Adam Prudent and Vasco. Photos ©LizCrawleyPhotography.
Daniel Geitner and Aviator Take $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic
Mill Spring, NC – July 7, 2016 – Adam Prudent (FRA) and his mount Vasco produced two fast clear rounds with a jump off time of 34.213 seconds to earn themselves the blue ribbon in the $35,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Trailing closely behind to finish in second place was Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Lady Maria BH, stopping the clock in 34.720 seconds. Third place honors were claimed by Todd Minikus (USA) and Vita 24, finishing in 34.823 seconds.
Prudent and Vasco, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Andiamo x Clinton), have solidified themselves as a competitive team and have been partnered together for three years. The duo has traveled the world to compete in multiple FEI competitions and spent ample time at the venue throughout the 2015 season. Prudent was thrilled with his win, which he said started off their week on the right foot. With only six out of 41 competitors advancing to the jump off, Prudent spoke about the technicality of the track set by Martin Otto (GER).
“For the second class of the week, it was quite a hard course; however, it was very well built and the fences were inviting, yet technical. Not many made it to the jump off, which attests how tough the track rode,” he detailed.
Prudent was second to last in the jump-off order, which played to his favor as he was able to observe the rounds of other riders before strategizing the win. Vasco is a notoriously fast mount for Prudent and can execute tight turns at blazing speeds during the open gallop portions of the track. Derbyshire, who finished in a close second, nearly took the win, but Prudent felt the extra time observing and preparing ultimately helped him to steal the win.
“I was able to watch Amanda go and she did a six up the first line. I tried to get the six, but I was not able to make that happen, so I settled in and did seven strides,” he explained. “I wasn’t worried because my horse is incredibly fast so I planned on cutting corners to make up for the extra stride.”
“I knew what I had to do today, and I executed the plan,” he added.
Prudent spoke about his growing relationship with Vasco and the strengths that allow them to earn exciting victories, similarly to the one they secured Thursday. He said, “Vasco is not only extraordinarily fast; he is also very careful. In the middle of the course he will open up his stride and allow us to cover an impressive amount of ground.”
Looking forward to the remainder of the week after their win, Prudent and Vasco will be a pair to watch on Saturday, July 9, in the $130,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 3*. Prudent feels confident that the duo will maintain their consistency, especially coming off of their strong win in such a competitive class early in the week.
Prudent and the Plain Bay Sales team will remain based at TIEC for the remainder of the Tryon Summer Series, contesting their abilities each week in numerous national and international classes.
Prudent touched on the expansion and continual growth occurring at TIEC, stating, “I love Tryon. It gets bigger and bigger and better and better every year! Each time we come back there is something new and I’m already enthusiastic about the new derby field because I really enjoy showing on grass footing.”
Daniel Geitner and Aviator Top $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at Tryon Summer II
Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC piloted Aviator, owned by Katie Kittrell, to a first place finish in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at Tryon Summer II, besting a class of 10 entries, and securing the victory with a two round score of 163. Pomme Du Coeur, ridden by Samantha Senft of Wellington, FL and owned by Sandalwood Farms, finished in second, collecting a total score of 161, while Jennifer Hannan of Wakefield, RI and Commodore, owned by Jennifer Smith, earned third place, receiving an overall score of 160 for their performance in the class.
Geitner and Aviator tied with Josh Dolan of Wellington, FL and Hidden Lane, owned by Page Tredennick, for the highest first round score, as both combinations received an 86 from the judging panel. Geitner made his move for the win in the second round, earning a 77 to solidify the victory. Geitner will return to the hunter ring Friday, July 8, as he will pilot two mounts in the $2,500 USHJA National Derby, which is set to showcase more than 30 entries.
Competition resumes Friday at TIEC with the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, before international jumper competition returns this weekend. On Saturday, July 9, the $5,000 Pony Hunter Derby will take to the George H. Morris Arena before the popular “Saturday Night Lights” series, which will present the $130,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 3* beginning at 8:00 p.m. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com.