Hunter Holloway & Henry Jota Ariel are the Aces of the $35,000 Bobcat Grand Prix at Tryon

By Jumper News USA on May 22, 2025

Mill Spring, North Carolina, United States – May 18, 2025 – The $35,000 Bobcat Grand Prix at Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union handed top honors to Hunter Holloway (USA) and Henry Jota Ariel (Picadilly Tame x Henry Jota Atlantis), stopping the short course in 38.74 seconds to edge out the competition.

Holloway and the 2015 Warmblood mare owned by Hays Investment Corp were one of 21 entries to navigate the course design set by Nick Granat, and one of four pairs who qualified for the jump-off test. “My first round was not probably our prettiest round we’ve ever had, to be honest, but my horse jumped amazingly,” Holloway recapped, “and she put in really solid efforts.”

Riding one of the top horses in her string, Holloway’s aim was to use the national level competition to help Henry Jota Ariel practice competing at speed, utilizing the exciting atmosphere of Tryon Stadium to mirror the pressure of high-profile classes she will contest in the future.

“I’m working on getting her more comfortable going quickly. So, having the big atmosphere of this horse show, I think for us, was really helpful tonight, to give her that same really big, high pressure feeling, but without as much pressure as some of the big jump offs we’ve had. We were able to go in a little more relaxed, and she rose to the occasion really well.”

**Samuel Hutton** (GBR) & **Casalltano** PS

Samuel Hutton (GBR) and Casalltano PS (Casallco x Chacco’s Gladys), the 2015 Oldenburg gelding owned by AS Trading BV, flew around Tryon Stadium in 39.13 seconds to take home reserve honors.

Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and Jones (Carrera VDL x Cinderella), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned in partnership by Quintana Show Stables LLC and Esperanza Imports LLC, cleared the short course in 42.383 seconds to take home third place.

According to Holloway, the jump off rode exactly to plan, creating the smooth performance she needed to shave seconds off the clock. “I was able to stick to my plan quite well. You know, I had a number in mind from one to two, and we got that easy,” she shared. “We were able to shape the six nicely, and stay calm to the vertical. We were slick to the oxer in the middle. And she was really, really smart, and jumped the combination by the in-gate great, and put a little curve in it for the eight coming home. So I think all of it just went to plan every step of the way.”

*Lilly Turner was awarded the Groom’s Award presented by* Regal Downs for her care and dedication to Henry Jota Ariel.

Holloway and her team can be found throughout the show rings at Tryon International multiple times a year, she commented. “I come to Tryon every year, I love it! I’m a regular… we come every spring, summer, and fall. I always love it here.”

In addition to her mount’s efforts, Holloway took a moment to conclude by acknowledging her team for their contributions to her win. “I’m thankful for our team of grooms and staff that work so hard every day to make things like this possible, and so grateful for our sponsors and owners that support us. We know none of this would be possible without all of them. They all play such a big part, and they maybe don’t always get as much recognition as they should.”