The $40,000 Blenheim Spring Classic III Grand Prix welcomed 27 competitors on to the Oaks International Grand Prix Field, of which seven mastered the Peter Holmes course to return for the jump-off. The speediest pair to go double clean was Will Simpson aboard his own Chacco P, adding this to the numerous victories they’ve earned in their five months together.
The seven clear rounds returned in this order: Simon McCarthy, Carly Anthony, Natalie Dean, Delaney Flynn, Simpson, Jim Ifko, and Samara Heinrichs. Unfortunate rails cost several riders that top spot, with each posting solid times but only three double clear. Simpson demonstrated impressive speed, fastest by over a second.
Close but not close enough to top the time were Carly Anthony riding Neil Jones Equestrian Inc.’s Clochard and Jim Ifko aboard Eventyre Farm Ltd’s Un Diamant des Forets. Both double clear, in 41.04s and 41.40s, to earn second and third.
Chacco P’s scope and speed is notable, and Simpson is making strides on the partnership. “I knew he could walk the six strides up the first line. I was a bit bold to jump two, and I knew that there were shadows at the next jump, so I gave myself a bit more room there. I came smoking into the combination and took a big risk, but he was able to leave it up and he listened to me very well,” the winner noted. “He jumped so high at the last jump. I’m just thrilled to have a horse of this caliber at the end of my career.”
Simpson is looking forward to continuing the show season in Southern California. “There are a lot of great shows locally that I’d like to support. The show managers here do a great job and try really hard to put on quality horse shows, so I enjoy supporting them in return.”
The afternoon session of show jumping started off with a victory for Robert Blanchette and Elizabeth Kilham’s nine-year-old gelding, Magic Mike, in the $5,000 Interactive Mortgage Futurity 10 & Under Classic. One of four riders who qualified for the jump off, Blanchette made a tight inside turn, stopping the clock in 37.00s, to gallop away with the victory. The only other pair to go double clean was young rider Tali DeJong and her D Adermie RB, posting a time 37.86s for second place.
$40,000 Blenheim Spring Classic III Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 927 – Chacco P – Will Simpson – Will Simpson – 0/0/40.062
2. 712 – Clochard – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/0/41.045
3. 630 – Un Diamant des Forets – Jim Ifko – Eventyre Farms Ltd – 0/0/41.400
4. 292 – Ce Ce Senior – Simon McCarthy – Joan Hoppe – 0/4/40.432
5. 490 – Peninsula Vertigo – Samara Heinrichs – Marilyn Dawson-Dixon – 0/4/41.093
6. 338 – Chacco’s Goldy – Natalie Dean – Natalie Dean – 0/4/41.672
7. 926 – Milan IV – Delaney Flynn – Grace Jacobsen – 0/8/40.658
8. 231 – Castello – Samantha Waslewski – Samantha Waslewski – 1/82.630
9. 404 – Coupis – Robert Blanchette – Robert Blanchette – 4/74.755
10. 544 – Hope Springs – John Bragg – John Bragg – 4/78.099
11. 549 – NKH Quanto – John Bragg – Bridgeport Farm, LLC – 4/81.431
12. 306 – Gentille Van Spieveld – Vanessa Hood – Vanessa Hood – 5/82.316
$5,000 Interactive Mortgage Horses 10 & Under Futurity
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 839 – Magic Mike – Robert Blanchette – owner – 0/0/37.000
2. 680 – D Adermie R8 – Tali DeJong – Tali DeJong – 0/0/37.863
3. 739 – Silver Creek’s Rolex – Tasha Visokay – Ingenium Farm – 0/4/ 37.709
4. 867 – Christian – Kyle King – Joyce Pedigo – 0/4/39.100
5. 755 – Everclear – Jenny Williams – Jenny Williams – 1/81.246
6. 910 – Dakota – Joie Gatlin – Jasmine Talley – 4/77.030
7. 577 – Diego – Alexander Grayton – Alexander Grayton – 4/77.455
8. 371 – High Jack – Austin Krawitt – A.E.S. Equestrian Inc. – 4/77.566
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