Twenty-five riders who earned points from the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series qualifiers competed to take home the lion’s share of the $39,150 prize in the series final in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Of the five horse and rider combinations that rode fault free over Anthony DiAmbrosio’s course, the last to go took the win. Cassio Rivetti and Neil Jones Equestrian Inc.’s Dutch Warmblood gelding Goblet stole the show, double clear in 36.416 seconds.

Rivetti and Goblet just started their partnership in the show ring a month ago, but have already proven themselves as a dynamic duo. “Goblet is a great horse that was shown by Emily Moffitt of Poden Farms in the Under 25 classes, and we are very fortunate to have him here to sell.” The pair won the $25,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic at their second competition together, and provided a jump-off time today that was two seconds faster than the second-place finisher. “We liked the course here in the final,” Neil Jones noted, “It was a technical track, which suited the riders who had been competing in the Markel Jumper Classics during the series.”

Rivetti came into the Finals in the lead, earning 133 points during the seven qualifying classes. “The Markel Insurance Jumper Classics are a good series. It’d be nice to have more sponsors to put on classes like this. It is a good format that builds up to a final where consistency pays off,” Jones commented.

Nicole Haunert and Calgary IV, owned by Cherokee Show Horses Inc., were the fourth pair to go. Also finishing with a double-clear effort, the pair continued their successful ways in a time of 38.354 seconds to take the second spot. Haunert came into the finals as the second-place qualifier, earning 126 points during 2020.

Third place honors went to Michelle Kerivan and her own Duc De Rhoan, who were the only other pair to provide a double clear effort in a time of 38.931 seconds.

Chandler Meadows and her own Christy JNR were sitting 9th in the standings and, fresh off a win last week, the pair provided the quickest jump-off time in 36.015 seconds, but an unfortunate four-faults kept her in the fourth position.

Rounding out the top five who returned for the jump-off was Daniel Silverstone on Enrico, who finished with four faults, in 41.349 seconds.

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, where the finals will move back to the Las Vegas National Horse Show.

$39,150 MARKEL INSURANCE 1.45m JUMPER SERIES FINAL

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

1. Goblet – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc. – 0/36.416
2. Calgary IV – Nicole Haunert – Cherokee Show Horses Inc. – 0/38.354
3. Duc De Rhoan – Michelle Kerivan – Michelle Kerivan – 0/38.931
4. Christy JNR – Chandler Meadows – Chandler Meadows – 4/36.015
5. Enrico – Daniel Silverstone – Daniel Silverstone – 4/41.349
6. Chipotle – Michelle Parker – Michelle Parker – 4/74.35
7. Crescendo DV Z – Natasha Traurig – Natasha Traurig – 4/76.255
8. Daisy 920 – Delaney Batter – Delaney Batter – 4/76.699
9. Corsari Van De Helle – Melody Liu – Peregrine Farms LLC – 4/77.127
10. Cirus Du Ruisseau Z – Zume Gallaher- Blue Gate Stables LLC – 4/77.235