Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024

Spooner Showcases An Exciting New Ride In $50,000 Grand Prix Of Showpark Win

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Del Mar, Calif.—Aug. 26  

The Showpark Summer Classic’s highlight jumper event kept viewers on their toes as only three of 30 starting entries competed in the jump-off.

Richard Spooner and Chatinus, whom he co-owns with Tracy Katayama Esse, ultimately emerged on top in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark after executing the fastest of the three double-clear rounds. Riding for Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc., Mavis Spencer piloted Chacco to a second place finish just over half of a second behind Spooner, and Keri Potter rode Julia Koetting’s Bitalica to third.

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Richard Spooner on Chatinus. Photo by Captured Moment Photography

International course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY built the stout 1.50-meter grand prix course; it featured double and triple combinations, several technical bending lines, and multiple options for striding.

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For much of the class, Potter stood as the only clear, but then Spooner and Spencer, who were two of the last three to compete, were fault-free and the pressure was on. Second to jump off, Spooner, the “Master of Faster,” stopped the clock in 38.37 seconds.

Chatinus is a new addition to Spooner’s string — —the two teamed up just this summer. The 10-year-old gelding had previously competed up to the 1.50-meter level in Europe with German riders Timo Beck and had been developed in his early years by fellow German David Will. Spooner has had the ride just a few months.

“The key to the clear round is what it symbolizes and what it means. For this to happen right off the bat like that, it’s a heck of a lot better than just a win,” Spooner explained. “I still need to test the waters with him a little bit because even though this was incredible, there’s a lot of work that has to be done to see exactly where we’re going. But I think the horse will go all the way. That’s my goal. I think that he’s one of the nicest horses I’ve ever ridden, and I’m very optimistic for the future.”

  1. Chatinus/Richard Spooner 0-0/38.36
  2. Chacco/Mavis Spencer 0-0/39.03
  3. Bitalica/Keri Potter 0-0/41.41
  4. Chello Z/Josephina Nor Lantzman 2/78.79
  5. Vancouver 45/Michelle Parker 4/72.94
  6. Cicomein VDL/Tina Yates 4/73.495
  7. Zentro Sent/Chris Pratt 4/75.13
  8. Little Gancho/Marc Grock 4/
  9. NJK No Regret/Nicole Haunert 4/75.93
  10. Durango VDL/Tina Yates 4/76.78
  11. Arthos R/Richard Spooner 8/75.28
  12. Quirido RC/Richard Spooner 8/76.9

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