The Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) returned to the Kentucky Horse Park to kick off the 2022 tour schedule, highlighted by CSI3* and 2* jumper competition for the first week of the Split Rock Hunter Jumper series. Friday saw Caelinn Leahy climb to the top of the podium in the $50,000 Equestrian Closet 1.50m Welcome CSI3* aboard Steve Schaefer’s Coldplay 31 (Cassini II x Phantom).
Anderson Lima’s first-round track was set at a height of 1.50m and asked athletes to deliver a flawless round over 16 efforts. First to deliver a clear round was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, after the time allowed was adjusted up to 83 seconds. Six riders followed suit to set the stage for an exciting jump-off competition.
Sweetnam set the second-round pace early at a time of 39.02 seconds, seemingly leaving little room for error until Leahy (USA) tried her hand aboard Coldplay 31. The pair made up time thanks to the 13-year-old gelding’s naturally fast stride that was well suited to the jump-off track. As second to go in the order, no other athletes would come close to their time of 36.85 to help seal Leahy's second FEI victory of the week.
“I've had Coldplay in my string for the past year and a half. He’s been an amazing horse for me and really helped me evolve as a rider…We’ve always clicked, but it’s really cool to see our evolution over the past year. This time last year I had a great split Rock show too, so it’s cool to see it come full circle with this week’s results,” Leahy commented.
“Split Rock in general is always an amazing show. My horses really love showing here – being at the [Kentucky Horse Park] and the way Derek [Braun] runs this show and facilitates the horses. I’m feeling great and I’m so grateful for how this show has started out and I’m excited to see how it goes.”
Ultimately finishing in second was Sweetnam with Birdy Du Thot, while Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) and Akuna Mattata rounded out the podium. FEI competition will continue at the 3* rating into the weekend, with the highlight event taking place on Sunday, June 12 for the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.55m Grand Prix CSI3*, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Richie Moloney and Huzaar lead all-Irish podium in $37,000 C. Jarvis 1.45m Welcome CSI2*
Earlier during Friday, 44 athletes from 11 nations tried their hand in the $37,000 C. Jarvis 1.45m Welcome CSI2*, but Ireland ruled the pack as Richie Moloney and Huzaar stole the victory after a competitive jump-off. Lima’s 16-effort track saw a total of 16 athletes going clear with all electing to jump off. First to set the pace was Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) aboard Dionysos De La Vigne, holding the lead for the next eight trips.
Ireland’s Simon McCarthy was the first to overtake the long-held lead from Caristo-Williams as he shaved off nearly two seconds, crossing the timers with Rock Ridge Farm’s Gotcha in 39.11 seconds. However, it wouldn’t be long until it became a battle of the Irish as Darragh Kerins and Intuitive narrowly took the lead by half of a second to finish in 38.77. As the last to go Moloney sealed an all-Irish podium, edging ahead with a time of 38.06 to take the win aboard the 10-year-old gelding by Untouched.
Competition for CSI2* horse-and-rider combinations will culminate Sunday, June 12 with the $50,000 1.45m Grand Prix CSI2*.