Carly Anthony And Chacco Are Victorious In $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix
Carly Anthony Aboard Chacco
June 9, 2019 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Carly Anthony and Chacco, owned by Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc., topped the field in the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix during the Blenheim June Classic I. Bjorn Ikast and Castino, owned by BBB Show Jumpers LLC, finished close behind, in second place.
This grand prix is the fourth of thirteen qualifying events in 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.
Spectators crowded the grandstands and grass berm, enjoying perfect weather while watching world-class show jumpers navigate the Oaks International Grand Prix Field with a 1.45 track created by international course designer, Catsy Cruz of Mexico.
The first round saw eight jump clean over a course that challenged riders to alternate between a forward and steady ride. Cassio Rivetti qualified three of his four mounts and Bjorn Ikast went clear on both of his entries. Hillary Ridland, Carly Anthony, and Trudi Fletcher also proceeded to the second round.
With the format set as USEF Table II, 2(e) the return order for the second round was seeded, based on faults and time.
Bjorn Ikast and Castino
The jump-off course proved tougher to master than round one. Riding in the number two spot, Bjorn Ikast and Castino jumped without fault, setting the time to beat at 44.739 seconds. The only other pair to navigate the course fault free was Carly Anthony and Chacco, riding to the win half a second faster.
“Chacco is my rock; my go-to.” Carly explained in her post-win interview, “We brought him here to qualify for the Las Vegas National.”
VIDEO: Watch Carly’s Winning Ride and Interview
Carly Anthony aboard Chacco with Robert Ridland and Melissa Brandes of Blenheim EquiSports
Riders who made it through to the jump-off were also racing to claim the SmartPak Fastest in the West award of a $500 SmartPak Gift Certificate & Neck Ribbon. That prize went to Hillary Ridland aboard Wonder Kid, owned by Mary Frances Looke. Although the pair barely clipped the rail on the final fence, they managed to negotiate the second round faster than anyone else in a blazing 43.101 seconds, placing third overall.
Hillary Ridland aboard Wonder Kid
The grand prix was run concurrently with the $2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Jumper Classic. Claire Follmer and her horse, Bella Sofia took top honors among the young riders.
Claire Follmer and her horse, Bella Sofia
Competition continues next week with the Blenheim June Classic II featuring the fifth $25,000 Markel 1.45m Grand Prix (+U25), USHJA International & Pony Hunter Derbies and much more!
RESULTS
$25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45M Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 617 – Chacco – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc. – 0/0/44.299
2. 618 – Castino – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 0/0/44.739
3. 563 – Wonder Kid – Hillary Ridland – Mary Frances Looke – 0/4/43.101
4. 433 – Queen – Cassio Rivetti LLC – Rocking Basilisk Farm, LLC – 0/4/44.440
5. 431- AC/DC – Cassio Rivetti – Jasmine Talley – 0/4/46.790
6. 347 – Gee Whiz- Trudi Fletcher – Linda Smith – 0/8/45.511
7. 619 – Classini – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 0/8/47.342
8. 515 – Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc. – 0/11/52.436
9. 516 – Isoline van Dorpenheide – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc. – 4/80.189
10. 521 – Chin Chin – Arsia Ardalan – Tara Ardalan – 4/81.790
11. 232 – NKH Quanto – John Bragg – Caruso & Bragg – 16/89.134
12. 463 – Bella Sofia – Claire Follmer (U25) – Claire Follmer – 50/115.090
RESULTS
$2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Jumper Classic
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 463 – Bella Sofia – Claire Follmer (U25) – Claire Follmer – 50/115.090
2. 616 – Floris – Madison Bradshaw (U25) – Madison Bradshaw – EL
Photos by McCool 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.