Press release from Split Rock Jumping Tour

The Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) returned for another exciting year at Bruce’s Field for Split Rock Aiken, featuring a CSI2* rating. Thursday's competition was highlighted by the $38,700 C. Jarvis Insurance 1.45m FEI Welcome. The jump-off saw an exciting show as each pair gave a true attempt, but it was ultimately Samuel Parot (CHI) and his own Tiffany de Olid (Huppydam Des Horts x Centauer Z ) who were uncatchable to win by over half of a second. 

The first round of competition saw 34 athletes from seven nations tackle Olaf Peterson Jr.’s (GER) 14-effort track. Throughout the course, many riders fell victim to the Dalman flower triple combination (oxer-vertical-vertical), the Dalman vertical, and the Lugano Diamonds double combination (vertical-oxer). A total of nine pairs were able to navigate the course fault-free to earn their spot in the second round.

The tie-breaking round was made up of eight jumping efforts and included the addition of one new fence, the DFG Stables vertical at fence 14. Grant Seger (USA) and Yoghi FLP (FRH Quaid x Stakkato), owned by Fox Lair Performance, were the first to produce a double-clear effort in 35.52 seconds. Abigail McArdle (USA) tried her hand next and piloted her own Olympia van het Eikenhof (Elvis Ter Putte x Toulon) to the new lead of 34.72 seconds. Parot followed three trips later with Tiffany de Olid and blazed through the timers in 33.81 seconds, shaving off time with swift rollbacks throughout the course. Seger was the last to go aboard his second ride, his own 11-year-old mare, Frieda (Balou du Rouet x Canturo). With a podium finish already in hand with his first mount, Seger gave it his all, leaving out a stride to the final fence and crossing the timers in 34.36 seconds. Seger bested his first time and would take over second place, while McArdle settled for third. 

“She [Tiffany de Olid] is a new mare for me. I bought her in Europe in May of this year, and it is starting to come together with her,” commented Parot. “I love Split Rock, we do it all the time. The course designers are always good, the jumps are good, and the footing is good. The people here are also great to work with.”

FEI competition will continue through the weekend, featuring the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.45m Grand Prix CSI2*, on Saturday, November 11th. See below for more information on tickets. National competition will feature the $20,000 Sharer Dale Team 1.35m National Prix and the $2,500 Twin Oaks Ventures 1.25m Mini Prix on Sunday, November 12th.