Go to FastAd#:

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — An announcement on Tuesday that she was a 2016 inductee into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame didn’t mean there was no work to be done four days later on Saturday.

Susie Hutchison continued a solid year — and legendary career — with a win on Ziedento in the the $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix, as the second week of the Blenheim EquiSports Spring Classic series wrapped up.

With 38 entries in the class, FEI course designer Manuel Esparza designed a track that worked for varying levels of competitor experience and produced 10 clear rounds. Of the five double-clean rides, Hutchison and Ziedento, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, took charge. Also at 1.40m in height, the first Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier of the season ran simultaneously, with Santiago Vallarta and Go For Me earning the blue ribbon.

Hutchison had two in the jump-off, and was first to return on Barbara Phillips’ Brisbane. The two set a speedy time of 42.32 seconds but had the last fence down to finish on a four fault score. Last week’s winners, Michelle Parker and Vancouver 45, were next to go and quickly took over the lead with a clear round in 43.81 seconds. Mei Mei Zhu had a miscommunication with her partner Heraldo S and they parted ways. Brenda Riddell aboard Dutch Amouretta (owned by Silverstar Farms, Ltd.) and Marc Grock on Moonlite Beach, LLC’s Little Gancho both successfully rode clear rounds, but were unable to catch Parker, in times of 46.29 and 44.42 respectively. Guy Thomas on new mount Jonkheer Z (Emily Livermore, owner) picked up four faults at the first fence in an otherwise solid round. Seventh in the jump-off order Hutchison, this time on Ziedento, turned quicker and galloped faster to take the lead and ultimately the win with a time of 41.85 seconds.

The three remaining competitors – Nathalie Cooper on her Con Spirit, Daniel Zilla riding Branscomb Farm’s Venice B, and Brenda Riddell on Silverstar Farms, Ltd’s Wilson – made gallant efforts, but were unable to beat Hutchison’s double clean leading time.

Hutchison knows her horse well after a host of wins over the last few years.

Recently coming to compete in California from Mexico, Santiago Vallarta and Go For Me didn’t have a rail, but finished with a single time fault for the win.

Leave a Comment

All fields must be filled in to leave a message.