Chagrin Falls, Ohio—May 1, 2022—The Chagrin Valley’s favorite summer event, the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic (CHJC), returns in July to its new home at Chagrin Valley Farms in Bainbridge Twp. The competition will run July 8-10 for the unrated/local show and July 13-17 for the national “A”- rated horse show which will include a $9,999 1.20m Mini Prix for jumpers and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Classic was formerly held at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills.
“The 2022 Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic committee has been busy planning and raising funds for our show and we still need public support. Many of the current board members were exhibitors in the early years of the show and have been involved in one way or another ever since. They are now teaming up with newcomers who are equally as committed to seeing its legacy continue for future generations to come, said Rebecca McNish CHJC Chairman. Long-time show manager Phil DeVita will continue to handle operations.
The current volunteer Board of Trustees includes Rebecca Brayton McNish, Chairman, Tara Cicora, Lucinda Fanta, Cindy Foster, Indy Peckham, DVM, Megan Moshontz-Bash, Elizabeth Porter, Eric Schneider, Karen Schneider, and Lisa Stone.
Rebecca continued, “The show is settling into its new home at Chagrin Valley Farms (CVF.) If you have not visited recently, please stop by and see the wonderful improvements. We all loved the magnificence of the Polo Field but continuing to host the show there would be fiscally irresponsible. The cost of yearly remediation of the rings coupled with rising expenses associated with bringing in everything needed for the show was approaching $800,000 per year. Staying this course would render us unable to fulfill our most basic mission of supporting local charity and seriously jeopardize our non-profit status.”
Admission to the equestrian event is free and dates and highlights are:
July 8-10 Unrated/local show including the $1500 1.10m Mini Prix, Hunter Classics, $500 Hunter Derbies, 2’/2’3; 2’6; 2’9/3′.
July 13 -17 National “A” rated show including the $9,999 1.20m Mini Prix, $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby (including $1000 Jr/Amateur Rider Bonus), Young Jumper Classes, Sarah Allison Steffee Sportsmanship Presentation.
Details, entries, and sponsorship information is available at www.chagrinhunterjumperclassic.com.
About Chagrin Valley Farms
“We are immensely grateful to the Schneider family and Chagrin Valley Farms for hosting the show, for being such a wonderful strategic partner, and for their willingness to work alongside us in these unprecedented times to keep the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic alive,” said Rebecca.
In 2017, Linda Joseph, owner, operator, and founder of CVF announced she had sold the farm to the Schneider family. Built in 1982, CVF (9250 E Washington St.) is located on 87 acres and includes 75,000-square-feet under roof with 200 horse stalls and two indoor rings, in addition to four outdoor rings, pastures, and trails. Chagrin Valley Farms has been instrumental in developing new riders and building the local equine industry through its riding lessons for children and adults of all abilities and a full summer camp program.
It wasn’t long after the sale that the transformation began with improvements to the existing facility and plans for new additions to ensure its longevity as a destination for horse shows of all levels. A long-time popular horse show destination for regional schooling and academy horse shows for up-and-coming horses and riders, CVF is also well known outside Northeast Ohio, hosting top A horse shows, and attracting competitors from around the region.
“Northeast Ohio has so much rich history in the horse show world. The area hosted the first show jumping grand prix in North America in 1965 with the Cleveland Grand Prix, and the long-running Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show, now known as the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic. Although this area has lost many riding stables and horse show facilities over the years, we feel it’s not too late to regain some of our stature in the horse world,” said Karen Schneider who, in addition to being part of the family that purchased CVF, is a Board member for the CHJC.
To host events for outside organizations like the CHJC and Northern Ohio Dressage Assn. Championships, the Schneiders turned their focus outdoors. They installed new footing from Footing First in the hunter rings, renovated the original limestone jumper ring, and developed a newly renovated jumper ring with state-of-art footing.
Jumper competition during the 2021 Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic hosted at CVF. Bethany Proch (right) rides FF Burrogh Hill in Adult Jumpers. Hannah Durr Equine Photography.