The final day of the inaugural Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) Denver International hosted the feature international event, the $75,000 1.45m Grand Prix CSI2*, closing out an exciting week of hunter, jumper and equitation competition at the picturesque Colorado Horse Park. Ultimately it was Hunter Holloway (USA) and The Hays Investment Corporation’s Pepita Con Spita (DSP Con Spirit x Come On) who took the victory, marking the pair’s second FEI win in the Main Arena this week after taking home the blue in the $37,000 Restylane 1.45m Welcome CSI2* on Friday.
Six pairs navigated the 13 obstacles in the first-round track designed by Guillerme Jorge fault-free, but only three were able to produce double-clear efforts. Darrin Dlin (CAN) and Dorothy Dlin’s Buddy Bounce (Womanizer x Chill Out) set the first double-clear pace in 44.99 seconds, but were soon bested by Zume Gallaher and Blue Gate Stables’ Edita (Ukato x Clinton) who completed the short-course in 42.77 seconds, jumping to the top of the leaderboard. Holloway was the last to challenge the leader and took advantage of her horse’s natural speed to complete the course in just 40.47 seconds and no faults at all. Gallaher stood in second on the podium while Dlin finished close behind in third.
“She’s a super mare, and we have a great team of people behind us that make it all possible,” Holloway said of her 10-year-old Westphalian mare. “We love being here [at the Colorado Horse Park]. Great courses, great footing, great management – we couldn’t be happier!”