PRESS RELEASE
Del Mar, CA – August 4, 2017 – Riding Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc.’s Clochard, Mavis Spencer was first to go clear, first to jump-off, and first to strike off in the victory gallop. She topped the field of twenty-six entries in the $25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix with an unbeatable jump-off time of 41.40. Her swift turns and bold gallops were nearly matched by second place finisher Tina Yates, who jumped off on three horses but emerged second aboard Highpoint Farm, LLC’s Zelote VDL. They finished less than 0.4 seconds behind Spencer. Hillary Ridland delivered the only other double-clear trip, riding Carole Looke’s Cambria M Z and stopping the clock in 42.21.
Eight horse and rider combinations successfully navigated the 1.40m track built by course designer Mauricio Ortega of Puerto Rico. In the jump-off, though, none could catch Spencer and Clochard.
“He’s so quick and he’s so careful, I knew I had a shot and it was just a matter of going as fast as I felt comfortable going,” Spencer explained. “This is only my fourth show with him, but even though we were a little slow rolling back to the combination, I guess everyone else was just a bit slower today!”
Although a new pairing, Spencer and the nine-year-old Kashmir van Schuttershof gelding have showcased their talents several times this season, earning top ribbons in 1.35m and 1.40m classics throughout the summer. For their win in the Markel Insurance Grand Prix, Spencer received a pair of Roeckl Sports gloves, an embroidered Blenheim EquiSports cooler, and an engraved pewter plate.
Catch Spencer, Yates and more in the $25,000 August Festival Grand Prix this Sunday. As the three-week Showpark Festival Series concludes, the Veredus Jumper Awards will also be announced at the end of this week’s show.
RESULTS
$25,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix
Place – Entry Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time
1. 406 – Clochard – Mavis Spencer – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/0/41.403
2. 304 – Zelote VDL – Tina Yates – Highpoint Farm, LLC – 0/0/41.765
3. 148 – Cambria M Z – Hillary Ridland – Carole Looke – 0/0/42.207
4. 252 – SIG Iron Man – Shota Ogomori – SIG International – 0/4/40.825
5. 278 – Cicomein VDL – Tina Yates – HKC Collection, LLC – 0/4/41.572
6. 405 – Chacco – Mavis Spencer – Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc. – 0/4/42.198
7. 254 – SIG Storm – Krystalle Glosser – SIG International – 0/8/41.381
8. 286 – Durango VDL – Tina Yates – ACE Equestrian – 0/27/68.614
9. 115 – Little Gancho – Marc Grock – Moonlite Beach, LLC – 2/83.091
10. 408 – Olivia Pope – Mavis Spencer – SCNC Investments – 4/74.103
11. 244 – Chello Z – Josephina Nor Lantzman – Josephina Nor Stables, LLC – 4/79.475
12. 404 – Joviale du Patriote – Jacobo Saaib – Jorge Valenzuela – 4/79.581
