They call it the Tournament of Champions for a reason, and Santiago Lambre has certainly earned the title of champion throughout the first two weeks of the fall series in Traverse City. Saturday afternoon, he topped his fifth major class in two weeks aboard a fifth horse, winning the $30,000 Traverse City National Grand Prix with Dingeman.
“Dingeman is a member of the family,” Lambre said. “I’ve had him since he was three years old, so 11 years together. We’ve done five-star grand prixs together. He's a very good horse. He’s very competitive so I hope he keeps it up for a couple of more years.”
Lambre was the first of seven to navigate the Olaf Petersen, Jr., (GER)-designed track clear, meaning he came back first for the jump-off. That did not put him at a disadvantage, though, as he guided the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels) to a time of 35.512 seconds. With the pressure on, only three other pairs were able to jump double-clear, and none as fast as Lambre.
Alexandra Peilet and Hyperbolics, owned by Co-Pielet, LLC, were the only pair to come close in 36.239 seconds, taking second. Third place went to Jonathon Miller and Isotropic Shadow, owned by Isotropic Networks, Inc., as they clocked in at 38.190 seconds.