Sophia Siegel Steals the Show in $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix at Blenheim EquiSports
Sophia Siegel and Immer Fortuna. Photo by McCool Photography
San Juan Capistrano, CA – September 16, 2024 – Course designer Guilherme Jorge set a challenging track for the $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix at the Blenheim Fall Tournament, but it proved to be no problem for Sophia Siegel.
From a field of 33 entries, only five horses qualified for the jump-off – and Siegel was in the irons on three of them. Ultimately, the 22-year-old earned the win in the class, held on Saturday, September 14, aboard her own Immer Fortuna.
Sophia Siegel and Immer Fortuna. Photo by McCool Photography
Siegel and the 11-year-old grey Dutch Warmblood gelding were the first to return for the short course at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, and they set an uncatchable time to beat of 38.833 seconds. Siegel also took home second place with a time of 43.23 seconds aboard Unchained 2. Rounding out the top three was Skylar Wireman on Chirolito Z, and Della White and Gucci finished in fourth.
“Fortuna is a bit of a newer horse for me; I’m still learning his little tricks because, you know, a lot of the good horses are a bit quirky!” said Siegel. “He definitely has some odd moments, but he’s fantastic and super fast. He’s one that you can go in and not really have to gallop. You just get right up to the fences, and he’s so quick.”
Of the course set in the Ortega Ebb & Flow Arena, Siegel added, “I thought the footing was great. It rode super well. I like to be able to think a little and figure things out in my head when I’m going around, and it was a nice combination of quick turns and open spaces to open and shorten your stride. I thought it was challenging and very clever.”
With Saturday evening’s featured win under her belt, Siegel has her sights ultimately set on developing Immer Fortuna as her FEI speed horse.
“[I want to] just keep getting to know him and keep putting him in some of those bigger classes and see what we can do!” concluded Siegel.
Sophia Siegel was joined in her winning presentation by Blenheim EquiSports President Robert Ridland and friends of family of Joan Irvine Smith including (in no particular order) Morton Smith, Marianne Smith, Virginia Smith, James Swinden, Jono & Diane Wells, Mike & Katherine Linares, Phillip & Monica Mitchell, Chaz & Rada Radovich, Charlie & Shelly Attermat, Chris & Jennifer Martin, Nicole Monteih, Tonyah Dee and Priscilla Crother. Photo by McCool Photography
For the victory in the $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix, Siegel was presented with a Pacific Saddlery custom show coat gift certificate and the South Pacific Perpetual Trophy.
The trophy honors won of the USA’s most prolific show jumping sires, South Pacific. In 1984, Joan Irvine Smith’s South Pacific was the champion stallion of the North American Holsteiner breeding program. In 1994, he won the $20,000 ESSO Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows and placed in 16 other national and international jumping competitions. His offspring have won and consistently placed in all levels of jumper and hunter competition.
The trophy is the perfect fit for the annual Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix, as the evening honors the founder of the Oaks, now the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Smith put her dream into reality by building the Riding Park, commanding excellence in design, construction and environmental preservation. Many members of Smith’s family were on hand on Saturday evening for the presentation of the trophy in her honor.
For full results of the $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix, click here.
Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Win CS. Photo by McCool Photography
Also earning a major jumper win earlier in the week were Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS, owned by Morris Simchowitz. Schroeder and the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding topped a field of 36 entries to win the $15,000 1.40m Markel Open Jumper Speed Stake.
The class marked the second-to-last event in the 2024 Markel Open Jumper Series, with the finale to be held on Wednesday, September 18, during the Blenheim International Jumping Festival.
