Friday, July 13 2012 / Published in General

Jumpers Finish Series In Style At Blenheim Surf & Turf Jumper Classic

Equestrian Competition Shifts to Del Mar, CA for an
Action Packed Three Week Series

Rusty Stewart pilots Bristol to 1st in the $15,000 1.45M Jumper Classic at the Blenheim Surf and Turf Jumper Classic

San Juan Capistrano, CA – July 11th, 2012 – It was a week filled with reason to celebrate as the Blenheim Jumper Classic wrapped up five intense weeks filled with exhilarating equestrian competition in San Juan Capistrano. Sunshine and perfect weather invited veteran and up and coming show jumpers to return from their Fourth of July holiday and take on course designer Robert Ridland’s masterful tracks in the Blenheim Farms Derby Arena. The Surf and Turf Jumper Classic hosted three days of jumper classes featuring a $5,000 1.25M Jumper Classic, a $10, 000 1.30M Jumper Classic and a $15,000 1.45M Jumper Classic. Celebrating their joint birthdays on the Fourth of July, Rusty Stewart and his trusted mount Bristol made it a week to remember by also clinching the win in the $15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic.

Twenty-year-old Tina Di Landri and Avargo win the $30,000 Blenheim Classic Grand Prix, presented by St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa.

The Blenheim June Classic Series showcased back to back thrilling competition and events that make it a sure fit series for all equestrians to mark on their calendars for next season. Week I hosted The Zone 10 North American Junior and Young Rider Championship Team Trials which were only the prelude to the young blood domination of the week. Four nations represented the jump-off field in the $30,000 Blenheim Classic Grand Prix, presented by St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa and as the intensity grew by round, each combination was able to stop the clock and claim the lead. Stewart and Bristol set the bar as the first to tackle the course without fault. Hap Hansen, riding for his 100th Grand Prix victory, seemed to have it in the bag until the talented Brazilian rider Josephina Nor-Lantzman was able to better his score and take the lead. Twenty-year-old up and coming Grand Prix star Tina Di Landri and her mount Avargo were the last in the order and were able to master the course and stop the clock over a second faster than the field to take home the blue.

Week II hosted another weekend packed with sun, excitement and equestrian talent. Both the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $30,000 June Classic Grand Prix were held in the International Grass Grand Prix Field. Thirty-three high performance hunters showed up with hopes to walk away victorious however Champions Small Affaire and John French remained undefeated. French also made it a 1-2 finish and walked away as Reserve Champion aboard his handy round winning mount, Sander.

John French and Small Affair were Champions in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Crowds filled the stands for the $30,000 June Classic Grand Prix, presented by Royal Champion. The qualifying round caused for some excitement as numerous horse and rider duos faced a large challenging course which resulted in numerous spills and refusals and three lucky jump-off contestants. Di Landri and Avargo tried to make another run for the money, but with an unfortunate rail, settled for third. Lane Clark and Casseur de Prix produced a double clear effort but with veteran Rusty Stewart last to go, he was able to pilot Bristol to an even faster fault free finish for the win.

The international competition took Week III by storm with seven nations representing the Grand Prix Field. The Zone 10 West Coast Pony Hunter Challenge co-highlighted the week as the youngsters pursued qualification for the upcoming finals in Lexington, KY. It was Australian rider Harley Brown versus everyone else in the $30,000 June Classic III Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, inc. Nearing the end of the qualifying round, Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Picturized were able to join Brown and his two qualified mounts for the jump-off. Brown set the stage with a faultless ride aboard Angelli. Shahinian-Simpson came right back looking to secure the win by setting the time to beat over three seconds faster than Brown and Angelli. Brown took command of the track from the get go aboard Cassiato by cutting lines and galloping between obstacles leaving all the rails in the cups and walking away victorious.

Rusty Stewart and Bristol win the $30,000 June Classic Grand Prix, presented by Royal Champion.

The Blenheim Red, White and Blue Classic brought the competition back t o seek vengeance from Week I. After twenty six rounds represented by seven nations, it came down to Brazilian rider Josephina Nor-Lantzman and Tina Di Landri to go head to head in the jump-off for the $30,000 Red, White and Blue Classic Grand Prix. Eliminating the risk of being caught again, Nor-Lantzman guided Chello Z to a blazing fast and faultless jump-off. Knowing her mount had proven his abilities once before, Di Landri had a plan to cut corners and leave out strides to yet again clinch the win. With an unfortunate rail at the first obstacle, Di Landri pulled up and settled for second, leaving Nor-Lantzman without a challenger and securing the win.

Harley Brown (AUS) aboard Cassiato take the win in the $30,000 June Classic III Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, inc.

The final week of the series featured the Blenheim Surf and Turf Jumper Classic hosted by Blenheim Farms. The three day event featured beautiful jumps, technical tracks, plenty of prize money and a fun and inviting environment to wrap up the series in sunny San Juan Capistrano. The competition will shift down to Del Mar, CA for a three week series. Spotlight action includes the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby (July 28th), the $30,000 Racing Festival Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, inc. (July 29th) and the $30,000 August Festival Grand Prix, presented by Mary’s Tack and Feed (August 4th). For up-to-date upcoming event information, please visit our website www.showpark.com.