Katy, TX –Allison Kroff was already guaranteed to be in the presentation photo for the $10,000 Kroff Stables Welcome Stake as the class’ presenting sponsor, but she earned an even better spot in the photo as the winning rider as well. Kroff and T-Quick Hurricane Z topped a 17-horse field to clinch the win on Thursday, March 30, at the 77th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX.
Kroff and “Fifi” were one of nine entries to jump without fault over the first-round course designed by Oscar Soberon. They then laid down a jump-off time of 40.670 seconds that would prove uncatchable. Finishing in second place with a time of 41.271 seconds were Martien van der Hoeven and Mefisto Il Mondo, owned by Brieanne Dofort. Rounding out the top three with a time of 41.399 seconds were Jacqueline Ruyle and her own Cyramo Z.
“[T-Quick Hurricane Z] is amazing!” said Kroff of the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare, owned by TC Sport Horses LLC. “She’s very opinionated, as am I, so we always say that we’re quite similar in that we don’t want to be told what to do. We typically have to – when we’re flatting and stuff like that – not get at each other because I know the truth is she’s trying so hard and so am I; we’re on the same team. It’s been cool to develop her a little bit [over the past year]. She did the 1.30m and 1.40m in Europe; we stepped up to the 1.50m, and she’s been amazing.”
Kroff hails from Scottsdale, AZ, where she operates Kroff Stables as a boutique show barn with clientele ranging from pony hunters to grand prix riders. This winter, she made her first trip to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, and she quickly knew she had to come back to the venue for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.
“We wanted to try something new, and we’d heard such great things about it,” said Kroff. “This is just phenomenal – this facility, the way they dress it up, the ambiance, everything about it is amazing.”
In addition to the lion’s share of the prize money, Kroff received an Antarès Reference helmet with an Eclipse Visor for her win in the $10,000 Welcome Stake. For full results of the class, visit www.HorseShowsOnline.com.
Running through April 16, the 77th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital. Highlight events of Week I include the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Leaving One Out LLC, on Friday, March 31, and the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 1. To learn more about the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, visit www.PinOak.org.
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About the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the United States, and today the show features three weeks of top hunter/jumper competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.
Founded by J.S. Abercrombie in 1945, it’s also a unique social and fundraising event. Since making the very first donation to Texas Children’s in 1947 to begin the planning and building of the hospital, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has continued its legacy of giving, now having donated nearly $7 million to the renowned medical institution. To learn more, visit www.PinOak.org.