Ryan Michael Genn and Dieta Top the Field in $72,900 Grand Prix CSI2*

Traverse City, Mich. – June 21, 2020 – Prior to the conclusion of week one of the Traverse City Spring Horse Show, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, at Flintfields Horse Park, a substantial share of prize money was up for grabs for challengers in the $72,900  Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday afternoon. With four countries represented, the international field included athletes from Chile, Ireland, Germany and the United States, as well as Friday’s champion in the $36,600 Welcome Stake CSI2*, Jonathan Corrigan (IRL), and past grand prix winners in Traverse City. Jumping to the lead spot, Ryan Michael Genn (USA) and Shannon Reid’s Dieta grabbed victory by more than a full second in the jump-off, adding another top finish to their repertoire following a fourth-place finish in Friday’s Welcome Stake.

Ryan Michael Genn and Dieta. Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Once again at the helm, renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) presented combinations with a fair, yet challenging, track that consisted of 13 efforts in the first round of riding. A tight time-allowed, however, would prove to be one of the most costly factors, keeping four partnerships from advancing to the jump-off. Leading the charge as the first clear pair, Wilhelm Genn (GER) and Van Gogh aimed to add another grand prix victory to their resume in Traverse City after topping both the $50,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix and the $50,000 Meijer Grand Prix of Michigan together in 2019. Genn’s son, Ryan Michael Genn, immediately followed suit with a fault-free trip aboard Dieta, and they were soon joined by three more pairs to bring the jump-off list to five contenders. Facing off against the two Genns were Kendall Bourgeois (USA) and Collin 4, Sloane Coles (USA) on Coldplay and Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) riding Super Chilled.

Now navigating a shortened track, the father of the Genn pair, Wilhelm, once again served as the trailblazer with Van Gogh, keeping all the rails in the cups and tripping the timers in 39.290 seconds to set the pace. He was quickly outdone by his son, Ryan Michael, who piloted Dieta to a penalty-free round in a quick time of 37.190 seconds, shaving nearly two full seconds off of his father’s time. Coles and Corrigan both turned in clear rides on their respective mounts in attempts to overthrow the leaders, but were unsuccessful at catching the leading pair’s time, solidifying Ryan Michael and Dieta as the first Sunday grand prix victors of the 2020 Traverse City Horse Shows season.

Ryan Michael Genn and Dieta. Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Finishing on a fault-free time of 38.510 seconds, Corrigan and Debra Wycoff’s Super Chilled clinched the runner-up position, and Coles and Coldplay earned the third-place spot as the next-quickest clear duo after crossing the finish line in 38.620 seconds.

Following Sunday’s class, Corrigan retained the top spot in the $30,000 Leading Jumper Rider Bonus leaderboard thanks to his top two finishes in both FEI classes during the first week of competition with 16 points to his name. Ryan Michael is close behind with just one point separating him from the leading title. Following the $213,300 CaptiveOne American Gold Cup Grand Prix CSI4* on September 13, the Leading Jumper Rider Bonus will be awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points in competitions $25,000 or more in prize money over the course of 11 weeks of riding in Traverse City.

Show jumping action will begin again Wednesday in Michigan for the Traverse City Spring Horse Show, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel. Friday, July 3, will host the $36,600 Welcome Stake CSI2* while Sunday, July 5, will be highlighted by the $72,900 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix CSI2*.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Ryan Michael Genn – $72,900 Grand Prix CSI2* champion

On Dieta:
“We have had her since she was six years old. My dad and my brother are both professionals and they have ridden her, so all three of us have ridden her in grand prix classes. She is one of those horses who kind of got passed around. She is really great, but a little difficult on the flat. She loves work, but she hates putting her head down. She always wants her head way up in the air. She has a little bit of her own way, but she has a ton of heart and she always tries. I try to take her on a lot of trails to keep her happy, and then when it is shoe time she is amazing. She’s awesome; I love her.”

On his jump-off strategy:
“Going into the jump-off, I went second. My dad had already gone and he laid down a deceivingly quick round because his horse has a big, slow stride and is slow through the air. I think maybe people didn’t realize how fast he really was because he is so slick. When he was fast and clean, at that point I knew I needed to go as fast as I could and try to stay clean, and it worked out. I’m glad that my dad did go clean because if he had had a rail down I probably wouldn’t have gone as fast, so the stars aligned for me.”

On improvements at Flintfields Horse Park:
“Every year, it is something! Just because of the location, weather and town already, there has always been my favorite place to show, and for sentimental reasons, as well. I had my first grand prix win here. On top of everything, the Grand Prix Ring is amazing. It is my favorite ring to ride in, and then never stop making it better. Every year we come, it is better. And I’m not just saying that because you are interviewing me! It’s really awesome to see.”

RESULTS

$72,900 Grand Prix CSI2*:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults | R1 Time / R2 Faults | R2 Time
1. Dieta / Ryan Michael Genn / USA / Shannon Reid / 0 | 77.32 / 0 | 37.19
2. Super Chilled / Jonathan Corrigan / IRL / Debra Wycoff / 0 | 79.52 / 0 | 38.51
3. Coldplay / Sloane Coles / USA / Spring Ledge LLC / 0 | 80.13 / 0 | 38.62
4. Van Gogh / Wilhelm Genn / GER / Wilhelm Genn / 0 | 79.54 / 0 | 39.29
5. Collin 4 / Kendall Bourgeois / USA / Imagination Lane / 0 | 79.02 / 8 | 36.28
6. Dubai / Samuel Parot / CHI / Renato Soffia / 1 | 81.14
7. Bugatti / Wilhelm Genn / GER / Eduardo Leon / 1 | 83.41
8. Fantast Van Het Vinckenhof / Kristen Berian / USA / Coral C Stables LLC / 1 | 84.16
9. Carlimbo Z / Sandra Dalman / USA / Dalman Show Jumping / 2 | 85.17
10. Essince W / David Beisel / USA / David Beisel / 4 | 77.84
11. Colora / Ryan Michael Genn / USA / Bridlebourne Stables LLC / 2 | 85.17
12. Loughnavatta Indigo / Jonathan Corrigan / IRL / Debra Wycoff / 5 | 81.64

PMG NEWS

Subscribe & Join

Phelps Media Group

Founded in 2002 by Olympian Mason Phelps, Jr., PMG specializes in sports branding, public relations, event coverage, media strategy, web design and social media.

All photography may only be used in conjunction with a related press release. We do not sell our email lists or share our lists with other companies or individuals.

Ⓒ 2024 PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

Subscribe & Join