Jumper Classic, Founded in Hamilton, Will Return to North Shore

The Jumper Classic plans to return to its North Shore roots this July after a five-year stint in seacoast New Hampshire.

The Jumper Classic, a horse show that the late Don Little started in Hamilton 24 years ago, is returning to the North Shore in Ipswich this summer. "He created this 24 years ago," said Melissa Lovasco, the event's president and CEO, and she took over in its 10 years. Five years ago it moved to Hampton Falls, N.H. and in 2010 Little started a second show that has been held at Myopia Hunt Club. That show will not happen this year. This week organizers of the Jumper Classic said the 2013 show will happen on at the 100-acre Maplecroft Farm in Ipswich from July 10-14. Competition will range from children's classes to the $75,000 Grand Prix. The new date should help open the event to a larger number of young jumper who will be in school break in…

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: Sept. 6

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Thursday, Sept. 6. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Sun: The sun remerged on Wednesday afternoon and is forecasted to stick around on Thursday with temperatures in the 70s. 2. Equestrian Classic: The Boston Equestrian Classic gets started on Thursday at the Myopia Hunt Club Schooling Fields with warm-ups. 3. Apples: September has been officially declared “Apple Month” in Massachusetts. “The harvest is ahead of schedule,” said Bar Weeks, executive director of the New England Apple Association. Massachusetts is the 12th largest producer of apples in the country. The state Department of Agricultural Resources runs a website with a lookup for farms that sell apples this fall, which includes Connors Farm, just over the Wenham …

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Tell Me Something Good

Donald V. Little Grand Prix to be Part of Myopia's Equestrian Classic

Named one of the top 25 horse shows in the nation by North American Riders Group, the Boston Equestrian Classic blazes on despite the loss of its founder, Donald Little.

You can’t keep a good man down. And if that man creates something good, you can’t keep that down either. The proof is in the Boston Equestrian Classic. Don Little may have gone on to greener pastures but the show - his show - goes on. Little died on Feb. 29 at age 77 from injuries sustained after an accident while competing in the Masters Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. This year’s first competitors at the Equestrian Classic will warm up their mounts in the early morning of Thursday, Sept. 6 and as afternoon shadows lengthen on Sunday, Sept. 9 Grand Prix riders will be packing their saddles for home. Over $110,000 of prize money will leave in the pockets of the event’s winners. “(It’s) business as usual,” said…

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