Tiffany Hammack and Ghana FS Z Triumph in $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at Lamplight Spring Spectacular III
Wayne, Ill. – June 24, 2022 – It was another winning Friday for Tiffany Hammack at Lamplight Equestrian Center as she claimed her second $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix victory in a row at HITS Chicago. This time, the talented rider was aboard her young mount Ghana FS Z, whom she piloted to the fastest double-clear effort in a five-horse jump-off, following a demanding first round.
Tiffany Hammack and Ghana FS Z. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Hector Loyola designed a very technical track for the opening effort, which began with a test right off the bat at the fourth element, a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination. It was followed shortly after by an “S” line through the middle of the ring that included a bending line to an oxer-vertical double combination and another bending line, where many of the original order incurred faults. Five were able to complete the course without error and advance to the tiebreaker, but this time there was an inside option to the double combination that tested the riders’ speed and accuracy.
Kyle Perkovich was the first to return with Hit Me Van't Zorgvliet, lowering the height of the vertical in the combination for 4 faults in 41.039 seconds. Hammack was next with Ghana FS Z, and knowing that the 9-year-old Zangersheide mare was the less experienced of her two grand prix mounts, she opted for the outside route to the combination. The decision paid off as they galloped across the finish line in 40.349 seconds with all the rails intact.
Cormac Hanley and Community 3. Photo by Alison Hartwell
Collin Reynolds followed Hammack aboard Chicco W, but an error before slicing towards the combination made her opt to retire and place fifth. Cormac Hanley wanted to take over the lead with Community 3, but the combination proved problematic for them as well. They incurred 4 faults at the oxer in a time of 40.791 seconds, which would hold up for third. The final pair to compete was Perkovich with his second mount Rarity, and this time he chose the longer path to the combination for a double clear round in 41.588 seconds that would place second and seal Hammack’s win.
Kyle Perkovich and Rarity. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
“My horse is quite green at this level, so I thought it was better to go around,” explained Hammack after her victory. “She’s super careful, especially in an oxer-vertical combination, plus they made it even bigger, so I figured I would just run around. The first course was challenging! I had Amanda Flint help me all winter, and she actually had us do exercises like that [S line] quite often, so that really set me up perfectly for it.”
Tiffany Hammack and Ghana FS Z. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Hammack has been riding Ghana FS Z for three years and began slowly developing the mare when she was just 6 years old. They have regularly competed at Lamplight Equestrian Center to solidify their partnership. “[Lamplight] is a good place to step up and it’s a nice ring,” concluded Hammack.
On Thursday, Hanley was also successful with Community 3, winning the $5,000 Vita Flex 1.35m Jumper Classic with the fastest jump-off. He also picked up third with his winning mount from Wednesday, P-Flor-V.H., while Christina Kelly placed second aboard Dynamis KC.
Cormac Hanley and P-Flor-V.H. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Hanley kicked off his week at the Lamplight Spring Spectacular III with the victory in Wednesday’s $2,500 Stal Hendrix Open Welcome aboard P-Flor-V.H. as the only rider to perfect the first round. Hanna Egan and Eastpoint JB took home the second-place prize, while Perkovich and Quinto rounded out the top three.
The Lamplight Spring Spectacular III will continue throughout the weekend at Lamplight Equestrian Center as part of the HITS Chicago Series. On Sunday, the Grand Prix Stadium will host the week’s highlight event, the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Junior and amateur athletes will also showcase their skills on Sunday during their respective jumper classics to close out the third week of the horse show.