The 1994 Grand Prix of Nashville

Tonight Fabian and I are going to the Colorado Horse Park to watch the $100,000 Adequan Grand Prix.

Karen Cudmore and Ceonto competing in the 2017 $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park

For five years in the early to mid 1990's, I lived and worked on the Hunter/Jumper show circuit, selling tack at all the biggest shows in the southeastern United States. Back then, I went to a Grand Prix nearly every weekend. I enjoyed them all, but my favorite, hands down, was the Grand Prix of Nashville.

This Grand Prix was held in conjunction with the Nashville summer show series. However, unlike the rest of the show, the Grand Prix was held not at Brownland Farm but on the big grass field at the Currey's farm. 

My bosses always bought a sponsor table, but never attended the event themselves. Instead, the table (and access to the free bar) would go to me, my co-workers and a few assorted friends. It was awesome.

souvenirs cups from the free bar in use in my studio

The competition was awesome, too. The Curreys are a big deal in the sport of showjumping, and a lot of big name riders who didn't attend the Brownland shows came to the Grand Prix. In 1994, some of the headliners included Todd Minikus on Thrilling (I loved this horse),

Margie Goldstein-Engle...
and Joe Fargis.

In 1994, Joe won the class with his 1988 Olympic mount, Mill Pearl. This picture was taken during the victory gallop.

I'm really looking forward to tonight's Grand Prix. Bring on the Lynchburg Lemonade!