By Emily Randolph/RandolphPR
Harrisburg, PA – Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni raced to victory in the $30,000 Alltech/Lifeforce 1.45m Grand Prix on Thursday, October 21, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.
From a 23-horse field, nine entries advanced to jump off over the Manuel Esparza-designed short course, set in the Harrisburg Coliseum in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
When Williams entered the ring, the short-course time to beat had been set at 31.154 seconds by Wednesday night’s winner Laura Chapot, this time aboard Chandon Blue. Just 30.765 seconds after crossing the start, Williams and Cassio Melloni had taken over the top of the leaderboard.
Chapot and her Wednesday night winning mount, Calafornia, were the final entry to return for the jump-off, and the pair gave Williams a real run for her money, stopping the clock less than one-tenth of a second behind Cassio Melloni to take second with a time of 30.812 seconds.
“We ran to the last [fence], and he just does his job every time!” said Williams, 21, of Wayne, PA. “He is just the most unbelievable horse ever – probably one of my favorites that I’ve had so far. He’s super experienced, so I fully trust him no matter what, and he’s saved me so many times. He’s super fun.”
While Williams has previously competed at the PNHS in the Prix des States and the junior hunters, this year marks her first year competing in the open jumpers at the show, thanks to the newly added 1.30m and 1.40m divisions.
“I really like this show because, obviously it’s a qualifying show, so it’s fun to show, but now it’s great for these types of jumpers,” said Williams. “t’s nice to get inside and see how they’ll be. It’s really special with the crowd and the bright colored jumps.”
For full results of the $30,000 Alltech/Lifeforce 1.45m Grand Prix, visit pnhs.showmanagementsystem.com.
Open jumper competition at the 2021 PNHS continues on Friday, October 22, with the $30,000 1.30m Grand Prix, beginning at 7 p.m. The 10-day horse show, held October 14-23, culminates on Saturday with the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National. To learn more, visit www.PAnational.org.
$30,000 Alltech/Lifeforce 1.45m Grand Prix Results
Place – Entry # – Horse – Ride – Faults / Time
1. 956 Cassio Melloni Kaitlyn Williams 0/30.765
2. 1369 Calafornia Laura Chapot 0/30.812
3. 1371 Chandon Blue Laura Chapot 0/31.154
4. 1007 Pyrenes De Louzes Cassandra Kahle 0/32.493
5. 1751 Locato Van Het Kap…. Christian Coyle 4/29.201
6. 991 Nanking Vd Donkho… Filip De Wandel 4/30.833
7. 1388 Lochinvar Matt Cyphert 4/31.079
8. 1737 Apg Everlasting Love Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen 8/32.245
9. 1372 Diarado`s Flying D… Laura Chapot 8/32.806
10. 1860 Upsilon De La Liniere Taylor St Jacques 1
