Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) had a lucky hand at Flintfields Horse Park during opening week of the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, piloting Jackofhearts to win the $32,000 FreeJump CSI3* 1.45m Welcome on Friday. 

Engle and the 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Heartbeat x Baloubet du Rouet) bested a big jump-off field of seventeen, taking over two seconds off the time to beat with a double-clear trip in 40.25 seconds. Nikko Ritter (USA) was second with Kandle, finishing on a short-track time of 42.67 seconds, while California-based Mark Kinsella (IRL) finished close behind in third in 43.09 seconds aboard Marquis Le Beau Courally.

“His strengths are his heart and desire; he wants to be competitive,” said Engle of gentle giant, Jackofhearts. “He's one of those horses that likes to go fast. I don't always go that fast with him, but I figured I had nothing to lose today because medium fast was really far down the list. I was late to go, so I thought I'd give it a shot and see how he handled it.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix, Engle maximized the gelding’s potential, using his size and speed to conquer the Peter Grant (CAN) designed track. “It was better for him for Sunday to gallop around and try to leave the stride out,” said Engle about an inside turn option in the jump-off track. “For a horse his size, it definitely would not have been quicker. He's a big horse, so to make that turn inside and still have the momentum is a little bit difficult.”