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For Immediate Release
Mill Spring, NC – October 12, 2019 – Conor Swail (IRL) and GK Coco Chanel nailed their jump-off to a win in the $134,000 Gary Sinise Foundation Jump for our Heroes Grand Prix CSI 3* presented by Lowe’s at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort, stopping the jump-off timers in 40.172 seconds. Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) and Collin, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Colandro x Amethist) owned by Santa Cecelia Stables LLC, claimed reserve on a jump-off performance of 39.116 seconds with four faults, while third-place honors went to Rowan Willis (AUS) and Lucinda Huddy and Rowan Willis’ Diablo VII, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier), who put in a 40.452-second jump-off ride with four faults to secure the podium finish.
Conor Swail and GK Coco Chanel
©Sportfot
“I thought he did a very nice job; there were eight clean out of 50 so it was very well built,” Swail shared of the course designed by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN). “You needed a more experienced horse just to make sure and get the back rail. The beginning was tricky and then that double line caused enough trouble, and I suppose the combination was a little scopey since it was oxer to oxer.”
Luiz Francisco de Azevedo and Collin
©Sportfot
Swail continued, “The jump-off also was very difficult with a lot of sharp angles and everything was coming up late. It was very difficult to keep that smooth and I think that was probably why there weren’t a lot of clear rounds.”
Rowan Willis and Diablo VII
©Sportfot
Swail confessed that the 2008 Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo x Lerano 2) owned by Vanessa Mannix, who he has been working with for a couple years, is not the easiest horse to ride: “He has his own mind sometimes and can be a little difficult, but when he goes well it normally ends up being a win.” Swail elaborated, “We have learned to work together very well now at this stage and we have a good relationship. The consistency is growing all the time; there’s a lot of good results.”
Conor Swail, Luiz Francisco de Azevedo, and Rowan Willis in their presentation ceremony alongside Gary Sinise Foundation representatives Ginger Ravella and Linda Bammann, TIEC Chief Operating Officer Sharon Decker, Lisa Lourie of Tryon Equestrian Partners, and David Nelson, Eli Edelkind and Wayne White of Lowe’s.
©Sportfot
“This is maybe a week early, but to win this is fabulous,” admitted Swail, who hopes to continue his winning streak for next week’s $384,000 Gary Sinise Foundation Grand Prix CSI 5*. “I won the [Rolex Grand Prix CSI] 5* last year on Rubens LS [La Silla Triumph]. This horse [GK Coco Chanel] is very capable of winning again next week and it would be great to get the double win. I’m looking forward to it.
Niamj King was awarded the Absorbine® Groom’s Award for her care and devotion to GK Coco Chanel.
©Sportfot
“This is my third or fourth time here [at TIEC] so you kind of get in a routine that fits your schedule. The way this falls, it’s a nice break after Spruce Meadows since the horses get a nice rest, then this is the start of our fall/winter season. Swail concluded, “It’s fantastic here. Everything is so handy; there are bars and restaurants, so there’s plenty of entertainment and it’s a great facility for the horses as well.”
Rachel Cornacchia received the Leading Lady Rider Award presented by Adi Kissilevich.
©Sportfot
Rachel Cornacchia received the Leading Lady Rider Award presented by Adi Kissilevich for her top performances throughout the week. The Leading Lady Rider Award consists of a handmade handbag from Kissilevich’s signature collection, and is calculated among FEI competitors across Welcome Stake and Grand Prix competition each week.
Full results: $134,000 Gary Sinise Foundation Jump for our Heroes Grand Prix CSI 3* presented by Lowe’s
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1) GK Coco Chanel, 2008 Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo x Lerano 2)
Conor Swail (IRL), Vanessa Mannix: 0/0/40.172
2) Collin, 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Colandro x Amethist)
Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA), Santa Cecelia Stables LLC: 0/4/39.116
3) Diablo VII, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier)
Rowan Willis (AUS), Lucinda Huddy and Rowan Willis: 0/4/40.452
4) Skara Glen’s Chancelloress, 2009 Hannoverian mare (Chacco-Blue x Balou Du rouet)
Paul O’Shea (IRL), Skara Glen Stables: 0/4/46.201
5) Captain Cooper, 2007 Dutch Warmblood (Namelus R x Corland)
Hilary McNerney (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/8/43.707
6) Evita, 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Cash)
Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Thaisa Erwin: 0/8/47.282
7) Pappa Ante Portas 2, 2008 Hannoverian gelding (Perigueux x Escudo I)
Eugenio Garza (MEX), David Garza: 0/EL
8) Jeleena de Muze, 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Tornedo FCS x Chin Chin)
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/EL
9) Grand Cru Vd Vijf Eiken, 2006 Belgium Warmblood stallion (Contact Van De Heffinck x Heartbreaker)
Vanessa Mannix (CAN), Vanessa Mannx: 1/80.59
10) Valkyrie De Talma, 2009 Selle Francais mare (Diamant De Semilly x Cento)
Rachel Cornacccia (CAN), Eventyre Farms LTD: 1/81.56
11) Donna Speciale, 2008 Dutch Warmblood mare (Cavalier x Concorde)
Leslie Burr-Howard (USA), Laure Sudreau-Rippe & Peter Howard: 4/71.37
12) Ginger Pop, 2009 Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Cruising)
Alison Robitaille (USA), Bertram & Diana Firestone: 4/76.08
For full results from the $134,000 Gary Sinise Foundation Jump for our Heroes Grand Prix CSI 3* Presented by Lowe’s, click here.
Photo credit ©Sportfot. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit. Contact media@tryon.com with questions.
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