have a huge impact on the Coast’s economy.
The Winter Classics is a hunter/jumper horse show that started on February 13 and ran through March 16. The event featured seven show rings with everything from pony classes, or divisions, to large hunter horses, junior jumpers and junior hunters. Two of the premiere events held were the $25,000 Jumping Grand Prix and the $10,000 Hunter Derby.
More than 25 teams from Germany, Mexico, Columbia and the United States gathered to compete on the course designed by internationally renowned designer Michel Vaillancourt. The show awarded three-quarters of a million dollars in prize money, with $25,000 going to Grand Prix Champion Bjorn Ikast.
There were 1,200 horses entered this year, an increase of 30 percent from last year. Janet McCarroll, the show’s coordinator, told reporters that, on average, an equestrian event like this brings 2.8 people per horse among owners and participants. Based on national economic models for such shows, that translates to a spinoff of $40 million annually for the area.
Inside the fairgrounds there were several vendors selling clothing, riding supplies and other high-end services. Others were renting out golf carts, grooming horses, offering security, cleaning stalls, selling food and taking photographs.
Many participants commented on the Gulfport location and said they looked forward to returning next year. Harrison County is growing a great reputation from this event and should see continued growth in the future.
