Richie Moloney (IRL) and Rocksy Music rocked the short course during the Tryon Summer 6 $137,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), finishing first with a time of 38.574 seconds. Brooke Kemper (USA) and Arpeggi, the 2010 Westphalian gelding (Arpeggio x Lancer III) owned by Caroline Blum, finishing just 0.2 seconds behind Moloney, claimed second place with a time of 38.714 seconds. Third place honors were awarded to Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Easy Girl, the 2011 Oldenburg mare (Conthargos x Nintender) owned by Mario Onate, after a clear round and a jump-off time of 39.252 seconds.
A thunderstorm that began midway through first-round action Saturday evening paused the competition, which resumed Sunday morning. Thirty-four riders attempted the first round of the Ken Krome (USA) course, with six riders qualifying for the shortened second round of the competition; three riders qualified during Saturday night’s competition and three qualified Sunday morning. Moloney earned his ticket to the jump-off on Sunday morning, and acknowledged that the delay was a benefit to his mount. “The weather helped me a little bit, I think!” Moloney said. “He’s a little bit more up under the lights, so he was more relaxed this morning.”
Moloney and Rocksy Music, the 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ars Vivendi x Diamond Serpent) owned by Equinimity LLC, have competed together for the last five years. “I’ve had him for five years, since he was an eight-year-old, actually!” he explained enthusiastically after his win. “He’s been jumping really well lately, so I’m really happy I got this win.”