Shane George Confirmed as Judge the for Baran Global Hunter Classic

Wellington, Fla. - March 24, 2025 - The leadership of the Baran Global Hunter Classic is pleased that Shane George (Magnolia, Texas) has agreed to be one of the judges for the debut of their landmark event. Co-founded by Kristen Baran and Andrew Lustig, the Baran Global Hunter Classic will bring show hunters into the global spotlight for the first time. Offering €300,000 in prize money, three days of high performance hunter competition will unfold July 11-13, 2025 at Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

"It's an honor to be asked [to be a judge at the Baran Global Hunter Classic]. I'm excited to see this type of showcase for hunters in Holland," George said.

"I think it will be a great representation of the hunter industry in America. A lot of our hunters were bred in Europe, and this competition is a chance for [the breeders] to feel a lot of pride.

"I know that some of the European [breeders] have seen horse shows in [the U.S.]," he continued. "But as it happens more often than you would think, there are people or families who raise a foal at home, and it shows exceptional talent as a young horse; they're discovered, sold and finished as a hunter in the U.S. For those breeders who have not seen [North American hunter competition] in person, [the Baran Global Hunter Classic] is going to bring it right to their doorstep!'

After his career as a rider, trainer and coach, George has committed full-time to officiating as a USEF R hunter and equitation judge. He has judged such prestigious shows as USHJA Hunter Derby Finals, USEF Pony Finals and Junior Hunter National Championship, The National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Devon, Capital Challenge, and WCHR week at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

George shared, "It's all about exposure. Time will tell how this is accepted [by the industry], but I think it's going to open up new avenues for a lot of different breeders and owners of these types of horses in Europe, and we could see the quality of our hunters become even more impressive than they are now."

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"I think it will be a great representation of the hunter industry in America. A lot of our hunters were bred in Europe, and this competition is a chance for [the breeders] to feel a lot of pride" - Shane George

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About the Baran Global Hunter Classic

Co-founded by Kristen Baran and Andrew Lustig, and supported by an experienced team of industry leaders, the inaugural Baran Global Hunter Classic will take place July 11-13, 2025 in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands. The mission of this unrivalled event is to showcase show hunters-unfil now primarily a discipline in North America-on a global stage. The one-of-a-kind competition will feature 10 teams made up of three elite riders-one hunter professional as the team captain, one amateur or junior and one FEl show jumping rider-competing over a hunter style course, but in Nations Cup format. The 2025 Baran Global Hunter Classic is the debut for a unparalleled series of hunter competition in North

America in 2026 and beyond.

For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities and further information, please contact: thebaranevent@gmail.com 

Join us as we make history in Valkenswaard.