Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – June 13, 2023 – Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) and Nashville closed out their Tryon Spring Series by winning Saturday’s $146,000 Main Street Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 3*. Of the 20 horse and rider pairs competing under the Tryon Stadium lights, Francisco de Azevedo and Nashville posted the fastest jump off time of 33.62 seconds.
After competing in the Tryon Spring 4 and 5 Grands Prix, Francisco de Azevedo commented on the complexity of Saturday’s Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR)-designed course. “This was my third weekend in a row, and I think that for sure, this one was the most difficult. But my horse was fantastic.”
There were just four Clear Rounds presented by Stuller Power Solutions, returning from the first round to the jump off, but Francisco de Azevedo and Nashville, Santa Cecilia Stables’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Darco),, marked a clear round to win their second Grand Prix of the Tryon Spring Series.
Claiming second in the Grand Prix with a time of 36.63 seconds was Samuel Parot (CHI) and Cap West (Chacco Blue x Hors La Loi II), his own 2012 gelding.
Lauren Balcomb (AUS) and her own 2011 Zangersheide gelding, Verdini D’houtveld Z (Verdi TN x Caretino 2) took third, registering a jump-off time of 33.16 seconds.
“The four riders that were in the jump off were fast,” Francisco de Azevedo emphasized. “Samuel, Jad, and Lauren are incredibly fast riders, so I had to take all the risks,” he shared.
Francisco de Azevedo will return home with his team after a successful several weeks of competing at Tryon International. “It’s my favorite place,” he remarked. “Every time that I have the chance to be here, I’m here. I feel like it’s my home! I think the facilities are perfect, the people are nice, everything is perfect. For me, it’s one of the best places to be competing, for sure.”
Francisco de Azevedo concluded by emphasizing that the night’s victory was bittersweet, following some difficult losses for his team. “It’s a really special moment for us and for our team, because one month ago, [Nashville’s] owner passed away. Yesterday, our lifetime groom passed away, too, so for me, it’s really special to be winning tonight and give that happiness to all my team and my family.”
Final Results – $146,000 Main Street Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 3*
1) Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) & Nashville – 0 / 0 – 33.62
2) Samuel Parot (CHI) & Cap West – 0 / 0 – 36.63
3) Lauren Balcomb (AUS) & Verdini d’Houtveld Z – 0 / 4 – 33.16
Source: Press Release from Tryon International
Photos: © TIEC / Natalie Suto Photography
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Brasil
