SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — On a beautiful day for a grand prix in Southern California, it was Chris Pratt and Vanotrouska, owned by Luce del Sole, winning the $30,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix. Second to last to go in the jump-off, Pratt narrowly beat the leading time.

With 26 entries, nine were clean and five double-clean. Gabriella Salick and Centuria 2 were the first double-clean, stopping the clock in a solid 41.34. The last few to go also posted clean rides, but neither Melissa Doddridge with Mucho Gusto in 42.46, or Tiffany Sullivan on Tristan in 44.18 could catch Salick.

Then came Pratt. Aboard the coppery chestnut Vanotrouska, he stole the top spot when he shaved .1 seconds off Salick’s time for the win in 41.24.

“I thought it was a nice, well-built course for the horses that were here,” the experienced Canadian rider explained. “My plan for the jump-off was to go medium speed. Last week I went fast and had eight faults.”

Turns out that Vanotrouska is part of the family. “She’s a 12-year-old mare that belongs to my wife’s sister. So hopefully this will keep me in the family a little while longer.”

Pratt said that he plans on competing at Blenheim shows for the rest of the summer season into fall.

After wrapping up the June Series, the shows move to the Del Mar Horse Park in July. Highlights over the three weeks include four grand prix classes, an International Hunter Derby and a new $10,000 1.40m Youngster-U25 Classic.

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