Katelyn Denby Edwards Earns Victory in $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour Classic at Blenheim EquiSports

Katelyn Denby Edwards and Kalina led the victory gallop in the $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour Classic. Photo by McCool Photography

San Juan Capistrano, CA – August 6, 2022 – Katelyn Denby Edwards concluded a week of winning at the Blenheim August Festival with victory in the $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour 1.35m Classic aboard Kalina on Saturday, August 6.  

Edwards and Kalina returned to the Grand Looke Arena at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park on Saturday fresh off a win in Thursday’s 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumpers, sponsored by Looke Out Pointe, and the pair brought that same winning form to the first-round Markel Insurance Classic track set by Mauricio Garcia.

As one of six entries from the 15-horse starting field to qualify for the jump-off, Edwards had her foot on the gas from the opening red and white Markel Insurance vertical through to the finish, setting the time to beat at 35.256 seconds.  

Katelyn Denby Edwards and Kalina were presented as the winners of the $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour Classic. Photo by McCool Photography

Jamie Sailor and Daytona, owned by Arwen Stables, were the next pair to contest the short course, and they came the closest to catching Edwards and Kalina, taking second place with a time of 36.603 seconds. Rounding out the top three with a time of 40.392 seconds were Amanda Tallman and her own Ibradento V.D. Valckenborg.

“Kalina is my little speed demon,” said Edwards of the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by her Mountain View West Farm LLC.

Edwards, who trains with Meadow Grove Farm, also finished in sixth place aboard Escapado S.

“Clearly, the odds looked like I was probably going to be the winner!” joked Edwards, who held the lead with Kalina when she and Escapado S entered the ring as the last pair to jump off. “I just wanted to give [Escapado S] a good ride out there, because I haven’t been showing a lot in the last few months.”

Katelyn Denby Edwards and Kalina. Photo by McCool Photography

For the win, Edwards was presented with an $80 gift certificate to Riderzon and a Blenheim EquiSports tack room pillow. For full results of Saturday’s $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour 1.35m Classic, click here. 

The 2022 Markel Insurance 1.35m Jumper Series offers $145,000 in total prize money throughout the Blenheim EquiSports show season. The series features 12 events, each providing horses and riders the opportunity to compete in $10,000 – $20,000 Open Jumper events of various formats.  The series will conclude with a $20,000 1.35m Open Jumper Classic during September’s International Jumping Festival, at which time the Leading Lady and Leading Gentleman from throughout the series will be presented with cash bonuses and additional prizes. To learn more and to view full standings through the Blenheim Racing Festival, click here.

Katelyn Denby Edwards and Escapado S. Photo by McCool Photography

Earlier in the week, Edwards also earned victory in the $5,000 Horse Hair Analysis Bronze Tour 1.35m Speed Stake riding Escapado S. Edwards and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Mountain View West Farm LLC, stopped the clock in 61.357 seconds for the win. Finishing in second place with a time of 62.494 seconds were Jessie Rechs and Oasis II, owned by Shannon Nugent.

Also earning victories in the lead up to Saturday’s $10,000 Markel Insurance Bronze Tour 1.35m Classic were Wendy Brownlee and Erin Duffy.

Wendy Brownlee and Hatari. Photo by McCool Photography

Brownlee kicked off the week with victory aboard Hatari in Wednesday’s $2,500 HorseFlight Bronze Tour 1.30m Two Phase. The win in Friday’s featured class, the $1,000 Mary’s Tack & Feed Open Jumper Classic went to Duffy and Galante 108, owned by Georgy Maskrey-Segesman. 

Erin Duffy and Galante 108. Photo by McCool Photography