The national anthem of Ireland played over the loudspeakers at the Split Rock Jumping Tour's Columbus International CSI 2*, as David Blake and Keoki (Catoki x Cassini I), owned by Pine Hollow Farm, galloped away with the $35,000 FEI CSI 2* Welcome Stake with two faultless rounds and a jump-off time of 47.49 seconds.

Blake and Keoki, a 9-year-old bay Holsteiner stallion, bested a field of 48 starters for the win. Ten of the original starters advanced to the jump-off and the rounds kept getting faster and faster before Blake, the last to go, entered the ring.

"My horse has a very big stride and so I was able to leave out strides to the last two fences and I think that is what made it for us today," explained Blake. "He is new to us, I have had him for two months. He has been very, very good so far, with good results at every show."

Ali Wolff and Double H Farm's Exotik Sitte (Ogano Sitte x Clinton) took second place, double clear over the fences in a time of 47.70 seconds.