Alison Robitaille and Ace. Photo © Sportfot.
Press release from Tryon International Equestrian Center
Alison Robitaille (USA) and Ace dominated the $134,00 Horseware Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 40.376 seconds. Scott Keach (AUS) and Falcon de Hus Z, a 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Florian de la Vie*Bazooka x Adlantus AS) owned by Five Henry Stables, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 40.805 seconds, while Hector Florentino (DOM) and Carnaval, a 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Landadel) owned by Spruce Meadows Ltd., claimed third-place honors on a 40.947 second finish.
The course, designed by Ken Krome (USA), tested 30 entries in the class and had only six pairs return for the jump-off. Robitaille shared that she had anticipated more riders to make it into the jump-off when she originally walked the course: “I thought there might be more actually when I walked the course, but there seemed to be faults everywhere.”
Robitaille was proud to be one of the six to continue into the jump-off. “I thought it was a really fair course considering the field of riders and the courses that Kenny had. I thought he ended up with an ideal clear amount,” commented Robitaille.
Robitaille, Keach and Florentino in their presentation ceremony alongside Horseware representatives Daniel and Kloe Kerins, and Sharon Decker, TIEC Chief Operating Officer. Photo © Sportfot.
The 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Berlin x Irco Polo), owned by Bertram and Diana Firestone, has been paired with Robitaille for the past three years, allowing her to return to Grand Prix level competition. “I took a pretty big break from riding at the Grand Prix level - I was married and had two children. He [Ace] was the first horse I got to really get back into the upper level of the sport with,” Robitaille shared.
Since returning to the International Grand Prix level in 2017, Robitaille and Ace have represented the United States in the 2017 Nations Cup in Coapexpan, Mexico, and also competed in the 2018 FEI World Cup Finals in Paris, where Robitaille made her fifth World Cup Final appearance and finished 14th overall. “I really missed it,” Robitaille admitted of the five year break she took from the international circuit.
Robitaille and her family, residents of northern Virginia, enjoy having a facility like TIEC closer to home. “I’m from Upperville in northern Virginia, so it’s not a long drive for us and I love the facilities [at TIEC] and it’s a beautiful area on top of that,'' Robitaille concluded.
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