JULY 2023 THE RIDER /43


Mariano Maggi Makes it Happen Again in $20,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic at Blenheim EquiSports


San Juan Capistrano, CA – July 1, 2023 – For the third week in a row, Mariano Maggi claimed victory in the Markel 1.35m Jumper Series at Blenheim EquiS- ports, this time taking the win in the $20,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic on Saturday, July 1, aboard Gogolinus. On their way to the top


of the podium, Maggi and Gogolinus were one of 24 entries in the featured jumper event of


the


Blenheim June Classic III. The first-round track, de- signed by Mauricio Garcia, cut


that starting field


roughly in half, with 11 horse and rider combina- tions qualifying for the jump off.


Maggi had three en-


tries in the class and quickly moved into the lead aboard Tule, a Selle Français geld- ing, owned by Florencio Ramirez, that stopped the clock in 36.143 seconds. That time proved uncatch- able by anyone but Maggi himself who returned with Gogolinus as the final entry in the Grand Looke Arena. As Maggi and Gogoli-


nus flew over the last Buchalter Equine Law oxer, the scoreboard flashed 35.057 seconds, clinching


their win. With Maggi


taking


both first and second – aboard Gogolinus and Tule, respectively – third place with a time of 36.402 sec- onds went to McKenna Skelton and Daytona Du Sud, owned by Double S Farm LLC. For the win, Maggi received a gift cer- tificate to Riderzon, in addi- tion to the lion’s share of the prize money. “I’ve been using Gogolinus quite a bit in these types of classes,” said Maggi of the 12-year-old Dutch Warm- blood gelding, owned by Brylee Dickey. “He’s super easy; he’s like a car. You put him wherever you want. I was happy he was the last to go in the jump-off. Tule worked really well, and then I had another chance with [Gogolinus], so I used it!” Maggi was named the


Leading Gentleman in the 2022 Markel 1.35m Jumper Series, earning him an extra $5,625 bonus check and making him an even bigger fan of the Markel-sponsored series. “I really like and ap-


preciate the support of Markel. Last year, they were some of my favorite classes to come and ride, and now I’m winning, so they’re still


Mariano Maggi and Gogolinus. Photo by McCool Photography


my favorite!” stated Maggi. In addition to the opportu- nity to earn great prize money at the 1.35m level, Maggi appreciates the se- ries’ ability to help develop young horses, including Su- perman MT, the horse he


rode to great success in 2022. “[Superman] got a very good 7-year-old experience doing these classes, and this year, he’s already a level up,” explained Maggi. “I think 7- and 8-year-old


horses improve a lot if you do a couple of these Markel classes instead of the ‘nor- mal’ classes. If there’s one of these classes, I come, and I ride it. It’s good for the horses. I think these 1.35m are a lot more difficult than


Jumper Classic marked the seventh class in the 11-event series that offers horses and riders the opportunity to compete regularly in $5,000 – $20,000 national and FEI- sanctioned jumper events in various formats. At the con-


resuming on July 18-23 for the Blenheim Summer Fes- tival. To learn more, visit www.ThePlaceToJump.com .


In 2023, Blenheim Eq-


uiSports is excited to con- tinue to offer top sport at the FEI and USEF Premier Hunter level. Highlights of the upcoming show season include the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup ™ USA, the Adequan/USEF JR Hunter National Cham- pionships


- West, a


Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North Ameri- can League Qualifier, two weeks of WCHR competi- tion, USHJA International, National, & Pony Hunter Derby


events;


Whitethorne Equitation Challenge; Medal Finals and so much more. Located minutes from


the Pacific Ocean in South- ern California, Blenheim EquiSports delivers the ideal destination and eques- trian lifestyle experience, enjoyed by competitors and spectators alike. With up- scale shopping, beaches and award-winning golf courses all


in close proximity,


Blenheim EquiSports is the perfect place to plan a “showcation!” Learn more at ThePlaceToJump.com.


the


Mariano Maggi and Gogolinus. Photo by McCool Photography


Mariano Maggi and Gogolinus were joined in their winning presentation by Brandon Seger of Markel Insurance (pictured second from right). Photo by McCool Photography


a normal 1.40m during the week. It feels more impor- tant; when you ride for more money, you have to ride bet- ter, and the horses, they feel that.”


Saturday’s $20,000


clusion of the series, Lead- ing Lady and Leading Gentleman bonus checks will be presented.. Blenheim EquiSports


is the place to jump all sea- son


long, with 1.35m Markel Insurance hunter/jumper competition Blenheim EquiSports


is an equestrian event man- agement company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, producing horse shows in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Las Vegas, NV.


Check Out and Support Our Valued Advertisers at:


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