Conor Swail and Viva Colombia (SEL Photography)
"I have a very strong field. Seems like a lot of people are going each day. They like the footing, so there is no reason not to go, the weather is beautiful and the horses are jumping very well. I built a course which I think is technical in some respects and sweeping and encouraging some speed in others," said D'Ambrosio. "I think we'll have a very competitive class. And they'll have to do some jumping - it won't only be about the speed. They'll have to be clever and careful, and jump a realistic 1.45m track."
Eighth to go, Jonathan McCrea was the first clean on Candy Tribble's Wiranta Z, with a conservative but solid ride in 76.52, which ended up just shy of the top 12. Directly after McCrea, New Zealand's Sharn Wordley took a solid nine seconds off that time, riding Hickstead's Axel (owned by Ashland Stables) clean in 67.11. That lead held for more than 10 rounds, until Irishman Conor Swail trotted in on yesterday's winning mount, Ilan Ferder's Viva Colombia.
Like yesterday, Swail first rode Martha Louise (Susan & Ariel Grange, owners), and had a good feel for the track. Taking close to 3.5 seconds off the fastest time, Swail neatly and swiftly illustrated the pair's skills as he took the lead and held it for the remainder of the event. By class completion, two more riders slipped in between Wordley and Swail. Denise Wilson on Blue Gate Farm LLC's Galous earned second with a clean round in 65.62, and Molly Ashe on Louisburg Farm's Cat Ballou were third with a time of 66.87.
Swail stepped up to the top spot on the podium once again. After his victory gallop, he complimented the Ilan Ferder horse he's been riding since Wellington. "Viva Colombia is great, we're going from strength to strength in our partnership. She's getting a lot more consistent now, and churning out a lot of good wins and great results. It's nice that at this early stage we're having a good relationship and I hope we can build on that and go on to do some great things."
Clearly out in front for taking home the Leading Rider Award, Swail is riding both horses in the $100,00 CSI3* Grand Prix tomorrow afternoon. After the grand prix victory gallop, the Leading Rider will drive away in a brand new Toyota RAV4.
Kady Abrahamson tops the podium, with second place finisher Natalie Horween and third place finisher Francesca Bolfo (SEL Photography)
In a Table II, Sec 2b class with a solid talent pool of 40 horses and riders, more than 20 had a go in the jump-off for the UltrOZ™ Low Jr-A/O, creating quite a competition. Sarah Fisher on Cassenova W took an early lead stopping the jump-off clock in 31.05. Galloping in tenth, Natalie Horween laid down a blazing time 29.75. It took almost 15 more attempts at the top before Kady Abrahamson and Icebreaker bumped Horween out of that spot, finishing with a time of 29.59, just .18 seconds faster.
Having the advantage of riding her other horse, Basco W2, in the jump-off first, she was prepared to win on Icebreaker. "I thought my first horse was fast - that's my faster one. But on [Icebreaker], I left a stride out and did the four up the last line. That's what you had to do to win it, there was no other place to turn tighter."
Horween held on to second, and picking up third was Francesca Bolfo on U2.
De Sousa is Solid in the $7,500 Kingsland Child/Adult Jumper Class
With Christian Currey qualifying two for the jump-off in a class of 14 entries, he was in a good position to take the top call. He led the way in the second round going double clean with Herrock. But once Isabella De Sousa started her jump-off track, she didn't miss a beat. Smooth yet quick, she clocked in double clean in 30.90. Currey tried to catch her on his second mount, Vigaro, coming in just under a second slower in 31.77 for second place.
Granato Grabs Inaugural $10,000 Youngster Bowl, Sponsored by Blue Gate Farm
Fourteen seven- and eight-year-olds competed in the inaugural 1.40m Youngster Bowl, sponsored by Blue Gate Farm, LLC, at the Split Rock Farm Jumping Tour. Six jumped-off, with four of the six going double clean. Beating Margie Engle on Elm Rock, LLC's eight-year-old Westphalian Codex, Alex Granato rode Paige Tredennick's seven-year-old Mecklenburg Calchen W to the win. Ali Wolff came in a close third, riding the eight-year-old Bavarian Warmblood Quirie 2.
Molly Ashe and Balou's Day Date (SEL Photography)
Before the Speed Cup got underway, Molly Ashe and Balou's Day Date (owned by Louisburg Farm) were awarded the Equis Boutique Award for the Best Presented Horse at the FEI Horse Inspection on Thursday. For the discerning equestrian, Equis Boutique rises above the ordinary tack shop.
Owner Cesar Hirsh is pleased to offer this recognition. "Equis is dedicated to promoting luxury style in horse sport, and we feel that the horse inspection is one of the best places to see this showcased."
Useful Split Rock Jumping Tour links:
Live results: http://showgroundslive.com/splitrockjumpingtour/results/DailyResults
Watch every horse live here: http://splitrockjumpingtour.com/live
What's happening each day: http://splitrockjumpingtour.com/spectator
Contact email: [email protected]
Photos © SEL Photography
The Split Rock Jumping Tour, a new international show jumping show series, is creating an "unparalleled show jumping experience" for competitors, sponsors and spectators in the U.S. The Tour's inaugural event, the Lexington International CSI 3* held in May, received rave reviews and hosted some of the world's top competitors representing 14 countries. Over 3,000 spectators came to enjoy the world-class competition, and discovered first-hand how the Split Rock Jumping Tour is truly revolutionizing the sport of show jumping.
In addition to the chance to see many of the sport's top horses and riders competing in world-class show jumping competition, spectators also have the chance to enjoy a variety of boutique shops and food vendors, a Children & Family Festival, a Beer and Wine Garden with live music, as well as free raffles!
The Split Rock Jumping Tour has partnered with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation in which a portion of proceeds from all sales of Split Rock Jumping Tour Hospitality packages will go directly to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation to support their programs. Split Rock will also provide staff and patients of the Center with free tickets to attend both horse shows. For more information please visit: https://ukmarkey.org.
Further information on the Split Rock Jumping Tour, including a detailed schedule and how to order tickets, is available on line at the Tour's website at SplitRockJumpingTour.com or by emailing: [email protected].