San Juan Capistrano, CA – September 23, 2021 – Cassio Rivetti and Kandella clinched the final $20,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic victory of the season on September 23, during the International Jumping Festival at Blenheim.
Throughout the spring and summer at Blenheim EquiSports in San Juan Capistrano, CA, riders have contested the 15-part Markel Insurance 1.40m – 1.45m Jumper Series, competing for each week’s prize money and a chance to qualify for the $39,000+ Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Final at the Las Vegas National CSI4*-W in November.
On Thursday, 33 entries vied for the win and the series’ final qualifying points over a course set in the Olympic Sand Arena at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park by renowned course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio.
With 14 horses jumping the first round without fault, 13 entries elected to return for the jump-off. Rivetti and Kandella, owned by Delaney Batter, were the fifth to navigate the short course, and as the pair rolled back tightly from the first oxer to a vertical, it was apparent that they would be a tough combination to beat. As they crossed the final vertical and flew through the timers, they set the time to beat at what would prove to be an uncatchable 36.382 seconds.
Coming the closest to besting Rivetti and Kandella was Canada’s Bretton Chad aboard The Pugilist, owned by Stone Ridge Farms LLC. After jumping off with a time of 41.112 seconds on her first mount, Coral Reef Cleo van de Helle, Chad returned on The Pugilist ready to shave off some time, and she did so effectively, finishing in 36.382 seconds for second place.
Rivetti was the penultimate rider to return on his second mount, Icarus, owned by Strasburg Morin Inc., and while it looked like he could give himself quite a run for his own money, the duo would end up in third on a time of 37.425 seconds.
“[Kandella] is really fast, and the rideability is really good with her,” said Rivetti of the 8-year-old Warmblood mare that arrived to him from Mexico only three months ago. “In the lines, she did one less very easily. She’s so careful.”
“She arrived here really green but with so much talent. She won last week in one class, was second, and then today she was fantastic,” continued Rivetti, who was presented with a Shady Lady face covering as the winning rider and a $50 Top Line Design Ribbon Wreath gift certificate for Batter as the winning owner.
A top contender in the Markel Insurance Series throughout the circuit, Rivetti sat in 14th place in the series’ standings heading into Thursday’s class, and, with 34 points earned on Thursday, he shot into the top five. Sitting at the top of the leaderboard is Jason McArdle with 97 points. View the full standings here.
The top 25 qualified riders will now be invited to compete for the overall title on Thursday, November 18, at the Las Vegas CSI4*-W. In addition to the prize money up for grabs, the winner of the final will be presented with a Flexi-Equine “Jumper” locker and a Solea Equestrian Boutique custom show coat. The Leading Lady and Leading Gent will each additionally receive a cash bonus of $2,300 plus additional add back money.
Before heading to Las Vegas, Rivetti will next set his sights on the $100,000 Interactive Mortgage Grand Prix, to be held on Saturday, September 25, as show jumping action continues all week long at the International Jumping Festival at Blenheim.
To learn more about Blenheim EquiSports, the #PlaceToJump all season long, visit www.ThePlaceToJump.com.
All photos by McCool Photography
