Peter Petschenig gallops to a sweeping victory aboard Saint Quentin at the $40,000 Spring Classic II Grand Prix April 9 in San Juan Capistrano.

Amy McCool photo

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The grassy knoll of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano was filled with fans April 9, as Peter Petschenig galloped to a sweeping victory aboard Saint Quentin in an unbeatable time of 40.24 in the $40,000 Spring Classic III Grand Prix, presented by The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

He topped Thirty-six horse and rider combinations who were trying to master a difficult track set by Puerto Rican FEI Course Designer Mauricio Garcia Ballesteros.

“He can be super fast,” Petschenig said of his 14-year-old partner of six years. “I tried to stay on the inside track, but I didn’t force it too hard because the other ones weren’t that extremely fast. Today was lucky.”

Petschenig noted with a laugh that he has never jumped a track designed by Ballesteros clear before. This was a benchmark day for Petschenig, as he managed to pilot three to the jump-off — one of which was double clear.

Also April 9, Hillary Ridland and Cambria M Z claimed the first of six Interactive Mortgage Horses 10 & Under Futurity qualifiers. Ridland and the 9-year-old Dutch mare, owned by Carole Looke, went third in a jump-off of 10. They laid down the second double-clear trip in an uncatchable 34.557 seconds.

Ursula Navet kicked off the jump-off aboard Ursula de la Roque with a double clear effort in 36.467. She ultimately earned third with the grey mare and fifth with her other mount, Cooper V. Second place went to Jason McArdle and Elicole for a double clear finish in 35.908. Though seven of the ten who attempted the shortened course crossed the finish line fault-free, no one could catch Ridland’s blazing time.

Cambria M Z has been with Ridland for three years now, but the pair has taken it slow. It seems as though the stars are now aligning for the sensitive mare and her experienced pilot.

“In finding the right rideability, I haven’t done a lot of speed,” she explained, noting that she opted out of the inside turn to the last fence. “I did what I knew she could do comfortably, and she’s fast! I didn’t realize how fast she could be across the ground.”

Five more Interactive Mortgage Horses 10 & Under Futurity Series are scheduled during the Blenheim EquiSports season. Qualified horses will compete in the Series Final this September at The Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano.

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