Released September 20, 2009

(Clarksville, MD) – For the second year in a row, Laura Linback of Long Grove, Illinois, took first place in the 22nd annual $40,000 Columbia Classic Grand Prix, riding the same horse as last year, As Di Villagana of Woodrun farm. Linback made the day particularly notable by also winning first place in a preceding event, the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic.

Both events took place at Marama Farm in Clarksville, Maryland, the new home of the Columbia Classic. For the first 21 years, the event was held on the campus of Howard Community College (HCC), Columbia, Maryland, where students benefit from the Grand Prix.  Marama Farm is owned by George and Marilyn Doetsch.

Competing in a field of 26 horses, Linback raced her horse through the jump-off course in 46.704 seconds and zero faults, earning her a $12,000 purse.  Tracey Weinberg, of Lovettsville, Virginia, earned $8,800 for second place riding Linda Z.  Alexa Lowe, of Upperville, Virginia, won the third place purse of $5,200 riding Nadyleen.

In the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Classic, 14 horses competed.  Linback earned $3,000 for first place, riding Cartusch. Weinberg also came in second in that event, taking a $2,000 purse atop Larone.  Heather Irons, of Wynmoor, Pennsylvania, captured third place riding Taro.

In grand prix show jumping, horse and rider race the clock through a challenging course of obstacles, twists and turns.

Proceeds from the event provide scholarships for HCC students through the HCC Educational Foundation.  Major corporate sponsors were the Herb Gordon Auto Group, the Horowitz family, Marama Farm, and the McCuan Family Foundation.

About HCC
Howard Community College (HCC) is a publicly funded two-year community college serving the educational needs of the citizens and employers in Howard County, Maryland since 1970. With its slogan, “You Can Get There from Here,” the college has forged a variety of partnerships to offer career and transfer programs to over 28,000 students annually at its main campus in Columbia, the Ecker Business Training Center, Laurel College Center, and the historic Belmont Conference Center. Located midway between two major metropolitan areas, Washington DC and Baltimore, MD, Howard Community College is an affordable, community-based institution that has long been recognized for its ability to inspire learning, and the lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. Among its many awards is the prestigious U.S. Senate Productivity Award for organizational performance excellence.