For Immediate Release

Sarah Madden and Emily Carpenter for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – October 10, 2021 – Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita claimed the first FEI Grand Prix win of the 2021 Tryon Fall Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers in 43.951 seconds to win the $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2*. Fabio Da Costa (BRA) and Verdi O’Merveilles, the 2009 Selle Français gelding (Verdi TN x Quick Star) owned by Ferasin LTD, posted a time of 47.03 seconds to earn reserve. Securing the final podium spot, Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) navigated the short course in a time of 48.205 seconds with Gabrovo, the 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Grey Top x Graf Sponeck) owned by Susan Van Lammers.

Hunter Holloway and Pepita Con Spita

©TIEC/Natalie Suto

The Guilherme Jorge (BRA) course design challenged 53 pairs over the first round, with six pairs dashing for cash over the jump-off test. Holloway and the 2011 Westphalian mare (Con Spirit 7 x Come On) owned by the Hays Investment Corp. were first to go in the second round, producing a slick performance that could not be topped. 

Fabio Da Costa and Verdi O’Merveilles

©TIEC/Natalie Suto

With the victory, Holloway is the first rider to achieve two FEI Grand Prix wins aboard the same horse in 2021, having also dominated in the spring at TIEC. It was also Holloway’s second notable win in two days: she and Ruby Tuesday, the 2011 Oldenburg mare (Icarus “Any Given Sunday” x Manna “S&L SoBeIt) also owned by Hays Investment Corp., championed Friday’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. 

Roberto Teran Tafur and Gabrovo

©TIEC/Natalie Suto

Holloway remarked that while both courses were well suited to her mount, the key to her win was letting Pepita Con Spita take her own run at the obstacles: 

“She is quite a horse! She’s very special and loves to win,” Holloway emphasized. “As long as I’m up to the task, she always is. She loves to go fast, so I was just letting her go. [The course] was smooth,” Holloway offered of the track that kept all but three pairs from going double-clear. “There were definitely some difficult places, I thought, but it was all spread out, so the course flowed pretty well. It was well-suited for her, so I was excited about that.”

As the first to attack the jump-off, Holloway’s strategy was to put pressure on subsequent challengers with a clear, fast round, and Pepita Con Spita delivered when offered the chance to kick things into high gear. “She’s always game to go fast, so I just let her rip! She’s super catty, smart and brave, so she’s super dependable in the ring.”

Hunter Holloway in her presentation ceremony alongside Fabio Da Costa and Roberto Teran Tafur with Sharon Decker, Tryon Equestrian Partners President of Carolinas Operations, and Molly Oakman, TIEC Director of Equestrian Operations.

©TIEC/Natalie Suto

Reflecting on an especially successful weekend in light of her Hunter Derby win, Holloway emphasized that she’s “had a really good summer, honestly. All of the horses have been awesome and firing up really well. We love Tryon,” Holloway concluded, “and love to be here. The barn and the team have been great. It’s all thanks to those back in the barn that we’re able to do this, and do it well in each ring!”

 Carlos Bonilla was presented with the Tryon Resort Groom’s Award for his care and dedication to Pepita Con Spita.

©TIEC/Natalie Suto

RESULTS: $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2*

Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)

Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time

1. Pepita Con Spita, 2011 Westphalian mare (Con Spirit 7 x Come On)
Hunter Holloway (USA), Hays Investment Corp.: 0/0/43.951

2. Verdi O’Merveilles, 2009 Selle Français gelding (Verdi TN x Quick Star)
Fabio Da Costa (BRA), Ferasin LTD.: 0/0/47.03

3. Gabrovo, 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Grey Top x Graf Sponeck)
Roberto Teran Tafur (COL), Susan Van Lammers: 0/0/48.205

4. It’s The Senator 111, 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Der Senaat 111 x Ohio van de Padenborre)
Peter Petschenig (AUT), Petschenig Showjumping LLC: 0/8/51.53

5. Armani SL Z, 2008 Zangersheide gelding (Cumlaude Z x Cumano)
Eugenio Garza (MEX), David & Monica Garza: 0/16/65.085

6. Vanturo, 2012 gelding (Unknown x Unknown)
Gavin Moylan (CAN), Gavin Moylan: 0/75/EL

7. El Balou OLD, 2012 Oldenburger stallion (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet)
David O’Brien (IRL), Chansonette Farm LLC.: 1/79.56

8. Morris Horta, 2012 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Vigo D Arsouilles STX)
Martien van der Hoeven (USA), Lucirelli International LLC: 1/80.02

9. Dominant D’Hof-Ten-Bos, 2009 Belgium Sport Horse (Obus Delcour Wisbeq x Samsara D’Hof-Ten-Bos)
Valeria Vega (COL), Valeria Vega Dieppa: 1/81.33

10. Dubai, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x Kastello)
Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot and Renato Soffia: 4/74.55

11. Koblenz van de Vinusakker, 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Toulon x Leader ‘M’)
Samuel Parot (CHI), Aleksander Smolnik: 4/75.06

12. Verdini D’Houtveld Z, 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2)
Lauren Balcomb (AUS), Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley: 4/75.71

For full results from the $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.

Tryon Fall 3 continues through Sunday, October 10, and features a $25,000 Tryon Resort Jumper Classic at 1:00pm EST in Tryon Stadium. Highlight classes are available for free live streaming at Tryon.com/streaming. For more information about the Tryon Fall Series and any competition information, visit Tryon.com/compete. 

Photos ©TIEC. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may purchase photos from Tryon Fall 3 and request photos for future competitions at Tryon.com/photos. With questions, contact media@tryon.com. 

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