Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows, edited by World of Showjumping

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy rode to victory on opening day of international competition at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders on Thursday. He topped the $32,000 CSI3* Speed aboard Narcotique v/h Dingenshof to kick off the 11th season of GLEF and top show jumping at Flintfields Horse Park.

McCarthy, 29, set the pace as the first to enter the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, leaving the rest of the field to chase him over Mauricio Garcia’s (PUR) course. The only competitor to come close to his time of 60.60 seconds was Charlotte Jacobs (USA) riding 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding Thomascourt Ballypatrick (Balou du Rouet x Indoctro), owned by North Star. 

Jacobs, who currently sits within the top five of the Traverse City Leading Rider standings, stopped the clock in 60.68 to take second. Fellow American Daisy Farish and Etonemoi del Cabalero (Air Jordan Z x Le Tot de Semilly) finished third in 62.37 second for owner Lanes End Showjumping.

“She's very fast at this level, so even going first didn't affect us too much,” admitted McCarthy. Together, he and Narcotique v/h Dingenshof have notched 14 international victories, more than half being over speed tracks. “I stick to my own plan with her and I'm very grateful for the results she has given me.”

Narcotique v/h Dingenshof—a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Harley x Chacco-Blue)— has become a consistent campaigner for McCarthy as he now focuses on stepping up some of his young stock. “Her job has been to be a speed horse recently as I’ve been giving some of the younger horses time to develop into the grand prix,” he said. “This summer is very exciting and I’m fortunate to be coming back to Traverse City for some of the bigger events,” added McCarthy, who will point two up-and-coming nine year olds at the five-star offerings taking place later in the season.