Armando Hassey and Cassino (c) Flying Horse Photography
The ring saw an early start time with beautiful 60-degree, sunny weather, making for yet another perfect competition day. Armando Hassey aboard his own Cassino took victory again in the $2,500 Adequan® 1.40-1.45m Open Jumper class.
The course was designed by Marina Azevedo, and saw five horse-and-rider combinations compete, with only one clear round from the winning duo. Since the competition was held in an immediate jump-off format, Hassey completed the first round and also continued on to a clear round over the short course, but no tie breaker was necessary.
Cassino is an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, which Hassey bought at an auction when he was only six months old. Hassey has been training him ever since.
"I am very happy with him. I think the course was very good, and [Marina Azevedo] always does something challenging," said Hassey. "I think Marina is very good at putting a question everywhere. You had questions from the beginning to the end [of the course]."
Hassey, originally from Mexico, has a degree in Chemical Engineering but has turned his passion for horses into a career. He spends half his year at his own facility in Colorado, and the other half of the year at his own facility in Wellington, Florida.
$2,500 Adequan®1.40-1.45m Open Jumper Results:
1. 350 - CASSINO - OWNED BY ARMANDO HASSEY - ARMANDO HASSEY 0/0/31.332
2. 996 - NKH BARBOSA - OWNED BY ALEXANDRA OZYMY - CHRISTIAN HEINEKING 4/68.646
3. 1383 - K2 - OWNED BY ZEITGEIST EQUESTRIAN - SANJAY BAGAI 5/76.462
4.1058 - NKH GRENZGANGER - OWNED BY ABG ENTERPRISES LTD - CHRISTIAN HEINEKING 20/79.025
5. 1436 - OLIVER - OWNED BY TIMOTHY GAFFNEY - TIMOTHY GAFFNEY 23/94.032
Prior to the 1.40-1.45m class, the Coors Family Grand Prix ring saw eight competitors take on the course set for the $1,000 Six/Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship with four to jump-off. Christian Heineking, piloting Vex Sporthorse LTD's Vex Cassandra, claimed victory with a double-clear round and the fastest jump-off time of 32.411 seconds.
Heineking is originally from Germany, but now resides in Texas. His winning mount, Vex Cassandra (Casall x Cassini II), is a seven-year-old Holsteiner mare currently for sale. She competed at Thermal and was circuit champion in California this season.
"I thought [today's course] was a nice course for the seven-year-olds. It was very well laid out [with] an interesting jump-off and a couple of options to stay inside or go around," said Heineking. "I did all the inside turns with her. I didn't have a chance to watch anyone else go, so I just went in [the ring] and rode. Next week we plan to have her stay in the seven-year-olds and maybe [compete] her in a 1.40m class."
Nayel Nassar and his own Dee Jee, were the only other pair to lay down a double clear round, which solidified the team in second place. In third place was Amanda Comly and her own A&A Balthazar, with a fast time of 32.415, but an unfortunate four faults.
$1,000 Six/Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Results:
1. 993 - VEX CASSANDRA - OWNED BY VEX SPORTHORSE LTD - CHRISTIAN HEINEKING 0/0/32.411
2. 1439 - DEE JEE - OWNED BY NAYEL NASSAR - NAYEL NASSAR 0/0/41.021
3. 1089 - A&A BALTHAZAR - OWNED BY AMANDA COMLY - AMANDA COMLY 0/4/32.415
4. 36 - CHICKA - OWNED BY SERENITY RIDGE FARM - KAREN CUDMORE 0/4/35.294
5. 411 - CAYLEE PCH - OWNED BY KRISTIN BUCHANAN - NATASCHA GATES 0/EL
6. 1054 - OCTOBER HILL'S RAMATOV - OWNED BY ABG ENTERPRISES LTD - CHRISTIAN HEINEKING 4/60.249
7. 1136 - MOJO TSP - OWNED BY CHRISTIAN ROGGE - CHRISTIAN ROGGE 4/65.852
8. 1469 - DUBLIN - OWNED BY HAYS INVESTMENT CORP - BRANDIE HOLLOWAY 4/65.959
Competition at Colorado Horse Park continues July 4, 2015, as part of Summer in the Rockies IV. Highlights include a $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by Griffis Residential, a $4,000 Modified Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by Butet Saddle, a $1,500 Junior Hunter Classic and the Dorothy Roberts Memorial Medal. For more information and full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.