Richie Moloney (IRL) climbed atop the podium in the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2* during the highlight class of the week at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), after piloting the Equinimity LLC entry Button Sitte around the night’s jump-off track in 38.336 seconds.
Richie Moloney and Button Sitte. Photo by Sportfot
Second place honors were captured by the USA’s Todd Minikus, riding to a final short course time of 38.402 seconds aboard Autumn View Farm’s Excel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Quick Star). Samuel Parot (CHI) completed the second round of competition aboard his own 2003 Zangersheide gelding (Andiamo x Royal Bravour L) Atlantis, closing out the top three with the quickest time of 36.297 seconds, but adding four faults.
Todd Minikus and Excel. Photo by Sportfot
Moloney and the 2007 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Ogano Sitte x Parco) have been partnered together for nearly two and half years and the duo have maintained a consistent record to date. “He always jumps very well here,” he commented. “He had some very good results in Wellington and he placed in the 1.50m final. He’s a very nice horse and very scopey. He’s lovely to work with and he’s a really sweet horse.”
“His strengths are his scope and how easy he is,” he continued. “Even during the week you don’t have to work too hard before a class. You just need to move him around a little bit. He’s very uncomplicated.”
The pair bested a field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations and returned to contest the Catalina Cruz (MEX) course with five other competitors. Of the course, Moloney said, “It was a good course. The jump three to four sequence was quite difficult in the first round. Apart from that, I thought the course was a good course tonight.”
Richie Moloney, Todd Minikus, and Samuel Parot in their awards presentation with Carolina Arena Equipment Owner David Detweiler and Show Manager JP Godard. Photo by Sportfot
Moloney has been based at the venue for the majority of the Tryon Summer Series and had positive words for the facility and the “Saturday Night Lights” competition in general. “It’s a great facility and there’s always a great atmosphere and a great crowd here to watch,” he concluded. “He [Button Sitte] also prefers the atmosphere under the lights. He’s good in smaller arenas like this because you have to keep turning and jumps are always in front of you.”
For full results from the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.