Edited Press Release

Mill Spring, NC – July 23, 2022 – Samuel Parot (CHI) and Captain Z conquered 33 entries to claim victory in Saturday’s $139,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon Resort. The duo jumped-off to a time of 39.55 seconds. Cinching second prize was Sean Jobin (CAN) and Darius, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Warrant x Calvados) owned by Foxridge Farms Stables, with a time of 43.56 seconds. Claiming third at a time of 42.36 seconds with four faults was Audrey Muscari (USA) and her own Cicero HS, a 2010 Westphalian gelding (Carlucchi 13 x Funke).

More than half of the 33 entries attempted the first round before Juan Ortiz produced a faultless round to start the jump-off list, where only 5 entries progressed to the final portion of the Ken Krome (USA) course. Parot and his own Captain Z, the 2012 Zangersheide gelding (Calvino Z x Voltaire) bested the very difficult course by Krome. “It was a very difficult course, not easy at all. There were a lot of very tight turns and rollbacks everywhere except for the last line. You needed to do u-turn after u-turn, and it was very difficult, but good for my horse. My horse was fantastic.”

Captain Z and Parot have had an extremely successful Tryon Summer Series together, but tonight marks their first major victory as a pair. “This is his first big Grand Prix win,” said Parot about the winning mount of the night. “He’s jumped clear in FEI classes before, like in the 2*. But he’s young: he’s nine years old, and he’s really becoming better and better.

“In the first Grand Prix here, he had two down, then one down, then he [started going] clear. Before, I didn’t go as fast in the Grand Prix. I’m so happy with him,” Parot described about his winning mount of the night.

“He’s amazing and I’m so happy because he’s new and he has everything he needs to be a top, top horse: the scope, he’s careful, he’s fast, but needs experience.”

RESULTS: $139,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 3*

Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)

Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time

1. Captain Z, 2012 Zangersheide gelding (Calvino Z x Voltaire)

Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/0/39.55

2. Darius, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Warrant x Calvados)

Sean Jobin (CAN), Foxridge Farms Stables: 0/0/43.56

3. Cicero HS, 2010 Westphalian gelding (Carlucci 13 x Funke)

Audrey Muscari (USA), Audrey Muscari: 0/4/42.36

4. Kinky Boy van het Gildenhof, 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Darco)

Juan Ortiz (VEN), Jos Lansink and Frank Schuttert: 0/4/42.55

5. Escada 289, 2012 Holsteiner mare (Clearway x Coriano)

Caitlyn Connors (USA), Windridge Farm LLC: 0/4/43.68

6. Verdini D’Houtveld Z, 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2)

Lauren Balcomb (AUS), Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley: 4/76.03

7. Vital Chance de la Roque, 2009 Selle Français gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel)

Conor Swail (IRL), Mannon Farm: 4/76.44

8. Valentine Car, 2009 Warmblood gelding (Son of Juan Car x Galiani CH)

Sharn Wordley (NZL), Fernando Cardenas: 4/79.13

9. Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z, 2012 Zangersheide stallion (Catoki x Cassini II)

Sean Jobin (CAN), Foxridge Farms Stables: 4/80.23

10. Flintstone, 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Mr. Blue x Caretino)

Sarah Segal (USA), Horatio Street Ventures LLC: 4/81.05

11. Nashville, 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Darco)

Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA), Eurohorse BVBA: 4/81.11

12. Frieda, 2012 Oldenburg mare (Balou du Rouet x Canturo)

Grant Seger (USA), Grey Fox Crossing: 4/81.47

For full results from the $139,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.