Hannah Loly Goes for Gold in the 12th $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix

Hannah Loly and Quitana 11 win the $25,000 1.45m Markel Insurance Grand Prix during the Blenheim Summer Classic

August 22, 2021 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The 12th qualifying leg of the $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series was contested Saturday afternoon on the Oaks International Grand Prix Field at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Following an exciting eight horse jump-off, it was Hannah Loly leading the victory gallop aboard her own 15-year-old Holsteiner mare Quitana 11. Laura Hite finished in second aboard the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding Calypso VD Zuuthoeve, owned by HF Farms LLC. Rounding out the podium was Trent McGee aboard his 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Boucherom.

Hannah Loly aboard Quitana 11

Prior to the start of the Grand Prix, Robert Ridland, the Chef d’Equipe for Team USA Show Jumping, addressed the spectators and continued the Olympic celebrations at Blenheim EquiSports by discussing Team USA’s silver medal finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games just two weeks ago. Spectators and fans eagerly awaited the opportunity to have their photo taken with Ridland and see Laura Kraut’s silver medal from the Games. After Ridland’s announcements, Alex Zulia honored long-time equestrian, vendor, and friend Monica Ward with a moment of silence.

Click below to watch the interview with Robert Ridland and hear his take on the Tokyo 2021 Olympics

Spectators packed the hillside of the grass field to watch as a starting field of 23 horse-and-rider combinations contested the course designed by acclaimed course designer and 1976 individual Olympic Silver Medalist Michel Vaillancourt, which included a triple bar oxer, triple combination, a Liverpool, roll back turns, and several direct lines.

Ultimately, eight competitors managed to negotiate the course fault-free to qualify for the jump off. Nicole Haunert was the first to provide a double-clear effort in the jump off, finishing the course in 44.732s. The next rider, Trent McGee and his long-time partner Boucherom provided a jump-off performance that left the crowd believing it couldn’t be beat, crossing the finish line in a time of 41.15s. Loly was the next to navigate the jump-off fault free, her tidy roll-back turns pushed her into the lead, crossing the timers in just 38.943s. The last rider to attempt the jump-off track was Laura Hite, who finished in second-place in a time of 39.311s.

Click below to watch the interview with champion Hannah Loly and her winning jump-off ride!

Loly, who came to Blenheim EquiSports after a very successful two weeks of competing at the Colorado Horsepark, spoke about her experience in the jump off of Grand Prix, “Jump offs with her are something else compared to any other horse I ride. She is incredibly fast and can be as tidy as you want. I cut both of the rollback turns very tight because, while some horses slow and lose their step through the turns, she doesn’t do that at all – she comes through the turns very nicely.”

Loly is home for the summer after completing her first year at Tufts University, but this will be her last competition until she returns home for the summer next May. For her win, Loly was presented with a gift bag from ShadyLady Sun Protection and a gift certificate and frame from Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths. 

Second place finisher Laura Hite and Calypso VD Zuuthoeve

The Markel Insurance Jumper Series will conclude with the top twenty-five placing individuals invited to take part in the finale event at the Las Vegas National Horse Show in November. To view the series specifications and the full leaderboard to date, click here.

This year’s prizes are the best to date. At the finale, the winner will be awarded with a custom-built Flexi Equine Tack Locker, currently displayed in the Blenheim EquiSports’ Show Office, and a custom Solea Equestrian show coat. Additionally, the Leading Lady and Leading Gentleman riders will each receive a cash bonus based on points accumulated throughout the series.

Competition for the Blenheim Summer Classic concludes Sunday, August 22nd but the fun doesn’t stop there. The Showpark Summer Classic begins August 25th and features the thirteenth leg of the Markel Insurance Jumper Series, a $5000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and the CPHA Foundation Medal Finals! Blenheim EquiSports is #ThePlaceToJump all season long. Visit our website to view a full show schedule and to learn more.

Hannah Loly and Quitana 11 leading the victory gallop.

The Markel Insurance Jumper Series will continue to serve as a stepping stone for both young riders and young Grand Prix horses along their pathway to success in 2021, with the finals at the Las Vegas National Horse Show, November 16-21, 2021.

Blenheim EquiSports is extremely grateful to Markel Insurance and Lisa Seger Insurance for their continued support and partnership which allows us to take this program from concept to reality.

We encourage you to contact a horse insurance specialist today.

Josh Mullins
Lisa Seger Insurance agent
Josh@lisasegerinsurance.com
949-212-2970

Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces horse shows in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Las Vegas, NV. These competitions include USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows; a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League Qualifier; the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series & Final, Interactive Mortgage “Ticket to Ride” High Performance Jumper Series & Adult Jumper Series; USHJA International, National, & Pony Hunter Derbies & Finals; the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals, and so much more.