Blenheim
EquiSports |
World
Champion Rodrigo Pessoa Wins $35,000 Budweiser Speed Derby
At 2002 Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A
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San
Juan Capistrano, CAJuly 27, 2002Show Jumping World Champion
Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil galloped to victory in the $35,000 Budweiser
Speed Derby Saturday at the 2002 Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A.
Pessoa
topped a field of 27 entries in the one-round speed class where
faults were converted to penalty seconds. He and Gandini Bianca
DAmoury, owned by Keri Pessoa, completed the 17-jump course
designed by Sydney Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of
Venezuela in 88.68 seconds.
Kamal
Bahamdan of Saudi Arabia, the days third entry, took an early
lead in the class when he rode Casita, owned by KB Farms, Ltd, to
a time of 90.92 seconds. His lead held up until the days 23rd
entry, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, beat his score on Authentic,
owned by Elizabeth Busch Burke and John Madden Sales. Madden blistered
over the course, finishing with a score of 90.60 seconds that included
a five-second penalty for a knockdown at fence 10B.
I
really attacked the first fence, Madden said. My horse
is naturally fast and he just kind of carried me the rest of the
way. The course was very long and I think he thought he was done
when he had that rail late in the course. I might have ridden that
fence a little too soft.
Maddens
penalty proved costly as her actual time of 85.60 seconds would
have been good enough for the win. I was quite fortunate to
be able to watch Beezie ride before I had to go, Pessoa said.
Shes always very accurate as well as fast. My mare is
experienced at this level and I know just how fast I can push her
and it worked out well today.
Placing
fourth behind Pessoa, Madden and Bahamdan was Mandy Porter of Solana
Beach, CA who had a time of 95.52 seconds on LaRoc, which she owns
with ACP Enterprises. Fifth place went to Francie Steinwedell-Carvin
of LaCanada, CA with a score of 95.83 seconds on Laddidor owned
by Prentis Partners.
Earlier in the day, Alison Lynch of Ranch Santa Margarita, CA rode
TJs Eagle, owned by Roclar, Inc., to victory in the $10,000
Budweiser Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. None of the 24 starters
was able to complete the original 14-jump course with no penalties,
but Lynch and TJs Eagle came close, finishing with no jumping
and only one-quarter of a time penalty for exceeding the time allowed
of 84 seconds by .644 seconds. Marley Goodman of Palm Beach, FL
was just behind Lynch. She also finished with no jumping penalties
but had a half of a time penalty for exceeding the time allowed
by 1.022 seconds on Cacique which she owns with Turtle Lane Farm.
The Budweiser Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic is a member event
of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series that determines
which junior and amateur-owner riders will qualify to ride in this
years National Horse Show in Wellington, FL in November.
This
year marks the second annual Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A,
which was the countrys first outdoor CSI-A (international
individual show jumping competition). Sundays grand finale,
the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, presented
by HBO, will be the final event determining the U.S. squad for the
Show Jumping World Championships that will be held at the World
Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September.
This
also marks the second time Selection Trials to determine a USET
squad are being held at the Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions Rancho
Mission Viejo Riding Park. Selection Trials for the USETs
Sydney Olympic squad were held at the San Juan Capistrano venue
in 2000.
In
addition to the selection trials, other exciting classes at the
CSI-A include the $10,000 Hermes International Speed Class, won
Thursday morning by Laura Kraut on Liberty; the $10,000 Robert Mondavi
Winery International Welcome Class won Thursday afternoon by Eric
Hasbrouck on Sitah; and the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International
Class won by Mandy Porter on Lavita on Friday afternoon.
In
addition to thrilling show jumping competition, spectators can enjoy
a range of activities and entertainment, including live music and
a Kids Day sponsored by Fidelity Investments. Admission for Sunday
is $15 with children under the age of three admitted free. Parking
is $5 for venue parking and just $.50 per person for general parking
which includes a shuttle ride to the show grounds. Tickets can be
purchased online at www.capistranofestival.com or by calling (949)
489-8826.
Blenheim EquiSports, under the direction of Olympic veteran rider
Robert Ridland and CEO R.J. Brandes, is one of the countrys
largest equestrian management and promotion companies. Events managed
by Blenheim EquiSports include the 2000 Budweiser World Cup Finals
in Las Vegas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the inaugural
Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A.
For
general information, please visit www.capistranofestival.com
or www.blenheimequisports.com
or call (949) 443-1844.
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