BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--Charlotte Jacobs om Cristiano Obolensky won the $32,000 CSI5* Two-Phase on Thursday and World #21 Mark Bluman of Israel on S&L Eyes 4U won the $32,000 CSI2* Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday at the Hampton Classic.
Charlotte Jacobs on Cristiano Obolensky (Photo by KindMedia)Jacobs was clean in 26.17 seconds to win over Nayel Nassar of Egypt on Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z, second in 26.46 seconds, and Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX was third in 26.51 seconds.
In the first 5* class, many of the 62 competitors were just in for a school, but the top three finishers were within half a second of each other.
“First I jumped the horse that I’m going to ride in the Grand Prix on Sunday, and I knew I had Cristiano coming later,” Jacobs said. “I really wanted to take a swing and win the class with him. I was very happy with the results with both.
“My horse is naturally very, very fast, is ultra careful in the air, and has a lot of experience going quick,” she said. “I think that came into play today, and it just fell into our lap. Nayel and Samantha both had amazing rounds, so it was close. It was a great day today. My horses were great here last year, and we’re hoping for the best on Sunday.”
ON FRIDAY, Bluman finished clean in 32.23 seconds to win over World #1 Kent Farrington on Nikki Angel, second in 33.44 seconds, and Amanda Derbyshire of Great Britain on Cornwalll BH was third in 33.75 seconds.
Mark Bluman on S&L Eyes 4U (Photo by KindMedia)In the huge qualifying class of 93, run in the Winning Round format, although 24 went clean, only 11 advanced to the jump-off
“I think I had basically the same plan as Kent, just my second-to-last fence was a bit smoother than his,” Bluman said. “I think he didn’t find the forward distance, but I did, and I was able to continue going a little bit faster toward the last fence. It worked out today."
“This mare belongs to Sam and Libby Edelman,” he said. “She’s only 8, and she’s been great. I started riding her at the beginning of this year, and we’re producing her slowly. She’s actually won a couple of these ranking classes already, and she’s going phenomenally. She’s still young, so to end this weekend on such a high note is a good thing. I’ll ride my other 2* horse, S&L Hello Sunshine, on Sunday.”
Bluman now leads the $10,000 Rider Challenge for the 2* division with 150 points.
Ariana Marnell and Derbyshire are tied for second with 135 points.
The $30,000 Rider Challenges will be awarded as two separate bonuses for the FEI 5* and 2* divisions following the $400,000 Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix and $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix on Sunday.
