Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita claimed another sweet victory in the $137,000 Coca-Cola® Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) with a time of 38.387 seconds. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Lord Lucio, the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Legolas x Cero) owned by Rodrigo Pessoa and Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC, stopped the timer at 38.832 seconds to earn second place. Third place honors were awarded to Lauren Balcomb (AUS) and Verdini D’Houtveld, the 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2) owned by Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley, with a time of 39.696 seconds.
Holloway and Pepita Con Spita, the 2011 Westphalian mare (Con Spirit x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp., challenged five other horse and rider pairs in the jump-off phase of competition over the Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) designed course. Their show-stopping performance led them to the top spot on the podium one week after earning their first Grand Prix win together during the Tryon Fall Series. Last weekend, the duo claimed first place in the $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2*, her second consecutive of three Grand Prix titles in 2021 at TIEC.
“She just keeps on winning! What can I say, she’s an amazing mare. The team behind her is awesome, they come out and give it their all every time and so does she,” said Holloway.
With only six out of 33 horse and rider pairs qualifying for the jump-off round, Holloway knew the pressure was on. “She’s pretty tried and true at this point, so I know I can give it my all.” Her goal in the jump-off phase of competition was to have a clean round with enough speed to set the tone for the other competitors. “She’s a quick horse naturally, so I wanted to put a little pressure on the other guys,” explained Holloway.
Holloway plans to give Pepita Con Spita a week off prior to the Washington International Horse Show at TIEC. She plans to continue her winning streak after her mare has a well-deserved week off. “Hopefully we will try and qualify for the world cup finals!”
Holloway reflected on her success so far in the Tryon Fall Series at TIEC. “We love it here, we just keep coming back. I couldn’t be happier!” She added, “Every time we come we enjoy it and have a good time. The kids love it, the clients love it, and it suits everyone.”
Results: $137,000 Coca-Cola® Grand Prix CSI 3*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1. Pepita Con Spita, 2011 Westphalian mare (DSP Con Spirit x Come On)
Hunter Holloway (USA), Hays Investment Corp.: 0/0/38.387
2. Lord Lucio, 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Legolas x Cero)
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Rodrigo Pessoa & Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC.: 0/0/38.832
3. Verdini d’Houtveld Z, 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2)
Lauren Balcomb (NZL), Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley: 0/0/39.696
4. Fantasy BB, 2010 Dutch Warmblood mare (Cardento 933 x Labor’s VDL Indorado)
Jonathan McCrea (USA), Windsor Show Stables: 0/0/40.193
5. Volo’s Diamond, 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Stakkatol x Baloubet du Rouet)
Tanner Korotkin (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0/0/40.444
6. Wild Thing, 2012 Warmblood gelding (Caracas x Contango II)
Scott Keach (AUS), Scott Keach: 0/WD
7. Ideal, 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x Cortez)
Shane Sweetnam (IRL); Seabrook LLC & Sweet Oak Farm: 4/76.41
8. Toulouse Z, 2011 Zangersheide mare (Toulon x Quintus V/D Dwerse Hage)
Juan Ortiz (VEN), Blue Trim LLC.: 4/76.52
9. Keoki, 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x Cassini I)
David Blake (IRL), David Blake & Gwendolyn Dvorkin: 4/76.56
10. Wannabe CS, 2012 Danish Warmblood stallion (Warrant x Pythagoras)
Peter Petschenig (AUT), Petschenig Showjumping LLC.: 4/77.24
For full results from the $137,000 Coca-Cola® Grand Prix CSI 3* click here.
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