Morgan Dickerson and Disaronno VT Win Interactive Mortgage U25 Developing Rider Series Qualifier

Morgan Dickerson and Disaronno VT (Photo: CapturedMomentPhoto.com)

and over the same track as the Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix, had eleven entries. Morgan Dickerson, aboard Disaronno VT, was the only U25 rider who rode the track fault-free.

No stranger to 1.40m courses, Dickerson has worked with and competed at some of the best events for Young Riders.

Dickerson was impressed when he walked the course. "I always have the words of George Morris and Karen Healey in my head when I walk. And I thought that this course was like a chess match. You needed to ride it one step at a time and be very purposeful each step the way, which proved a successful strategy on my first horse."

Yet another newly established pair, Dickerson also purchased 'Dino' at the end of Thermal. Humbly impressed with the horse, Dickerson gushed a bit about his new mount.

"He's incredible. When I'm riding him, it feels like I'm doing nothing, just point him and he knows his job. What I love so much about him is his eagerness to jump and jump clear. Every time we trot in, it feels like he is saying, 'Okay, where are we going, how are we going to get this done?' He has such a big heart."

Morgan Dickerson and Disaronno VT with Tasha Visokay, Luis Cervantes and Blenheim EquiSports' Melissa Brandes (Photo: CapturedMomentPhoto.com)

The high school senior has his eyes not only on starting at Duke University in the fall, but on continuing to hone his skills in the U25 Division, as well as the 1.50m grand prix classes. Extremely appreciative, he indicated the host of people he would like to thank.

"I truly cannot thank Interactive Mortgage enough for sponsoring the U25 series and for Blenheim EquiSports for putting on a world class competition," said Dickerson.

"It truly takes a village to be able to compete at this level, and I would like to thank my parents; Tasha Visokay and Heather Chatham Verbrugge, as well as Luis Cervantes and the rest of the staff at Ingenium Farms; Karen Healey and all of my friends for their support through the ups and downs."

At the end of the qualifying season, twenty-five riders will be invited to the new $25,000 Interactive Mortgage U25 Series Final at The Las Vegas National in November. Click here for the current standings.

The host of showcase events continue this week in Del Mar at the Ranch & Coast Classic. Tomorrow the hunters will compete for top prizes and special awards in the $10,000 USHJA International Derby on the grand prix field.

The jumper highlights include the second Interactive Mortgage Horses 10&U Futurity qualifier of 2016, and the $60,000 Grand Prix of California on Saturday, May 14th. SmartPak Grand Champions and High Score Awards will be presented to wrap up Blenheim's second World Champion Hunter Rider week on Sunday.

$5,000 Interactive Mortgage U25 Developing Rider Series Qualifier
1. 395 - Disaronno VT - Morgan Dickerson - Morgan Dickerson - 0/84.289
2. 473 - Escudo's Triumph - Helena Belkin - Stuart Belkin - 4/79.969
3. 830 - Lorenzo-T - Carly Ramsey - Carley Ramsey - 4/80.920
4. 489 - Taxo de la Nutria - Delaney Flynn - Irish Rose Stables - 4/83.022
5. 420 - Veneto DH Z - Jodie Camberg - Jodie Camberg - 4/84.053
6. 383 - HH Cannavaro - Zazou Hoffman - Dogwood Hill, LLC - 5/85.517
7. 506 - Dee Jee - Nayel Nassar - Nayel Nassar - 5/85.980
8. 526 - Spar Colt - Kayla Savard - Kayla Savard - 8/83.386