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Jeffery Welles and Merlin win the SmartPak Grand Prix

Jun 5, 2012

Two of the top-five slots in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix were captured by one man. Jeffery Welles rode two horses to clean rounds and won the class aboard Noel Love Gross’ Merlin, while finishing fourth on Aries, also owned by Gross.

The jump-off welcomed five pairs back into the ring and Peter Leone kicked things off with an eight-fault round to finish in fifth. Welles returned second in the order to post the first clear round and set the Great American Time to Beat at 42.92 seconds aboard Aries. Despite a hard rub on the ninth fence of the first round, Darragh Kenny advanced to the jump-off and stole the lead from Welles in the irons of The Wannahave Group’s Sandor de la Pomme in a time of 42.21 seconds, which ultimately gave him third place. Margie Engle was fourth to ride in the jump-off and again raised the bar with a total time of 41.88 seconds. She and Elm Rock Partners, LLC’s Royce finished in second behind Welles. Welles saved the best for last and rode for the win with Merlin in a time of 40.94 seconds.

Top Five $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health

1. Merlin/ Jeffery Welles 0-0/40.94

2. Royce/ Margie Engle 0-0/41.88

3. Sandor de la Pomme/ Darragh Kenny 0-0/42.21

4. Aries/ Jeffery Welles 0-0/42.92

5. Lincourt Gino/ Peter Leone 0-8/46.64

Source World of Showjumping