San Juan Capistrano, CA – June 26, 2011 – An impressive field of thirty-eight horse and rider combinations representing five countries ventured onto the Blenheim International Field for the $30,000 June Classic III Grand Prix, presented by the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. On this picturesque Sunday afternoon at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, course designer Pierre Jolicoeur set a fair but challenging track, posing questions that kept riders on their toes (and in their heels). After a tough first round, only eight duos managed to ride without fault and earn a ticket to the jump-off. While the second round had several solid attempts, the well-seasoned Olympian Antonio Maurer of Mexico masterfully navigated the shortened track to secure the win aboard Francisco Del Rio’s Callao.
“In the jump-off I was fast, but not crazy fast,” said Maurer following his victory gallop. “I’m working my horse back up and this is only his second grand prix after being off for a year. He was double clear in last week’s grand prix and he won today; I couldn’t be happier.”
In addition to being pleased with his mount, Maurer complimented Jolicouer’s course.
“Pierre built a fair track,” noted Maurer. “There were technical questions and elements of rideability but it was designed very fair and very smart. The time was a bit of a factor for some but the field was actually very balanced.”
As the first to jump clean in round one, Brazilian Francois Esteves christened the shortened track aboard his own E.T. 14 Mercedes Benz, setting the stage for his fellow competitors with a clean ride in a time of 38.11 seconds, ultimately finishing fifth. Maurer galloped onto the grass next and shaved 1.37 seconds off, stopping the clock clean in 36.74, taking the lead. Continuing the double clear rounds, Australian Harley Brown and his talented World Cup horse Cassiato (owned by Oak Park Group, LLC) earned third place honors for their neat and clean 37.42 effort. Salvador Onate of Mexico aboard Paldatus was close to catching Maurer, stopping the clock in 36.94, just two tenths of a second shy of taking over the top spot, and finished in the second position. Jaime Azcarraga and Celsius picked up an unfortunate four faults at the second fence in the second round, finishing seventh.
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Next in the order of go was nineteen-year-old Tina DiLandri and Avargo. The only American to advance to the second round, DiLandri laid down a stellar performance, leaving all the rails untouched in 37.55 seconds to earn fourth place in a difficult field. Antonio Chedraui Jr. and Vent had some trouble with a refusal and rails, for an eighth place finish. Advancing to the jump-off on two horses, Brown was the last to return aboard Angelli. The experienced equestrian conservatively piloted the bay horse to a sixth place, fault-free finish in a time of 40.08.
Although eight riders managed to navigate Jolicoeur’s first round course without fault, many more racked up faults by exceeding the 81-second time allowed, dislodging rails or both. “I tried to build the course so it catered to the rider and was safe for the horse,” said Jolicoeur. “The jumps were not huge but some of the elements were technical and presented decisions. There were many areas on the course where riders could pick up the pace and it was left up to them to do it.”
The dynamic duo of Susan Hutchison and Cantano delivered an effortless performance over the fences but exceeded the time allowed by three tenths of a second for one heartbreaking time fault and ninth place. Also just missing the jump-off was Azcarraga aboard his second mount of the day, Gangster. The pair crossed the timers in 81.55 seconds for tenth place. Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy ended up eleventh when they incurred two time faults. John McConnell and Katie Riddle rounded out the top twelve as the fastest of the four fault rides, with one rail dropping at fence 5b. McConnell was one of the few riders who chose to jump the vertical-vertical combination at fence five, where most opted to jump the water.
Blenheim EquiSports continues the competition in San Juan Capistrano with the Red, White & Blue Classic beginning on June 29th through July 3rd. Saturday highlights include the $30,000 Red, White & Blue Grand Prix and a $5,000 1.25M Team Competition.
