Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Luibanta BH sped to win the $73,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 42.452 seconds to best the venue’s first FEI Grand Prix competition of the 2020 season in Tryon Stadium. David O’Brien (IRL) and La Belle SCF, a 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Baldini) owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 42.629 seconds, while Derbyshire also claimed third aboard the 2008 Holsteiner stallion (Con Air x Cambridge) Cornwall BH, owned by herself and Gochman Sport Horse LLC, on a double-clear effort in 51.822 seconds.

Course designer Peter Grant (CAN) saw 51 entries test the first-round track, with 11 pairs returning to challenge the jump-off and only the podium winners producing double-clear rounds. Derbyshire and the 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Abantos) she co-owns with Gochman Sport Horse LLC claimed an early lead that couldn’t be beat, and that she didn’t try to beat with Cornwall BH, Derbyshire explained:

“I knew there had only been two clears when I went in with Cornwall, and I know he’s not as fast as Luibanta, so I played it safe,” she detailed of her conservative round during which she ditched her crop. “It worked out in the end, because there were only three double-clears anyway! The reason I dropped my stick is that I’m terrible at holding my stick in general, and I normally drop it after a couple of jumps anyway,” she added.

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