The highlight event of the week, the $50,000 Purina Grand Prix, kicked off on Saturday afternoon at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Drawing the largest crowd of the weekend, the Grand Prix, with a course designed by Peter Grant, saw a field of competitors entered that showcased many of the sport’s top athletes. In a display of immense skill, speed and accuracy, it was Charlie Jayne and Tou La Moon who claimed the victory and the lion’s share of the prize money in the class sponsored by Purina.
Charlie Jayne and Tou La Moon. Photo by Phelps Sports
During the first round, riders were asked to carefully leave all of the rails up around the 13-obstacle course. One of the first combinations to go clear was Dorothy Douglas and MTM Through the Looking Glass, an 11-year-old KWPN mare owned by Davenport Farms. Several other riders, like Thursday’s $25,000 Welcome Grand Prix winner Caelinn Leahy riding Dymendy, secured spots in the jump-off as well with faultless efforts. Tracy Fenney piloted two of her mounts, Igor Van De Heibos and MTM Reve Du Paradis, to clear first rounds, adding her name to the imminent jump-off list.
Jayne, a local to the Lamplight Equestrian Center who has also represented the United States internationally on several occasions, rode the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Alex Jayne later in the start list, and was successful in completing a first round that was both clean and speedy. When it came time to set the course for the jump-off, 13 horse-and-rider combinations had added their names to the order of go.
Charlie Jayne and Tou La Moon. Photo by Phelps Sports
The jump-off course required riders to push for speed while navigating the windy course in order to come out on top. Douglas was the first to cross the finish with a clear round, tripping the timers in 45.266 seconds. Fenney rode a quick round with her mount Igor Van De Heibos, but unfortunately had one rail down to knock them out of the running. Shannon Sullivan and Downtown’s Main Event were the next to go clear, but their slightly slower time of 48.536 seconds left Douglas unchallenged. Fenney returned to the ring next with MTM Reve Du Paradis, determined to set a new time-to-beat. She was successful with a clear and speedy round finishing in 44.294 seconds.
Jayne was the second to last to go, and he held nothing back as he raced around the ring, skillfully guiding Tou La Moon over the final jump, the Purina oxer, to cross the finish clear with the fastest time of 43.448 seconds. Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis held their second place position to take home the red ribbon, and Douglas and MTM Through the Looking Glass was awarded the third place prize. Jayne was happy to add another win with the mare under his belt, as they have developed a strong partnership in the last four years they have been together.
Charlie Jayne and Tou La Moon. Photo by Phelps Sports
RESULTS
$50,000 Purina Grand Prix:
Place / Rider / Horse / R1 Faults / R1 Time / R2 Faults / R2 Time
1. Charlie Jayne / Tou La Moon / Alex Jayne / 0 / 80.22 / 0 / 43.440
2. Tracy Fenney / MTM Reve Du Paradis / 0 / 81.040 / 0 / 44.290
3. Dorothy Douglas / MTM Through The Looking Glass / 0 / 81.710 / 0 / 45.260
4. Shannon Sullivan / Downtown’s Main Event / 0 / 82.450 / 0 / 48.530
5. Ryan Michael Genn /Dieta / 0 / 82.760 / 4 / 44.550
6. Annabella Sanchez /Incitatus / 0 / 82.680 / 4 / 45.590
7. Tracy Fenney / Igor Van de Heibos / 0 / 83.610 / 4 / 46.500
8. Theo Genn / Boucanier / 0 / 87.280 / 4 / 46.970
9. Steve Schaefer / Valinski S / 0 / 81.220 / 8 / 45.000
10. Caelinn Leahy / Dymendy / 0 / 80.040 / 8 / 45.740
11. Ashley Fleischhacker / Quadros 3 / 0 / 87.810 / 8 / 51.550
12. Theo Genn / Chaccomo II / 0 / 86.080 / 9 / 52.260