Charlotte Jacobs (USA) accepts the winning honors alongside Rincoola Milsean following the $116,500 Molon CSI3* Grand Prix with Bryan Frank, General Manager of Asphalt Services, presenting on behalf of Molon Excavating. Photo © Natalie Suto Photography.
Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows, edited by World of Showjumping
A few seasons ago, Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Rincoola Milsean were the pair to beat in international competition at Flintfields Horse Park. After missing a season in Traverse City because of injury, the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Aldatus Z x Cruising) returned to winning form just in time for the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel. On Saturday afternoon of Traverse City Spring III, Jacobs and “Roy” topped the $116,500 Molon CSI3* Grand Prix.
“This horse is incredible,” Jacobs said of Rincoola Milsean, known as “Roy” in the barn. “He came back from an injury, and it’s been a year now since he returned to competition. To win this Grand Prix is very meaningful. It’s his first big win since being back. It’s exciting.”
Traverse City was actually the last place they competed internationally before Roy’s hiatus from competition, so Jacobs was determined to get the horse back to the show and back to the winner’s circle in particular.
Charlotte Jacobs and Rincoola Milsean. Photo © Natalie Suto Photography.
“It’s full circle,” she said of their return to the venue and to winning. In September of 2024, the pair had a clean sweep of the entire FEI division, winning all three CSI3* classes. “This is something I really wanted to do, to get back here and have success with him again. It feels really good and I’m very happy.”
Jacobs knew she could rely on her horse’s natural speed to carry her around quickly without doing anything too drastic.
“I have a very fast horse naturally so I did seven [strides] from one to two; a few did six,” she explained of her jump-off approach. She was up against eight other top-quality competitors over Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) short course. “I did the add to the double. I was quick to the oxer and quick to the liverpool and I think that’s where I got it done. Natural foot speed is the name of the game with him.”
Their final time of 36.75 seconds kept them atop the class even as Kent Farrington (USA) gave it a go with his mount Nikki Angel (Fruselli x Zacharov TN), clocking in at 36.98 seconds for second place. Spencer Smith was only about half a second behind that aboard HHS Seattle (Pacino x Cavalier Royale) for third.
When Jacobs was asked whether she thought she had gotten it done, she replied, “I actually didn’t. I was a little disappointed coming out of the ring because I thought I could do it better. I knew I had Kent coming behind me but he was on a younger horse. Roberto [Teran Tafur] is always fast and Spencer is always fast, so things just had to go my way a little bit and they did so I’m very excited.”
The day was special in more ways than one for Jacobs and her family.
“It’s my and my husband Matt’s three-year wedding anniversary,” she shared. “Three years goes by really fast. But this is a good anniversary present.”
With Roy back in the winner’s circle and an anniversary to celebrate, Jacobs hopes Saturday is the first of many victory gallops this summer in Traverse City.
Traverse City Spring III concludes Sunday with the $10,000 Frank & Eileen 3′ Adult Equitation Challenge and the $20,000 1.40-1.45 Jumper Classic. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
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