Casio Rivetti And Fenna Deliver Thrilling Finish In $25,000 Markel Grand Prix
Bjorn Ikast And Classini Win $15,000 Developmental Jumper Series Final
Cassio Rivetti and Fenna
September 1, 2019 Del Mar, CA – For the second time this season, Cassio Rivetti took top honors in Saturday afternoon’s $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45m Grand Prix. This week, during the Showpark All Seasons Summer Classic, Rivetti aboard Fenna, a nine year-old KWPN mare owned by Neil Jones Equestrian Inc., was the only rider to turn in a clear round. Hanna Mauritzson and her horse Parkmore Lux, owned by Ritz Fuente LLC took second place.
From the first rider on course, there was no doubt that time would be a factor in the feature event held on the Del Mar Horse Park Grand Prix Field. Even after the time allowed for jumping the track, designed by Mauricio Garcia Ballesteros (PUR), was adjusted from 80 to 82 seconds, only four teams managed to trip the wire under the allotted time. Rivetti did it on both of his mounts.
Cassio Rivetti aboard Fenna with winning groom, Donna Aviles and Melissa Brandes of Blenheim EquiSports
First to navigate the the course without a time fault, Markel Insurance series leader Nicole Haunert and her horse Calgary IV crossed the finish line in 81.978 seconds but an early rail cost them four faults. That score placed Nicole on top of the leaderboard until the nineteenth entry of the day when Hanna Mauritzson became the first rider to complete her round without pulling a rail. However, Hanna’s time of 84.451 seconds earned her three time penalties. Still, her performance was good enough to edge out Haunert
Hanna Mauritzson and Parkmore Lux
As the final pair entered the arena, it looked nearly certain that nobody would be able to master Garcia Ballesteros’ challenging track. Olympic rider, Cassio Rivetti and Fenna would change all that, putting on a show and electrifying an enthusiastic crowd. The duo flashed around the course, slicing fences and taking out strides, finishing clear in an astonishing 77.858 seconds, nearly three full seconds faster than any other rider.
“The time allowed was really short, which added to the difficulty of the course”, said Rivetti during his post-win interview. “I went first with another mare and I knew the time was short. Fenna is really fast on the ground. I went on the the short turns and I didn’t expect to be nearly five seconds inside the time. I’ve only done three shows on her but now I know her better.”
Cassio also won the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix during Blenheim June Classic II in San Juan Capistrano.
In addition to the victory, as trainer of the winning horse, Neil Jones was presented with a $4,500 Blenheim EquiSports show credit gift certificate. The winning groom, Donna Aviles, was awarded $500 cash.
WATCH! Winning ride and post-win interview with Cassio Rivetti
Other highlights from earlier in the day included Bjorn Ikast’s victory in the Blenheim EquiSports Developmental Jumper Series Final. Ikast aboard Classini, owned by BBB Show Jumpers LLC., earned the victory after a four-horse jump off.
Bjorn Ikast and Classini during the Blenheim EquiSports Developmental Jumper Series Final
WATCH! Winning ride and post-win interview with Bjorn Ikast
Saturday afternoon marked the eleventh qualifying leg of the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series to be held throughout the Blenheim EquiSports 2019 Horse Show Season, with the Final to be held during The Las Vegas National, November 11 – 17, 2019.
Competition continues in ten days at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano with the Blenheim Fall Tournament, September 11 through 15. Highlights include the $25,000 Markel 1.45m Grand Prix, $20,000 U25 1.45m Championship, ASPCA Maclay Regionals, USHJA Pony Hunter Derby West Coast Championships, CPHA Green Hunter 3’ & 3’3” Incentive Finals, and Blenheim EquiSports Young Hunter Championships.
RESULTS
$25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45M Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 427 – Fenna – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc – 0/77.858
2. 431 – Parkmore Lux – Hanna Mauritzson – Ritz Fuente LLC – 3/84.451
3. 353 – Calgary IV – Nicole Haunert – Cherokee Show Horses Inc – 4/81.978
4. 233 – Elicole – Jason McArdle – Fairbanks Valley Farm LLC – 5/82.863
5. 347 – Chin Chin – Arsia Ardalan – Tara Ardalan – 6/83.594
6. 398 – Quatar Jamie Taylor – JT Equine – 7/84.049
7. 319 – Insolente – Shawn Casady – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc – 8/80.612
8. 209 – Bacara D’ Archonfosse – Cassio Rivetti – Sloan Lindemann-Barnett – 8/81.195
9. 335 – Rallie Des Etoiles San Gabriel – Mauricio Ortega – Mauricio Ortega – 9/86.145
10. 367 – Centomima PS – Andres Arozarena – Andres Arozarena -9/90.023
11. 355 – Concolue – Nicole Haunert – Cherokee Show Horses Inc – 11/84.251
12. 359 – Jamaico Drum Van de Breepoel – Nicole Haunert – NJK Show Jumpers – 11/84.602
Photos by Captured Moment Photography
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors & Partners
Markel Insurance Company is proud to once again partner with Blenheim EquiSports for another season of fun in the sun.
Representative Brandon Seger will be on the show grounds to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs. At the show and in the barns, Markel is the Insurance Company with Horse Sense. With offices across the US, Markel is your national insurance provider covering equine risks for over 50 years.
Thank you for your support – contact Brandon to get a horse, farm or liability insurance quote today: [email protected] 213-219-7837
Markel/Lisa Seger Insurance Field Agent Josh Mullins is also available to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs.
Contact Josh at: [email protected]
949-212-2970
Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces events in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, NV. The events include 19 USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring five FEI CSI events, including a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League event; the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series & Final, Developing Jumper Qualifiers & Championships, USHJA International & National Hunter Derbies, Pony Derby Finals, the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals and more.