Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – May 25, 2024 – The fourth week of the Tryon Spring Series was marked by the first FEI competition of the season at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International), highlighted by the $62,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 2*.
Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Hellcat claimed the win in a time of 33.94 seconds in an exciting jump off competition under the lights in Tryon Stadium.
Richie Moloney (IRL) and Skelwith Diamond Lady, the 2014 Anglo European mare (Kalaska de Semilly x Balou du Rouet) owned by Equinimity, received second place honors for their 34.7-second performance.
Third place was claimed by Marilyn Little (USA) and La Contessa, the 2015 Mecklenburg mare (License x Cornet’s Prinz) owned by the Palm Beach Show Jumping Group, after stopping the clock at 35.01 seconds.
Forty horse-and-rider pairs contested the Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) course design, with 11 pairs qualifying for the jump off track. O’Shea and the 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare (Cassander Van Het Bremhof x Conan) owned by Team Eye Candy claimed their second consecutive FEI win of the week after also claiming the $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2* on Thursday.
“I was a little lucky in the first round; we went fast the other day, so in the first round, we were a little flatter than normal,” O’Shea revealed. “I had a few rubs, but she really tried her heart out. In the second round, she was in great form.”
Despite a tough competition that saw a few trailblazers before the first double-clear performance, O’Shea’s strategy was to reduce his speed to the final obstacle, he detailed.
“With her, my strategy is always to slow down towards the end. And that actually helped the last oxer, which I think caused a little bit of trouble. You had to get very square. So, it actually helped me to slow down a little bit there and get straight to it.”
O’Shea credited his mare’s natural quick-footedness and her natural shape over the jumps to their success together. “I mean, even in the first round, I think she had one of the faster times, so she naturally has a lot of ground speed. And, she doesn’t jump high over the jumps – she just jumps across – which works out well.”
“Dav,” who is the groom for Hellcat and has been with Eye Candy Show Jumpers for three years with O’Shea, is a longtime friend, O’Shea revealed. “We worked together in 2002, so that’s pretty cool. He loves the mare and takes really good care of her.”
Final Results – $62,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Paul O’Shea (IRL) & Hellcat – 0 / 0 – 33.94
2) Richie Moloney (IRL) & Skewith Diamond Lady – 0 / 0 – 34.70
3) Marilyn Little (USA) & La Contessa – 0 / 0 – 35.10
Source: Press Release by Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Photos: © TIEC / Bailey Beck & Shelbie Lee for Natalie Suto Photography
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Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News Ireland
