News

Stewart and Bristol triumph after a two-horse duel in GP

Feb 4, 2013

Speed, scope, strategy and nerve were pushed to the extreme in the $54,500 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix CSI-W 2*, presented by Zoetis, Saturday night at HITS Desert Circuit II. Ultimately, it came down to a contest of two in which Rusty Stewart prevailed on his Bristol. His contender was Lucy Davis and Nemo 119. The event, which took place under the lights before a capacity crowd, was the West Coast's first FEI World Cup qualifier of the winter season and also the first show jumping competition to take place under the banner of Zoetis.

Davis and Nemo were first in the ring and executed a confident round that left no rails on the ground, but their time of 76.25 seconds earned 3 time faults against the original time allowed of 74 seconds. After two more reference times, the judges adjusted the time allowed up to 80 seconds, which put Davis in the clear. The time was still tight, however, and 13 riders would incur time faults throughout the class.

It was 18 trips later that Stewart and Bristol would guarantee a jump-off. Stewart went in leading in the standings to qualify for the March 17 AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix. As such, he was a crowd favorite whose entrance in the ring was greeted by cheers and applause equaled only by the welcome for 2012 Olympic rider, Wilsonville, Oregon's, Rich Fellers and Flexible.

When it came to the jump-off, the course was reduced to seven obstacles and the finalists knew it would come down to speed, speed and more speed. Davis went first, delivering a coolly superlative clear performance that belied her 21 years. Stewart knew what he had to do: beat Davis' sprightly time of 42.68seconds. He did so by shaving seconds off the last line – cutting a super tight turn between the last two oxers, which were placed almost side-by-side, forcing a 180-degree change in direction. His 40.09 second finish left the crowd gasping and cheering.

Top Ten- $54,500 Strongid C 2X GP CSI-W2*

Rider | Horse | Round 1 Faults | Round 2 Faults | Round 2 Time

Rusty Stewart | Bristol | 0 | 0 | 38.09

Lucy Davis | Nemo 119 | 0 | 0 | 42.68

Saer Coulter | Springtime | 1

Karl Cook | Jonkheer Z | 1

Lisa Carlsen | La Boom | 2

Tiffany Sullivan | Tristan | 3

Nayel Nassar | Raging Bull Vangelis S | 4

Ashlee Bond | Cadett 7 | 4

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum | Malou | 4

Ashlee Bond | Wistful | 4

Source: Press release from HITS, Inc.