Ramiro Quintana Rides Corento VH Dingenshof to Capture $30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix

Ramiro Quintana and Corento VH Dingenshof
Ramiro Quintana and Corento VH Dingenshof

Upperville, Va. – June 7, 2018 – Jumper competition at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by St. Bride’s Farm, concluded on Thursday with the $30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, sponsored by Palm Beach Masters, where Ramiro Quintana and Smith Hogan LLC’s Corento VH Dingenshof bested 46 horse-and-athlete combinations to claim the blue ribbon.

Erynn Ballard and Irish Kiss 111
Erynn Ballard and Irish Kiss 111

Brazil’s Marina Azevedo designed a first round course of 12 obstacles that saw 14 produce clear efforts over to advance to the jump-off. Erynn Ballard, who’s had a great week in Upperville thus far with multiple top finishes, led the way during the tiebreaker aboard Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Irish Kiss 111, galloping to a double-clear finish in 43.123 seconds. Their faultless and quick performance held for first place for the majority of the class, while many others struggled with navigating the double combination and two tight rollbacks throughout the short course.

Ramiro Quintana and Corento VH Dingenshof
Ramiro Quintana and Corento VH Dingenshof

As second to last to go, Quintana and the 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Contendro–Tirona Dingeshof Z) raced to catch Ballard’s time, finishing clear in 42.601 seconds to do just that and take over the top position to win the class.

Maria Costa and Terceira
Maria Costa and Terceira

Rounding out the top three was Maria Costa and Ravello Farms LLC’s Terceira, who stopped the clock in 46.487 seconds for third place, while Ballard also rode Ilan Ferder’s Zorran to the final double-clear finish of the jump-off in 47.976 seconds for fourth place honors.

Thursday’s victory ultimately earned Quintana the “Gladly” Trophy, donated by Wetherburn Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McViegh, and the winner’s cooler, donated by Conor O’Regan.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Ramiro Quintana – $30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, sponsored by Palm Beach Masters, winner

On Thursday’s course:
“I honestly thought it was really well built for the level. I have to say, [the horses] jump so good on this ground. The jumps are big, but they’re jumping really well, so kudos to the horse show for providing such a nice surface. I think 14 clear was perfect for the class. It’s exciting for the public to watch a few horses run and jump-off and have fun. I was lucky number 13 in the order coming back. I watched the first couple go and memorized Erynn [Ballard]’s track. I remembered her time so 43 [seconds] was my reference. At the beginning, I felt like I was going a little slow. I was trying to be tidy and neat. I tried to go slow and make sure I cleared the jumps. I was lucky that I saw an early distance to the last fence. I think that’s where I beat her — I did one less stride than her.”

On winning at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show:
“It’s a local, home crowd. I know that Mike [Smith] has worked really hard to make this show into what it is now. I think it’s proven itself by the people and level of horses who are coming every year. This show is for sure on the calendars of top riders going forward.”

On Corento VH Dingenshof:
“I’ve had him for about seven months. He came from Ilan Ferder. I took my time with him in Florida. I did a couple of 1.40m–1.45m classes, just intermediate level, to get to know him. He’s quite careful. This summer I’ve stepped him up. I know the horse now and I have a program. I have to say, I couldn’t be happier to have won this class here with him in front of everybody.”

RESULTS

$30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, sponsored by Palm Beach Masters:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Corento VH Dingenshof / Ramiro Quintana / Smith Hogan LLC / 0 / 0 / 42.601
2. Irish Kiss 111 / Erynn Ballard / Gochman Sport Horse LLC / 0 / 0 / 43.123
3. Terceira / Maria Costa / Ravello Farms LLC / 0 / 0 / 46.487
4. Zorran / Erynn Ballard / Ilan Ferder / 0 / 0 / 47.976
5. Baloucento 2 / Ailish Cunniffe / Whipstick Farm Ltd. / 0 / 4 / 43.209
6. Exotik Sitte / Ali Wolff / Double H Farm / 0 / 4 / 44.346
7. Durosa W / McKayla Langmeier / Linda Langmeier / 0 / 8 / 41.917
8. Fantasy / Tomas Yofre / Oakland Ventures LLC / 0 / 8 / 42.072
9. Jiggly / Tomas Yofre / Caroline Lloyd / 0 / 8 / 43.750
10. Le Care / Juan Gallego / Carolina Ramelli / 0 / 8 / 44.106
11. Fantom / Harold Chopping / Andrew Philbrick / 0 / 8 / 44.106
12. Express Blue GP Du Bois Madame / Caitlyn Connors / Caitlyn Connors LLC / 0 / 8 / 47.351

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