Traverse City, Michigan, USA – June 10, 2024 –  Opening week of the 2024 Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, came to a close with Lacey Gilbertson (USA) leading the victory gallop aboard Holliewood in the $120,000 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel CSI3* Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old Chicago, IL, native guided her Seabrook-owned 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Nabab de Reve to the top of a three-way jump-off for top call. Navigating courses set by Peter Grant (CAN), Gilbertson posted the first clear round of the day and was the pace-setter in the jump-off.

She stopped the clock at 39.77 seconds with fellow U.S. riders Eve Jobs (USA) and Spencer Smith (USA) to follow.

Jobs piloted her own High Point VDL to a respectable double-clear in 40.64 seconds to claim the runner-up spot.

Smith had the winning time in hand riding Quibelle, owned by Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham Enterprizes, but pulled two rails to round out the podium in 38.95 seconds.

“I had nothing to lose; I knew I was going to get a good result because there were only three in the jump-off, so I gave it a go,” said Gilbertson, who hasn’t had much experience with Holliewood in jump-offs after adding the mount to her string of mares a year ago. “The jump-off suited us because her left lead is easier for me, and all the tight turns were off the left lead so I knew I could keep coming.”

Getting to know Holliewood was easy for Gilbertson after watching her trainer and Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam campaign the horse. 

“We didn’t push any of the horses too hard in Wellington so they would be ready for the summer season and that plan is working so far,” said Gilbertson. 

Of Holliewood’s personality, Gilbertson noted, “She’s a typical chestnut mare, but once you have her on your side she fights so hard. Even if I’m a little wrong, she wants to clear the jumps as much as I do. 

Traverse City Horse Shows is only five hours from Gilbertson’s home in Chicago, and her family can often be spotted ringside cheering her on at Flintfields Horse Park. “It doesn’t get better than spending summer on the lake in Northern Michigan weather,” concluded Gilbertson. 

To finish the day of high-caliber show jumping, the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association was presented with $1,000 from ticket-sale proceeds as part of Traverse City Horse Shows Charity Ticket Program.

International show jumping returns to Flintfields Horse Park next week, highlighted by the $182,000 Southern Arches CSI4* Grand Prix in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Sunday, June 16. 

Final Results – $120,000 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix CSI 3*

1) Lacey Gilbertson (USA) & Holliewood – 0 / 0 – 39.77

2) Eve Jobs (USA) & High Point VDL – 0 / 0 – 40.64

3) Spencer Smith (USA) & Quibelle – 0 / 8 – 38.95

Source: Press Release (edited) by Traverse City Horse Shows

Photos: © TCHS / Andrew Ryback Photography / Megan Giese Photography

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