Tracy Fenney rode MTM Timon to the $30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix victory on the final day of the Showplace Spring Spectacular II (Phelps Media Group)

Wayne, Ill. -  Silence fell on the crowd at the Showplace Spring Spectacular II as Texan Tracy Fenney raced around the jump-off track aboard MTM Centano. A rub down the double-combination of the final line had spectators on the edge of their seats, but the rail stayed in its cups as Fenney dashed across the final oxer in 31.456 seconds to win the $30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.

"Centano is kind of deceiving because he has such a big stride, and he turns super tight. He looks like he is going super slow, like a hunter, so people never think that he is actually going that fast, but he doesn't spend much time in the air and turns quick," Fenney explained of her winning mount. "People always think he is a big, slow and stupid horse, but he is really nervous inside and has a lot of energy-very spooky. His angles to the verticals were amazing today, and we made such good slices. It was a really fun jump-off."

The bay Holsteiner gelding, owned by MTM Farms of Flower Mound, TX, is 14 years old, and Fenney has owned Centano since he was a 5-year-old.

"I am really lucky that I have two very special horses," Fenney smiled as she spoke of MTM Centano and MTM Timon. "They are both 14, and they owe me nothing. I have had Centano since he was 5, and Timon since he was 7 going on 8 years old. They are my veterans, and they know their jobs out there. If they don't want to jump another jump, I will happily turn them out to pasture with our other retirees."

Fenney almost rode to a one-two finish with MTM Timon clocking in at 31.658 seconds; however, the last rail fell for the eventual sixth place. "I was nervous about leaving out a stride on Timon down the final line. I knew Centano could do it, but I probably should have ridden Timon to the final oxer in seven strides. I just sort of let the reins go, and he got a little flat."

Lisa Goldman fell only 2/10ths of a second behind Fenney, riding Centurion B to the second place finish. Theo Genn and Paradox, owned by Thomas Bruinsma of Ada, MI, captured the third place with a clean round posted in 33.361 seconds. Wilhelm Genn and Welcome COR, owned by Ann Anastasio of Wayne, IL, laid down a clear and conservative ride in 35.621 seconds for the fourth place.  Local young talent Giavanna Rinaldi and G.P.S. Brilliant Disguise posted the quickest time of the class in 31.448 seconds, but four faults at the final oxer knocked her into the fifth place.

Fenney commented on the day's track saying, "It's funny because the course designer [Catsy Cruz] is so totally different from the course designer last week. The triple was in a difficult place, but she used a lot of straight lines. I really liked the variety of the courses, it allows for other horses with different strengths to show off."

$30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix
result    entry #    horse / owner    rider   

1    313    MTM Centano   MTM Farm    Tracy Fenney
2    606    CENTURION B   Mary Goldman    Lisa Goldman
3    642    PARADOX   Thomas Bruinsma    Theo Genn
4    640    Welcome COR   ANN ANASTASIO    Wilhelm Genn
5    517    G.P.S. Brilliant Disguise   Giavanna Rinaldi    Giavanna Rinaldi
6    312    MTM Timon   MTM Farm    Tracy Fenney
7    605    MOROCCO   Lisa Goldman    Lisa Goldman
8    318    S & L Elite    S & L Farms    Dorothy Douglas
9    632    Bugatti   Eduardo Leon    Wilhelm Genn
10    537    Athena   Pony Lane Farm    Kelsey Thatcher
11    645    Cookie Monster   Wilhelm Genn    Ryan Genn
12    455    Zippo Z   Messenger Hill    Freddie Vazquez