Friday night at Tryon International saw the fifth Team Competition of Major League Show Jumping Season 6, presented by ClipMyHorse.TV, with the DIHP Roadrunners claiming their second victory of the season. All eight teams returned to contest course designer Nick Granat’s (CAN) challenging 1.50m track. The opening round tested the field, with no team managing to finish on a score of zero.
Last year’s Tryon winners, Team Helios, faced a different outcome this season. Without a clear round from any of their three riders, the defending champions finished seventh, missing advancement to Round 2.
The Trelawny Trailblazers, Team KPF, Northern Lights and DIHP Roadrunners advanced to the second round, where three of the four teams delivered double clear performances, leaving time to determine the medal matchups.
Team KPF and the Trelawny Trailblazers progressed to the bronze medal jump off, while Northern Lights and the DIHP Roadrunners earned their places in the gold medal match.
The Trailblazers selected Charlotte Jacobs (USA) to contest bronze against Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) of Team KPF. A rail for Jacobs proved costly, allowing Pessoa and Team KPF to secure the final podium position.
In the gold medal match, Northern Lights selected Tanner Korotkin (USA), who stopped the clock at 40.58 seconds, setting a demanding benchmark for the Roadrunners.
The Roadrunners turned to Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Gaby De Courcel, a relatively new partnership, to deliver the deciding performance. With teammates Daniel Coyle (IRL) and McLain Ward (USA) supporting from the sidelines, Ballard knew there was little room for hesitation.
“I really had to give it my all. But in that situation, you’re better to lose trying to win than you are missing your moment to be the fastest one,” Ballard explained.
The Canadian rider answered the challenge with the only time under 40 seconds in the gold medal jump off, crossing the timers in 39.69 seconds to secure victory for the DIHP Roadrunners.
“I had luck on my side and I had Gaby on my side. She gave me everything she had,” Ballard said.
Ballard also acknowledged the advantage of having Ward in her corner. “I don’t know if McLain would be giving me the same tips if he was riding against me, but certainly it’s great for me that on this team he’s riding with me,” she added.
For Ward, the victory represented another valuable result with a team he has supported since the League’s early days. “I’ve been very proud to be a part of this team from the beginning. They’ve been great supporters of the League, the whole idea of this type of sport, and it’s something I’m very pleased to be a part of,” Ward said.
Coyle echoed the value of the team format and the opportunity it provides riders throughout the competition. “I find this a great class when you’re on a great team and do two rounds every week. It’s a big advantage,” Coyle explained.
For DIHP Roadrunners team manager Alex Wilson, the victory marks an encouraging departure from their traditional championship trajectory. “Normally we are a second half team. We always start off slow and build towards the end. This year we really put our foot forward at the beginning and hopefully we continue that form when we get to our home turf in the desert,” Wilson said.
The result adds another gold medal to the Roadrunners’ Season 6 campaign, following their opening victory in Toronto. Northern Lights leave Tryon with silver, while Team KPF completes the podium in bronze.
Complete results from the $200,000 5* Team Competition presented by ClipMyHorse.TV can be found here.
For more information on Major League Show Jumping and to view complete schedules, rosters and more, visit majorleagueshowjumping.com
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