May 11, 2017 – Del Mar, CA – Jumping off last in the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix as well as the $5,000 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier, nineteen-year-old Hannah Heidegger and Di Caprio RV topped a field of 62 entries to claim the win in both classes. Vani Khosla and Billy Mexico finished in a close second in the Markel Insurance Grand Prix, with Heidegger beating her time by just 0.05 seconds. Both emerging stars train with Meadow Grove Farm.
Today’s 1.40m track was designed by Brazilian course designer Guilherme Jorge. Jorge’s experience is impressive; he’s designed courses for World Cup Finals, World Championships, and a collection of world-class grand prix classes in addition to serving as the head course designer at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Bringing his talent and expertise to Del Mar, Jorge challenged riders over a 16-effort track with a tight time allowed. Thirty horse and rider combinations, nearly half the class, incurred time faults, eleven of which were clear over the jumps. Fifteen, however, advanced to the jump-off, and six finished double-clear. Khosla jumped off seventh and stopped the clock in 41.94, edging out Will Simpson and Chirico W who had been the only fault-free pair. Tina Yates aboard Dakar VDL executed a stylish and prompt double clear jump-off in 43.82, earning a third place in the Markel Insurance Grand Prix and a red ribbon in the Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Qualifier. Though two more riders managed to clear the fences, no one could catch Khosla until her barn-mate, Heidegger, stole the show in 41.89.  Tina Yates and Dakar VDL Heidegger noted how consistent she and her equine partner of three years have been lately, explaining how his natural speed and ability to turn tightly contributed to her win today. “I definitely did not expect to win. In a class of [62], it’s a hard task to do,” she said. “My strategy was just to go in there and have a really solid ride. In the jump-off I got to see Vani go before me, luckily, so I knew what she had done. The youngins had it today!” This grand prix win marks Heidegger’s third, though her first with Di Caprio RV. Today she walked away with a pair of Roeckl gloves and a SmartPak cooler in addition to her blue ribbon, trophy, and prize money. A student at University of California San Diego, Heidegger balances her successful show jumping career with her studies. She plans to head to Las Vegas in the fall to compete in the Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Final. More to come this weekend at Showpark Ranch & Coast. Hunters will gallop on the grand prix field grass in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby tomorrow. The show jumping action will resume on Saturday with the $60,000 Grand Prix of California, presented by EQU Lifestyle Boutique.
Celebrating a double win! Hannah Heidegger and Di Caprio RV with Susie Schroer, Zazou Hoffman, Melissa Brandes, Klaus Heidegger, and Uriel Valdivia RESULTS
$25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 368 – Di Caprio RV – Hannah Heidegger – Monarch International – 0/0/41.892
2. 363 – Billy Mexico – Vani Khosla – Vani Khosla – 0/0/41.944 3. 654 – Dakar VDL – Tina Yates – HKC Collection, LLC – 0/0/43.820 4. 308 – Lux Lady – Rich Fellers – Harry & Mollie Chapman – 0/0/44.600 5. 526 – Chirico W – Will Simpson – Linda Fotsch – 0/0/46.227 6. 541 – Unlimited – Josephina Nor Stables – Josephina Nor Stables, LLC – 0/0/46.585 7. 525 – Dee Jee – Nayel Nassar – Nayel Nassar – 0/4/41.197 8. 480 – Samson II – Zazou Hoffman – Dogwood Hill, LLC – 0/4/42.278 9. 502 – NKH Selena – Christian Heineking – NKH, LLC – 0/4/42.447 10. 260 – Elrito – Jason Mcardle – Fairbanks Valley Farm, LLC – 0/4/44.025 11. 759 – NJK No Regret – Nicole Haunert – NJK Show Jumpers, Inc. – 0/4/44.546 12. 254 – Legis Touch The Sun – Jenni Mcallister – Legisequine.com – 0/4/45.696 $5,000 Interactive Mortgage Under 25 Series Qualifier
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 368 – Di Caprio RV – Hannah Heidegger – Monarch International – 0/0/41.892
2. 654 – Dakar VDL – Tina Yates – Hkc Collection, LLC – 0/0/43.820
3. 504 – Ramona de Flobecq – Thilo Schulz – Nicole Peterson – 4/75.140
4. 652 – Ceasar – Tina Yates – ACE Equestrian, LLC – 4/79.318
5. 651 – Maximus – Tina Yates – ACE Equestrian, LLC – 4/79.928
6. 367 – Rodster D’Amaur – Hannah Heidegger – Monarch International – 5/80.044 7. 507 – Rahamanshof Bomiro – Savannah Jenkins – Georgy Maskrey-Segesman – 5/84.035 8. 591 – Anaconda D – Nicolette Hirt – Nicolette Hirt – 5/84.404 |
