With 17 combinations returning for the jump-off in the CSI2* $36,600 Bruins Tour Challenge Friday night at Deeridge Farms, Stephen Moore (IRL) had time to watch some of his competition prior to entering the ring, and he came away with one conclusion: He’d need to pull out all the stops to win.
He did just that, riding Team de Coquerie to the top of the final Sunset Challenge event of the 2020 Palm Beach Masters Series®.
Moore and the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding crossed the timers of Alan Wade’s 1.45m shortened track in 37.24 seconds, besting Eve Jobs (USA) and Valentino Tuiliere on 38.37 seconds and Beat Mändli (SUI) and Dibatsja on 38.96 seconds.
“I saw [fourth-place finisher Spencer Smith] go early on, and I knew he was very fast, and I knew that Eve was even faster than him, so I thought, ‘I just need to go with everything I possibly can here if I want to win,'” Moore said. “It’s a good way to end circuit now for him.”
Jobs held the lead for much of the jump-off, until Moore caught her time with just three combinations remaining. He identified an oxer midway through the jump-off, along with the last line on course, as areas where he was able to pick up valuable time on the clock. He said he was able to take risks on course, thanks to his mount’s footspeed and reliability over the fences.
“He’s just a naturally very fast horse. He’s always looking for the next jump and he just always wants to go,” Moore detailed. “He’s so careful as well, that I knew I could just take a few chances everywhere.”
Moore has been partnered on and off with the gelding, owned by Vlock Show Stables, for the past four years but only recently reunited with the bay this winter after he was campaigned with success by Darragh Kenny (IRL), another member of the Vlock Show Stables team.
“He’s a great horse, and we’ve had him for a while. Teddy Vlock owns him, and he bought him as a 9-year-old. I rode him for a year, and then Darragh Kenny, whom we all work together with, campaigned him for a while,” Moore detailed. “He had some great results on him as well, and now he’s ended up back with me. I’m just happy to have him and keep him going.”
The Bruins Tour Challenge, part of the Palm Beach Open CSI5*/CSI2*, brought to a close the inaugural Sunset Challenge at the Palm Beach Masters Series®. The divisions, which have taken place throughout the winter at the 1.30m and 1.40m/1.45m heights, brought competition under the lights to Deeridge Farms for the first time.
“It’s a great addition. Night classes are always nice,” Moore said. “There’s a great atmosphere. I’m happy to be a part of it and love doing it.”
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