Linda Radigan and Balveneur Z Return as Victors in $25,000 Elgin Academy Grand Prix at Lamplight Spring Spectacular II
Wayne, Ill. – June 16, 2023 – On Friday afternoon, the $25,000 Elgin Academy Grand Prix featured top show jumping once again at HITS Chicago. Linda Radigan, riding her heart horse, Balveneur Z, topped the podium for the first and now second week of the Lamplight Spring Spectacular. They were one of only two who produced a double clear across the field. Close behind, Sarah Johnstone and Katorose HV were the second-fastest of the double clears, while Amanda Flint and Irvington VDL completed the top three.
Linda Radigan & Baveneur Z
“I'm so thrilled with Balveneur Z, he loves it so much here. He's going to turn 15 next week and I think he feels better than ever!” expressed Radigan after her win. “He was more forward than I've ever had him in the first round, but I didn't want to pull on the reins because he was on his game and knew exactly what he was doing.”
Radigan continued,I was a little bit nervous since we did so well last week – I gave myself high expectations. I just really wanted him to be confident and focus on building him up for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Balveneur Z is a bit of a quirky horse, sometimes he lands and bucks, which he did after the second jump in the jump off. He can get a little bit strong towards the end of the course, but he’s so honest, never met a jump he doesn't like and loves his job so much.”
Balveneur Z and Radigan went eighth in the original order of go with the second clear of the first round to return second of three for the jump-off. The jump-off course began over the original two obstacles before riders turned to a combination followed by a 90 degree turn to a large oxer, a tight rollback away to a vertical by the in gate and ended on an oxer away from home.
Sarah Johnstone & Katorose HV
Sarah Johnstone and her mount Katorose HV, also emerged double clear but just fell four-tenths of a second Radigan in the jump off at 39.603 seconds. Finishing in the third place spot on the podium was Amanda Flint and Irvington VDL also produced clear first round, but had an unfortunate rail in the second to last fence for 4 faults. Radigan and Balveneur Z had the winning time of 39.220 seconds and were able to leave all the rails intact, landing the pair on top.
Radigan has been enjoying her two weeks of competition and concluded, “The horses and riders have been loving the grounds! Everything has been top of the line from the footing, to the courses, and especially the beautiful landscaping! It’s been great even for our young horses in the other rings.”
The Lamplight Spring Spectacular II will continue throughout the weekend at Lamplight Equestrian Center as part of the HITS Chicago Series. On Sunday, the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium will host the week’s highlight event, the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.
Linda Radigan & Balveneur Z