WILLIAMSBURG — A few seasons ago, Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Rincoola Milsean were the pair to beat in international competition at Flintfields Horse Park. After missing a season in Traverse City because of injury, the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Aldatus Z x Cruising) returned to winning form just in time for the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel. On Saturday afternoon of Traverse City Spring III, Jacobs and “Roy” topped the $116,500 Molon CSI3* Grand Prix.
“This horse is incredible,” Jacobs said of Rincoola Milsean, known as “Roy” in the barn. “He came back from an injury, and it’s been a year now since he returned to competition. To win this Grand Prix is very meaningful. It’s his first big win since being back. It’s exciting.”
Traverse City was actually the last place they competed internationally before Roy’s hiatus from competition, so Jacobs was determined to get the horse back to the show and back to the winner’s circle in particular.
“It’s full circle,” she said of their return to the venue and to winning. In September of 2024, the pair had a clean sweep of the entire FEI division, winning all three CSI3* classes. “This is something I really wanted to do, to get back here and have success with him again. It feels really good and I’m very happy.”
Jacobs knew she could rely on her horse’s natural speed to carry her around quickly without doing anything too drastic.
“I have a very fast horse naturally so I did seven [strides] from one to two; a few did six,” she explained of her jump-off approach. She was up against eight other top-quality competitors over Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) short course. “I did the add to the double. I was quick to the oxer and quick to the liverpool and I think that’s where I got it done. Natural foot speed is the name of the game with him.”
Their final time of 36.75 seconds kept them atop the class even as Kent Farrington (USA) gave it a go with his mount Nikki Angel, clocking in at 36.98 seconds for second place. Spencer Smith was only about half a second behind that aboard HHS Seattle for third.
Traverse City Spring III concludes Sunday with the $10,000 Frank & Eileen 3′ Adult Equitation Challenge and the $20,000 1.40-1.45 Jumper Classic.