Delaney Flynn Flies High towards One-Two Finish in the $30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix

By Jumper News USA on May 15, 2024

Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – May 11, 2024 – Atop an all-female podium in Saturday night’s $30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix, Delaney Flynn (USA) took both first and second with her equine partners. Posting two clear rounds, Flynn marked the fastest time of the night aboard Julieta (Canstakko x Zum Felde), with 39.69 seconds on the clock.

With only three horse-and-rider teams advancing to the jump off, Flynn noted her advantage of being one of the first to ride the preliminary course, set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). “It worked in my favor to go early [in the first round] because I just rode my plan instead of watching and over analyzing, because there ended up being a lot of rails going down in the class. I have two amazing mares that are both almost a little bit overqualified! I am really lucky to be able to do this with them tonight, and they made it easy for me.”

Also going double clear to take second with Windsor Show Stables’ 2014 Holsteiner mare Cassinnia (Casilito x Senora), Flynn secured her second place podium spot with a jump off time of 40.90 seconds.

On the short track, Flynn set the pace with Julieta, then chased her own faultless time aboard Cassinnia. “I was lucky to go after Schuyler [Riley], so I could see that she had a four fault round and I could go for a smooth clear round. I didn’t want to go too slow in case I did have a rail down, but it ended up working out with both [Julieta and Cassinnia],” she recapped.

**Schuyler Riley** (USA) & **Robin de Ponthual**

Schuyler Riley (USA) rounded out the top three with a four-fault jump off time of 36.34 seconds, piloting Robin de Ponthual (Elf D’or x Calypso D’Herbiers), Katherine Gallagher’s 2005 Selle Français gelding.

“Julieta is definitely the nicest horse I’ve ever ridden, and would have never thought that I would have had a horse of that caliber,” Flynn said of the 2018 Holsteiner mare owned by Windsor Show Stables. “I’ve ridden her for a little bit over a year now, and she was just one of those horses I feel like I clicked with right away. She’s just always fun to go in the ring and compete with!”

**Alejandro Vasquez** was awarded the *Ariat* *Groom’s Award for his care and dedication to Julieta, alongside Tryon International’s Drew Page.*

With many opportunities throughout the week to compete in Tryon Stadium, Flynn mentioned she took the chance to get her equine athletes more comfortable with night classes. “This is my second year in a row coming down to Tryon at this time, and I really like it. There’s a lot of different money classes, and it’s great exposure to get the horses under the lights. Some of the horses that my barn had here this week, it was the first time getting under the lights, so it’s a really good experience for them.”

“Thank you to John and Chris McCrea, all the grooms that make all this possible, and for everyone’s support. I’m definitely lucky to be in the position I’m in!” Flynn concluded.