Traverse City, Michigan, USA – June 23, 2024 –Another high-point in an already storied career, USA’s Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) won the $75,000 Molon Excavating Grand Prix CSI 2* on Sunday at Traverse City Horse Shows to claim her 250th career victory. The 66-year-old Show Jumping Hall Of Fame rider concluded FEI action for the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, taking the win in the irons of 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, JackOfHearts.
Engle bested McNerney by less that a tenth of a second with JackofHearts (Heartbeat x Baloubet Du Rouet), emerging victorious after conquering the short course in a clear 37.73 seconds.
“Every win out here is special,” said Engle after her momentous win. “It’s always exciting [to win]. I don’t care whether it’s your first grand prix or your last grand prix, it’s special.”
Looking back on the horses she’s had throughout her career—and her assumed affinity for larger types like JackofHearts—Engle, said, “I’ve been on many different types of horses; everyone thinks I look for these big ones but I really don’t. I’ve been on horses that were almost a little bigger than ponies and done some of my biggest classes on them. Most of the other ones I’ve had since they were four or five years old so that’s special as well. This horse [JackOfHearts] is coming into his own so it’s really special to me how consistent he’s gotten.”
Engle had a large field to beat with nine horse-and-rider combinations returning for the jump-off. “I didn’t watch too many. I knew the ones were very fast ahead of me and I had my plan with him,” said Engle.
The USA’s Hilary McNerney (USA) and Brava (Balou Du Rouet x Graf Top), who won Spring II’s National Grand Prix, gave Engle a tight time to beat across the Anderson Lima (BRA) designed short track, keeping all the rails up in 37.81 seconds.
“He moved up to the second jump for me great and the leave-out to the fence three he got easily. He has a huge stride and he was very good back on the oxer because, again, the medium distance showed up. He doesn’t normally get flat. He gets so careful, then once I start galloping he’s like ‘okay I know I have to protect myself’ so he pretty much sets himself up.”
Delaney Flynn (USA) and Namamia (Fantomas De Muze x Berlin) closed out the all-American podium on a clean time of 39.01 seconds.
Engle’s ease with JackOfHearts in the grand prix ring wasn’t always there, and didn’t come easily. Getting him as a young horse, Engle had the job of creating flexibility and rideability in the saddle. “The goal is trying to keep him comfortable because nothing moved a whole lot when we got him,” said Engle. “[Grand prix dressage rider] Lisa Wilcox has really helped me. He’s built a little bit like a giraffe so he has his head up here and he’s sitting in a valley. It’s hard for him to flat normally and do the dressage work but she’s done an amazing job.”
The Sunday afternoon crowd at Flintfields Horse Park cheered as Engle claimed her win; a true crowd favorite for equestrians and spectators of all ages. “It’s always nice to have the crowd behind you and it gives you that little bit of an extra edge to go for it and the crowd here is very supportive,” said Engle
International competition at Flintfields Horse Park returns with the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented B&D Builders, running for six weeks from July 3 through August 11.
Final Results – $75,000 Molon Excavating Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) & Jackofhearts– 0 / 0 – 37.73
2) Hilary McNerney (USA) & Brava – 0 / 0 – 37.81
3) Delaney Flynn (USA) & Namamia – 0 / 0 – 39.01
Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows
Photos: © TCHS / Andrew Ryback Photography / Megan Giese Photography
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Categories: English, Jumper News USA
