Kyle King and Escudo’s Triumph are Triumphant in the $25k Markel Insurance Qualifier at Blenheim

Out of the 24 entries that took to the Oaks International Grand Prix Field in two concurrently run classes, the $25,000 1.45m Markel Insurance Qualifier and the $2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Series Jumper Classic, ten were clear in the first round and seven finished double clean.

Kyle King and Stuart Belkin’s Escudo’s Triumph clinched the Markel Insurance Jumper Classic win in an exciting jump-off that left the audience on the edge of their seats. Quadrigus and Gabriela Pattinson took home the blue ribbon in the Interactive Mortgage U25 class, while earning seventh place in the Markel Insurance Jumper Classic.

Kyle King and Escudo’s Triumph. Photo by McCool Photography

The track designed by FEI course designer Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas, included a triple combination, double combination, triple bar, liverpool, and many related lines across the grass field.

Amy Hess took and held the lead throughout the jump off on Topaze Blue, crossing the timers in 38.89 seconds until the final horse and rider combination, King and Escudo’s Triumph. This pair rode fault-free and a touch faster in 38.70s for the win.

King was pleased. “Escudo is owned by Stuart Belkin. I’ve taken over the ride in the past year to develop him into my main horse for the future. He’s a bit green in terms of mileage, but he’s very competitive. Being able to show here at Blenheim in the Markel Series is great. The Markel Series is so nice to have, especially for those of us developing young horses.”

Kyle King and Escudo’s Triumph. Photo by McCool Photography

Gabriela Pattinson Tops the Blenheim EquiSports U25 Classic

Gabriela Pattinson aboard Quadrigus and Simon McCarthy on Ce Ce Senior both qualified for the jump-off. Vying for first and second in the U25 class, Pattinson finished double clean in 42.85s. Trying to top that, McCarthy had the time but an early rail for a score of four faults in 36.60s.

Gabriela Pattinson and Quadrigus. Photo by McCool Photography

Moving up the ranks, 21-year-old Pattinson is gaining valuable miles. “I competed in my first Grand Prix with Quadrigus last week and it was his first Grand Prix as well. I’m really enjoying learning with him and growing in the sport together.”

As the second qualifier of twelve this season, the Markel Insurance Series Final will once again offer the top twenty-five riders a chance to compete at The Las Vegas National Horse Show, CSI4*-W in November.

RESULTS

$25,000 1.45m Markel Insurance Series Qualifer
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 536 – Escudo’s Triumph – Kyle King – Stuart Belkin – 0/0/38.708
2. 246 – Topaze Blue – Amy Hess – Blue Tree Farms, LLC- 0/0/38.896
3. 104 – Edesa Stallone – Mariano Alario – Estancia Farms, Inc. – 0/0/38.959
4. 397 – Valkyrie de Talma – Rachel Cornacchia – Eventyre Farms Ltd – 0/0/39.800
5. 227 – Fleury – Nicole Haunert – Magnolia Farms – 0/0/40.082
6. 226 – Costena LS La Silla – Nicole Haunert – Lynne Bollinger – 0/0/41.389
7. 197 – Quadrigus – Gabriela Pattinson – Susanne Coleman – 0/0/42.851
8. 642 – Ce Ce Senior – Simon McCarthy – Joan Hoppe – 0/4/36.603
9. 599 – Chacco – Carly Anthony – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/4/37.686
10. 399 – Un Diamant des Forets – Jim Ifko – Eventyre Farms Ltd – 0/4/39.321
11. 424 – Cavalos – Lisa McCluskey – Lisa McCluskey – 1/79.390
12. 504 – Durango VDL – Shawn Casady – High Point Farm, LLC – 2/80.050
$2,500 Blenheim EquiSports U25 Jumper Classic
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time 
1. 197 – Quadrigus – Gabriela Pattinson – Susanne Coleman – 0/0/42.851
2. 642 – Ce Ce Senior – Simon McCarthy – Joan Hoppe – 0/4/36.603
3. 504 – Durango VDL – Shawn Casady – High Point Farm, LLC – 2/80.050
4. 505 – Cicomein VDL – Shawn Casady – HKC Collection, LLC – 4/72.357
5. 506 – Dakar VDL – Shawn Casady – HKC Collection, LLC – 4/75.497
6. 206 – Beau Beau – Kaitlyn Lovingfoss – Kaitlyn Lovingfoss – 4/76.492
7. 194 – Dexceminka – Danielle Lean – Danielle Lean – 4/80.507