Greg Best, U.S. Olympic and Pan American Games silver medalist in show jumping, returns to Sequim’s Fox Creek Farm to conduct a clinic Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
"Our clinic with Greg last year was a huge success and we’re so happy that he agreed to come back this year," said Lori Crow, owner of Fox Creek Farm. "We’re just thrilled to have him. Everyone who rode in the clinic last year learned a lot and had a great time. All of the participants I’ve spoken with can’t wait to ride with him again, so we’re looking forward to another great clinic this year."
The clinic is divided into a maximum of five sessions of three riders each (15 total riders), based on skill levels. Crow said jump height divisions will likely be set at 2 feet, 6 inches to 3 feet; 3 feet to 3 feet, 3 inches; 3 feet, 6 inches; over 3 feet 6 inches; and over 4 feet.
While Best is known mostly for winning individual and team silver medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, riding the famous Gem Twist, he also won a team silver medal in the 1987 Pan American Games. He has won more than 14 Grand Prix show jumping competitions worldwide since 1987, including six FEI World Cup qualifiers and he was the American Grand Prix Association Champion in 1987.
In 1990, Best qualified for the final four in the World Equestrian Games where his horse, Gem Twist, was named "Best Horse."
As a young rider, Best won the North American Young Rider Championships in 1984, as well as the USET Talent Derby in 1985 and the USET Foundation Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Memorial Award in 1986. Best now resides in New Zealand and is New Zealand’s show jumping coach. He has dual citizenship with the U.S. and New Zealand, coached New Zealand’s jumpers for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens and at the 2008 summer games in Beijing.
Best conducts clinics in the United States and New Zealand throughout the year when not acting as chef d’equipe (head coach) for the New Zealand show jumping team.
Located in the mountains above Sequim with a view of the Olympics, Fox Creek Farm is a private facility featuring a secure gated entrance, new 18-stall barn with 12-by-12 matted stalls, 12-by-40 all-weather runs and seasonal pasture turnout, plus a lighted, 80-by-180 covered arena. Other farm features include sand/rubber footing, jumps, heated tack rooms, groom stalls and hot/cold water wash racks.
The farm specializes in boarding for the competition horse as well as boarding for retired horses.
Fox Creek Farm show jumping clinic
Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Cost: $600 for all three days, includes lunches (nonrefundable deposit of $300 to hold spot)
Instruction: Two hours per day; five sessions with three riders per session (grouped by level)
Additional camp costs: Stalls available for $45 per day; haul-in fee is $15; audit spots $60 (by reservation only)
More information: Contact Lori Crow at 681-4892 or by e-mail, lorincrow@hotmail.com.
