Bob Crandall joins judging team

Wellington, Fla. - April 07, 2025 - The Baran Global Hunter Classic will make history this summer when hunter competition hits the world stage for three days of top-tier horse sport in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

Co-founded by Kristen Baran and Andrew Lustig, the landmark event which takes place July 11-13, 2025 at Longines Tops International Arena will bring show hunters into the global spotlight for the first time. Offering €300,000 in prize money, the Nations Cup-like competition will host 10 three-rider teams to showcase the elegance of the hunter discipline. Teams are composed of one hunter professional as the team captain, one amateur or junior and one international show jumping rider; a panel of six judges will officiate.

"I'm so honored to be invited to judge this," said Robert "Bob" Crandall enthusiastically.

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"It could give many gifted [hunter] riders a shot to compete all over the world like our top jumper riders have." - Bob Crandall

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Crandall has been active in the equestrian world for nearly 50 years and is well known in the hunter discipline as a rider, trainer and a USEF "R" hunter and equitation judge.

"I have been lucky enough to judge in Wellington and Thermal, at [USEF] Pony Finals three times [the Devon Horse Show] twice, [the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania], The Royal in Canada, Junior Hunter National Finals both East and West coast, as well as many others across the country," listed Crandall.

Crandall sees the Baran Global Hunter Classic as the start of more opportunity for hunter horses and riders. "It could possibly open up the hunters in other countries," he said. "It could give many gifted [hunter] riders a shot to compete all

over the world like our top jumper riders have.

"We have seen-not only with the jumpers, but with dressage and eventing-how expanded [international] support and financial opportunities have the potential to help our riders build tremendous careers," Crandall continued.

"I think this event is going to be amazing!" he said.

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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.