Traverse City, MI – September 7, 2025—Charlotte Jacobs (USA) was the only athlete to crack the code on Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) jump-off test to win the $117,000 Agero CSI3* Grand Prix aboard Instrumental to close out the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament during opening week of the Traverse City Tournament of Champions.
From a five-horse jump-off field, Jacobs and her North Star owned Instrumental crossed the timers in 38.12 seconds as the only clear round over the short course.
Both Isabelle Ehman (USA) and Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) posted faster times, but had rails on the ground. Ehman rode Darra du Soleil, owned by Double E, LLC, to the fastest four-fault round in 36.55 seconds to finish second, while Goyoaga took third on Grisby De Poilley in a time of 37.42 seconds for owner S.C.E.A. Ty Nehue.
“She has really progressed this season,” said Jacobs of her 10-year-old Swedish-bred mare (Qualdandro X VDL Indoctro), a mount that has pocketed five international top-tens throughout the Traverse City Horse Shows season, including a three-star ranking win during the Spring Series. “We took our time with her. She has so much ability, jump and scope and we’ve been trying to harness that and control it. Now’s the time for her to be quick and competitive.”
Jacobs returned second in the jump-off, hoping she could do enough to hold off the remaining three. “I wanted to put the pressure on the other riders. Being the only double clear was an amazing result for Instrumental, and I couldn’t be happier with her,” she said of the mare previously developed by Ireland’s Shane Breen and Peder Fredricson of Sweden.
Instrumental will next focus on jumping during the American Gold Cup CSI5* during the final week of the Traverse City Horse Shows season.
“I enjoy being here in Traverse City for the whole summer with these horses that are just coming up because they can take this next step at the end of the year, which is a positive experience for them,” concluded Jacobs.
For complete results from the $117,000 Agero CSI3* Grand Prix, click here. International show jumping action continues at Flintfields Horse Park with the return of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W-Traverse City this week.
Qualifying Complete for TCHS Equitation Championships
Qualifying for the all-new Traverse City Equitation Championships ended this week, ahead of the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship and the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship during the second week of the Tournament of Champions at Traverse City Horse Shows.
Equitation riders took to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring at two heights on Sunday. After a panel of judges observed an opening jumping round and a flat test of the top twelve in the 3’6”, Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, was named the winner aboard Seven Miles owned by Sweet Oak Farm.
In a sibling battle for victory, Olivia’s younger brother Collin Sweetnam took second riding Ustica. Emma Shook of Holly, MI, was third aboard Maguro.
Olivia plans to compete in the Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship with Seven Miles, a recent jumper turned equitation mount. “His jump, his canter and just the overall smoothness of him was really appealing,” recalled Olivia of the first time she rode Seven Miles. “We knew that he was going to be a great equitation horse.
“It’s nice to add Miles to the list because he’s on the greener side. I have two veterans—Fendi and Class Act—and they’ve done the finals season many times,” continued Olivia, who currently sits second in the overall qualifying standings. “I’m excited to incorporate him into my string so we can gain the experience together. “
When asked about the level of equitation competition present at Traverse City ahead of the equitation finals, Olivia noted, “I love Traverse City, and the courses and level are quite competitive. I’ve been doing these [qualifying classes] every week that I’ve been here trying to work towards this final. It’s a great kickstart for finals season.”
For complete results from the 3’6” Equitation Championship Qualifier, click here.
In the final qualifier for the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship, Sydney Mohrhardt of Boca Raton, FL, rode Saint Louis to a win after the jumping and flat phases for owner Clear For Takeoff, LLC.
Claire Bruny of Loxahatchee, FL, rode Shakiro to second, and Remy Becker of Wellington, FL, took third on Fry Day.
“I’ve never done the equitation, so this is all very new to me,” said Mohrhardt, who is ranked inside the top 10 on the final qualifying standings. “I’m so grateful to have trainers who have been there, done that, and are teaching me the ropes. It’s been such a blast getting to experience this and see what it’s like. I’ve done the hunters my whole life, so when I started in the jumpers, it was very new to me. But I think doing the jumpers has helped me with the equitation; with the bending lines and the rollbacks.”
Speaking about her partnership with Saint Louis, Mohrhardt noted, “I’ve been showing him for about a year. He used to be my sister’s jumper, and when she went to college she wasn’t riding anymore so I took him over. We started in the jumpers and moved to the equitation in September of 2024 and we’ve been hooked ever since.”
For complete results from the TCHS 3’3” Equitation Championship Qualifier, click here.
Qualifying for both the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship and the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship took place at participating events throughout the 2025 competition season. Both big-money championships take place on Saturday, September 13, and will feature the top 50 qualified riders competing over two rounds, each judged by one panel of two judges. See final qualifying standings here.
Greg Crolick Dominates $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby
Greg Crolick was a busy rider on Sunday with four horses entered in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby. All of them finished within the top 10, highlighted by a win on the ever-competitive Chappy.
Crolick, who hails from Clarkston, MI, combined scores of 90 and 89 in the hunt & go style derby to take the win on Carole Chase’s gelding.
“We’ve had an amazing year so far,” said Crolick about Chappy’s consistency. “Carole and Kevin Chase have been incredible owners for me and for Chappy—they really let him flourish.”
When asked about the one-round hunt & go format with a classic and handy included, Crolick said, “I really like the format because even if you’re on a greener one, which my earlier one was, you can make a little mistake and get a chance to keep going. The course is very flowing and welcoming for younger horses.
In addition to the win, Chappy was also honored with the Platinum Performance Hunter Horse of the Week title.
“This is our home show because we’re three hours away, and it’s lovely to be up here,” concluded Crolick.
Crolick bookended the top three by finishing third on Captain Jack with scores 88 and 87.75. Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, was second aboard Unwritten on scores of 89 and 87.
For complete results from the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, click here.
In the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunt & Go Derby, Eleanor Louise Hellman of Franklin, TN, rode Malibu Ken to victory. Complete results can be found here.
About Traverse City Horse Shows
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) offers 13 weeks of top competition each summer at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The venue blends world-class sport with the natural beauty of Northern Michigan and features 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events, including three five-stars and an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*.
The season culminates in the three-week Tournament of Champions, highlighted by the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City and $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5*. New this year, the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship and $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship deliver big prize money and prestige to the equitation ranks.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
