Kevin Mealiff and Lodewijk Seal the Deal in the $25,000 Score at the Top Grand Prix
The 2023 ESP Fall Series kicked off this week with the ESP October horse show. On the opening day of the competition, jumpers took to the spotlight to compete in the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Welcome on the Derby Field. The class welcomed 18 horse-and-rider combinations for the opening round, with seven advancing to the jump-off. Second to go in the jump-off was Argentina’s Luis Pedro Biraben, aboard his and Miguel Madero’s, Chapeau PS Z. The duo put in an early lead with a clear 35.137 seconds, where they would remain to take the win. Close on his heels and taking both second and third place was Nicole Velazco Magana (MEX). Magana took second with her own, Daddy’s Destiny, with a clear time of 35.876 and took third on F.C. Okarla with a quick and clear 37.419 seconds.
Later in the day, hunters took to the Derby Annex Field for the $2,000 Pilates Rocks National Hunter Derby. USA’s Audrey Robison and Sky High Equestrian Center’s SH Broadcast beat out the competition, earning them the lion’s share of the prize money.
“He [SH Broadcast] is just recently imported; maybe less than a month ago,” said Robison. Last week was our first official horse show here in the 3’3” Performance Hunter where he was Reserve Champion. He won the handy, which was his first handy ever so coming into this we knew he could turn.”
Taking the second-place ribbon was Lexy Reed (USA) and Mister Money Maker He Z. The duo put in scores of 83 and 85.5, earning them a combined score of 168.5. Completing the podium was Isabela de Sousa and Diara Blue with scores of 62 and 79 for a combined score of 141.
Competitors returned to the Derby Field Saturday morning for the $5,000 Omega Alpha 1.35m Open Stake. With a starting list of 21 riders, just seven managed to qualify for the second round. Galloping to both the first and second-place position was Lebanon’s Jad Dana, taking first with Burr Associates, Inc.’s Qadira, and second with Wyndmont’s, Meadowvale Cruise. Earning the yellow ribbon to round out the podium was Mexico’s Nicole Velazco Magana and her own entry, Only You Z, putting in a clear 41.268 seconds.
Sunday’s competition kicked off on the Derby Field with the $2,500 Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic (1.30m). Nine competitors entered the class, held in the immediate jump-off format, with two advancing to the short course. Of the returning competitors, it was Nicole Velazco Magana (MEX) and Only You Z who took home the win. The pair was double clear and set the winning time to 38.408 seconds. Securing second was Mexico’s Rodrigo Enriquez and his own entry, Pia Maria H, with a time of 40.689 seconds. Closing out the top three was Switzerland’s Emily Zuckerbraun and her own, Chicago Du Ru, with a first-round time of 79.03 seconds.
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