Aiken, South Carolina, USA – November 8, 2020 –  Richie Moloney (IRL) rode Merqusio to victory in the $100,000 1.45m FEI Grand Prix to culminate the Split Rock Jumping Tour’s (SRJT) new event, the Aiken International CSI 2*.  The event, the first CSI ever held at Bruce’s Field at the Aiken Horse Park, proved to be a smashing success. 

“We really couldn’t be happier with how everything went here this week,” said Derek Braun, Split Rock Jumping Tour founder and CEO. “Aiken is a premier horse community and the Horse Park is one of the finest horse show facilities anywhere. They deserve to host world-class show jumping and we are thrilled to have brought it here with this new stop on our national tour! 

Out of a starting field of 43 horses, Moloney was one of four to reach the tiebreaking jump-off by riding without penalty over the13-jump, first-round course designed by 2016 Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). Four entries then turned in another clean round over the seven-jump, jump-off course with Moloney claiming the win with the fastest time of 37.260 seconds.

Placing second was Abigail McArdle (USA) with zero faults and a time of 37.930 on Victorio 5.

Third place was claimed by Doug Payne (USA) who finished with zero faults in 39.280 seconds on Quintessence. 

“Two of my horses jumped very well today,” said Moloney. “Merqusio jumped really well, he always does, keeping it nice and smooth. This (the $100,000 1.45m FEI Grand Prix) was the aim all week with both horses.”  

The Aiken International CSI2* featured a full schedule of show jumping classes ranging in height from .85m to 1.45m with classes for juniors, amateurs and top professionals. The schedule included three FEI classes, highlighted by the $100,000 1.45m FEI Grand Prix. 

The Aiken International CSI 2* concludes the 2020 Split Rock Jumping Tour’s schedule but the show jumping world should get ready for new events and more excitement in 2021. “We have some really exciting things planned for next year,” added Braun. “The Split Rock Jumping Tour is going to be taking things to a whole new level so I invite everyone to get ready for what is going to be an incredible 2021!” 

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from the Split Rock Jumping Tour

Photos: © Winslow Photography