Gallagher and Sangris Boy Win Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix

Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) and Sangris Boy secured the win in the $25,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers in 36.574 seconds. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and the Starlight Farms 1 LLC mount Cadans Z, the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Carosso VDL x Navarone), barely missed first, taking second place with a time of 36.684. Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita, the 2011 Westphalian Warmblood mare (Con Spirit 7 x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp., took third place honors with a final time of 37.793.

Sangris Boy’s long strides were a challenge in the first round, Gallagher said of the course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), but came in handy in the jump-off. Out of 54 combinations, the duo delivered a strong win against nine jump-off competitors.

“My horse has a really big stride, so in the first round, a lot of the lines were quite short for me when they were normal for others. I was a little worried about the time allowed, but we turned tight and made it as efficient as we could. My horse jumped really well today so that made my life a lot easier! I knew there were a lot of fast people in the jump-off. The course had long gaps between each jump so I knew I could use the stride to my advantage. There were two rollbacks that I tried to be very tight and forward with,” explained Gallagher.

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Gallagher’s relationship with the 2010 Sport Horse gelding (Sandro Boy x Griseldi L), owned by Heathman Farm, LLC, is only started this spring, but his new partner is showing great promise.

“I started riding him in May, but because of COVID, we didn’t really start until we came here [to TIEC] in July. We did a few shows here then went to Michigan, so I’ve only been riding him a few months. He’s one that has a lot of potential and I think he showed that today,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher was one of the first riders to compete at TIEC when it was being built and is pleased how the venue has developed.

“I came here for the first grand prix ever held in this ring. There was dirt everywhere and just a couple of tents. I’ve been coming every year since. I really enjoy it here. It’s been a lucky enough place for me!”

Augusta Iwasaki Claims Double Victory in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Augusta Iwasaki (USA) claimed double victory at Friday’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at TIEC, taking first place aboard Attendu de Lannois Z with a two-round score of 377.5, and earning second place on Rolo with 377 points. Michael Britt-Leon (USA) and Private I, the 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Corrado x Verdi) owned by Kelly Sims, completed the podium with a third place total of 375.5.

Iwasaki’s relationship with both mounts is relatively new, so she was pleased with her performance on each one. After only a month of training together, Attendu de Lannois Z, the 2013 Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Ashland Farms, proved to be a winning partner.

“This is his second Derby, and last week was his first. Last week, we were tenth,” explained Iwasaki. “He was really great in both rounds, we just had to get the Handy a little bit more smooth. His transitions are so great, so when I did a tight rollback to the trot jump, we ended up walking. [Today], I just had to make sure to keep my leg on and get everything evened out.”

Seventeen horse and rider pairs tested the Joe Carnicom (Toledo, OH) course design with 12 competitors returning for the handy round. Iwasaki rose to first and second, but also secured fifth place aboard Small Kingdom and enjoyed her experience in the ring.

“I really liked the course. I thought it was really fun. It was long enough that you got to show off. They used the full ring, so it was a nice and big track. In the Handy round, I was trying to be as tidy as possible and keep everything smooth,” shared Iwasaki.

Iwasaki also just started riding Ariya Nathu’s Rolo, the 2011 Selle Luxembourg gelding (Lizarazu x Reussite Z), when she started showing again after quarantine.

“I’ve done three Derbies on him now. He’s the coolest horse! You can seriously put him in any class and he’d be able to win any of them. He’s so adjustable and game to do anything. He’s owned by one of my best friends, Ariya Nathu, so it’s really special.”

In addition to competing in the Tryon Fall 5 Series, Iwasaki also participated in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals hosted at TIEC and plans to remain at the venue an additional week.

“[My experience here] has been fantastic. I did the Medal Finals last week and that was really fun. I think [TIEC] is great. It’s very big, there’s a lot of things to do, and there’s a lot of food places. At most horse shows, you have to eat the same thing everyday, and there’s a little bit of everything here. Plus, there are shops, and there’s plenty of rings and space for everything,” added Iwasaki.

Alberto Michan and Loribri Win $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*

Alberto Michan (ISR) and Loribri dashed through short course to win the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*on Friday at TIEC with a time of 57.27. Ben Maher (GBR) swept second place with a time of 57.45 aboard Gakhir, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Spartacus x Indorado) owned by Maher with Vivien Thompson. With a time of 58.14 seconds, third place went to Ashley Vogel (USA) and and her own Bellissimo Z, the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Bamako de Muze x Chin Chin). Nineteen pairs challenged the course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA).

Hunter Highlights:

In the Marshall & Sterling Adult-Amateur Hunter 36 & Over Division, Jamie Corn (Tryon, NC) received champion status aboard her own MTM Mr Grace, while reserve champion was awarded to Paige Power Metzger (Little Silver, NJ) on her own Saturday Fever.

Maria Rasmussen (Royal Palm Beach, FL) and Maya Grove’s Hallmark were named champion in the Equisafe Global Green Hunter 3’ Division with reserve champion going to Tommi Clark (Tryon, NC) and Excel, owned by Stephen Borders.

Along with her first and second place win in Friday’s $25,000 International Hunter Derby, Augusta Iwasaki (Calabasas, CA) won champion and reserve champion in the Main Street Insurance Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under Division with Seaside, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, and Highlighter, owned by David Raposa Sales LLC, respectively.

Jumper Highlights:

Erynn Ballard (Tottenham, ON) and Ilan Ferder’s Jemiralda Newpeat earned champion status in the DJS 6 Yr Old Young Jumper 1.30m Division while TJ O’mara and Igor de Himbe were named reserve champion for Leigh Ofer.

In the MD Barnmaster Med Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.30m Division, Ellie Ferrigno (Newtown, CT) and Shark, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, took the champion rosette while Ellen Mollerus (Larchmont, NY) and her own Super Trooper were awarded reserve champion.

Lila Sessums (Clinton, MS) and her own Jet were named champion in the St. Luke’s Hospital Low Amateur Jumper 1.20m Division. Reserve champion was awarded to Katherine Savarise (Lincolnshire, IL) and her own mount, Spring Girl.

For full results from the $25,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix, click here.