Houston's Hallie Grimes, riding Caroline of Ballmore, was first competitor in the jump-off Saturday to determine the champion of the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka.
Grimes aced the course, completing the jumps in 46.94 and seemingly putting a firm grip on the winner's check of $29,250.
However, Ireland's Richie Moloney followed with a beautiful ride aboard Rocksy Music that had the sellout crowd in the VIP pavilion gasping as the score was posted. Moloney was denied, though, as his time of 46.99 was 0.05 seconds slower.
It might have seemed Grimes was home free, but Australia's Rowan Willis had yet to ride Wellington Grey Goose. He was perfect through the course, and edged Grimes for the title by stopping the clock at 46.86. First by 0.08.
The jumping competition was part of the Split Rock Jumping Tour that drew former Olympians, such as 2008 gold medalist Will Simpson of the U.S., along with many of the top riders in the world, to Myakka. The event was free to spectators.
"The field, the weather, the crowd, it all came together," said TerraNova Equestrian Center President Molly Oakman, who was director of Equestrian Operations at Tryon Resort in North Carolina before taking over at TerraNova on Jan. 1. "This is show jumping at its highest level. It is important to us to bring these world-class competitors to this environment."
Thirty-eight horse-and-rider combination challenged the 16-jump course on Saturday and only five made it through clean rides to advance to the jump-off.
After his victory, Willis said he knew he had to go all-out from the first jump after Grimes put up such an impressive time.
Australia's Rowan Willis soars over a jump on Wellington Grey Goose to win the jump-off of the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix event at TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City Jan. 27. He timed 46.86 to win the $29,250 first-place prize.
Photo by Jay Heater
Houston's Hallie Grimes put up a clean run on Karoline of Ballmore in 46.94 but was edged by Australia's Rowan Willis in the Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at TerraNova in Myakka Sept. 27.
Photo by Jay Heater
Michael Hutchinson had an impressive run aboard Quinn, but it wasn't enough to make the jump-offs at TerraNova on Jan. 27.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kelly Soleau-Millar and Cacharel look toward the next jump. They missed the jump-offs.
Photo by Jay Heater
Carly Campbell Cooper and Cenccon PS launch into a jump at the TerraNova Equestrian Center on Jan. 27.
Photo by Jay Heater
Ireland's Richie Moloney takes off aboard KS Rubellite during the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds in Myakka at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in Jan. 27.
Photo by Jay Heater
Maddison Stephen tries in vain to stay aboard Yalambis Ikon during the $100,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at TerraNova on Jan. 27.
Photo by Jay Heater
The day came to a frustrating end for Maddison Stephen, who was thrown from Yalambis Ikon in the Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Chili's Samuel Parot, a former Olympian, had two horses in the Lugano Diamonds, but couldn't make it to the jump-offs.
Photo by Jay Heater
Will Simpson, who won a gold medal for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics, failed to make the jump-offs aboard Victor Z.
Photo by Jay Heater
Ireland's Richie Moloney made it to the jump-offs aboard Rocksy Music and finished third.
Photo by Jay Heater
Carley Campbell soars high over a jump aboard Baretino PS.
Photo by Jay Heater
Caitlin Boyle and Prianti Van Het Mikkenhof land clean during the Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix in Myakka.
Photo by Jay Heater
Riley Schuyler is like a rocket aboard Sandilot PS going over a jump at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Paul O'Shea and Squirt Gun didn't make it to the jump-offs.
Photo by Jay Heater
Rowan Willis of Australia stays tight to Wellington Grey Goose on their way to winning the $29,250 first prize.
Photo by Jay Heater
Venezuela's Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Abril Kontendra failed to make the jump-offs at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Event winner Rowan Willis and Wellington Grey look like they've fallen out of the sky in completing a jump at TerraNova.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
