The 2016 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament kicked off today with low morning clouds giving way to a beautiful breezy, blue-skied afternoon. Riders returning to the show noted the gorgeous landscaping and stunning new improvements to the Fieldstone Show Park. They also recognize the many thoughtful details they’ve come to expect from the Rider’s Show including the spectacular footing, great courses, and spacious Rider’s Tent, stocked with refreshments and a giant flat screen TV live streaming the Rio Olympic show jumping events. (Hooray for Team USA’s Silver Medal!)
“Incredible attention to detail, the helpful staff – honestly it’s always a pleasure coming to this horse show,” said DG Ventures Darren Graziano. “It’s great to see the improvements made year over year for the horses, riders and owners. It’s such a breath of fresh air because we don’t see enough of that going to horse show after horse throughout the year.”
In the Unicorn Landing Grand Prix Field, world-class course designer Alan Wade presented inviting tracks featuring an array of colorful sponsor jumps, beautifully dressed for the week’s competition.
Ireland was well represented in the winner’s circle today as Kevin McCarthy and Cassiro bested a field of 66 competitors in to take the win in the ERS Inc. Open Jumper 1.30 with a time of 62.111.
Ireland’s Richie Moloney rode Lord Hugo Warande Z to the win in the $2,500 Open Jumper 1.40, sponsored by Hollow Brook Wealth Management. The pair won on a time of 67.859, well under the 74-second time allowed.
Moloney shard his thoughts about the class “the course was very nice today, Alan’s one of the best course designers there is – and the footing was very good.”
“There was plenty of color out there for the horses to look at,” he continued. We’re getting ready for a few big outdoor shows like the Hamptons and Gold Cup and it’s nice to come here and jump around.” Of his mount, Moloney said “…he was very good today, his last show was Spruce Meadows. He’s a 9 yr. old, actually my own horse and I think he’s very nice.”
