Traverse City, Michigan, USA – September 05, 2024 – The first international competition of the 2024 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament took center stage in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Thursday. The event marked the kickoff of a highly anticipated three weeks at the 2024 Tournament of Champions in Traverse City. Well-rested after several weeks off and ready to challenge, the week’s first FEI win went to Charlotte Jacobs (USA) aboard Rincoola Milsean in the $32,000 Stud Tree Two-Phase CSI 3*. 

Jacobs was one of 38 athletes to contest Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) single-round track, and brought forward two mounts for the challenge. Riders from seven nations competed, and as the class progressed, the time-to-beat became increasingly competitive. Jacobs relied on Rincoola Milsean’s natural speed and consistency to claim the top spot. She and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Aldatus Z x Cruising), owned by North Star, crossed the timers in a blazing 32.15 seconds- more than two seconds faster than the closest competitor. 

“I thought it was a really great class for him,” enthused Jacobs. “I love the two-phase classes because you don’t have to go fast all the way around, just the second half. He is so naturally quick that I knew if I did the inside turns and stayed on it with him, he would have a good chance of winning.”

For Jacobs, the win is one of several the young rider has incurred during her time in Traverse City, and an exciting start to the series as she aims at the American Gold Cup CSI 5* during the final week of the Tournament of Champions. With her partner—fondly nicknamed Roy—Jacobs says their morning routine often dictates how he will perform in the day’s class. 

“I thought it was a really great class for him,” enthused Jacobs. “I love the two-phase classes because you don’t have to go fast all the way around, just the second half. He is so naturally quick that I knew if I did the inside turns and stayed on it with him, he would have a good chance of winning.”

For Jacobs, the win is one of several the young rider has incurred during her time in Traverse City, and an exciting start to the series as she aims at the American Gold Cup CSI 5* during the final week of the Tournament of Champions. With her partner—fondly nicknamed Roy—Jacobs says their morning routine often dictates how he will perform in the day’s class. 

“The morning of the show, my husband takes him out on the lunge line to do whatever he wants, and he almost always rolls in the sand,” she laughed. “We know if Roy is relaxed, he will roll during his lunge, and then he’s good to go. This morning he lunged, he rolled and then he won the class.” 

Jacobs’ fellow American competitor, Alex Granato (USA), sailed into second place  with his own 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Cupcake (Balou x Solos Landtinus), with a clear round and a clock-stopping effort in 34.85 seconds.

Producing a clean sweep for team USA, Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) rounded out the top three after landing fault-free in a time of 35.19 seconds aboard JackofHearts (Heartbeat x Baloubet du Rouet), the Gladewinds Partners, LLC’s 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding. 

International competition will resume on Friday, featuring the $32,000 GGT Footing Welcome CSI 3*. For full results, click here. Flintfields Horse Park is excited to host the Tournament of Champions from September 4 to September 22, featuring world-class show jumping as the pinnacle of the 2024 season in Northern Michigan. The centerpiece of the three-week series is the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Traverse City on September 15. This premier event will attract the attention of the global equestrian community, including top riders and Olympians fresh from their performances in Paris. 

Final Results – $32,000 Stud Tree Two-Phase CSI 3*

1) Charlotte Jacobs (USA) & Rincoola Milsean – 0 / 0 – 32.150

2) Alex Granato (USA) & Cupcake – 0 / 0 – 34.850

3) Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) & JackofHearts – 0 / 0 – 35.190

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

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

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