Rodrigo Lambre aboard Charielle. Photo courtesy of CapturedMomentPhoto.com

August 2, 2014 – Del Mar, CA – Wrapping up three competitive weeks in Del Mar, today’s highlight $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix welcomed sixty-seven horse and rider combinations in a touch of wet weather. Of the eleven who returned for the jump-off, Rodrigo Lambre and Charielle (Mario Onate, owner) went double clean and narrowly beat the top time to earn the top prize.FEI course designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico had a big job building for such a large field of riders. “I think this group in this 1.40m grand prix is a very good group of quality horses and riders. So I had to build a class that had some questions, a little technical to make it a good exam, a good competition. It’s a very big class, so I tried to build something that will make it interesting and competitive,” she explained.It was a battle of the sexes with an international flair today, with five females and five males, one with two mounts, competing against the clock in the jump-off.  Representing Puerto Rico, Mark Watring and Pino H were first to return. With a heartbreak last rail, they finished with four in a speedy 37.36.  On the female side, American Misti Cassar rode the more conservative clean option on Gavin Brodin’s AllStar 5.  Ultimately one of only three double clears, Cassar finished third.  Coming to California from Canada, Andrea Strain and Djakarta had 8a down for four faults in 38.78.

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z. Photo courtesy of CapturedMomentPhoto.com

Back to the men, last week’s winners, Manuel Alvarez of Mexico with Manolito Fortuna, were once again very fast in 35.58, but took down 8a for four faults and fourth place. Plagued by the combination, Alvarez had 8b down on his second mount Spirit Magic, picking up the pink ribbon.

Local favorite, Brazilian Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z were on track, double clear and fast in 37.76.  However, directly after Lantzman came Lambre on Charielle who stopped the clock .59 seconds faster to take the lead. The remaining four competitors could not match this feat and the well-deserved win went to Lambre. Lambre liked the weather. “I think the rain helps with the footing; if you put in bigger studs, you are fine. It’s good footing.”When asked how he managed to shave off the half second for the win, he replied, “I think I came along nicely to the vertical-vertical combination and was able to leave out a stride there.” He then spoke highly of the talented young horse he rode. “I’ve been riding her for only 6 months – my sponsor Mario Onate owns her. This is the second grand prix win for her; she won a 1.50m in Mexico. She’s such a special mare. She’s just eight, and I have big plans for her.”

Rodrigo Lambre celebrates the grand prix win with family and friends. Photo courtesy of CapturedMomentPhoto.com

The summer show season moves on to San Juan Capistrano for the Blenheim Summer Classic, August 13-17, marking the beginning of the Big Eq fall season with the CPHA Medal Finals, plus another Markel Insurance Grand Prix. Competition continues in Del Mar with a two-week series chock-full of highlight classes. The Showpark Summer Classic, August 20-24, and Showpark All Seasons Tournament, August 27-31, host CPHA Foundation Medal Finals, Young Jumper Championships, FEI classes and more.  $30,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix Place – Number – Horse – Rider – Owner – Faults/Time 1. 469 – Charielle – Rodrigo Lambre – Mario Onate – 0/0/37.1782. 254 – Chello Z – Josephina Nor Lantzman – Josephina Nor Stables, LLC – 0/0/37.7693. 579 – AllStar 5 – Misti Cassar – Gavin Brodin – 0/0/39.2604. 568 – Manolito Fortuna – Manuel Alvarez – Manuel Alvarez – 0/4/35.5875. 567 – Spirit Magic – Manuel Alvarez – Manuel Alvarez – 0/4/36.2166. 583 – Pino H – Mark Watring – Mark Watring – 0/4/37.3607. 332 – Acardi du Houssoit Z – Fernando Martinez – Lorenzo Cue – 0/4/38.6468. 292 – Djakarta – Andrea Strain – Andrea Strain – 0/4/38.7829. 393 – Allegro – Jaime Azcarraga – Jaime Azcarraga – 0/4/39.72110. 310 – Zanzibar – Tanya Levorchick – Megan Camaisa – 0/6/48.32011. 238 – Salerno – Kilian McGrath – Rolling Oaks Ranch – 0/8/38.33512. 559 – Tristan – Tiffany Sullivan – Haley Farms, LLC – 1/74.598