Patience Pays Off for Hunter Holloway and Henry Jota Ariel in the $116,500 Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix at Traverse City.

First in the ring. Fastest of the day. The wait was worth it, and the whole family was in the stands to see it.

Hunter Holloway (USA) claimed the $116,500 Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival presented by B&D Builders in Traverse City, over a course designed by Mauricio Garcia with 30 combinations, 5 pairs in the jump-off and only 3 double-clear rounds. Holloway was first to challenge the shortened course and stopped the clock at exactly 36.00 seconds, a time that no one could surpass.

Henry Jota Ariel is an 11-year-old AAFE mare (Picadilly Tame x Casparo), bred in Argentina and owned by Hays Investment Corp. Holloway described her with admiration: “She’s very handy, she covers the ground quickly, and I was able to turn back nice and tight. She’s my seasoned horse so to have a win with her is extra special.” The American rider also highlighted her remarkable consistency on the summer circuit: she qualified for the jump-off in every FEI Welcome Stake and four out of six FEI Grand Prix, an 83% strike rate across those classes.

Samantha Schaefer (USA), winner of the Two Phase on Friday, finished second with Frasier, a 16-year-old bay KWPN gelding (Carambole x Padinus), registering 37.80 seconds. Ashley Vogel (USA) completed the podium with Toulonia, a 10-year-old bay OS mare (Toulon x Cassus 2), crossing the line in 41.04 seconds.

Latin & Pan American Presence

The Top 5 was entirely Pan American, four Americans and Erynn Ballard (CAN). Among the Latin riders, Cassio Rivetti (BRA) was the standout in eighth place with 4 faults in the first round, and Daniel Chaves Anicet (BRA) finished fourteenth with 4 faults.

Top 5 Results — $116,500 Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix | Great Lakes Equestrian Festival presented by B&D Builders — Traverse City