Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) and Loughnavatta Indigo secured first place in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* in the first “Saturday Night Lights” of the 2018 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC).
Jonathan Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo. Photo by Sportfot
Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Luidam x VDL Arkansas) owned by Twin Oak Stables, Inc., crossed through the timers in 42.216 seconds in the jump-off to rise as the winning combination.
Lauren Tisbo and Jeleena De Muse. Photo by Sportfot
Subsequently, Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Jeleena De Muse, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Tornedo FCS x Chin Chin) owned by Tequestrian Games, LLC., placed second with a jump-off time of 42.97 seconds and Darragh Kerins (IRL) aboard Ringwood Zebo, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Califax x Ringwood Audacity) owned by Samantha Rice, took third place on the podium with a final time of 43.88 seconds.
Darragh Kerins with Ringwood Zebo. Photo by Sportfot
With a class of 34 entries and only seven competitors moving forward to the the jump-off, Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo rose to the top of the leaderboard. “I have a tendency to go a little bit too fast in the jump-off, so today I tried to be a little smoother and tighter and not pull on the reins or kick as much and it worked,” the Irishman remarked.
Corrigan bought the nine-year old gelding last autumn. “I jumped him here in the 2* last year and that was his first night class. He was little green, but he jumped clear. Since then, he’s improved a lot, and even jumped his first 5* a couple of weeks ago.”
Detailing his nine-year old mount, Corrigan continued, “He’s a good horse. He’s got a lot of personality, more personality than any other horse I’ve had. He might look plain, but he’s very sensitive and a very good boy. We might do the 3* next week or we will wait and do the 5* the week after that.”
Jonathan Corrigan, Lauren Tisbo, and Darragh Kerins in their presentation ceremony with TIEC COO, Sharon Decker and Show Manager, J.P. Godard. Photo by Sportfot
“It’s a great atmosphere here because everybody comes out, horse people and non-horse people alike. The crowd really focuses on you and people come to spectate and have a good time,” concluded Corrigan.
The Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport continues through October 28 featuring international and national hunter, jumper and equitation competition. For more information, please visit www.Tryon.com.