WILLIAMSBURG — No one was surprised to see Nina Mallevaey (FRA) take a CSI5* Grand Prix victory during week two of the Tournament of Champions in Traverse City, except maybe Mallevaey herself.
Having just stepped up My Clementine into five-star grand prix action one week prior, she wasn’t certain she had what it took to win the $340,000 Major League Show Jumping CSI5* Grand Prix powered by World Wide Technology, but the mare’s heart and Mallevaey’s expert riding got the job done.
“I’m so happy for Clementine,” said Mallevaey, currently ranked 10th in the world, the highest-ranked female rider. “I think she deserves this win more than anyone. She’s been fighting for me since I’ve had her and I’m so happy to give her this win. She’s such a fighter. She’s not the scopiest horse but she has a huge heart, she always tries her best, she’s the best and she really deserves it.”
No five-star grand prix is easy to win, but this one felt especially challenging, as Mallevaey was going head to head with some of the world’s top pairs, including Kent Farrington (USA) with Greya, and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) with James Kann Cruz. Those riders made up three of the five qualified for the short course, so everyone knew it would be fast.
Ultimately, the podium placings fell between less than half a second, but Mallevaey and My Clementine (OBOS Quality x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) stood on top in a time of 40.56 seconds.
“It means a lot,” Mallevaey said of the win. “It’s only the second five-star grand prix for Clementine; she did her first one last week. If you told me at the beginning of the year that she would win a five-star grand prix I would maybe not believe it so I’m so happy and proud.”
Farrington and Greya gave it their best shot as last to go, but ultimately fell just short, clocking in at 40.66 seconds, only a tenth of a second off Mallevaey’s pace.
“That’s our sport at a high level; it’s fractions of a second,” Farrington remarked. “It’s more about the overall performance. For every jump-off that you lose by a tenth you’ll win another one by a tenth, so it’s frustrating in the moment but that’s the reality of the game at a high level.”
Sweetnam was only another fraction of a second off Farrington, finishing in 40.97 seconds.
“If you asked me today what the podium would be I would tell you it would probably be these three combinations,” Sweetnam reflected. “Nina’s won everywhere with that horse, Kent obviously wins everywhere, and my horse is consistently there as well. It shows you how good a sport it is, especially in America. It’s changed in the last five years and with Matt [Morrissey] and Keean [White] putting on Major League. It’s really upped our sport. We have the best combinations jumping here and we’re showing the top sport.”
Mallevaey celebrated the win immediately with the Rein family, who own My Clementine and other horses for the young rider.
“I couldn’t do anything without my team,” she reflected. “[I’ve been with] the Rein family for five years now and they were the ones who believed in me in the first place. They’ve given me everything to achieve my goals. They give me amazing horses but most of all they give me amazing support. They’re amazing people with big hearts. They do everything for me and I’m also happy to give them this win today.”
Mallevaey only just arrived in Traverse City, but she knows she will be back to enjoy the facility and hopefully continue to produce top results. This win marks her second career CSI5* grand prix victory, so it’s certainly a memory she’ll cherish for a long time.
“It’s my first time here but I definitely want to come back not just because we won but because it’s an amazing show,” she shared. “They do an amazing job and the facilities are great. There are a lot of trails to ride which is amazing for the horses. There’s so much space, they feel happy, everything is done for them, so I’m really happy to be here.”
Making for a strong day of international results, Sweetnam stood atop the podium Saturday afternoon in the $62,500 MLSJ CSI2* Grand Prix. Aboard Qmusic-K Van’t Kattenhaye, he produced the only double-clear effort for the win. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) was just behind for second place on a quick four-fault score, while Erynn Ballard (CAN) finished third on Ravallo Van De Helle.
Earlier Saturday, Mark Bluman (ISR) took a win in the $31,020 Mercantile Bank CSI5* Winning Round aboard Inside Of My Heart. Bluman came from behind, benefitting from the unique Winning Round format where scores are cleared in round two. He jumped to a clear and fast second-round time to claim the top position. Skylar Wireman (USA) took second place while Thaisa Erwin (AUS) and Koberlina TN were third.