Casady Masters the June Classic 1 Grand Prix – Harris Tops the Field in the Interactive Mortgage Futurity Classic

Shawn Casady with Durango VDL (left) and Campitello 5

San Juan Capistrano, CA – The $30,000 Blenheim June Classic 1 Grand Prix welcomed fifteen horse and rider combinations on the gorgeous grass of The Oaks International Grand Prix Field, with six horses returning for the jump-off over Michel Vaillancourt’s track. Riding for Highpoint Farm, LLC, Shawn Casady masterfully piloted Durango VDL and Campitello 5 to a one-two victory. Both mounts were double clean and smooth, edging out Angel Karolyi who finished third aboard Danielle Torano’s Chantara.

Karolyi was the first rider to complete a fault-free second round, and he did so in a time of 42.64 seconds. Last to compete on his two horses, Casady executed tidy turns and a similar track to Karolyi, finishing faster by three one-hundredths of a second in 42.61.

Utilizing Durango VDL’s large stride to his advantage, Casady stopped the clock in 41.85 seconds, securing the win and the second-place finish.

Durango VDL’s scope and speed is notable, and Casady is making strides on this new partnership. “In the jump-off on Durango, I was able to have a nice track from one to two, which was the most important part of the course. I knew how the course rode since I had just done it on the other horse, so I was able to knock out the kinks.”

Casady is a young Grand Prix rider but has years of experience in the sport. “I started riding when I was six or seven, and my mom took me for lessons in Knoxville, where I’m from. I liked it and kept doing it. By the time I was 12, I was on the road showing ponies for people, and now I’m here in California riding for Craig and Tina Yates at Highpoint. It’s great.”

Shawn Casady and Durango VDL with Melissa Brandes and Robert Ridland

Harris Tops the Field in the Interactive Mortgage Horses 10&U Futurity Classic
The win in the class directly before this afternoon’s grand prix competition, the $5,000 Interactive Mortgage Futurity 10&U Classic, went to Taylor Harris and her eight-year-old stallion, Diacando (pictured right). Of the five riders who qualified for the jump-off, Harris made inside turns and stopped the clock in 34.11 seconds to gallop away with the victory by an impressive three seconds.

Riding for Neil Jones Equestrian, Natasha Traurig and Carly Anthony both rode double clear, on Jamaico Drum van de Breepoel and Ben Rye dei Folletti respectively, posting times of 37.03 and 37.58 to earn second and third place.

“Diacando is a sweetheart and I’m very lucky to have him,” Harris noted. “I’d like to continue competing in the 1.40m classes with him so we can keep learning together, get a bit quicker, and then continue stepping up.”

Taylor Harris and Diacando with (from left) Javi Abad, James Hagman, 
Melissa Brandes, Evette and Gregg DeLong

The hunters take over The Oaks International Grand Prix Field on Sunday morning with the $25,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular.

RESULTS
$30,000 Blenheim June Classic I 1.50m Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 737 – Durango VDL – Shawn Casady – Highpoint Farm, LLC – 0/0/41.850
2. 736 – Campitello 5 – Shawn Casady – Highpoint Farm, LLC – 0/0/42.611
3. 813 – Chantara – Angel Karolyi – Danielle Torano – 0/0/42.647
4. 861 – Valentin – Daniel Pedraza – Daniel Pedraza – 0/4/43.923
5. 783 – Collonella Z – Natasha Traurig – Carolina Tardelli – 0/4/44.116
6. 402 – For Fun 43 – Russell Morgan – Russell Morgan – 4/12/40.534
7. 444 – Cupilor – Michelle Parker – Cross Creek Farms, Inc. – 4/79.531
8. 829 – Ceasar – Devon Bridges – ACE Equestrian – 8/81.585
9. 226 – Quadrigus – Gabriela Pattinson – Susanne Coleman – 8/84.179
10. 787 – Clochard – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 12/80.563
11. 223 – Dexceminka – Danielle Lean – Danielle Lean – 16/82.578
12. 404 – Jeronimo Bisschop – Russell Morgan – Russell Morgan – 16/83.535

$5,000 1.40m Interactive Mortgage Horses 10&U Futurity Classic
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time 
1. 273 – Diacando – Taylor Harris – Harris Equestrian, LLC – 0/0/34.114
2. 785 – Jamaico Drum van de Breepoel – Natasha Traurig – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/0/37.031
3. 782 – Ben Rye dei Folletti – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/0/37.581
4. 607 – Candy – Jamie Sailor – Christine Trstensky – 0/4/36.221
5. 786 – Jana Van d’abdijhoeve – Natasha Traurig – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/8/33.657
6. 509 – Lousiana H – Natasha Traurig – Steele Yard, LLC – 4/75.175
7. 429 – Killosery Kuidam – Julia Nagler – Julia Nagler – 4/75.444
8. 781 – Coutras – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 4/76.946