Geoffrey Hesslink of Shelburne took first place in the United States Hunter Jumper Association National Hunter Classic on June 27 in Conyers, Ga. The 14-year-old, paired with the horse Cosmic Charley (owned by Casey O'Mara), bested a field of 27 competitors to take top honors at the Georgia International Horse Park, the site of the 1996 Olympic Equestrian Games.

Not only did Hesslink win the National Classic, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals MaClay Equitation Medal, and the Taylor Harris Equitation Medal he also placed second in the United States Equestrian Federation Hunt Seat Medal and sixth in the inaugural Open Musical Freestyle Equitation Classic.

The musical freestyle event was created by president Bob Bell of Classic Company LTD, a company that runs top level equestrian events, to address a request from junior riders who were interested in adding music to an equitation class. Although music is forbidden in equitation class, Bell took the idea nontheless, gave it additional thought, and created the Open Freestyle event. The musical freestyle gave the competitors three minutes and 30 seconds to ride over a 12-jump course they created. Following the final fence each pair uses the remaining time to "dance" their way into the judge's hearts. Of the 18 horse and riders combinations, Hesslink placed sixth and rode to the song "It's a Beautiful Day."

Throughout the summer, Hesslink will continue traveling to equestrian competitions with his trainer Don Stewart Stables from Ocala, Fla.