Opening week of the 2024 Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, came to a close with Lacey Gilbertson (USA) leading the victory gallop aboard Holliewood in the $120,000 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel CSI3* Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old Chicago, IL, native guided her Seabrook, LLC-owned 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Nabab de Reve to the top of a three-way jump-off for top call. Navigating courses set by Peter Grant (CAN), Gilbertson posted the first clear round of the day and was the pace-setter in the jump-off. She stopped the clock at 39.77 seconds with fellow U.S. riders Eve Jobs and Spencer Smith to follow.
Jobs piloted her own High Point VDL to a respectable double-clear in 40.64 seconds to claim the runner-up spot. Smith had the winning time in hand riding Quibelle, owned by Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham Enterprizes, but pulled two rails to round out the podium in 38.95 seconds.
“I had nothing to lose; I knew I was going to get a good result because there were only three in the jump-off, so I gave it a go,” said Gilbertson, who hasn’t had much experience with Holliewood in jump-offs after adding the mount to her string of mares a year ago. “The jump-off suited us because her left lead is easier for me, and all the tight turns were off the left lead so I knew I could keep coming.”
The 30-year-old Chicago, IL, native guided her Seabrook, LLC-owned 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Nabab de Reve to the top of a three-way jump-off for top call. Navigating courses set by Peter Grant (CAN), Gilbertson posted the first clear round of the day and was the pace-setter in the jump-off. She stopped the clock at 39.77 seconds with fellow U.S. riders Eve Jobs and Spencer Smith to follow.
Jobs piloted her own High Point VDL to a respectable double-clear in 40.64 seconds to claim the runner-up spot. Smith had the winning time in hand riding Quibelle, owned by Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham Enterprizes, but pulled two rails to round out the podium in 38.95 seconds.
“I had nothing to lose; I knew I was going to get a good result because there were only three in the jump-off, so I gave it a go,” said Gilbertson, who hasn’t had much experience with Holliewood in jump-offs after adding the mount to her string of mares a year ago. “The jump-off suited us because her left lead is easier for me, and all the tight turns were off the left lead so I knew I could keep coming.”