Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows
After winning the $32,000 GFL Environmental CSI2* Welcome on Friday at Flintfields Horse Park, Daisy Farish (USA) said that Quala vd Rollebeek was the best horse she’s ever ridden. The comment was high praise in the mix of horses Farish has piloted throughout her career. The pair topped a four-horse jump-off to lead an all-American victory gallop during the final week of the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring.
Anderson Lima (BRA) built a course true to form for the experience level of those who contested his first-round track. Farish and her Belgian Warmblood mare (Bamako De Muze x Vigo D’Arsouilles) owned by Lane’s End Showjumping put the pressure on current leader Jacqueline Ruyle as the penultimate pair over the short course. Leaving all rails in the cups in a tidy time of 33.70 seconds, Farish and Quala secured the win.
“I’ve had Quala for just about a year now; I bought her as a seven-year-old last summer. She was showing with McKayla Langmeier very successfully and I was really excited to have her in my string as a prospect for big sport one day,” said Farish of the now eight-year-old. “She’s come through really nice this year. She did some under-25 classes in Florida and this is her first two-star FEI week. She obviously handled it great; I’m really excited for the future with her.”
Walking the short track plan before the class began, Farish had her eye on where she could shave precious seconds off her jump-off time.
“I walked all the leave-outs that I did, but the first two that went before me were fast on smaller horses and didn’t have so much stride,” admitted Farish. “I was doubting my plan but I was going to stick with it. She has such a big stride so it worked out nicely.”
The winning pair form last week’s 4* speed, Ruyle (USA) and Cyramo Z (Clarimo x Vigo D’Arsouilles STX), earned themselves the red ribbon on a time of 35.11 seconds. U.S. Show Jumping Hall of Farm member Margie Goldstein-Engle and JackOfHearts (HeartBeat x Baloubet du Rouet) took third for the second time in as many days, this time in 35.47 seconds.
Farish is no stranger to Flintfields Horse Park, as she has been competing here since she was six-years-old. “I’ve been coming here since the show was called Horse Shows by the Bay,” said Farish. “I love it here. I love staying here, it’s such an enjoyable town. There’s plenty of things to do for spectators, competitors, everyone. They’ve done an incredible job making improvements every year.”
As Farish brings Quala vd Rollebeek up the ranks, she is also using her time in Traverse City to focus on her training business at Manciais Stables, alongside fellow up-and-coming U.S. professional Spencer Smith.
“I think one of the nicest things about this show for the summer is that they make all the classes feel special,” continued Farish. “Most of my students are showing in the same ring I just showed in, which is really good experience for them. Not many shows make each class feel so special.”
Two-star competitors will return to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Sunday for the week’s feature event, the $75,000 Molon Excavating CSI2* Grand Prix.