Temecula, Calif. – May 24, 2019 – Jumper competition continued at the Temecula Valley National Horse Show at Galway Downs on Friday, when amateurs and professionals took to the Audi Grand Prix Arena, presented by Evergate Stables, to compete under the sunshine for the day’s’ ribbons. The highlight class of the day, the $10,000 Cypress Point Stables 1.40m Jumpers, saw a competitive field of entries challenge the course, and in the end it was John Pearce and Chantico who took the lion’s share of the prize money for the second week in a row. In the High Junior/Amateur-Owner 1.40m Jumper class, Jenny Calandra rode Shantonagh to the blue ribbon, adding to her collection after a victory just mere days prior.
The $10,000 Cypress Point Stables 1.40m Jumpers commenced with Pearce riding his first mount of the class, Seven Seas, to a clean round in 69.75 seconds that would set the pace for subsequent entries. Over the course of the competition, the lead changed hands multiple times, with four horse-and-rider partnerships clocking in under 70 seconds. Halfway through the entries, Mark Watring piloted Gavanta to a quick and clear ride in 63.729 seconds to take over the lead, but Pearce wouldn’t settle for anything other than first as he returned to the ring aboard his own Chantico, slicing across the course to break the beam in a fiery 61.710 seconds, securing a commanding lead.
No stranger to the winner’s circle in Temecula, Pearce proved once again why he is a dominant winner on the West Coast, having already accumulated a substantial list of recent victories at Galway Downs. Pearce’s win Friday is his second in the class in recent days, as he directed Chantico to victory in the $10,000 Cypress Point Stables 1.40m Jumpers last week, as well. The California-based rider and trainer credited a few changes in the warm-up to his ability to win Friday, and demonstrated in the ring has ability to shave time by taking advantage of the options in the track designed by Anderson Lima (BRA). Tripping the timers more than two full seconds ahead of the next-best finishers, Pearce led the victory gallop with Chantico, followed by Watring and Gavanta, who finished in second place. Carly Anthony and For Filou Du Colliard claimed third place with a time of 66.075 seconds.
In the High Junior/Amateur-Owner 1.40m Jumpers, Calandra set the time to beat as the first to tackle the track with her own Shantonagh. Run under a power and speed format, the class asked exhibitors to ride two consecutive phases, with faults carried throughout and the second time serving as the final tally. Calandra and Shantonagh’s blazing time of 28.873 seconds put the pressure on, and no following challengers would prove able to match their efforts as timely or carefully, solidifying the early leaders as the class winners. Calandra has found success before in Temecula, taking the win in the Junior/Amateur-Owner 1.35m Classic on Sunday of the prior week, also aboard Shantonagh. The closest to Calandra’s time, Gabrielle Cirelli and Arkel almost caught the winning duo but settled for second place with their time of 29.950 seconds, and Katey Kozeny with Cincinnati Reds captured third position with their clean time of 30.356 seconds.
The Temecula Valley National Horse Show will continue Saturday with more action in the main arena, where the feature class of the week, the $40,000 MediVet Equine National Grand Prix, will bring competitors and spectators to the Audi Grand Prix Arena in the afternoon.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
John Pearce – $10,000 Cypress Point Stables 1.40m Jumpers winner
On his ride:
“Yesterday I had kind of a rough day with him, but today I made a few changes and I thought I’d just see how he felt for the first two jumps. I knew he was really on form after I jumped the first two jumps, so I decided to turn it on a little. I didn’t really run out there but he turns really well. He can stop and turn on a dime, and that’s where he shines so that’s what I did. There were some good options in there today for him. One particular turn after number five, there was an inside turn which I was the only one that did. It was a difficult turn but it was right up his alley and that’s why I won the class today, just making that turn. I also left a stride out and did seven [strides] from fences nine to ten, and most did eight. It was a great day, and my horse felt terrific.”
On his plans with Chantico:
“I’m debating on riding him in the grand prix tomorrow, but I haven’t decided yet. He does a lot of national grand prix classes and touches down on a lot of these speed classes because he’s a naturally quick horse. He’s good at it and he enjoys it. Every day is a new day with him. It depends on how he feels what we’re going to do the next day. If you make a plan, things can change really quickly.”
On riding in the class:
“Thank you to Cypress Point Stables for your generous sponsorship. Hats off to Anderson Lima, a terrific course designer. I call him the Einstein of course design – he’s very talented and it’s nice to have him here!”
RESULTS
$10,000 Cypress Point Stables 1.40m Jumpers
Place / Horse / Rider / Faults / Time
1. Chantico / John Pearce / 0 / 61.710
2. Gavanta / Mark Watring / 0 / 63.729
3. For Filou Du Colliard / Carly Anthony / 0 / 66.075
4. Seven Seas / John Pearce / 0 / 69.748
5. Stakka Gold / Max Dolger / 0 / 71.782
6. Daytona / Gabrielle Applegate / 0 / 72.252
7. Juweel Van Maarle / Sabine Cooper / 4 / 60.587
8. Baraka / Gabrielle Applegate / 4 / 63.490
High Junior/Amateur-Owner 1.40m Jumpers
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults / R1 Time / R2 Faults / R2 Time
1. Shantonagh / Jenny Calandra / 0 / 42.844 / 0 / 28.873
2. Arkel / Gabrielle Cirelli / 0 / 43.853 / 0 / 29.950
3. Cincinnati Reds / Katey Kozeny / 0 / 43.375 / 0 / 30.356
4. Kasstender / Katie Murray / 0 / 46.531 / 0 / 32.998
5. Contessa K / Mackenzie Carreras / 0 / 47.772 / 0 /33.716
6. Cubiki / Emma Reichow / 4 / 42.427 / 4 / 29.708
7. Bambali / Lauren Kay / 4 / 46.450 / 4 / 30.675
8. Quincy 204 / Emma Mann-Meginniss / 4 / 45.179 / 4 / 31.051
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