San Juan Capistrano, CA – June 30th, 2012 – It was déjà vu this afternoon as Josephina Nor-Lantzman (BRA) and Tina Di Landri went head to head in the jump-off for the $30,000 Red, White and Blue Classic Grand Prix. The first week of the series featured the $30,000 Blenheim Classic Grand Prix where both riders returned in the jump-off as the final two rounds. Di Landri put up the final time and bested the field, leaving Nor-Lantzman (BRA) in second, respectively. Today, Nor Lantzman (BRA) was able to scare off the competition and seek revenge without fault to take the $30,000 Red, White and Blue Classic Grand Prix, presented by Ritz Carlton – Laguna Niguel.
Josephine Nor-Lantzman (BRA) aboard Chello Z
Seven nations represented the twenty six rounds of today’s Grand Prix. Leaving it to the young rider from Brazil, Josephina Nor-Lantzman (BRA) was the only rider to post two clean rounds and master the course designed by fellow Brazilian, Anderson Lima. “She did a phenomenal job.” Lima complemented Nor-Lantzman, “We set a tough course, but Josephina (Nor-Lantzman) handled it great.” Of the sixteen efforts, riders found complications coming into a wide oxer with only four strides to regroup and set for a skinny vertical. Other challenges riders faced included a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination, an oxer with a liverpool, a triple bar to vertical combination and a tight time allowed of 87 seconds. After three rounds, “we decided to adjust the time to allow to 92 seconds,” noted Lima “for a little more comfort around the course and to allow them to jump better, “The level of horses was great and I’m glad the design complimented all of them.”
Nor-Lantzman (BRA) took a strong focus of the course and was able to guide her twelve-year-old Warmblood, Chello Z, to a fast and clean time of 84.999 seconds. “The course was tough enough,” Nor-Lantzman commented, “There were a lot of short lines to verticals that made you have to ride a little bit.” Only two rounds later, Di Landri was also able to put up a fault free effort under the time allowed in 87.350 seconds, creating a jump-off. With five riders to go in the class, Tiffany Sullivan and Hayley Farms’ Tristan were able to qualify in a time of 87.517 seconds and join Nor-Lantzman (BRA) and Di Landri in a ladies’ jump-off.
Tina Di Landri guides Avargo to a solid second place finish
After a quick reset and Sullivan pulling out of the jump-off, Nor-Lantzman (BRA) and Di Landri were once again going head to head for the win. Nor-Lantzman (BRA) and Chello Z galloped in and immediately presented Chello Z to the first obstacle on the opposite end of the field, a wide oxer that was not used in the qualifying round. “My plan for the jump-off was to just go for it,” Nor-Lantzman commented, “There was a new fence so I was careful, but I didn’t want what happened the first week to happen again. Everything went perfectly, and he jumped great!”
Di Landri and Avargo came in knowing they had to beat the swift time of 37.680 seconds, but with the confidence of knowing it had been done before, Di Landri wasn’t nervous. “My plan for the jump-off was to be loose and have a tight enough roll back to cut off some time. “noted Di Landri, “Avargo’s turns are so good I knew he could do it.” Di Landri had an unfortunate rail on the first oxer and decided to retire and finish second, respectively. “Unfortunately my plan didn’t work out.” Di Landri continued, “Avargo is such a great horse though and I was so proud of him.”
Nor-Lantzman and Chello Z put up two clean rounds securing their win in the $30,000 Blenheim Red, White and Blue Classic Grand Prix
With only one round in the jump-off, it was going to take a brilliant ride and a careful horse to get though it without fault. “The jump-off was designed for the riders to reach all areas of the course.” revealed Lima (BRA). “The turn after the first jump was meant to be the hardest but Josephina (Nor-Lantzman) handled it great. I thought it was a fun class.”
“I love having a course designed by a Brazilian because it gives me more fire and more adrenaline when I ride and it sure pays off. I thought Anderson (Lima) designed a great course,” smiled Nor-Lantzman. “I’m still laughing though because this week is the Red, White and Blue Classic and the first week of the series I got a red, the second week I got a white, and this week a blue! I was so proud of Chello Z. He always tries his heart out.” Nor-Lanztman will return home to Del Mar to prepare for the Showpark July Series.
The Blenheim Red, White and Blue Classic wrapped the four weeks of top level Show Jumping and High Performance Hunters in San Juan Capistrano, CA. With daily sunshine, green grass footing, intense competition and exciting spills and thrills, the summer show season has only just begun. The Blenheim EquiSports horse shows will shift to The Del Mar Horsepark for the Showpark July Series. Highlights include the $30,000 Racing Festival Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, inc, the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $30,000 August Festival Grand Prix, presented by Mary’s Tack and Feed, and much more! Please visit the Blenheim EquiSports website for up to date event information.
