TerraNova Equestrian Center welcomed the Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) to its expansive facility for the second year to host the Split Rock Sarasota CSI2* and the $300,000 Split Rock Championship series. Thursday saw FEI competition take center stage, ending the day with the $38,700 BetHorseSports.com 1.45m Welcome where 47 competitors vied for the top spot. Ultimately, it was Israel’s Daniel Bluman who proved unbeatable taking the top two spots with Cachemire de Braize and Ubiluc, respectively.
Peter Holmes’ (CAN) track challenged athletes across 15 jumping efforts where 13 combinations emerged fault-free. As third to go in the jump-off Bluman was the first to deliver the coveted double-clear finish, crossing the timers with Cachemire de Braize (Nissan Quality Touch Z x Jaguar Mail), owned by himself, Mikhail Ilyaich, Over the Top Stables LLC, and Alex Yadgarov, in 38.460 seconds to put the pressure on the rest. Many pairs would attempt to overtake Bluman’s lead, slicing the tight rollback off of the double combination and giving a long gallop to the final oxer, but none could match his speed. Bluman gave a good run aboard Over the Top Stables LLC and Blue Star Investments’ Ubiluc (Ubiko x Lucian), however his time of 39.260 seconds would slate him just behind himself into second place. Megan McDermott (USA) would round out the podium in third as she crossed the timers with Counter Balance LLC’s Nintendo (Nintender x Chaco Blue) in 40.790 seconds. Canada’s Jonathon Millar was 4th riding Isotropic Shadow, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Competition will continue through the weekend, with the feature FEI event, the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.45m Grand Prix CSI2* on Saturday, January 28. The inaugural $300,000 Split Rock Championship series will conclude the event on Sunday, January 29, offering heights at 1.15m, 1.25m, and 1.35m.
Results here.
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