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Taylor Siebel Wins $2,500 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier; Jill Humphrey Conquers $10,000 Six Bar Challenge
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 Joie Gatlin and Rammstein
June 25, 2017 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Joie Gatlin and Rammstein secured a first place finish in the $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix after a blazing jump-off, where she daringly left strides out and all the fences up. Thirteen of thirty entries advanced to the jump-off, and of the four double-clear efforts, Gatlin’s 36.12 time was the fastest. Course designer Ivan Tagle of Argentina built a 1.40m track that included both a triple and a double combination and required riders to make adjustments and plan their tracks carefully. Gatlin showcased her talent and precision as she guided Rocking Basilisk Farm, LLC’s nine-year-old Rammstein through both phases promptly and accurately. John Pearce and Chantico nipped at their heels, coming in a close second, double-clean in 36.51, less than half a second slower.  John Pearce and Chantico
Gatlin spoke highly of the mount she’s been developing this year. “I’ve been working on his speed and moving up and doing some of the other grand prix classes at the 1.45-1.50m height,” she explained. “He’s been very, very consistent. Today with so many clean I thought, ‘Wow, I’m really going to have to go for it,’ and he was right there with me. I left out strides everywhere – he’s got such a rangy stride.”
 Joie Gatlin and Rammstein with Brandon Seger of Markel Insurance
and Blenheim EquiSports’ Melissa Brandes The duo plans to continue competing at the grand prix level throughout the year and have their eyes on the prize for the Markel Insurance Grand Prix Series Final at The Las Vegas National Horse Show in November. Taylor Siebel Wins $2,500 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier The $2,500 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier was run concurrently with the Markel Insurance Grand Prix, and of the sixteen entries, six qualified for the jump-off. As the only U25 rider to go double-clear, Taylor Siebel topped the field with Mountain Home Stables, LLC’s Windoctro. She also picked up third place in the Markel Insurance Grand Prix. Second place in the U25 went to Hannah Heidegger and Monarch International’s Di Caprio RV, with a remarkable time of 35.69 but a heartbreaking four faults. Tina Yates and ACE Equestrian’s Ceasar also had a sold time, 36.58, but clipped a rail for a four fault score.  Taylor Siebel and Windoctro with Brandon Seger and Melissa Brandes
Having competed in the Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifiers throughout the season, Siebel has plans to vie for the win in the Series Final in Las Vegas in November. “I think the U25 Series is so much fun,” she said. “There are a lot of really good U25 riders, so being able to do well in the qualifiers feels like such a great accomplishment.” The next Series Qualifier will be held during the Showpark Summer Festival at Del Mar in July. Jill Humphrey Conquers $10,000 Six Bar Challenge, presented by Park Place Foundation On Saturday evening the Oaks International Grand Prix Field was host to the $10,000 Six Bar Challenge, presented by Park Place Foundation. Seven entries attempted the Challenge, which entailed riders completing a gymnastic line, where fences are raised with each clear attempt. Jill Humphrey and Sydnie Young’s Carl Casim were the only ones to clear the 1.65m vertical at the end of the line to claim victory. The event was a social one, with delicious food compliments of Blenheim EquiSports. Sol Agave and The Bakery Truck were on hand to serve competitors and spectators, as they collectively watched the fences raise with each round. All seven competitors aced the first height, but the second round resulted in a rail for Mavis Spencer and Caroline Suarez’s Chenoa. The remaining six riders were faced with a 1.55m vertical to finish third round, and several were knocked out of the running either over the large final fence or over another element of the combination. Finally, just Simon McCarthy, Morgan Dickerson, and Jill Humphrey remained. When Humphrey was the only one to leave all the jumps up, including the 1.65m vertical, she scored the win.
 Jill Humphrey and Carl Casim with Sydnie Young and Melissa Brandes
“He’s very scopey and that’s key for this class,” Humphrey explained. “I’ve done six bar classes a couple times so I knew that even though the two strides walk the same, they feel shorter and shorter as the jumps get bigger, so I felt good about being prepared for that – no surprises – and just stayed tall and to kept supporting him off the ground.”
The action in the jumper ring will continue next week at the Blenheim Red, White & Blue Classic with a $5,000 1.35m Jumper Classic, Fairbanks Valley Farm Young Jumper Championship Qualifiers, and a $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix. RESULTS
$30,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix Place – Entry – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time 1. 335 – Rammstein – Joie Gatlin – Rocking Basilisk Farms, LLC – 0/0/36.121 2. 579 – Chantico – John Pearce – Karen Ball – 0/0/36.518 3. 149 – Windoctro – Taylor Siebel – Mountain Home Stables, LLC – 0/0/38.791 4. 213 – NJK No Regret – Nicole Haunert – NJK Show Jumpers, Inc. – 0/0/40.567 5. 384 – Di Caprio RV – Hannah Heidegger – Monarch International – 0/4/35.689 6. 566 – Ceasar – Tina Yates – ACE Equestrian – 0/4/36.585 7. 154 – Gatsby – Matt Williams – Toffolon Partners, LLC – 0/4/38.000 8. 567 – Birhan – Julia Nagler – Kenilworth Stables – 0/4/38.331 9. 341 – Solos Consept – Laura Hite – Laura Hite – 0/4/39.318 10. 807 – Dexceminka – Danielle Lean – Danielle Lean – 0/4/41.135 11. 232 – Zanzibar – Jill Humphrey – Jill Humphrey – 0/4/42.772 12. 830 – Insouci S – Mavis Spencer – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/8/37.227 $2,500 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier
Place – Entry – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time 1. 149 – Windoctro – Taylor Siebel – Mountain Home Stables, LLC – 0/0/38.791
2. 384 – Di Caprio RV – Hannah Heidegger – Monarch International – 0/4/35.689
3. 566 – Ceasar – Tina Yates – ACE Equestrian – 0/4/36.585 4. 567 – Birhan – Julia Nagler – Kenilworth Stables – 0/4/38.331 5. 807 – Dexceminka – Danielle Lean – Danielle Lean – 0/4/41.135 6. 830 – Insouci S – Mavis Spencer – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/8/37.227 7. 851 – Milan IV – Delaney Flynn – Grace Jacobsen – 4/79.944 8. 339 – Damian – Chandler Meadows – Chandler Meadows – 4/81.544
$10,000 Six Bar Challenge, presented by Park Place Foundation |