Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – June 18, 2019 –  Sarah Bagworth (CAN) and Malou were victorious in Sunday’s $25,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix to conclude week one of the Tryon Summer Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), finishing with a jump-off time of 38.135 seconds.

The course, designed by Bobby Murphy (USA) tested 24 pairs in the first round, with seven returning for the jump-off. “The course was great. I think it was really fair for the group… it was a tough group today,” Bagworth remarked. “I was actually a little nervous when I walked in. I have been a little rusty in my riding so far this summer, so I am happily surprised!”

Ricardo Villa (COL) & Walnut

Ricardo Villa (COL) and Walnut, a 2010 mare (Costello x Potomac) owned by Juan Pablo Betancourt, claimed second place with a short course time of 38.373 seconds.

Darragh Kerins (IRL) & Delight M-G C de Leuze

Darragh Kerins (IRL) piloted Trefoil Farm LLC’s Delight M-G C de Leuze, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Armitage x Unknown), to a swift 39.068-second round for third.

Malou, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare (Maloubet de Pleville X Carthago), is not new to the jumper ring. “She [Malou] is amazing; ‘professional’ would be my best one-word to describe her,” Bagworth explained. “She has only ever been ridden well before me. She was ridden by McLain Ward, his wife Lauren, and before that Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. She has had the best education possible.”

Sarah Bagworth (CAN) & Malou in their presentation ceremony alongside Dave Long, General Manager of Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club, and JP Godard, Competition Manager.

Bagworth has owned Malou since November of 2017. “She [Malou] has just been amazing for me, she always goes in the ring and tries extremely hard. She is extremely fair when I make a mistake, and she is very fast,” Bagworth shared.

The pair hopes to continue to have successful rounds at TIEC. “We made Tryon a bit of a summer base. We really enjoy the show and it is good to us. We love the area, too. It is really fun to hang out on your days off, and the horses are happy jumping here,” Bagworth concluded.

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Source: Press release by TIEC – Tryon International Equestrian Center

Photos: © Sportfot