MILL SPRING, N.C.--Canadian Tiffany Foster on Figor won the $215,000 FEI Jumping World Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, held this year in Tryon because of Covid,

Tiffany Foster on Figor (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)From a starting field of 33, only four, Alex Granato, Karl Cook, Alessandra Volpi and Foster, made it to the jump-off, and it was the last to go, Foster on Figor, that won.

Volpi, who is only 21, made it to the jump-off while top riders like McLain Ward, Kent Farrington and Beat Mandi had a rail down.

First in the jump-off was Granato on Carlchen W, who had the fastest jump-off time of 35.01 seconds, but a rail at the final jump left them with four faults in third place.

“I had a bit of a setback with Carlchen in September,” said Granato of the 13-year-old Mecklenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Continue. “We had some trouble with his foot at the Spruce Meadows Masters. I've been spending the last few weeks since then building him back and making sure he felt confident, and luckily, I know him well enough to step back up tonight. I tried to let his natural speed carry me. Typically, I probably would have kept going and done one less and had a little more room at the last jump but just with building him back up I took a little bit of caution. It worked against me which was unfortunate. These girls jumped beautiful rounds, and I certainly wasn't trying to be third, but they definitely deserve where they are at.”

 

NEXT IN, Cook on Caillou, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall x San Patrignano Corrado, had a refusal at the first jump when he angled it and the horse didn't see it, so finished with four faults in 45.86 seconds for fourth place.

Volpi on her own Berlinda was the first to record a double clear, finishing in 36.52 seconds that would end up in second place.

“It's incredible to be competing with people like this that I've watched growing up and never thought I'd be sitting next to being interviewed,” said the 21-year-old Stanford University student. “I'm really excited. It was one of my first big jump-off classes. I got this horse recently and she's been absolutely incredible for me so I'm looking forward to keep going with that.”

Volpi has been riding Berlinda, a 13-year-old German-bred Warmblood mare by Berlin x Gento, only since April of 2021.

They finished fourth in the American Gold Cup, but then Volpi returned to school for five weeks.

“I was a bit nervous to come back and go straight into these big classes, but I think we work really well together,” said Volpi. “We have similar attitudes, I think, and similar sizes. I'm lucky to have her.”

The final pair to go, Foster opened up Figor’s giant stride and left a stride out of the final line to cross the timers in 35.73 seconds for the win.

“I know he has a huge stride, and it would probably be a risk for most to do nine strides to that last jump, but I knew my horse would just eat that up and that would really suit him, so that was really in my favor tonight,” said Foster.

Foster and her team, including groom Caroline Holmberg and veterinarian Dr. Eduardo Felix, brought back Figor from an injury at the end of March earlier this year.

“He feels in awesome form,” said Foster. “I was really aiming for this horse show as his first time back out in the 1.60m, and I think he's ready! I'm thrilled to have him back, and I'm really, really excited about the next few years with him.”

This was the second year for WIHS at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, but the 2021 edition included the full schedule of classes.

"We are thrilled,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell on this year’s event. “The Tryon team has been incredibly welcoming and accommodating, and we have so enjoyed working with them. It was great to have the support of the riders and Longines and MARS Equestrian™. We are just grateful that we could carry on outside of the city in North Carolina.”

Ward won the $5,000 Leading International Rider Award for accumulating the highest number of points in the International Jumper section.

Volpi won the $10,000 Under 25 Rider Award, and the Leading Foreign Rider Award was won by Foster, along with the Leading Lady Rider Award 

The International Jumper Champion was Catoki, ridden by Ward, and the reserve champion was Figor.