Rowan Willis (Ocala, FL) and Diablo VII sped through the jump-off in a time of 34.045 seconds to take the win in Saturday evening’s $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix - the venue’s first night class of 2020 and first evening contest on the recently fully-engineered Tryon Stadium footing.
Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Risen, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Utopie x Indoctro) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc., claimed second place after their 35.185 second jump-off round, while third went to Amanda Derbyshire (Wellington, FL) aboard Cornwall BH, a 2008 Holsteiner stallion (Con Air x Cambridge) self-owned with Gochman Sport Horse LLC, combining efforts to put in a clear jump-off round in 40.484 seconds.
Twenty horse-and-rider pairs tested the Michel Vaillancourt (Aiken, SC) designed course, with seven combinations returning for the jump-off in front of nearly-empty stands while horse shows are still closed to the public. Willis and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier) owned by himself and Lucinda Huddy managed to shave seconds off the leading time with a few speedy riders behind them in the order of go, ultimately holding onto the lead, he explained.
GP results
Source: Press Release