Seventeen decorated horse-and-athlete combinations put on a show in the Standlee Sanctuary over FEI Level III course designer Anderson Lima’s (BRA) tracks for the $30,000 Grand Prix. In the end, speed was the name of the game for Canada’s Sam Pegg and Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Hauptstutbuch).
Pegg and his fiery mount came back in top form after their Grand Prix win from Winter Classic 1 and sped past the 13-horse jump-off.
In his typical fashion Richard Rinehart (USA) went early in the second round and set a quick pace with Ron Caraway’s Vincent (Van Gogh x Nirande) of 42.024 seconds. Rinehart’s lead held until ultimately surpassed by Pegg by nearly two full seconds, landing them in second.
Pegg discussed where he made up time around the short course, “I was quite quick back to the skinny and did eight strides to the vertical. Gin Tonic is very smart, and you can turn him in the air and when he hits the ground his first three strides are very quick. He kind of ducks down and gets away from the jump.”
Though his 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding takes time to play on his way down the ramp, the rideability is simple for Pegg.
“In a way, he is simple to ride. He has a lot of blood, but his stride is so adjustable and that is what makes him so easy. You can do seven, eight, or nine strides in any line and end up with power at the end of it. Even if he is on a short stride, he wants to go forward and has a lot of power and is not overly strong in the mouth. I flat him with a stick and have to keep him working, he isn’t so motivated until its game time!”
In 40.29 seconds, the duo impressed the crowd once again to take home another win.
“He has worked his way up to a barn favorite! He has had a really exceptional year. We got him in the middle of January last year, and he has won eight or 10 grands prix already, including our first FEI Grand Prix together,” said Pegg.
Sarah Meier (USA) piloted her own 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina) to a respectable third place finish amongst the quick crowd in 42.646 seconds, just shy of second place.
$30,000 Grand Prix Results:
1. Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg, Ten Sixty Stables | 0 | 40.29
2. Vincent, Richard Rinehart, Ron Caraway | 0 | 42.024
3. Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 0 | 42.646
4. Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 46.675
5. Triskel De Kerliven, Liz Hutchinson, Liz Hutchinson | 0 | 47.063
6. Honneur T&L Z, Rebbeca Gutstein, Rebecca Gutstein | 0 | 47.075
7. Corvet Enigma, Patricio Rodrigeuz, Patricio Rodriguez LLC | 4 | 41.769
8. Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Phyllis Harlow | 4 | 42.581
9. Chagrand, Michael Burnett, Michael Burnett | 4 | 43.868
10. Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 4 | 44.825
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