Fabio Leivas Da Costa and Tosca De L’Esques. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 4, 2018 – Fabio Leivas Da Costa (BRA) and Tosca De L’Esques took the victory in the $35,000 1.45m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* to kick off Tryon Fall 2 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Leivas Da Costa and the 2007 Selle Francais mare (Cardento x Apache D’adriers) stopped the short-course timers in 38.03 seconds to secure the win, while reserve honors went to Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Dingeman, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels), after their 38.03 second jump-off performance. Third place was awarded to Marilyn Little (USA) with Clearwater, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Clearway x Come On), who cleared the jump-off in 39.671 seconds.

A field of 43 horse-and-rider pairs toured the first-round course with 19 entries returning to test their luck on the jump-off track set by Peter Grant (CAN). Before riding the jump-off, Leivas Da Costa and his team observed previous competitors and set goals. “We talked before the class and set a time goal of 37 seconds. We actually earned 38 seconds, but still earned first,” Leivas Da Costa explained.

Leivas Da Costa, concerning his mount, stated, “Tosca De L’Esques has a big heart. She is willing, and tries as hard as she can. She never says, ‘no,’ she just says, ‘where do I go next?'” He continued, “She has a really huge stride and is a fast, forward horse. She really fights for us.”

For more information on TIEC, please visit www.Tryon.com.