Local rider Samantha Hocking took first place in two categories at the 37th Annual Pro-Am Classic Horse Show, held April 2-5 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
Hocking, riding Syb van de Laokshamhoeve for Gravel Hill Farms in Flemington, won first place both in Friesian saddle seat pleasure stake and Friesian saddle seat pleasure open.  
Sara Tirpak, riding Santa Cruz for Dixie Stables in Allenhurst, placed second in three gaited country pleasure Georgia owned.
In other local results, Bunny Braun, a Liberty County resident and student at First Presbyterian Christian Academy, won first place in Saddle Seat Equitation 13-and-under riding Seaside Santana for Pine Haven Stables in Brunswick.
Go to coastalcourier.com for complete show results.
The Pro-Am is considered one of the largest horse shows in the Southeast, playing host to barns from North Carolina, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida and Texas. Over 300 horses and approximately 275 riders participated, with several current world champions exhibiting their horses at this year’s event.
“The Pro-Am was a huge success this year,” Classic Vice President Amanda Ward said. “Not only did we have world-class performance-class riders, we also were honored to host some wonderful riders just starting out in the horse business in our academy classes on Saturday afternoon. This is our 11th year of benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia. We sold over 450 stalls for this year’s show, and our exhibitors donated items collected from their travels to the amazing families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia.”
The next show for Liberty County barns Bluff Creek Stables, Dixie Stables and Gravel Hill Farms will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Wildwood Stables in Jesup.
On May 1-3, Liberty County riders will compete at Dixie Cup in Conyers. The show features Morgans, saddlebred, academy, dressage and open classes.