The Texas Winter Series Kicks Off Four Weeks of Fun

Krunch ridden by Jessica Law, owned by Jana Arnoldy. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography

Katy, Texas–The Great Southwest Equestrian Center’s Texas Winter Series is set to begin on Wednesday, January 29, running through Sunday, February 23. The horse show promises appeal for riders in classes big and small, and for spectators who enjoy the Grand Prix and hunter derby courses.

Each Saturday will feature a Grand Prix class, with a total of $225,000 in prize money. Week I is sponsored by Avalon Investment & Advisory; Week II by Pyranha, Inc; Week III by Antares Sellier; and Week IV by Great Southwest Equestrian Center.

This highly anticipated show, part of the lead-up to the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in March, attracts world-class equestrians to compete in show jumping, hunters, and equitation, as well as in-hand classes and special thoroughbred divisions.

The Texas Winter Series boasts AA and level four jumper rating with the USEF and USHJA in weeks I-III, and a level five in Week IV. It is a North American League and Washington International Horse Show recognized horse show. Class specifications, rules, awards, and prize money distribution are available on the 2020 Prize List.

Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography

One unique opportunity offered at the Texas Winter Series is the SHF Enterprises, Inc. $1,000 Young Jumpers Championship Qualifier. Established in 1998, SHF Enterprises works to create sustainable success in the sport of show jumping through breeding and developing young horses an offering select opportunities to riders and owners seeking top athletic prospects. SHF offers regional qualifiers at Great Southwest, as well as Young Horse High Level Classes at the Hampton Classic, culminating in young jumper graduates competing in the WIHS Grand Prix.

Of interest to many is the Take 2 Thoroughbred hunter and jumper divisions, sponsored by the Take 2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program. Jockey Club registered thoroughbreds will compete in the hunters over fences and under saddle. The jumper division is set at 1.0m. These divisions have a reduced section fee.

Grace McReynolds & Kabaltic. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography

Equitation classes include the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal, Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Medal, the Taylor Harris National Children’s Medal, and the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal, as well as Washington International Horse Show Equitation classes. 

Jumper classes at the Texas Winter Series range from .75m to 1.45m, and each week has a Saturday Grand Prix, sure to attract top horses and crowds of spectators.

Riders can also participate in the $5,000 De Cillo Equine Clinic USHJA National and $10,000 Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals International Hunter Derbies each week of competition. 

The Texas Super Stakes Series, designed by the Super Series Group to promote the green hunter, will showcase the 3’/3’3” and the 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter horses. This year, the group has added all-new Performance Hunter 3’3” and 3’6” Super Stakes classes.

Further investment is made in quality hunter riding with the 2020 Texas Winter Series $30,000 Hunter Rider Bonus, awarded according to points accrued over the course of each week. 

Stay in the loop of this year’s Texas Winter Series and Pin Oak Charity Horse Show with The Plaid Horse and by following #txwinterseries2020 on social media.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show runs from March 18-April 4, 2020. The prize list is available here

Get to know top Texas competitors with the Faces of Pin Oak series, including:

Daniel Bedoya

Patty Roberts

Natalee Newton Haggan

The Texas Winter Series would like to thank our sponsors:

American National | Antares Sellier France | Augusta Pines Farm | Avalon Advisors | BBVA | Bernstein Private Wealth Management | BluVida Precision Health & Wellness | BNY Mellon Wealth Management  | Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals | Courtyard Marriott | De Cillo Equine Clinic | Equine Express NA | Fairway Farm | Finish Line Horse Products | H & H Event First Aid Services | Hampton Inn & Suites | Heather Ridge Farms | Homeland Title Co. | Jerry Mohme Photography | JK Videography | Karinda K. Equine Photography | Memorial Park Hunters | Moonfyre Photography | Oakside Stables | Oakwell Farms | Olde Oaks Farm | Olva Stewart Pharo | Pine Hollow Farm | Pyranha | Rendezvous Farm | Residence Inn Marriott | Sherwood Sport Horses | SHF Enterprises, Inc. | Sidelines | Texas Western Hospitality | TKO Sporthorses | Wheless Properties