Cassio Rivetti And AC/DC crowned as champions

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Cassio Rivetti and AC/DC, owned by Jasmine Talley, were crowned champions in today’s $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix during Blenheim June Classic II. For the second time in two weeks, Bjorn Ikast and Castino, owned by BBB Show Jumpers LLC, finished runner-up.
This is the fifth 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.

Perfect #WestCoastShowcation weather graced the Oaks International Grand Prix Field. Course Designer Andy Christiansen, of Ecuador, presented riders with a flowing 1.45m track that required adjustability and scope.

The first round saw five jump clean, including Cassio Rivetti on all three of his mounts. The two other clear rounds were turned in by Bjorn Ikast and Patrick Pellin.

Four horse rider combinations finished the first round on four faults, with Lauren Kay delivering the fastest time.

The balance of the class found the tail end of the course most difficult, as it became more technical.

With the format set as USEF Table II, 2(e), the order of go for the second round of the Grand Prix was seeded with the six best riders returning, based on faults and time.

First to ride and carrying her four faults into the jump-off, Lauren Kay and Bambali rode clean in 40.717 seconds. Patrick Pellin and Jamica Van Kattebeek were next and although clear in the first round, a costly rail and a time of 41.687, eventually landed them in sixth place, as the slowest cumulative four-faulter. Bjorn Ikast and Castino followed, setting the bar with their second clear round of the day at a quick 39.179. That left Cassio Rivetti with the remaining three horses.

Aboard his first mount, Queen, Rivetti was faster than Ikast but he pulled the second to last rail. An early rail on his next horse, Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck, left Cassio with one last chance for a victory. Cassio and AC/DC did not disappoint, tearing up the shortened course in 37.158 seconds.

“He’s a quick and careful horse”, said Rivetti. “Having just missed on the two previous horses, I new I had to try everything with him, so I set a plan and the end was good.”

The class was run concurrently with the $2,500 Blenheim U25 Jumper Classic and the qualifying young riders were first to return in the jump-off phase. Derek Chang and his mount, Chappie rode fault-free in 48.546 seconds only to be bested by Michael Williamson and Frodosi taking the U25 title with a time of 45.345 seconds.

RESULTS
$25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45M Grand Prix

Place - Entry Number - Horse - Rider - Owner - Faults/Time

1. 650 – AC/DC – Cassio Rivetti – Jasmine Talley – 0/0/37.158

2. 872 – Castino – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 0/0/39.179

3. 648 – Queen – Cassio Rivetti – Rocking Basilisk Farm – 0/4/38.192

4. 728 – Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc – 0/4/39.447

5. 614 – Bambali – Lauren Kay – Lauren Kay – 4/0/40.717

6. 529 – Jamica Van Kattebeek – Patrick Pellin – The Equine Platform – 0/4/41.687

7. 419 – Frodosi – Michael Williamson (U25) – Lighthouse Farms – 4/82.601

8. 521 – Cadeau – Crystal Nelson – Nelson Sporthorses LLC – 4/83.438

9. 753 – Chappie – Derek Chang (U25) – Andrew Chang – 4/84.666

10. 869 – Arc De Triomphe – Nick Gegen – Neaulani Farms – 8/73.615

11. 821 – Carnutelabryere – Melody Liu (U25) – Shelly Gambardella – 8/80.301

12. 871 – Classini – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 8/81.708

RESULTS
$2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Jumper Classic

Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time

1. 419 – Frodosi – Michael Williamson (U25) – Lighthouse Farms – 4/0/45.345

2. 753 – Chappie – Derek Chang (U25) – Andrew Chang – 4/0/45.546

3. 821 – Carnutelabryere – Melody Liu – Shelly Gambardella – 8/80.301