Sonoma, California, USA – September 7, 2018 – Shawn Casady (USA) piloted Highpoint Farm LLC’s Durango VDL to victory in the $35,000 FEI 1.45m Welcome CSI 2* in front of an electric crowd Friday at the Sonoma International CSI 2*, part of the Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT).

A field of 61 horses and riders took on Olaf Peterson Jr.’s challenging track with only six advancing to the jump off.

After an easy clear in his first round, Casady was the final rider in the arena, and he took advantage of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s (VDL Zirocco Blue x Lux) massive stride to shave seconds off the clock, coming through the timers flawlessly in blazing 42.831 seconds.

“Durango has a very big stride. To make the time allowed in the first round I left out strides in a lot of different places, so in the jump off walking nine I knew I’d probably get eight,” Casady said. “He’s a stallion, but now that I’m getting to know him I’m making him more like my buddy. We’re starting to get to the point where we do this together.”

Karrie Rufer (USA) Morning Star Sporthorses’ Georgie d’Auvray EC (Vancouver D’Auvray x Nabab de Reve), who were the first pair to earn a jump-off round, set the early pace with no penalties and a time of 43.009 for second place.

Nicole Shahinian-Smith secured third place with Akuna Mattata (Quinar x Landwind II, who is owned by Silver Raven Farms, after two clear rounds and a speedy jump off time of 44.666 seconds.

From left: SRTJ Founder Derek Braun, Karrie Rufer (USA), Shawn Casady (USA) and Nicole Shahinian-Smith (USA)

The Sonoma International CSI 2* has been made possible thanks the generous support of Evergate Stables, Big Bay City, Wilmington Trust, Walsh, Horseflight, Animo USA, Alimend, Hyaluronex, CWD, Roeckl Sports, Farrow Vineyards, Free x Rein, FarmVet, Cavalier Equestrian, L.V. Harkness, StableGuard, Saddle Shoppe, Equestrian Concierge, Carleigh’s Cookies, Kardel Global Equine and Solea Equestrian.

About Split Rock Jumping Tour

The Split Rock Jumping Tour is modeled after successful European shows and gives competitors, sponsors and spectators an “Unparalleled Show Jumping Experience” by changing the way show jumping is presented in the U.S. Since 2015, the Split Rock Jumping Tour has been revolutionizing the sport of show jumping, offering competitions at world-class venues along with top prize money, extravagant awards and numerous first-class amenities for riders, owners, sponsors, and spectators, with close attention paid to every detail.

The 2018 Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) schedule includes five FEI shows in four outstanding venues. Earlier this year, SRJT hosted The Kentucky Invitational CSI3*, a new event held concurrently with the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was followed by The Lexington International CSI2* at Split Rock Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to the Sonoma International CSI2*, SRJT will also host The Columbus International CSI2*, September 26-30, and The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Columbus CSI3*-W, October 3-7, both at the Brave Horse Show Park in Columbus, Ohio.

Additional information, including sponsorship opportunities, schedules, news and ticket information, is available online at the Split Rock Jumping Tour website at www.SplitRockJumpingTour.com or by calling 859-252-3247.

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Source: Press release by Classic Communications for Split Rock Jumping Tour

Photos: © Grandpix Photography