Mill Spring, NC - September 28, 2019 – Santiago Lambre (Wellington, FL) and Diathago sped to win the $25,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), halting the jump-off timers at 40.372 seconds. Tiffany Hammack (Hawthorn Woods, IL) and Crack Elle Chavannaise, a 2008 Belgian Sporthorse mare (Carving x Unknown) owned by Beyaert Farm Inc, took second place for their performance of 40.734 seconds, while Theo Genn (Lebanon, OH) and Firewall, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Padinus) owned by Eduardo Leon, claimed third-place honors with a time of 40.822 seconds.
“Diathago is a new horse I’ve had now for two months. I jumped him three weeks ago in the 5* Grand Prix in Saugerties, which we won. We were one of only two pairs clear; it was a really tough course,” Lambre continued, “now I’m preparing him for the 5* here in three weeks.
The course, designed by Nick Granat, (Chicago, IL), challenged 29 pairs, with eight returning to pilot the short course. “It was a really nice course for a National Standard Grand Prix,” Lambre shared. “I think it was tough enough, but didn’t have terrible results.
“I wanted to jump under the lights with him [Diathago] since he’s never done that before, but he wasn’t spooky at all,” Lambre, who has big hopes for the 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Carthago) owned by Gestut Lewitz, revealed. “The plan is next year to do the Nations Cup in Wellington and I also think this horse has the potential for the Olympics.”