Temecula, Calif. – Jun 2, 2022 – On a perfect day in Temecula, California, the ECS $10,000 1.40m Speed Classic capped off a full slate of jumper competition in the Grand Prix Arena at the Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Horse Show III. A total of 27 horse and rider combinations took to the track designed by Anderson Lima to try and record the quickest time amongst a stiff field of competitors. Efficiency was the name of the game as the duos navigated the 13-effort course that included two double combinations, six oxers, and several challenging sharp, bending lines. Several lead changes took place throughout the class until the 23rd entry, Cassio Rivetti and The Equine Platform’s Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy, posted a clear round with a time of 66.89 seconds that proved to be too fast for their competitors to catch. The winning mount’s time was over three seconds faster than the second fastest combination in the class.
Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy was Rivetti’s second mount of the class which proved to be beneficial in the overall result. Rivetti rode Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy to shave over two seconds off of his first ride with Cristal De Menardiere. The pair was able to demonstrate speed and agility through several jumps that gave their competitors trouble. In the last three weeks competing at Galway Downs in the TVNHS, the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding has had podium finishes four times, including a second place finish in the 1.30m Jumper during week I and week II saw a second place finish in the BioXcellerator $10,000 1.35m Welcome and a third place finish in the 1.30m Jumper, allowing this win put him at the top of the leaderboard with Rivetti for the first time.
Aside from Rivetti and Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy’s dominance, the second and third place finishes were decided by just over a second. Sophie Simpson-Leckie and The CL Group’s Daytona Du Sud captured the red ribbon after posting just the second clear round of the class at the time and tipping the clock well under the time allowed at 70.04 seconds. In a class that saw only nine clear rounds, the second place duo was able to present a unique combination of speed and skill maneuvering through the track at a consistent pace. The nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding showed his agility and consistency in the 1.40m jumper division as the pair rode to their second podium finish in as many weeks after securing the blue ribbon in TVNHS week II’s 1.40m Jumper.
Following closely behind to round out the podium was Keri Potter and Tres Palomas’ Ariell La Sirene after crossing the wire at 71.09 seconds. The pair posted a solid ride at the midway point of the class putting them in contention for a podium finish. Potter was able to capitalize on the mistakes of the competitors that went before her and piloted the 13-year-old Westphalian mare to her first ribbon of the week as they set their sights on the Spruce Meadows $50,000 National Grand Prix Saturday.
Just three days of competition remain for the final week of the Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Horse Show. The jumper divisions will be back in action Friday, June 3 in both the Grand Prix Arena, which holds the feature class of the day with the Equestrian Lifestyle Boutique $10,000 1.35m, and the Jumper 1 Ring at Galway Downs. Unique to the TVNHS, the NET Final will also run concurrently with the Equestrian Lifestyle Boutique $10,000 1.35m where the finalists will try their hand to earn an additional $15,000.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Cassio Rivetti – ECS $10,000 1.40m Speed Classic
On his plan:
“I rode [Cristal De Menardiere] before [Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy] and I had a good time so my plan was to try to do the same track.”
On his partnership with Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy:
“He has had success in the first two weeks here, but this was my first week riding him. He is a great horse!”
On the future plans for his mount:
“His owner, Kendall Gath, will ride him in the next shows. She is who typically rides him.”
On competing at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula National Horse Show:
“I love riding in Temecula. It’s a beautiful show and a perfect place to improve the horses.”
RESULTS
$10,000 1.40m Speed Classic, Sponsored by ECS
Place / Horse / Rider / Country /Owner / R1 Faults | R1 Time / R2 Time | R2 Faults
- Buzz L’eclair Teamjoy / Cassio Rivetti / BRA / The Equine Platform / 0 | 66.89
- Daytona Du Sud / Sophie Simpson-Leckie / USA / The CL Group / 0 | 70.04
- Ariell La Sirene / Keri Potter / USA / Tres Palomas / 0 / 71.09
- Double O Seven 7 / Haley Schwab / USA / HH Stables LLC / 0 | 71.15
- Costo Rico / Judy Nielson / USA / Judy Nielson / 0 / 72.08
- California Sunshine / Susan Artes / USA / Alix Fargo / 0 | 73.69
- Ivaludine S / Tina Yates / USA / Lynn Parker / 0 / 74.60
- Glamour Betty / Tina Yates / USA / Y2M Investments LLC / 0 | 78.28
- Deluxento / Caroline Lynn / USA / C & M Partnership LLC / 0 / 79.50
- Da Vinci / Clea Caddell / USA / Spyglass Hill / 2 | 82.78
- Cogito / Carla Diewert / USA / Carla Diewert / 4 | 65.38
- Blueberry De Breve / Mark Kinsella / IRL / Olivia Combs / 4 | 66.88
