Blenheim’s Three Week Showpark Festival Series Wraps Up in Stellar Style

August 10, 2016 – Del Mar, CA – Showpark shined with three weeks of competition in every discipline including four grand prix events, the US Junior Hunter National Championships – West Coast, the inaugural USHJA Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic, West and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. On the final day of the Showpark August Festival, Ximena Milmo was double clean and fast for the win in the $20,000 Electronic Vet 1.40m Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic.

Ximena Milmo and Tango II Dance to a Solid Win in the $20,000 Electronic Vet 1.40m Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

Twenty-five competitors took a tour around the grass grand prix field in the $20,000 Electronic Vet Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic on Sunday, August 7th. Argentina’s Ivan Tagle designed the track, with nine entries qualifying for the timed round.

 Ximena Milmo and Tango II. PC: Captured Moments

Sophia Mossman and Carre were first to return. Lowering the height of a jump early on, she left the door open for a clean and fast ride to take the lead, which is exactly what the next pair, Michelle Kerivan and Colin, executed, making the time to beat 44.75.

A few rides later, Allyssa Hecht and Calvatos Z (owned by Neaulani Farms) shaved almost a second off of Kerivan’s time, stopping the clock clean in 43.84. Two more clean efforts followed,  Jaime Azcarraga and Anton and Nicolas Nierenberg aboard Nero Z, but neither could catch Kerivan’s or Hecht’s times.

Next in proved best when Milmo piloted Tango II to a blazingly fast 41.94, almost two seconds speedier, to take over the top spot and ultimately lead the victory gallop. Not having competed at Showpark for several years, the twenty-six-year-old amateur from Mexico wrapped up her three weeks in Del Mar with a memorable win.

Milmo and Tango II win the $20,000 Electronic Vet Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. PC: Captured Moments 

RESULTS
$20,000 Electronic Vet 1.40m Junior-Amateur/Owner Jumper Classic
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 343 – Tango II – Ximena Milmo – Ximena Milmo – 0/0/41.946
2. 438 – Calvatos Z – Allyssa Hecht – Neaulani Farms – 0/0/43.840
3. 129 – Colin – Michelle Kerivan – Michelle Kerivan – 0/0/44.759
4. 375 – Anton – Jaime Azcarraga – Jaime Azcarraga – 0/0/46.368
5. 242 – Nero Z – Nicolas Nierenberg – Nicolas Nierenberg – 0/0/46.629
6. 207 – Carre – Sophia Mossman – Sophia Mossman – 0/4/43.453
7. 126 – The Admiral – Derek Chang – Derek Chang – 0/4/47.317
8. 391 – Sharky – Santiago Martin Del Campo – 0/8/46.788

Veredus Leading Rider Awards

New Veredus Leading Rider awards for the 2016 season were presented on the final day of Showpark August Festival competition. The titles went to the Jumper Riders from the three week Showpark Festival circuit who accumulated the most points on their highest placed horse from their respective section and classics.

Maria Paula Diaz took home the Veredus Leading Adult Jumper honors after accumulating a total of 66 points over the three weeks of shows in Del Mar. In addition to being presented the Leading Rider Sash & Veredus Horse Boots Gift Certificate, Diaz also took home first place honors and trophy in the Adult Jumper Classic on Jorge Diaz’s Graffity.

PC: Captured Moments Photography

After winning a Markel Insurance Grand Prix during the Showpark Summer Festival and another Open Jumper Classic during Showpark Racing Festival, and placing in that week’s Grand Prix, Juan Manuel Luzardo was announced as the Veredus Open Jumper Rider of the Showpark Festival Series. Despite a late surge in points by runner-up Chris Pratt, Luzardo’s total of 26 points could not be beat.

Veredus Leading Open Jumper Rider Juan Manuel Luzardo. PC: Captured Moments Photography. 

The Amateur Owner title came down to the final classic of the series – and with a fourth place finish in the $20,000 Electronic Vet 1.40m Junior-Amateur/Owner Classic on Anton, Jaime Azcarraga claimed the Veredus Leading Amateur Owner title with 33.5 points over second place finisher Juan Carlos Martin Del Campo (31 points).

Michael Williamson earned the Veredus Leading Junior Jumper Rider title for his recent success in Del Mar. Williamson accumulated 26 points during the Showpark Festival Series from his rides on Gucci & Casco Junior in the 1.30m Junior-A/O Jumper Division, with runner-up Katherine Kinnison earning 18 points.

With a commanding lead going into the final Children’s Classic of the series, Christina Guzman earned 58 points and could not be beat! For her outstanding three week efforts on Humberto Guzman’s Phion, which included one classic and four class wins in the Children’s Jumpers, Christina was presented with a Leading Rider Sash and Veredus Horse Boots Gift Certificate.

Visit the Blenheim Facebook page to see more photos and highlights, and click here to read the full press releases on the Blenheim press page.

Blenheim EquiSports is preparing for a busy August and September with the final five shows of the outdoor season. Over $350,000 in prize money is up for grabs with numerous events on the schedule, including two $50,000 1.50m Grand Prix, as well as additional qualifiers for the Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix Series, Interactive Mortgage U25 Series and the Interactive Mortgage 10 & Under Futurity Series, two Young Jumper Championships, the commencement of the Medal Finals on the West Coast and much more. Stay tuned for details about each discipline over the coming weeks.

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