Just twelve hours after a win in the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, Richie Moloney (IRL) clinched another blue ribbon aboard a different grey mount. Riding the Equinimity LLC’s Merqusio, Moloney was once again awarded first place, besting competition in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 2*, with a jump-off time of 47.288 seconds.
Richie Moloney and Merqusio, Photo by Sportfot
Samuel Parot (CHI) who also claimed a spot on Saturday night’s podium, stepped up once more, taking the second-place position aboard his own 2004 Selle Francais gelding Quick Du Pottier (Hurlevent de Breka x Cuba), riding to a time of 38.508 seconds, but with eight added faults. Third place was awarded to another Ireland native, David O’Brien, who piloted the Spy Coast Farm LLC entry Kir Royal SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve), through the first round in 85.62 seconds and with four added faults.
Moloney and the 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z x Flamenco de Semilly) have been competing at TIEC on and off throughout the spring and summer and maintained a winning streak to round out the weekend. “He was good out there,” commented Moloney, “and I’m very happy to win out here on him today.” Of the gelding, he continued, “I’ve been partnered with him for two and a half years now, so I know him well. This horse is very careful and very scopey.”
Moloney plans to continue with top level FEI competition, as the pair have also contested CSI 5* level classes and previously recorded a third-place finish in the $35,000 1.45m Welcome Stake CSI 2* during Tryon Spring I. “We’ll just keep going and compete in some 1.50m classes with him,” noted Moloney, “and then we’ll add another Grand Prix when he feels ready.”
oloney and Merqusio in their awards presentation ceremony with groom
Rolando Martinez. Photo by Sportfot
The morning welcomed fourteen entries to the Derby Field, and Moloney and Parot were the only two to return for a turn on the Catalina Cruz (MEX) designed jump-off track. “The course was great today,” concluded Moloney. “It was nice to get him out and ride here on the field for a change. His next show will be on grass, so it was nice to get out here this week and finish strong.”
For a full list of results from the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic, click here.