March 13, 2025, Myakka City, Florida. On the finale week of the 2025 TerraNova Winter Series, Split Rock Jumping Tour’s $32,000 C. Jarvis Insurance CSI2* Welcome Prix saw 39 thrilling combinations take center stage in the Lakeside Arena on Thursday afternoon. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and the aptly-named Lightning led off the victory gallop with a tidy jump off time of 39.63 seconds.
Peter Holmes’ (CAN) track challenged its competitors with only eleven emerging as eligible for the short course, with nine opting for the challenge. The field was stacked with heavy-hitting competitors representing seven different nations, but Kenny and Lightning just couldn’t be caught after their electric round.
“I bought her when she was a six-year-old, and she’s nine years old now, so I’ve produced her for the past three years,” he said of the nine-year-old KWPN mare by Kannan. “I really think she’s a special horse, and she’s turning out to be that. I’m really happy with the way she’s going.”
“The first round felt very good; I didn’t ride as good as I would’ve liked, but she jumped excellent,” he continued. “I was very happy with how she jumped and she’s moving up to this level really well. Saturday will be a big class for her because she hasn’t jumped that many grand prixs before, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Daniel Bluman (ISR) made a successful return to the venue as he took both second and third place with Landon de Nyze and Hummer Z, respectively. Changing up the previous positions from a few weeks ago, his partnership with Landon de Nyze, the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Comilfo Plus Z x Quadrillo), owned by himself and the Over The Top Stables, LLC, proved fruitful in the afternoon’s class as the pair clocked in a time of 40.03 seconds. With his long-term partner, Abigail Wexner’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding by Harley x Hemingway, Hummer Z, Bluman once again put forward a fault-free effort, just off of his previous pace in a time of 40.13 seconds.
Mackenzie Suffy Tops the TerraNova Young Hunter Final
Thursday afternoon, it was the young hunters who shined brightest, as the sport’s rising stars contested for the top spot in the $5,000 TerraNova Young Hunter Final.
“This is a great class to have something for the young hunters, and that’s why I brought horses here this weekend,” said National Show Hunter Hall of Fame rider John French, who competed Tesoro in the class. “I think we need to support the young hunter divisions, and it’s great having the age groups because you’re not always showing against older horses. This seems more fair and is a nice way to bring the horses up.”
The top spot ultimately went to Mackenzie Suffy and River Mountain Farm’s five-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Fynch Hatton, Feinders Keepers.
“The courses were lovely and super inviting,” Suffy gushed. “We love being here all winter because the horses have so much room to grow. It’s quiet and super horse friendly, and horses like the one I showed today are able to move up through the divisions over the several weeks and gain confidence.”