The $70,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) during Tryon Spring 4 saw Hunter Holloway (USA) and Eastern Jam secure top honors after the pair flew around the short course in 45.06 seconds ahead of Santiago Lambre (MEX) and his own Cetano Van Aspergem Z, a 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Clinton x Ahorn Z), who finished in second with a time of 45.525 seconds.
Hunter Holloway and Eastern Jam. Photo by Sportfot
The field of twenty-two entries saw four pairs return to test the short course designed by Hector Loyola (PRI), and Holloway was last to go in the jump-off. Lambre had just finished the first clear round in the jump-off, but Holloway felt she could complete the fast track just a tiny bit quicker than Lambre.
“I knew I could shave off a little time on Santiago’s round and [Eastern Jam] is a really quick horse on his own, so he helped me out a lot. He was a great boy,” said Holloway of her jump-off strategy.
Santiago Lambre and Centano Van Aspergem Z. Photo by Sportfot
“This horse is amazing,” she said of the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Monaco) owned by Hays Investment Corporation. “I got him about two years ago now and have just brought him along slowly. He’s really developed into an amazing Grand Prix horse. He just won the Grand Prix in Omaha, so to come back and win his second Grand Prix in a row is super. He just moved up to the FEI level mid-circuit in Wellington, so I’m really proud of him.”
“In general, this horse is a winner. He likes to win and to be in the arena and have it be all about him – so he’s pretty straightforward,” she said. “We’ll keep developing him since he’s still fairly green. We’ll show the next two weeks here and then he’ll have a week or two off before we go to Spruce Meadows and see how he is there,” she concluded.
Hunter Holloway, Santiago Lambre, and Richie Moloney in their presentation ceremony with Michael Kerr, Zoey Mooer, and David O’Brien of Spy Coast Farm with Show Manager JP Godard. Photo by Sportfot