Susie Hutchinson and SIG Firecracker (Photo: McCool)

The Grand Prix was the icing on the cake for Hutchison after clinching a win earlier in the $7,500 CashCall Mortgage Futurity. As the last qualifying class in the Futurity series before the $15,000 Final at the Showpark Summer Festival, the up-and-coming young horses jumped a 1.40-1.45m course, having worked their way up in height through the series.

Five entries returned for the jump-off, but Hutchison and SIG Firecracker were the standout winners, smoking the competition by stopping the clock in 39.18, nearly four seconds faster than the rest of the class. Hutchison has high hopes for the young horse, whom she looks to campaign soon in the Grand Prix ring.

Susie Hutchison and SIG Firecracker with the DeLong family (Photo: McCool)

“He’s just eight this year and I think he’s special. He’s little, but he doesn’t know it,” she said. “He has a huge stride and a big heart and every time we’ve made a step up he just rises to the occasion. This is a nice class for the young horses to step up in and I’m really looking forward to his future.”

The June Classic series at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano continues next week with the June Classic III, featuring a host of highlight events that include the Zone 10 Pony Challenge, the $7,500 CashCall Mortgage U25 Qualifier for developing young riders, as well as the $30,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix.

For more information visit www.showpark.com