In an epic jump-off in the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix presented by Horseflight, Tiffany Sullivan and Christian Grey claimed victory at the Split Rock Jumping Tour's Santa Fe International CSI2* at HIPICO Santa Fe in New Mexico. This was the first Grand Prix win for both Sullivan and the 15-year-old grey gelding.
Only six horse-and-rider combinations from the original field of 32 moved forward to the jump-off. The jump-off course, designed by Anderson Lima, once again proved to be technical. Sullivan and Christian Grey were one of only two combinations keep all the rails in the jump-cups and then claimed first place with a time of 41.46 seconds. Adding to the excitement of her first Grand Prix win, Sullivan also tied for first place with Erin Davis-Heineking in the Split Rock "Fist Pump" competition. Davis-Heineking took top honors aboard Quind in the $5,000 1.40m Junior/Amateur Final also sponsored by Horseflight, after posting a double clear round.
"This is the first Grand Prix win for me and the horse (Christian Grey)," said Sullivan. "I have a spectacular horse. I knew he could do it. I want to thank Split Rock and the sponsors for putting on this show. It really was a fabulous experience."
Finishing in second place was Germany's Mathis Schwentker and Nkh Carrido with a time of 42.84 seconds. Schwentker, who had a stellar competition winning Friday's $36,000 CaptiveOne FEI 1.45m Welcome Stake with Nkh Caruso, added another win earlier in the day with his third horse Campina 47 in the $5,000 1.25m Mini Prix after a foot perfect round in the jump-off.
Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson made a dash for the podium with Chacco P with a blazing time of 35.88 seconds. Riding 5.58 seconds faster than the leader, Sullivan, it was one unlucky rail for Simpson and Chacco P to leave them in third.