Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Ibabco rose to the top of a massive class to take top honors in the $35,000 1.45m Suncast® Commercial Welcome Stake CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The pair finished the jump-off track in 37.194 seconds ahead of Abigail McArdle (USA) and Chuck Berry 8, who finished just behind the winning duo with a time of 37.223 seconds. Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Cocq A Doodle rounded out the top three, stopping the timers in 37.753 seconds.
The class saw 82 entries contest the first round track set by Ken Krome (USA), with 29 pairs advancing to the jump-off round. Only 12 combinations secured a double clear effort on the afternoon. Lambre and Ibabco went 22nd in the original order and held their lead through the remainder of the jump-off round.
"I thought it was a difficult course. There were a lot of clears for the first day of the week, but that's okay," said Lambre. "From the second vertical to fence fourteen in the jump-off was where I felt like I made up the time. Also, to the last fence I left out a stride. We were at a full gallop and he was great."
Ibabco, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Darco) owned by Lambre, has started to shine in international competition with Lambre over the past year. The duo connected last spring after Lambre purchased the gelding and the duo have finished with top placings since their partnership began.
"I bought him at the end of last year and when I was in Wellington this season, I was jumping a few classes with him at the 1.45m and 1.50m height. The idea is that this is a horse for the future and to maybe jump the FEI World Equestrian Games™ here next year," explained Lambre. "I also think maybe at the end of the second part of this year, I'd like to jump some of the CSI 5* shows with him to see where he is before heading into the winter season."
The duo will forgo the $86,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday night, instead to contest the $35,000 1.45m Tryon Challenge CSI 2* class on Sunday. Lambre explained, "He'll jump again on Sunday. The other horse that I rode in the class today, I didn't want to go to the jump-off today, but he'll try to go into the big class on Saturday."
Speaking of the talents of Ibabco, Lambre touched on the athleticism and carefulness of the gelding, which are qualities he believes will make him a star in the coming months. He added, "He's a very brave horse and he has super technique with his front end. He's very fast in front and quite athletic. He's just careful and very nice all around."
Source: Press release from Tryon / Photo (c) Sportfot.