Katy, TX – Arizona’s Allison Kroff rode T-Quick Hurricane Z to victory in the $20,000 Pyranha Welcome Stake, held on Wednesday, February 22, during the Great Southwest Texas Winter Series in Katy, TX.
Kroff and the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare, owned by TC Sport Horses LLC, were one of four entries to navigate the first-round, Michel Vaillancourt-designed course without fault to advance to the jump-off. When the pair entered the ring, the short-course time to beat had been set at 40.180 seconds by Hannah Colligan and her own Jazelly VDL. However, that time was quickly toppled, as T-Quick Hurricane Z made short work of the track, tripping the timers in 37.921 seconds.
With Kroff clinching the win and Colligan finishing in second, third place went to Alwaleed Alrashid and RSH Freedom.
“[T-Quick Hurricane Z] is so fun,” said Kroff of the mare that she has been partnered with since mid-2021. “She’s always game, always wanting to be the winner, so we kind of have to reel it back in some of the classes, not just go flat out.”
Kroff continued, “Today was really fun. We have come from outdoors; we don’t do a lot of indoors. So, while this is a big indoor, it rides a little bit differently. Last week, we really had to work on our track and stuff like that. It was really fun to see our homework pay off. Today she was really rideable in the corners and really listening.”
This year marks Kroff’s second year competing at the Texas Winter Series at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, and she intends to be back.
“We came last year and loved it,” concluded Kroff. “We had such a blast. We were here for three weeks, and we definitely want to come back!”
For full results of the $20,000 Pyranha Welcome Stake, click here.