Cassio Rivetti And AC/DC Rock The $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix At Blenheim June Classic II

Jun 15, 2019 | Featured, Press Releases

Cassio Rivetti and AC/DC

June 15, 2019 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Cassio Rivetti and AC/DC, owned by Jasmine Talley, were crowned champions in today’s $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix during Blenheim June Classic II. For the second time in two weeks, Bjorn Ikast and Castino, owned by BBB Show Jumpers LLC, finished runner-up.

This is the fifth of thirteen qualifying events in the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series to be held throughout the Blenheim EquiSports 2019 Horse Show Season, with the Final to be held during The Las Vegas National, November 11 – 17, 2019.

Perfect #WestCoastShowcation weather graced the Oaks International Grand Prix Field. Course Designer Andy Christiansen, of Ecuador, presented riders with a flowing 1.45m track that required adjustability and scope.

Cassio Rivetti with Jasmine Talley and her team along with Melissa Brandes and Robert Ridland of Blenheim EquiSports

The first round saw five jump clean, including Cassio Rivetti on all three of his mounts. The two other clear rounds were turned in by Bjorn Ikast and Patrick Pellin.

Four horse rider combinations finished the first round on four faults, with Lauren Kay delivering the fastest time.

The balance of the class found the tail end of the course most difficult, as it became more technical.

Bjorn Ikast and Castino

With the format set as USEF Table II, 2(e), the order of go for the second round of the Grand Prix was seeded with the six best riders returning, based on faults and time.

First to ride and carrying her four faults into the jump-off, Lauren Kay and Bambali rode clean in 40.717 seconds. Patrick Pellin and Jamica Van Kattebeek were next and although clear in the first round, a costly rail and a time of 41.687, eventually landed them in sixth place, as the slowest cumulative four-faulter. Bjorn Ikast and Castino followed, setting the bar with their second clear round of the day at a quick 39.179. That left Cassio Rivetti with the remaining three horses.

Aboard his first mount, Queen, Rivetti was faster than Ikast but he pulled the second to last rail. An early rail on his next horse, Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck, left Cassio with one last chance for a victory. Cassio and AC/DC did not disappoint, tearing up the shortened course in 37.158 seconds.

“He’s a quick and careful horse”, said Rivetti. “Having just missed on the two previous horses, I new I had to try everything with him, so I set a plan and the end was good.”

Cassio Rivetti and AC/DC during Victory Gallop

The class was run concurrently with the $2,500 Blenheim U25 Jumper Classic and the qualifying young riders were first to return in the jump-off phase. Derek Chang and his mount, Chappie rode fault-free in 48.546 seconds only to be bested by Michael Williamson and Frodosi taking the U25 title with a time of 45.345 seconds.

Michael Williamson with Melissa Brandes of Blenheim EquiSports and Lane Clarke

Competition continues next week with the Blenheim June Classic III featuring the sixth $25,000 Markel 1.45m Grand Prix, the American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge presented by Whitethorne, USHJA National & Pony Hunter Derbies, West Coast Pony Hunter Challenge and much more!

RESULTS

$25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45M Grand Prix

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

1. 650 – AC/DC – Cassio Rivetti – Jasmine Talley – 0/0/37.158

2. 872 – Castino – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 0/0/39.179

3. 648 – Queen – Cassio Rivetti – Rocking Basilisk Farm – 0/4/38.192

4. 728 – Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck – Cassio Rivetti – Neil Jones Equestrian Inc – 0/4/39.447

5. 614 – Bambali – Lauren Kay – Lauren Kay – 4/0/40.717

6. 529 – Jamica Van Kattebeek – Patrick Pellin – The Equine Platform – 0/4/41.687

7. 419 – Frodosi – Michael Williamson (U25) – Lighthouse Farms – 4/82.601

8. 521 – Cadeau – Crystal Nelson – Nelson Sporthorses LLC – 4/83.438

9. 753 – Chappie – Derek Chang (U25) – Andrew Chang – 4/84.666

10. 869 – Arc De Triomphe – Nick Gegen – Neaulani Farms – 8/73.615

11. 821 – Carnutelabryere – Melody Liu (U25) – Shelly Gambardella – 8/80.301

12. 871 – Classini – Bjorn Ikast – BBB Show Jumpers LLC – 8/81.708

RESULTS

$2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Jumper Classic

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

1. 419 – Frodosi – Michael Williamson (U25) – Lighthouse Farms – 4/0/45.345

2. 753 – Chappie – Derek Chang (U25) – Andrew Chang – 4/0/45.546

3. 821 – Carnutelabryere – Melody Liu – Shelly Gambardella – 8/80.301

Photos by McCool Photography

Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors & Partners

Markel Insurance Company is proud to once again partner with Blenheim EquiSports for another season of fun in the sun.

Representative Brandon Seger will be on the show grounds to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs. At the show and in the barns, Markel is the Insurance Company with Horse Sense. With offices across the US, Markel is your national insurance provider covering equine risks for over 50 years.

Thank you for your support – contact Brandon to get a horse, farm or liability insurance quote today: [email protected] 213-219-7837

Markel/Lisa Seger Insurance Field Agent Josh Mullins is also available to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs.

Contact Josh at: [email protected]
949-212-2970

Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces events in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, NV. The events include 19 USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring five FEI CSI events, including a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League event; the Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Series & Final, Developing Jumper Qualifiers & Championships, USHJA International & National Hunter Derbies, Pony Derby Finals, the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals and more.